What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1998 Honda Odyssey

Typical pattern

4% of complaints about the 1998 Honda Odyssey came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (31 complaints), typically at 9.6 yr or about 163,111 miles.

Complaints
75
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
141,223 n=31
Crash / fire / tow
13.3% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
31 reports · 163,111 mi
9.6 yr
6.5%
Power train
15 reports · 99,000 mi
5.2 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V026000 2020-01-17
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupt

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

02V120000 2002-05-16
Electrical system:ignition:switch

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

99V069000 1999-05-10
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system mileage not reported 6 mo in service
UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES A GROWLING AND A THUMPING SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE WHEELS; SOUNDS LIKE AN IMPACT IS OCCURRING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHIMMY. BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REMAINS UNRESOLVED. CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION--KEY WILL NOT TURN TO ALLOW CAR TO START, EVEN AFTER NEW KEYS WERE TRIED. *AK *ML
Electrical system mileage not reported 5.0 yr in service
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 02V120000 NOTICE FOR IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. SERVICE MANAGER MR WELLMAN FROM LEITH HONDA DEALERSHIP. 4800 CAPITAL BLVD RALEIGH NC #919 876 5432, STATED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 5.0 yr in service
THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARING CONSUMER TO RE-ATTACH THE ALARM AND KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM, DUE TO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HONDA WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO RE-ATTACH BOTH SYSTEMS UNDER THE RECALL. BOTH WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS FACTORY EQUIPMENT AND IS STATED TO BE A HONDA SYSTEM. (NHTSA# 02V120000) *SCC
Power train mileage not reported 4.3 yr in service
DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0740 - WE ARE BEING TOLD ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (EVEN THOUGH IT STILL SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR NOW). I WANTED TO REPORT IT AFTER SEEING LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FORUMS FROM ODYSSEY OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD LOW MILEAGE TRANSMISSION FAILURES.*AK

Other Odyssey model years

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