2003 Honda Odyssey Seat belts Problems

Van has open recalls on driver and passenger side airbags. Van also has a defective driver front seat belt tensioner that Honda claims has a lifetime warranty, but Hendrick Honda of Bradenton FL refuses to perform the recalls or replace the defective seatbelt tensioner. Even after advising them that they are required by law to perform any open recalls and are not allowed to charge anything for said recalls, Service Writer "Tammy" was uncooperative and kept alluding to things like she couldn't guarantee we would not be charged up to $1500 for these repairs which honestly should ALL be recalls as they are life safety issues. Due to their refusal to perform even the NHTSA recalls even after being given the documentation of the required recall, we have to find another dealership and hope they will perform the recalls.

NHTSA ID

11584062

Incident

Apr 19, 2024

We have had issues with our drivers side seatbelt since we purchased the vehicle new. First it had retraction issues, then the plastic stop button that keeps the buckle from sliding down failed, disintegrated. We asked the dealer to replace the belt which they refused to do. We have brought it to the dealer before, even generating a case number from Honda, but Honda refused to repair the belt. Over the years it has gotten progressively worse, where the belt is seriously frayed, and there are retraction issues. In August 2022, I contacted our local dealer, Piazza Honda in Springfield, PA. It took almost a month for them to take the car, make some photographs, and then to leave out of the notes that we had an ongoing retraction issue. Two months later, Honda Corporate informed me that they are denying the claim for the defective seatbelt. The warranty as stated in the handbook states a lifetime warranty for seatbelts. All aspects of the car pass State of PA Inspection requirements, all other aspects of the SRS systems are fully functional, with the exception of the drivers seatbelt. We believe that Honda's determination of non-liability is a ruse, a cynical attempt to exploit their customers in a critical safety component. We deserve a replacement seatbelt, and Honda customers need to be reminded that Honda is legally required to stand by the mandated Lifetime Warranty for Seatbelts. We feel that our only recourse to request that your agency look into this issue, and remind Honda of their responsibility. Honda's unconscionable conduct should not be condoned, not tolerated. This is not the first time Honda has tried to harm it's customers. The Federal government forced Honda to extend the warranty for its automatic transmissions, and repair defective ones. Our vehicle suffered from the same transmission issue, but we fell just outside the extended warranty period. The cost of the part (Honda 04818-S0X-A02ZH) is quite high from Honda, in excess of $667.73 without labor.

NHTSA ID

11495855

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

SRS LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. HONDA REPRESENTATIVE SAYS RECALL WORK ON OUR CAR'S SRS SYSTEM WAS DONE TWICE, IN 2014 AND 2017, AND FOR ANY FURTHER WORK WE MUST TAKE IT TO A DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11298094

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

116,000 mi

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE STARTING OF IT. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF WORKING ORDER. WE HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT IT WAS NOT A SAFE AUTO WITH SMALL CHILDREN.

NHTSA ID

11019139

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

LATER ON AFTER A MINOR IMPACT, FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND SRS BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE IMPACT. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK DURING THE IMPACT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY LATER EITHER, BUT THE SEATBELTS LOCKED. ALSO, THERE IS A PICTURE OF THE DAMAGE AT THE SCENE AND ONE TAKEN WELL AFTERWARD. THE BELTS LOCKED AND LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT THE SAME TIME I OBSERVED THAT THE GAP HAD FORMED IN THE BUMPER.

NHTSA ID

10927715

Incident

Sep 8, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATED TO THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10893151

Incident

Jun 20, 2016

THE SRS LIGHT IN MY VEHICLE IS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. HONDA DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A SWITCH IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. PAGE 53 OF MY VEHICLE OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THE FOLLOWING: "HONDA PROVIDES A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON SEAT BELTS. HONDA WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT COMPONENT THAT FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING NORMAL USE." AS SUCH, THE AFOREMENTIONED SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH IS A COMPONENT OF THE SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, HONDA REFUSES TO COVER REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AS ACCORDING TO MY MANUAL, AN SRS INDICATOR LIGHT MAY CAUSE CERTAIN AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. SUCH AN EVENT WOULD SURELY CAUSE CLEARLY PREVENTABLE BODILY HARM IF THEY WOULD JUST HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I'M CALLING ON THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, AS I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS IN ONLINE FORUMS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, WITH MIXED RESULTS FROM HONDA.

