Recall 17V397 affects 3,927 2018 Honda Odyssey vehicles for an incompatible third-row center seat belt tongue. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 3,927 2018 Odyssey vehicles because the third-row center seat belt tongue is incompatible with the latch and can fail to latch securely. In a crash, that belt can fail to restrain the occupant, increasing injury risk, and the Honda dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The third row center seat belt in the 2018 Honda Odyssey is supposed to lock a passenger in place by fitting the belt tongue into the matching latch. The tongue is the metal piece at the end of the belt. When it clicks into the latch, the belt holds the center passenger against the seat during normal driving and crash forces.
On affected Odysseys, Honda found that the wrong belt tongue was installed on some third row center seat belt assemblies. The supplier used an outer-seat belt tongue during assembly of the center-seat belt. Because that tongue does not match the center latch, the belt does not latch securely and the vehicle does not meet FMVSS number 208 for occupant crash protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up when the third row center belt will not click into the latch or does not stay locked after you buckle it.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Honda Odyssey | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,927 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Honda Odyssey is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the third row center seat belt has the wrong tongue, it can fail to restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the inspection soon and ask the dealer about passenger use for that seat until it is checked. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Honda Odyssey is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free inspection and seat-belt replacement if the third row center belt has the wrong tongue.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V397 when you call.
- Avoid using the third row center seating position until the dealer confirms the center seat belt latches securely.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 if you need help locating a dealer or confirming recall number 17V397.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the third row center seat belt and confirms that the belt has the correct tongue for the latch. If the wrong tongue is installed, the dealer replaces the seat belt. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Honda's standard reimbursement plan is on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs tied to this seat belt issue. Bring any related repair invoice or payment paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 23, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 23, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| June 23, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 24, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 24, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V397?
Recall 17V397 covers 3,927 2018 Honda Odyssey vehicles with a third-row center seat belt tongue that can fail to latch securely with the buckle. In a crash, an unlatched belt cannot restrain the occupant, increasing injury risk. Honda dealers will inspect and replace the belt if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Honda Odyssey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Odyssey is included in recall 17V397. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask for the third-row center seat belt inspection. Reference recall number 17V397 or Honda recall number KF7 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Honda will inspect the third-row center seat belt and replace it if needed free of charge at a franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the third-row center seat belt does not latch securely. If that seating position is occupied during a crash, the belt cannot restrain the passenger as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Use another seating position until the dealer confirms the belt is correct.
What if I bought my 2018 Honda Odyssey used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Odyssey is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer with recall number 17V397 or Honda recall number KF7.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V397000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V397 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V397000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →