RoadVitals

1998 Honda Odyssey Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 1, 1999

What this page shows

Our database holds 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Honda Odyssey. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 73 · page 1 of 3

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
Electrical
Filed Dec 8, 2016

VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND LEAVES US STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AT FIRST AND THEN WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. I HAD A DEALERSHIP PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE IGNITION RECALL PERFORMED IN 2004 WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. I FILED FOR COMPENSATION WITH HONDA AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A SECOND IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ID
10933961
Incident
Oct 8, 2016
Mileage
190,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2016

98 ODYSSEY, ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF AND KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT PUTTING CAR IN PARK. APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM...NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. AM YET ANOTHER OWNER WISHING RECALL 03V423000 APPLIED TO 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY IN ADDITION TO THE 1998 HONDA ACCORD.

NHTSA ID
10875442
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 2016

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT PARTS RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2002, THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS BEING REPLACED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WORK WAS DONE, TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. IN 2008, THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE ENGINE STALLED REPEATEDLY IN TRAFFIC. HONDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CONTACTS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL, BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10852658
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2015

ON 4/01/2015 THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF MY 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY BROKE, CAUSING THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND. THE HALF-AXLE SEPARATED AND FELL OUT AND THE CAR ENDED UP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER RESTING ON THE TIRE WHICH HAD FLIPPED OUT AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE HOSE ALSO BURST UNDER THE STRESS AS THE CAR CAME TO A LITERAL GRINDING HALT. I HAD JUST HAD ALL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON 9/23/22013 AT THE BRAKE CHECK SHOP ON AUSTIN HIGHWAY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THEY TELL ME THE PARTS WERE DISTRIBUTED UNDER THE BRAND NAME DRIVEWORKS, AND SOLD BY ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. RIGHT NOW I AM HAVING THE CAR CHECKED OUT AND REPAIRED AT ANOTHER SHOP. WILL HAVE THEM SAVE THE DAMAGED BALL JOINT, WHICH I WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO YOU. JUST HAPPY ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN FRONT OF AN 18-WHEELER.... *TR

NHTSA ID
10703979
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Body & structureBrakesEngine
Filed Mar 8, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

WAS IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY IN NESCONSET NY, I TURNED THE KEY PUT IN DRIVE, THE CAR REVVED, TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED FINALLY HITTING A TREE. MULTIPLE INJURIES, TAKEN TO STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER. NINE WEEKS HOSPITAL AND REHAB. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692830
Incident
Dec 26, 2014
Mileage
169,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 5, 2014

THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I PUT ANOTHER ONE IN AND IT FAILED WITHIN TWO DAYS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I THINK HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THESE PROBLEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE $1,500 TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION EVERY DAY OR TWO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586591
Incident
Apr 3, 2013
Mileage
267,646 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT FILED STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE AND IT LEAKED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10575079
Incident
Feb 15, 2000
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2013
Fire reported

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED DOORS AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER. THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE DOOR AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS TO FAIL, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO A FIRE IN ALL FOUR DOORS.

NHTSA ID
10525457
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 26, 2013

WHILE AT A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 2002 FOR THE 1998 ODYSSEY. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2002. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH IS NOW HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504563
Incident
Mar 11, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER, BATTERY, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,057. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502342
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
190,057 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TUMBLERS TO FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,400.

NHTSA ID
10493728
Incident
Jan 10, 2012
Mileage
98,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2012

WE WERE JUST TOLD THAT OUR 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4,000. THIS WOULD BE THE 3RD TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN THIS CAR SINCE WE'VE OWNED IT (WE'RE ORIGINAL OWNERS). THAT'S TRIPLE WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. WE HAVE TAKEN IMMACULATE CARE OF THIS CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD DIE SO OFTEN. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT WE CAN BE PART OF? *TR

NHTSA ID
10475352
Incident
Sep 4, 2012
Mileage
230,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 2, 2011
1 injury reported

THE HONDA DEALER HAS TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY CAR UNTIL THIS EVENT. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, BACKED UP AND BARELY HIT A POLE WITH THE REAR BUMPER. THEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED OUT OF CONTROL, BURNING RUBBER, EVEN THOUGH I WAS HITTING THE BRAKES, PUMPING THEM, TRYING TO STOP. I ONLY HAD TIME TO SWERVE TO AVOID A PARKED CAR, THEN WENT INTO A BRICK WALL AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE MPH IS AN APPROXIMATION BASED ON THE CARS DAMAGE SINCE I COULD NOT LOOK AT THE ODOMETER UNDER THESE EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES. I WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY INJURED, BUT I WILL HAVE TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10423110
Incident
Aug 31, 2011
Electrical
Filed Oct 20, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED ACCORDING TO RECALL 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) IN 2009. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TUMBLERS TO FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 163,111.

NHTSA ID
10361411
Incident
Oct 13, 2010
Mileage
163,111 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2010

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STOPPED AT AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM READ THE CODE. THE CODE P0740, INDICATED A TCC FAILURE. UPON CONSULTING WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIP ON MY 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY, AND CONSULTING THE INTERNET, DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1998 - 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY'S. HONDA OFFERED NO HELP. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10357465
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
99,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 10, 2010

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A DEFECT DEVELOPED WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAS SINCE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT RECTIFIED AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 01/05/11.*JB

NHTSA ID
10355332
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2010

REF: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 02V120000 FOR 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR WAS REPLACED IN THE RECALL OF 2002. I WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS THEN. HOWEVER, LAST FALL (2009) AND THIS WINTER (2010) I WAS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN STALLS AND IN SOME CASES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ACCELERATING AT INTERSECTIONS, PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ETC. MY HONDA DEALER, IN MARCH 2010, COULD NOT ID THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN THE SAME MONTH TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS DISTRIBUTOR RELATED. THEY REPLACED THAT PART. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I RETURNED IT RIGHT AWAY AND THEY DID THE RESEARCH TO ID THE PROBLEM AS THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT IS NOW MAY 12 AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO INSTANCES OF SUDDEN STALLS. PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10330086
Incident
Mar 31, 2010
Mileage
141,223 mi

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