NHTSA ID

10794467

Incident

Nov 17, 2015

SRS LIGHT ON DASH WILL NOT GO OUT. OUR DEALER SAY THERE MAY BE A RECALL IN THE WORKS FOR THE SRS SYSTEM. ???

NHTSA ID

10722166

Incident

May 28, 2015

Mileage

137,737 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V412000 (AIRBAGS). HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SEAT BELT SENSOR CODE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEATBELT SENSOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REFERRED THAT THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10615100

Incident

Feb 1, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT PREMATURELY FRAYED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT WAS PREMATURELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10588717

Incident

May 15, 2013

DRIVING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AT 20 MPH,DRIVER SEAT BELT LOCKED WITH A POP AND WOULD NOT LET YOU MOVE FORWARD,PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED WITH A POP AND WOULD NOT LET YOU MOVE,ABOUT 5 TO 10 SECS LATER LOUD BANG AND FRONT PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED ANOTHER 5 TO 10 SECS LATER ANOTHER LOUD BANG FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. SRS LIGHT CAME ON,SEAT BELTS STILL LOCKED WILL NOT MOVE IN OR OUT. DRIVER AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYED. DROVE VEHICLE TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10565560

Incident

Feb 21, 2014

Mileage

141,298 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SRS SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10565269

Incident

Jul 16, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

SRS LIGHT APPEARS. THE MINI-VAN WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I NOTE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE RECALLS RECALLS AND OTHER COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, HONDA REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VAN IN THE RECALL. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD INCLUDE ALL 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10561673

Incident

Jan 21, 2014

Mileage

115,000 mi

ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH MY FAMILY WHEN WE EXPERIENCED A SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OR BEHIND US AND I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FIRST WITH A LOUD "POP". TWO TO THREE SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED (WHERE MY WIFE WAS SITTING). FORTUNATELY, BOTH OF US WERE SITTING BACK IN OUR SEATS AND I HAD MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. NEITHER OF US WERE CONTACTED BY THE AIRBAGS THERE WAS A THIRD LOUD "POP" A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER THE DEPLOYMENTS. THE SEATBELT TENSIONERS ALSO ENGAGED AND NOW DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONFIRMED THAT WE HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK BY ANYONE OR ANYTHING. I BROUGHT THE VAN INTO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION, WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED IT A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS EARLIER. THE INSPECTION REPORT STATES THAT, "DURING SERVICE INSPECTION DID NOT LOCATE ANY OBVIOUS IMPACTS AND/OR DAMAGE." THE DEALERSHIP PULLED CODES 53-41 AND 54-50, BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT GET ANYMORE INFORMATION FROM THE SRS UNIT UNTIL WE HAD THEM REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THEN GAVE US A QUOTE OF OVER $4100 TO FIX THE AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS. I CONTACTED HONDA OF AMERICA AND ASKED THAT THE CAUSE FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. IT TOOK ALMOST A MONTH TO GET A CORPORATE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP AS THE FIRST INSPECTION. LAST NIGHT I RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF THE SECOND INSPECTION, WHICH GAVE NO POTENTIAL REASONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT. WE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ASKING FOR MORE SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION ON POTENTIAL CAUSES. MY WIFE AND I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS THE RESULT OF A SAFETY DEFECT, AND HONDA OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10505430

Incident

Feb 15, 2013

Mileage

112,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BRITAX MARATHON CHILD SEAT, MANUFACTURED IN FEBRUARY 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LATCHING HER CHILD INTO THE SEAT AND BEGAN TO DRIVE, THE LATCH SLOWLY LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE CHILD TO BECOME UNSECURED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE SEAT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2003, MAKE=ODYSSEY, MODEL=HONDA)

