Dealer visit checklist
2020 Honda Odyssey checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2020 Honda Odyssey problems to check
- Transmission hesitation or rough shifting, particularly on 2018–2020 models with the 9-speed automatic — Honda issued software updates but some owners report lingering issues
- Infotainment system (Display Audio) can be sluggish and unresponsive, a frequent complaint across owner forums
- Paint quality complaints including chipping on the hood and front bumper at higher mileages
- Second-row Magic Slide seats occasionally develop rattles or the sliding mechanism becomes stiff over time
- Oil dilution from fuel entering the crankcase was flagged on some 1.5T Honda engines of this era, though the Odyssey's 3.5L V6 is unaffected — confirm the VIN-specific service history
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA: American Honda Motor Co.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles.
- VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $27,500 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away