Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Estima: known faults compared
Japanese people-movers imported used in large numbers for families who need seven or eight seats.
The catalogue documents 45 faults for the Honda Odyssey and 38 for the Toyota Estima. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Honda Odyssey | Toyota Estima |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 45 | 38 |
| Rated major or critical | 36 | 31 |
| Rated common or very common | 33 | 30 |
| Typical repair | $400–$1,400 | $550–$1,500 |
| Model years covered | 1998–2021 | 1990–2020 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | petrol, hybrid | hybrid, petrol |
| Service schedule on the model page | Yes | Yes |
Where the Honda Odyssey goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 3rd Gear Clutch Pack Failure (5-speed Auto)
- Power Sliding Door Cable Fraying and Motor Failure
- Rapid inner-edge rear tyre wear from aggressive rear camber
Most expensive to fix
Where the Toyota Estima goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 2AZ-FE Cylinder Head Bolt Thread Pull-Out
- Hybrid battery degradation on AHR20 Estima Hybrid — most imports are past due
- CVT shudder, whine and failure on 2.4 petrol (Super CVT-i)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Estima differ
- Transmission: 6 documented on the Honda Odyssey, 3 on the Toyota Estima. The costliest on the Honda Odyssey is CVT Shudder and Judder on Light Acceleration, at up to $8,500.
- Suspension: 6 documented on the Honda Odyssey, 3 on the Toyota Estima. The costliest on the Honda Odyssey is Electric Power Steering Rack Internal Seal Leak, at up to $2,800.
- Engine: 12 documented on the Honda Odyssey, 14 on the Toyota Estima. The costliest on the Toyota Estima is 2AZ-FE Cylinder Head Bolt Thread Pull-Out, at up to $6,500.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, electrical, transmission, suspension and cooling, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Honda Odyssey | Toyota Estima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 14 |
| Electrical | 10 | 12 |
| Transmission | 6 | 3 |
| Suspension | 6 | 3 |
| Cooling | 5 | 3 |
| Body & Rust | 1 | 2 |
| Fluid Leaks | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 |
| Tyres | 1 | 0 |
| Interior | 1 | 0 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Estima?
The catalogue documents 45 faults for the Honda Odyssey and 38 for the Toyota Estima. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 36 on the Honda Odyssey and 31 on the Toyota Estima are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $400 to $1,400 on the Honda Odyssey and $550 to $1,500 on the Toyota Estima, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Honda Odyssey it is i-MMD Sport Hybrid Traction Battery Capacity Degradation, documented at up to $15,000. On the Toyota Estima it is AHR20 Hybrid Transaxle MG2 Motor P3190 Fault, documented at up to $9,000.