NHTSA ID

10502322

Incident

Mar 7, 2013

FAILURE OF THE LATCH STRAP ON BOTH OF MY SUNSHINE RADIANSL MODEL 16500 CAR SEATS. I WILL FIND THE BUCKLE ON THE LATCH STRAP OPENS/LOOSENS WHICH LEAVES THE SEAT UNLOCKED AND NOT SECURE. I SUSPECT THAT MY TODDLER IS KICKING IT OPEN ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT WITNESSED THIS EVENT. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIME ON ONE SEAT AND ONCE ON ANOTHER SEAT. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SUPERLATCH/LOWER ANCHOR STRAP ON EACH OF THE TWO CAR SEATS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORUM POSTS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR RADIANS. (YOUR WEBSITE DID NOT HAVE A MODEL 16500 OPTION WHEN ENTERING INFORMATION, THEREFORE I USED THE 18500 OPTION WHICH IS A SIMILAR SEAT.) (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2003, MAKE=ODYSSEY, MODEL=HONDA). *TR

NHTSA ID

10449281

Incident

Jan 23, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAILED. UPDATED 12/30/10

NHTSA ID

10355935

Incident

Jul 14, 2010

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE BOOSTER SEAT SHOULD INCLUDE A TETHER STRAP TO KEEP THE SEAT IN PLACE. JUST USING A SEATBELT AROUND THE BOOSTER IS NOT ENOUGH TO HOLD IT IN PLACE IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND TETHER STRAPS ONLINE, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2003, MAKE=HONDA, MODEL=ODYSSEY). *TR

NHTSA ID

10286574

Incident

Aug 28, 2008

MID CABIN SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT ON HONDA ODYSSEY 2003 MODEL. HAVE HAD THE BELTS FIXED TWICE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143625

Incident

Oct 28, 2005

Mileage

57,500 mi

PASSENGER SEATBELTS LOCK-UP VERY EASILY AND THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE IS TO UNDUE THE BELT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT BE UNDONE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING BUT THAT IS WHAT MUST BE DONE TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE THE BELT PUTS ON THE PASSENGERS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10104765

Incident

Dec 25, 2004

Mileage

1 mi

REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK FOR NO REASON. PASSENGERS MUST UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT TO UNLOCK THE MECHANISM. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 50 TIMES IN AN 8 MONTH PERIOD SINCE PURCHASE OF THE NEW 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. MY CONCERN IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENCE BUT THE SAFETY ISSUE OF HAVING TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT DURING DRIVING. HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY AT STEADY SPEEDS. HONDA DEALER INSISTS THERE IS NO PROBLEM, BUT A SERVICE EMPLOYEE HAD TOLD ME WE ARE NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *PH

NHTSA ID

10030526

Incident

Jul 30, 2003

Mileage

1,000 mi

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY (3 WEEKS OLD): WHEN I TOOK OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, THE CLOTH BELT FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF AND GOT JAMMED IN THE PLASTIC RETRACTOR. THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT, SO IT COULD NOT BE USED AT ALL. I HAD TO USE A PAIR OF PLIERS TO PRY IT LOOSE.*JB

NHTSA ID

10014265

Incident

Apr 11, 2003

Mileage

294 mi

THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN MY CHILD, DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE SECOND ROW OF THE MINIVAN WITH THE RIGHT-SIDE CAPTAINS CHAIR MOVED OVER TO CONFIGURE THE ROW INTO A BENCH. THE SEAT BELT, HOWEVER WAS STILL ATTACHED OVER BY THE DOOR WITH NO OTHER ATTACHMENT AVAILABLE, SO THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT AND WHERE THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED. MY DAUGHTER WAS PROPERLY BUCKLED IN, AND SHE IS 105 LBS. AND ALMOST 5 FEET TALL. HOWEVER, WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM THE SIDE, SHE SLID RIGHT OFF THE SEAT AND ONTO THE FLOOR BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR WITH THE BUCKLE STILL AROUND HER. IN ADDITION, MY SEAT BELT (DRIVER'S) FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME. IT PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10014182

Incident

Mar 4, 2003

SEATBELT EXTENDERS ARE NOT OFFERED BY HONDA DEALERS. AN OVERWEIGHT PERSON CANNOT OBTAIN A SEATBELT EXTENDER BY PURCHASE OR FREE AFTER BUYING THE HONDA ODYSSEY 2003. NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S. AT ALL. CANNOT WEAR A SEATBELT WITHOUT EXTENDER LIKE CHRYSLER, DODGE AND FORD OFFER FROM PARTS DEPARTMENTS. PLEASE RESPOND AND HELP. NLM

NHTSA ID

767580