Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 1997 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between 1997 and 2021.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 26 of 32 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 2
Against the median year of the Honda Odyssey. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
120.0%
150,000+ miles
240.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1997peak 3Sep 2021
Recalls on the 1997 Honda Odyssey
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2002096188,463 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain 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. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Apopka, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, KNOCKING CONSUMER OUT TEMPORARILY. THE AIR BAG HIT CONSUMER SO HARD TO THE POINT IT KNOCKED HER RIGHT LEG UP AND HIT THE DASH CAUSING BRUISING AND A NASTY CUT. FOUR WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING PAIN IN THE CHEST AREA DUE TO THE AIR BAG. WHEN CONSUMERS HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HE ONLY RECIEVED A RED SPOT ON HIS ARM.
NHTSA complaint #567571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joliet, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. CONSUMER LOST BRAKES/POWER STEERING, AND SMOKE CAME FROM IGNITION HOUSING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED DEFECTIVE PART WITH 35130-SXO-AO1 STEERING SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #899116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VAFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
7/29 LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING AND ONE WINDOW STOPS OPERATING. 7/30 HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE VAN IS STATIONARY AND ANOTHER WINDOW STOPS WORKING. I DISASSEMBLED THE DOOR AND WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT FURTHER SMOKE/FIRE DAMAGE. PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ARE MELTED. AMERICAN HONDA IS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE AFTER A MONTH OF DISCUSSIONS AND INVESTIGATION BY HONDA TECHNICIANS. THEIR STORY KEEPS CHANGING. TODAY THEY REQUESTED THAT I MAIL ALL PARTS IN QUESTION TO THEM IN CA.
NHTSA complaint #751203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNCHED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. ANOTHER TIME, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #817216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNCHED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. ANOTHER TIME, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #817216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Beirut, GU
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
transmission problem
NHTSA complaint #11431774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beirut, GU
STEERING
transmission problem
NHTSA complaint #11431774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beirut, GU
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
transmission problem
NHTSA complaint #11431774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesElkhorn, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SINCE THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED WHILE NOT IN PARK, THIS REQUIRES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN RECALL 05V025000.
NHTSA complaint #10394035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesElkhorn, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SINCE THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED WHILE NOT IN PARK, THIS REQUIRES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN RECALL 05V025000.
NHTSA complaint #10394035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesBellingham, WA
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM THE REAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COMPONENT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10081976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCorona, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE TIRES AND SAW THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE RIGHT REAR. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. DEALER GAVE THE CONSUMER A DISCOUNT ON THE FIRST TIRE, BUT REFUSED ANY DISCOUNT ON THE SECOND TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10079717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesNiles, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10055401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremond, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON IGNITION OIL RETAINER. UPON PICKING UP VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLES DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED, LOCKS WERE POPPING UP ON THEIR OWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apopka, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, KNOCKING CONSUMER OUT TEMPORARILY. THE AIR BAG HIT CONSUMER SO HARD TO THE POINT IT KNOCKED HER RIGHT LEG UP AND HIT THE DASH CAUSING BRUISING AND A NASTY CUT. FOUR WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING PAIN IN THE CHEST AREA DUE TO THE AIR BAG. WHEN CONSUMERS HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HE ONLY RECIEVED A RED SPOT ON HIS ARM.
NHTSA complaint #567571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Santa FE, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER: CUSH HONDA IN ESCONDIDO, CA. PHONE # 760/737--3259 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE MUST REACH 65,000 MILE BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS COULD BE DONE. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ithaca, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A COUNTER SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTAINED A FLAW, WHICH RESULTED IN ROUGH SHIFTING FROM THE VERY MOMENT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #564532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8015015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape MAY CH, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THERE WAS RECALL 02V120000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS VERY UPSET THAT NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER HE DID HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE/ CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #8013772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8010377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easley, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A MECHANIC. MECHANIC NOTICED A HOLE IN FUEL TANK THAT WAS CAUSED BY CONSTANT CONTACT WITH METAL UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8007470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE VEER INTO HER LANE, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joliet, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. CONSUMER LOST BRAKES/POWER STEERING, AND SMOKE CAME FROM IGNITION HOUSING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED DEFECTIVE PART WITH 35130-SXO-AO1 STEERING SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #899116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VAFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
7/29 LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING AND ONE WINDOW STOPS OPERATING. 7/30 HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE VAN IS STATIONARY AND ANOTHER WINDOW STOPS WORKING. I DISASSEMBLED THE DOOR AND WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT FURTHER SMOKE/FIRE DAMAGE. PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ARE MELTED. AMERICAN HONDA IS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE AFTER A MONTH OF DISCUSSIONS AND INVESTIGATION BY HONDA TECHNICIANS. THEIR STORY KEEPS CHANGING. TODAY THEY REQUESTED THAT I MAIL ALL PARTS IN QUESTION TO THEM IN CA.
NHTSA complaint #751203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delray Beach, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER PIN THAT HOLDS POSITIONING ARM ON WINDSHIELD WIPER BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THEN TANGLED WITH LEFT WINDSHIELD WIPER CAUSING CONTROL LOST DURING RAIN STORM.
NHTSA complaint #9002249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THIS CAR CAUSES THE SPEED TO INCREASE WHILE TRAVELING UP LONGER GRADES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES DURING OUR OWNERSHIP WHEN THIS HAD CAUSED VERY AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. OTHER DRIVERS WHO BEGIN TO PASS ON A HILL HAVE GOTTEN ANNOYED WHEN OUR CAR PICKS UP SPEED WHILE THEY ARE TRYING TO PASS. ON OCCASION THE INCREASE IN SPEED HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL, AS MUCH AS 8 MILES PER HOUR. SOMETIMES, WHEN CRESTING A HILL, THE CAR CONTINUES AT THE FASTER SPEED, WANTING TO GAIN EVEN MORE SPEED AT THE NEXT HILL. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THIS IS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE WHEN APPROACHING HILLS. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER EARLY ON, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #739715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN DESIGN ONLY CONTAINS TWO SMALL SPOTS TO ACTIVATE HORN, IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN TRYING TO AVOID VEHICLE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNCHED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. ANOTHER TIME, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #817216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNCHED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. ANOTHER TIME, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #817216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.