THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OUR TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. FIRST IT WENT OUT AT 19,000 MILES, WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN AT 32,000 MILES. HOW CAN WE PROCEED WITH HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL?
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
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.
What owners actually said
619 reportsSEAT BELT EMERGENCY RETRACTION MODE ENGAGED WHEN SEAT BELT WAS NOT LOCKED IN. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND ALMOST STRANGULATED A LITTLE BOY. IT HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE HIM OR HE MAY HAVE DIED. WE CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION THAT PROVIDED ANY OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO CUT THE SEAT BELT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE R…
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SEAT BELT EMERGENCY RETRACTION MODE ENGAGED WHEN SEAT BELT WAS NOT LOCKED IN. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND ALMOST STRANGULATED A LITTLE BOY. IT HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE HIM OR HE MAY HAVE DIED. WE CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION THAT PROVIDED ANY OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO CUT THE SEAT BELT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE RETRACTED IN THIS MANNER WHEN NOT BUCKLED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHETHER HONDA WOULD CHARGE ANYTHING TO REPAIR THIS. THE LITTLE BOY HOWEVER IS STILL VERY UPSET.*AK
WITH VEHICLE STOPPED (AS AT A STOP SIGN OR AT A RED LIGHT), WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, ENGINE REVS UP BUT VEHICHLE HESISTATES. THEN ,TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SUDDENLY AND VEHICHLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE INTENSITY WAS ANYWHERE FROM A MODERATE BUMP, TO ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO "SQUEAL" AND LOOSE TRACTION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL…
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WITH VEHICLE STOPPED (AS AT A STOP SIGN OR AT A RED LIGHT), WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, ENGINE REVS UP BUT VEHICHLE HESISTATES. THEN ,TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SUDDENLY AND VEHICHLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE INTENSITY WAS ANYWHERE FROM A MODERATE BUMP, TO ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO "SQUEAL" AND LOOSE TRACTION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WE GOT THE VEHICHLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE; WE JUST BEGAN TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY SAID IT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AS IF THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. WHEN QUESTIONED THEY DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ODYSSEY TRANSMISSIONS, ALTHOUGH THEY DID SAY THAT THEIR ODYSSEY SHUTTLEVAN (SAME YR/MODEL) HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEK. WHILE CONDUCTING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, WE FOUND DOZENS OF INSTANCES OF ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILURES, ALL WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS THE REMEDY. WHILE IN OUR CASE THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT CAN EASILY LEAD TO A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THE VAN STALLS WHEN DRIVING AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. DEALER FOUND VEHICLE IS STALLING BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT AIR FLOW CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE A DELAY ON REPA…
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CONSUMER STATES THE VAN STALLS WHEN DRIVING AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. DEALER FOUND VEHICLE IS STALLING BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT AIR FLOW CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE A DELAY ON REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *TT
DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD SHIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN TURNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, OPENED SLIDING DOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE. TEN SECONDS LATER, VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. POLICE INVESTIGATOR SAD IT WAS A RESULT OFF BAD ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *AK
FRONT AXLE BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
ALL TIRES ARE BALD ON INNER EDGES-EVEN AFTER ROTATION AT 6,200 MILES. *AK
GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN PROCEEDING FROM STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM SLOW (UNDER 20MPH) SPEEDS. PRESSING GAS PEDAL WITH MORE FORCE FREES IT UP AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS LACK OF SENSITIVITY IN ACCELERATOR MODULATION HAS RESULTED IN A FEW NEAR CRASHES. DEALER WORKED ON ACCELERATOR ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.*AK
THE SLIDING POWER DOORS DO NOT STOP WHEN THEY HIT RESISTANCE. I WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN FRAME AND DOOR FOR A GOOD 5 MINUTES IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT GET FREE UNTIL I FINALLY WRESTLED THE KEY REMOTE OUT OF A POCKET AND HIT DOOR OPEN, OTHERWISE, I WAS STUCK. I COULD NOT MOVE TO FREE MYSELF. I COULD NOT MOVE THE DOOR. THANK…
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THE SLIDING POWER DOORS DO NOT STOP WHEN THEY HIT RESISTANCE. I WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN FRAME AND DOOR FOR A GOOD 5 MINUTES IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT GET FREE UNTIL I FINALLY WRESTLED THE KEY REMOTE OUT OF A POCKET AND HIT DOOR OPEN, OTHERWISE, I WAS STUCK. I COULD NOT MOVE TO FREE MYSELF. I COULD NOT MOVE THE DOOR. THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T MY CHILD THAT GOT STUCK (I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD WITH ME, AND IT WAS PRETTY SCARY FOR HER TO SEE ME TRAPPED). THIS IS A REACCURING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S JUST THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS, IT'S NOT DEFECTIVE. EVIDENTLY, THE DOOR WON'T REVERSE FOR AN OBSTRUCTION UNTIL IT IS 2" FROM CLOSING (MUCH SMALLER THAN A CHILD'S HEAD OR TORSO). THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD A BRUISED SIDE. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW (SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR) - WHO'S A BIG GUY - GOT HIS ARM TRAPPED AND BRUISED. WE TOLD YET ANOTHER BROTHER-IN-LAW INTERESTED IN SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR - NOT TO GET THE POWER DOOR OPTION ... "IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE KIDS"... AND HE DIDN'T!! THIS IS ALL VERY ALARMING FOR ADULTS. I WORRY ABOUT THE FIRST CHILD WHO WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU.*AK
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.
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