Honda Odyssey 1999–2004 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (RL1)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20264,271 complaints, 2,941 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 1999 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 518
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 1999
- Transmission and driveline170 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Electrical system110 reports · median 125,000 mi
- Latches and locks78 reports · median 78,000 mi
9 recall campaigns name the 1999: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Interior lighting. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2000 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 98,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 675
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2000
- Transmission and driveline228 reports · median 107,000 mi
- Body structure119 reports · median 71,000 mi
- Latches and locks105 reports · median 74,000 mi
6 recall campaigns name the 2000: Air bags — frontal; Interior lighting; Latches/locks/linkages — doors. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2001 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 619
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2001
- Transmission and driveline332 reports · median 107,000 mi
- Body structure64 reports
- Suspension50 reports · median 83,000 mi
1 recall campaign names the 2001: Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 84,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 960
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2002
- Transmission and driveline608 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Airbag system99 reports · median 123,000 mi
- Body structure55 reports · median 68,000 mi
10 recall campaigns name the 2002: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Power train — automatic transmission. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 102,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 914
- Recalls naming this year
- 15
Most reported on the 2003
- Transmission and driveline533 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Airbag system131 reports · median 123,000 mi
- Electrical system81 reports · median 122,000 mi
15 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 107,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 585
- Recalls naming this year
- 13
Most reported on the 2004
- Transmission and driveline221 reports · median 111,000 mi
- Airbag system111 reports · median 118,000 mi
- Body structure55 reports · median 85,000 mi
13 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2004 reports latest and the 2002 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2002 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 1999–2004 Honda Odyssey reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 98,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 167,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,941
- Recalls
- 28
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline49.0% of complaints · median 98,000 mi
- Airbag system10.0% of complaints · median 124,000 mi
- Body structure9.6% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
Owners filed 4,271 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999–2004 Honda Odyssey; the transmission and driveline leads with 49% of them, and half of the 2,941 that record an odometer reading came by 98,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 68,000 and 130,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 1999–2004 Honda Odyssey last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 1999–2004 Honda Odyssey, half of the 2,941 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 98,000 miles and 90% by 167,000 miles.
480 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 109 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Odyssey reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Odyssey 1999–2004 · 2,941 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 153 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 109 complaints (3.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 35,000
- 25%
- 67,500
- Median
- 97,500
- 75%
- 130,000
- 90%
- 167,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 90 | 3.1% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 25 | 0.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 31 | 1.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 36 | 1.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 39 | 1.3% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 27 | 0.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 33 | 1.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 54 | 1.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 55 | 1.9% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 64 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 71 | 2.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 65 | 2.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 98 | 3.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 90 | 3.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 98 | 3.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 117 | 4.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 144 | 4.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 124 | 4.2% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 139 | 4.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 132 | 4.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 153 | 5.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 130 | 4.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 120 | 4.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 83 | 2.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 95 | 3.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 79 | 2.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 77 | 2.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 66 | 2.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 73 | 2.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 53 | 1.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 76 | 2.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 40 | 1.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 45 | 1.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 54 | 1.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 39 | 1.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 31 | 1.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 29 | 1.0% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 19 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 20 | 0.7% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 18 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 109 | 3.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Odyssey problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Odyssey 1999–2004
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Latches and locks290 reports78,00040,000–105,000Latches and locks: 290 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 105,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system200 reports83,00050,000–110,000Engine and its cooling system: 200 reports, median 83,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 110,000 miles.
- Body structure410 reports86,00030,000–130,000Body structure: 410 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 130,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline2,092 reports98,00074,000–125,000Transmission and driveline: 2,092 reports, median 98,000 miles, middle half 74,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Electrical system340 reports114,00088,000–158,000Electrical system: 340 reports, median 114,000 miles, middle half 88,000 to 158,000 miles.
- Engine136 reports116,00094,000–160,000Engine: 136 reports, median 116,000 miles, middle half 94,000 to 160,000 miles.
