RoadVitals

1998 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.
73
Latest Apr 15, 2025
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.
4
Latest Jan 17, 2020
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.
5
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Honda Odyssey, most frequently naming the electrical, transmission and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 45 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

  • Electrical3441.5%
  • Transmission1113.4%
  • Brakes78.5%
  • Airbags67.3%
  • Engine67.3%
  • Body & structure44.9%
  • Visibility33.7%
  • Interior & seats33.7%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
20V026000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 17, 2020
1,439,841 units potentially affected
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, 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 rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: 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 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number D8J, Z8GView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 73
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2025

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

NHTSA ID
11654658
Incident
Jan 15, 2025
Mileage
225,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jun 24, 2024

The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake fluid to the vehicle; however, the brake fluid leaked out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,148.

NHTSA ID
11596160
Incident
Oct 24, 2023
Mileage
169,148 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2021

The 1998 Honda Odyssey recall for ignition switch I don't believe included all VIN numbers affected. My van is having the exact issue for what is stated in the recall, yet my VIN does not show as a recall. When the switch is turned to the run position, the dash lights may or may not illuminate. Once the van is started, there is a 50/50 chance that the stops running because of the switch. I believe this is an issue that needs to be looked into. Has not been confirmed yet because we are awaiting service on the airbag recall to put the van into service.

NHTSA ID
11421924
Incident
Jun 21, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jun 1, 2021

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11419188
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2020

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PART NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ID
11375532
Incident
Oct 19, 2020
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. SMAIL HONDA (5043 US-30, GREENSBURG, PA 15601) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *DT CONSUMER STATED PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND REPAIR COMPLETED.*JB

NHTSA ID
11361714
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Aug 20, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11350433
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2020

RECALL 20V-026. A3877WC012823 RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. MADE APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP. HONDA IS UNABLE TO INSPECT OR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. WAITED 60 DAYS. NOW FILING FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DUE TO MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329585
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
109,000 mi

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

204

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

GRUNT NOISE AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. *NM

11012003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

11012003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0740, P0741 REPAIR TIPS. ANOTHER LOOK. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT

060103

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

GRADE LOGIC CONTROL INFORMATION. *TT

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
1998Viewing734051.6
1997203054.0
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.