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1998 Honda Odyssey

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Honda Odyssey are lower than the model-year median of 249.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

28 reports with mileage · 45 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

73 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2016
Electrical System

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 IGNITI…

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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 ODI #10852658

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2015
Suspension

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 …

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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 ODI #10703979

169,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
EngineService BrakesStructureCrashInjury

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 ODI #10692830

267,646 miles · May 5, 2014
Power Train

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 ODI #10586591

50,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014
EngineFire

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 VE…

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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 ODI #10575079

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

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 ODI #10525457

170,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

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 ODI #10504563

190,057 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Electrical System

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 …

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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 ODI #10502342

98,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Power Train

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 …

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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 ODI #10493728

230,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Power Train

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 OF…

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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 ODI #10475352

Official recalls

3

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.