- Airbag system425 reports124,00080,000–167,000Airbag system: 425 reports, median 124,000 miles, middle half 80,000 to 167,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 2,092 | 49.0% | 98,000 | 74,000–125,000 |
| Airbag system | 425 | 10.0% | 124,000 | 80,000–167,000 |
| Body structure | 410 | 9.6% | 86,000 | 30,000–130,000 |
| Electrical system | 340 | 8.0% | 114,000 | 88,000–158,000 |
| Latches and locks | 290 | 6.8% | 78,000 | 40,000–105,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 200 | 4.7% | 83,000 | 50,000–110,000 |
| Engine | 136 | 3.2% | 116,000 | 94,000–160,000 |
| Suspension | 135 | 3.2% | 87,000 | 70,000–122,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 134 | 3.1% | 82,000 | 50,000–150,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 118 | 2.8% | 113,000 | 82,000–160,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 98,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 49.0% of complaints (2,092 reports, 1,802 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 98,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 74,000 and 125,000 miles.
A single system taking 49.0% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The airbag system accounts for 10.0% of complaints (425 reports, 200 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 124,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 80,000 and 167,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.6% of complaints (410 reports, 165 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 130,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.0% of complaints (340 reports, 232 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 114,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 88,000 and 158,000 miles.
Latches and locks account for 6.8% of complaints (290 reports, 153 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 105,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 4.7% of complaints (200 reports, 145 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 83,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 110,000 miles.
Known problems with the 1999–2004 Odyssey
Transmission 1999–2004
Automatic transmission failure - the defining defect of this generation. A bearing breaks apart and metal fragments block oil passages, and the second-gear/countershaft area is starved of lubrication, leading to erratic shifting and lockup. Honda recalled MY2002-2004 vehicles (NHTSA 04V-176, roughly 1.1 million units) with an oil-jet kit / oil cooler return line revision, and extended the MY1999-2001 transmission warranty under litigation to 93 months / 109,000 miles. Five-speed units also suffered premature third-gear clutch pack wear.
Before you buy a 1999–2004 Odyssey: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,941 mileage-tagged complaints, 28 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 28 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 1999–2004 cars. Automatic transmission failure - the defining defect of this generation. A bearing breaks apart and metal fragments block oil passages, and the second-gear/countershaft area is starved of lubrication, leading to erratic…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 68,000 and 130,000 miles, with a median of 98,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 98,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Odyssey problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi20% below | At 90k mi43% below | At 120k mi69% below | At 150k mi84% below | At 200k mi96% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 74,000–125,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 80,000–167,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Body structure | 30,000–130,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 88,000–158,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Latches and locks | 40,000–105,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 50,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 94,000–160,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Odyssey 1999–2004 · 2,941 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 20% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 69% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 96%: the remaining 3.7% of reports (109) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
1999–2004 Honda Odyssey recalls (28)
NHTSA records 28 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (14), the electrical system (4), latches and locks (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jan 2020 · 2000–2001 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge.…
Jan 2020 · 1999–2000 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October…
Jun 2019 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Jun 2019 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Mar 2019 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service…
Apr 2018 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012…
What can happen. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda…
May 2016 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Sep 2015 · 2003 · Air BagsAir bags that do not meet the safety requirements increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 28, 2002, to August 30, 2002. The affected vehicles were manufactured with the incorrect air bag modules, rendering the vehicles noncompliant with the…
What can happen. Air bags that do not meet the safety requirements increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Jun 2015 · 2002–2003 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2015 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Jan 2015 · 2003–2004 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.…
Nov 2014 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Jun 2014 · 2003–2004 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Sep 2013 · 2003–2004 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura…
Dec 2012 · 2003–2004 · Electrical SystemRemoval of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the…
What can happen. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of…
Aug 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the pump stops working, eht engine will stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
The defect. On certain minivans, the fuel pump may fail due to corrosion of an electrical terminal.
What can happen. If the pump stops working, eht engine will stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will check the electrical coupler terminal of the fuel pump. If any corrosion is found, the pump will be replaced. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at…
Apr 2004 · 2002–2004 · Power TrainGear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The defect. On some MINI vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear…
What can happen. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…
Oct 2003 · 1999 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles and MINI vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
What can happen. If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If…
Jan 2003 · 2003 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. On certain MINI vans, some fuel tanks have surface imperfections that could allow fuel to leak from the tank.
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for surface imperfections. If any imperfections are found, the fuel tank will be replaced. Owner notification began january 16, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles…
Aug 2002 · 2002 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be…
What can happen. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles…
May 2002 · 1999 · Electrical SystemWorn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Jul 2000 · 1999–2000 · Interior LightingAt night, the driver would not be able to see instrument panel gauges and displays.
