MajorVery commonTyres

Honda Odyssey: Rapid inner-edge rear tyre wear from aggressive rear camber

Rapid inner-edge rear tyre wear from aggressive rear camber is a very common tyres fault on the Honda Odyssey on the 2003–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 45 documented faults on the Honda Odyssey.

Vehicle: Honda Odyssey
Years: 2003–2013
Fuel: petrol
System: Tyres

This page covers the Honda Odyssey as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Odyssey faults45 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

To achieve their low roofline, RB1-RB4 Odysseys run noticeable negative rear camber, and as the rear suspension bushes and arms age the camber goes further negative. The inner edges of the rear tyres scrub away long before the rest of the tread — sometimes to the cords while the outer tread still looks healthy — and it is easy to miss on a casual look. Adjustable rear camber arms plus an alignment is the standard fix.

What you would notice

Rear tyres worn smooth or corded on the inner edge only
Faint roar or hum from the rear that changes with speed
Rear of the car looking slightly 'tucked in' at the wheels
Rear tyres needing replacement far more often than fronts

How to check it

Where to look. Inner shoulders of both rear tyres; rear suspension arms behind the rear wheels

Crouch behind each rear wheel and run your hand across the full tread width, feeling the inside edge — or turn the steering full lock and photograph the inner shoulder.
Check the rear tyre brands/dates: mismatched or very new rear tyres on an old car can mean the wear was just hidden.
Ask for the most recent wheel alignment printout showing rear camber figures.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“When were the rear tyres last replaced, and why?”
“Have adjustable camber arms been fitted or a rear alignment done?”

Now check the Honda Odyssey you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

OzHonda forum RB Odyssey rear camber wear threads
NZ tyre shop and WoF commentary on RB Odyssey inner-edge rear wear
Aftermarket adjustable camber arm kits marketed specifically for RB Odyssey

Honda Odyssey buyer questions

Is rapid inner-edge rear tyre wear from aggressive rear camber serious on a Honda Odyssey?

We rate it major and very common on the Honda Odyssey. To achieve their low roofline, RB1-RB4 Odysseys run noticeable negative rear camber, and as the rear suspension bushes and arms age the camber goes further negative. The inner edges of the rear tyres scrub away long before the rest of the tread — sometimes to the cords while the outer tread still looks healthy — and it is easy to miss on a casual look. Adjustable rear camber arms plus an alignment is the standard fix.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Odyssey?

$350 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Odyssey years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2013 Honda Odyssey. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Crouch behind each rear wheel and run your hand across the full tread width, feeling the inside edge — or turn the steering full lock and photograph the inner shoulder. Check the rear tyre brands/dates: mismatched or very new rear tyres on an old car can mean the wear was just hidden. Ask for the most recent wheel alignment printout showing rear camber figures. Look here: Inner shoulders of both rear tyres; rear suspension arms behind the rear wheels