RoadVitals

1997 Honda Odyssey

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Sep 5, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Honda Odyssey, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 39 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical940.9%
  • Driver assistance313.6%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Visibility29.1%
  • Tires & wheels14.5%
  • Transmission14.5%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Fuel system14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
02V120000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

May 16, 2002
1,000,000 units potentially affected
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.
The risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: 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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov
99V069000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

May 10, 1999
124,875 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 20
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 5, 2021

transmission problem

NHTSA ID
11431774
Incident
Sep 1, 2021
Electrical
Filed Apr 2, 2011

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10394035
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
150,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2004

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
10081976
Incident
Jul 14, 2004
Mileage
5,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 23, 2004

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
10079717
Incident
Apr 13, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 20, 2004

THE IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10055401
Incident
Jan 13, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2002

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 ID
8022942
Incident
Nov 12, 2002
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *JG

NHTSA ID
567571
Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2002

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016854
Incident
Dec 15, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

05012004

EQUIPMENT

AUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM

404

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

AUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT

11012003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

060103

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GRADE LOGIC CONTROL INFORMATION. *TT

020103

AIR BAGS

SRS INDICATOR ON WITH NO SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) SET. *TT *JB

010103

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CHECK (ATF) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION TO DIAGNOSE (A/T) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT *JB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Odyssey by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026232053.5
20252982160.2
2024853162.6
2023925166.7
20221279270.1
20211328266.6
202044414471.6
201992120470.0
201895516468.8
2017392162.3
20162666163.3
20152036164.8
20143075156.5
20132106165.8
20122425162.7
20112325156.8
20102552053.0
20091984260.1
20084995564.7
20078305361.4
20067034154.3
20058309357.3
200458413564.1
200391415562.8
200295910359.8
20016191145.0
20006756257.0
19995189154.1
1998734051.6
1997Viewing203054.0
1996701043.5
1995961039.3
1994100—
1990200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.