I purchased a 2005 Honda Odyssey EX from Hardin County Honda on Memorial day this year. Since then we've enjoyed the van, but have gotten poor gas mileage the entire time. We've checked it several times, in city, and on the long road. And, consistently, In the city, we are averaging only 13-14 miles per gallon, and on longer trips only closer to 20-21 mpg -much less than the 19-25 rating advertised.

One reason we looked at the Honda odyssey is because of its praise for great gas mileage, and its general durability (as we had previously owned an Accord).

Several friends of ours who have Odysseys from 2001 - 2006 have told us they get way better mpg than we do…..in the range of 19-25 like advertised. Actually, of all the Hondas from 1995 - 2010 the 2005 shows generally the best mpg of them all

http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/12/09/honda-odyssey-gas-mileage/

As the van is a certified vehicle, the Honda service center fixed something for us last month on the body that was in bad shape when we bought it. At that time, my wife asked about the mileage problem, and she was told it was likely lower because of her driving habits.

I understand that driving habits can affect the mileage, but not this drastically. Plus, that doesn't seem a reasonable answer for a customer - that their driving habits don't allow for good gas mileage. If that is the case, then where do you learn the proper Honda Odyssey driving habits? I just don't buy all that as a primary reason for the lower mpg - I personally think there is an issue that is causing it to get less and Honda has a tough time addressing it. We were not told that gas mileage of 19-25 (as advertised here: http://automobiles.honda.com/certified-used/odyssey/2005/specifications.aspx ) would vary alot depending on our driving habits. We don't "peel or spin" out fast when we take off, and we certainly don't drive crazily. We are pretty conservative drivers, so I can't imagine that our driving habits are the issue.

I don't know what the solution is here, but I don't want to feel like we were sold a van that was known to get lower gas mileage than advertised. If it is a problem on Honda's end, we want it fixed under the warranty as a certified van. If it can't be remedied, we will fell stuck with an unsatisfactory vehicle and will be unsatisfied customers from Hardin County Honda. Enough people out there are complaining about this same issue on the 2005, so it's not a single incident.

I bought a 2005 Honda Odyssey EXL-Navi. The rated fuel mileage on this van is 20-28 mpg. When I got this van I immediately noticed that I was getting about 13 mpg. I was extremely unhappy with this and took it back to the dealer. After a thorough check, they found nothing wrong and sent me home. They stated that there was a break in period and it would get better after I put a few more miles on the van. Unfortunately that did not happen. I have since had my car checked three additional times because I still get 11 – 15 mpg. I find this unacceptable. I paid 36,000 dollars for this vehicle. I looked at other vans that would have been much cheaper but I chose the Odyssey because of its wonderful fuel mileage rating. Honda states that 13 mpg average is totally in the acceptable range.

I have been referred to a case manager who states that she is the manager for the Northwest region for Honda Corp. I was told there is a percentage of Odysseys that are having the same problem as mine and unless they can find something wrong, I am out of luck just like all the other owners with this problem. I asked what the percentage of vehicles that are having this problem is and she would not give me one. I asked for someone higher up than her and she stated that there is nobody above her who will talk to me. She stated that Honda believes that the owners driving habits are contributing to the poor fuel mileage. I told her that seemed impossible to me because every vehicle I have ever owned has gotten better than stated fuel mileage and my driving habits have not changed.

So basically I am screwed and not happy about it. Honda is still running ads about the 20-28 mpg Odyssey and it infuriates me. I want every American to know about this problem. I urge you, do not buy from Honda. They do not stand behind their product and they outright lie about the fuel mileage. Please forward this to everyone you know. I do not want anyone else to fall victim to the scam that Honda has perpetrated on many others like myself!