FaultScore

1997 Honda Odyssey electrical problems

10 of the 24 complaints about the 1997 Honda Odyssey are about the electrical system — 42% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 150,000 miles.

F

10

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 5 50.0%
Ignition 2 20.0%
Electrical System 2 20.0%
Horn 1 10.0%

Electrical System across every Honda Odyssey year

1995 25 1.4%
1996 18 1.0%
1997 10 0.5%
1998 35 1.9%
1999 116 6.3%
2000 38 2.1%
2001 23 1.3%
2002 36 2.0%
2003 84 4.6%
2004 53 2.9%
2005 54 2.9%
2006 48 2.6%
2007 63 3.4%
2008 33 1.8%
2009 20 1.1%
2010 32 1.7%
2011 66 3.6%
2012 34 1.8%
2013 15 0.8%
2014 31 1.7%
2015 28 1.5%
2016 38 2.1%
2018 251 13.7%
2019 214 11.6%
2020 158 8.6%
2021 50 2.7%
2022 34 1.8%
2023 28 1.5%
2024 37 2.0%
2025 166 9.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Elkhorn, 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 150,000 miles Elkhorn, 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 88,000 miles Niles, 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.

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.

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.

Joliet, IL Fire

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.

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.

← Full 1997 Honda Odyssey report