IllustrationWHEN DRIVING THE VAN, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AFTER 10 - 15 MINUTES. HAD TO PULL OVER THREE TIMES TO COOL DOWN, ON THIRD TIME PULLING OVER, VAN WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE.
2001 Honda Odyssey
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Odyssey years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Honda Odyssey are substantially higher than the model-year median of 249.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Odyssey years →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
270–25K
3325–50K
5750–75K
10475–100K
139100–150K
84150K+
444 reports with mileage · 175 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.
- Power Train. Review the 332 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports4 fire reports24 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
14 reportsCHECKING ON PURCHASE
MY CAR, 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY, WITH 110,000 MILES HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), ENGINE, AND GEAR (DRIVE SIGN) WERE ALL FLASHING. THE CAR'S GEARS SEEM TO BE SLIPPING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR ON IDLE TOO MUCH. I HAD A NON-HONDA MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS TH…
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MY CAR, 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY, WITH 110,000 MILES HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), ENGINE, AND GEAR (DRIVE SIGN) WERE ALL FLASHING. THE CAR'S GEARS SEEM TO BE SLIPPING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR ON IDLE TOO MUCH. I HAD A NON-HONDA MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REPAIR COST OF $2400. IT DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT THAT HONDA DOES NOT TAKE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCELLERATING AT A HIGH SPEED THEN WAS OVERHEATING AND SMOKING GOT STANDED ON THE HIGHWAY THOUSANDS OF MILES FROM HOME.
MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS HAD 3 FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN MOTION WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPS INTO THE DOOR FRAME. IT IS SUDDEN, LOUD, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AS DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL…
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MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS HAD 3 FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN MOTION WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPS INTO THE DOOR FRAME. IT IS SUDDEN, LOUD, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AS DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL HONDA FORUMS AND GOOGLE SEARCHES. HONDA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND ALLOWS THE PROBLEM TO GO UNABATED. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING TO BE INITIATED?
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING. THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL EVEN THOUGH HONDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES TO LET TRANSMISSION COOL OFF BEFORE CONTINUING TO MY DESTINATION. TOOK IT BACK TO DW AUTO WHERE I PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT FOR TRADE IN BECAUSE…
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THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING. THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL EVEN THOUGH HONDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES TO LET TRANSMISSION COOL OFF BEFORE CONTINUING TO MY DESTINATION. TOOK IT BACK TO DW AUTO WHERE I PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT FOR TRADE IN BECAUSE HONDA ODYSSEY HAS BAD TRANSMISSIONS.
A FEW DAYS AGO THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING, IT DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, NEITHER WITH THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE FACT IS THAT THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS HE/SHE IS…
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A FEW DAYS AGO THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING, IT DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, NEITHER WITH THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE FACT IS THAT THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS HE/SHE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BREAK THE VEHICLE'S GLASS. MOREOVER, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, ITS SLIDING DOORS FAIL A LOT, MANY TIMES THEY DON'T OPEN FROM BOTH INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY OPERATED, WHICH AGAIN IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WILL MAKE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT HONDA ODYSSEY CUSTOMERS ABOUT DOOR ISSUES BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN.
THE REAR BUMPER BEAM ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY RUSTED AND BROKE UP INTO PIECES THAT HAVE FALLEN OUT FROM UNDER THE BUMPER COVER. I ASSUME THAT I NO LONGER HAVE FULL REAR END CRASH PROTECTION. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE, I SHOULD SEE ABOUT HAVING THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE IT FOR ME. THEY REFER…
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THE REAR BUMPER BEAM ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY RUSTED AND BROKE UP INTO PIECES THAT HAVE FALLEN OUT FROM UNDER THE BUMPER COVER. I ASSUME THAT I NO LONGER HAVE FULL REAR END CRASH PROTECTION. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE, I SHOULD SEE ABOUT HAVING THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE IT FOR ME. THEY REFERRED ME TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER REFERRED ME TO THEIR PREFERRED BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT, BUT AM HOPING THE LOCAL DEALER WILL ASK THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE REPAIR.
WHEN PULLING INTO A PACKING SPACE, THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CAR THEN LEAP OVER CURB AND BUSHES AND HIT THE WALL AT FRONT. FRONT BUMPER DAMAGED AND AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *JS
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. IT APPEARS THAT MOST 2001 HONDA ODYSSEYS HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Official recalls
120V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator 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 air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
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
1PE06007 · Front Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed May 24, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE POPULATION OF 116,000 VEHICLES IS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY (AHM) DATA IDENTIFYING ORIGINAL STATE OF SALE OR DELIVERY.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (SV) UTILIZE LIGHT WEIGHT COIL SPRINGS MANUFACTURED FROM HIGH STRENGTH STEEL (HSS).IF THE COATING MATERIAL OF A HSS SPRING IS BREACHED, CORROSIVE ELEMENTS (SALT) MAY ATTACK THE SPRING.SPRING CORROSION RESULTS IN A STRESS RISER AND MAY CAUSE A FRACTURE.DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION WHERE THE SPRING BREAKS, THE JAGGED EDGE MAY PIERCE THE TIRE; A RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE MAY OCCUR AND CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OR CRASH.SV SPRING FAILURE MECHANICS AND TIRE CONTACT LIKELIHOOD ARE DISCUSSED IN AN AHM PRESENTATION TO ODI DATED APRIL 20TH, 2006 (AVAILABLE ON ODI?S WEB SITE; WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV).AHM?S PRESENTATION IDENTIFIED TWO MECHANISMS WHICH CAUSE THE SPRING COATING TO BECOME BREACHED; 1) CONTACT WITH THE LOWER SPRING SEAT, AND 2) ENTRAPMENT OF ABRASIVE MATERIALS BETWEEN THE SILENCER TUBE AND SPRING.THE PRESENTATION COMPARED SV SPRING FRACTURE RATES TO THE HONDA MDX MODEL, A SISTER VEHICLE RECALLED FOR FRONT SPRING FRACTURE UNDER NHTSA RECALL 05V385, AND TO OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED AND OR RECALLED FOR FRONT SPRING FRACTURE.THE SPRING FRACTURE RATE FOR THE SV, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF THE RATE OF THE MDX MODEL EVEN THOUGH THE SV'S HAVE ONE YEAR LONGER IN SERVICE, IS COMPARABLE TO RATES OBSERVED IN PRIOR SPRING FRACTURE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE CLOSED WITH NO RECALL AND LOW IN COMPARISON TO INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL.OF THE 7 REPORTS ODI IDENTIFIED ALLEGING TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO SPRING FRACTURE, 6 INVOLVED SPRING-TIRE CONTACT WHICH RESULTED IN SLOW OR NO LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE; ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THE ONE REPORT ALLEGING A PUNCTURE OCCURRED.ODI NOTES THAT THE SV FRONT SPRING DIFFERS FROM THE MDX SPRING IN THAT IT HAS A SINGLE SILENCER TUBE (UPPER ONLY, AS OPPOSED TO UPPER AND LOWER ON THE MDX) WHICH IS, ACCORDING TO AHM, LOCATED IN AN AREA LESS LIKELY TO RESULT IN A TIRE PUNCTURE SHOULD A FRACTURE OCCUR.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.