The defect. Vehicle description: MINI vans. The dimmer control for the instrument panel lights can fail.
What can happen. At night, the driver would not be able to see instrument panel gauges and displays.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the multiplex unit.
Apr 2000 · 1999–2000 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesAn improperly latched door could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The defect. Vehicle description: minivan. The sliding doors may not latch properly.
What can happen. An improperly latched door could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. Under certain circumstances, a door could open completely. An unrestrained rear seat passenger could fall out of an…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the door latch assembly on all Odyssey minvans built from december 3, 1999 through december 16, 1999. Also included in this recall are approximately 1,612 Odyssey minivans that…
Feb 2000 · 1999–2000 · Electrical SystemIf a fuse blows, engine power, or operation of any or all electrical components, can be lost, including…
The defect. Vehicle description: MINI vans. A wire harness, located within the engine compartment, could be damaged by contact with a metal pipe, possibly resulting in a blown fuse.
What can happen. If a fuse blows, engine power, or operation of any or all electrical components, can be lost, including lights, windshield wipers, horn, and the anti-lock function of the brakes. A sudden loss of…
The free fix. Dealers will install a protective covering over the wire harness and metal pipe to prevent this problem. If any wires are damaged, the dealer will make the necessary repairs, and then install the…
Dec 1999 · 2000 · StructureThe missing welds might affect the occupant protection performance in a collision.
The defect. Vehicle description: minivans. The front body/frame is missing spot welds.
What can happen. The missing welds might affect the occupant protection performance in a collision.
The free fix. Dealers inspected all the vehicles and they were found to be properly welded.
Jun 1999 · 1999 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the activation lever has not returned to the proper latching position by the time the sliding door closes…
The defect. Vehicle description: minivan. The power door lock remote control actuator unlatches the door in response to input from the remote transmitter. Excessive grease in the actuator could cause a slow return of the activation lever to the proper latching position.
What can happen. If the activation lever has not returned to the proper latching position by the time the sliding door closes, the door will not latch.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the power door lock remote control assembly.
Jun 1999 · 1999 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesAn improperly latched door could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The defect. Vehicle description: minivan. The sliding doors may not latch properly.
What can happen. An improperly latched door could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. Under certain circumstances, a door could open completely. An unrestrained rear seat passenger could fall out of an…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the door latch assembly.
Jun 1999 · 1999 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf the vehicle contains to maintain speed when the driver is expecting the vehicle to slow, a crash could…
The defect. Vehicle description: minivan. In extremely cold, wet weather, ice can form in the throttle body preventing the throttle return to the idle position. This could cause the throttle to remain open even though the driver has removed his or her foot from the…
What can happen. If the vehicle contains to maintain speed when the driver is expecting the vehicle to slow, a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will drill two additional drain holes in the bottom of the resonator.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,271 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 182 (4.3%)
- Fires
- 37
- Injury reports
- 177
- Fatality reports
- 4
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Odyssey problems by model year
The 2002 drew the most complaints of this generation, 960, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 1999 the fewest, 518. A typical year drew about 647.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 518 | 259 | 100,000 | Transmission and driveline (170) | 9 |
| 2000 | 675 | 346 | 98,000 | Transmission and driveline (228) | 6 |
| 2001 | 619 | 444 | 100,000 | Transmission and driveline (332) | 1 |
| 2002 | 960 | 746 | 84,000 | Transmission and driveline (608) | 10 |
| 2003 | 914 | 715 | 102,000 | Transmission and driveline (533) | 15 |
| 2004 | 585 | 431 | 107,000 | Transmission and driveline (221) | 13 |
What Odyssey owners reported
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the right side of the roadway, turned off the vehicle for approximately 30-minutes before restarting the vehicle; however, the…
2004 · 284,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted into gear. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in four unrepaired recalls. The contact informed the dealer that she was…
2003 · 252,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine revved up high however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact…
2004 · 200,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the driver-side front air bag deploy on its own without any impact, causing the contact to drive off the road and struck a tree and causing damages to the front end of the vehicle. No one was injured. No police report was filed. The vehicle…
2004 · 168,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 2,941 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Odyssey generations
- Odyssey 2005–2010 2,677 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- Odyssey 2011–2017 1,002 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Odyssey 2018–2025 593 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system