SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 Honda Odyssey

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Odyssey are lower than the model-year median of 249.5.

About this comparison →
20Owner complaints

Model-year median: 249.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
199496
199570
199620
199773
1998518
1999675
2000
Compare all Odyssey years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
9Vehicle Speed Control
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Air Bags
1
All reported categories
Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Power Train
1Steering
1Suspension
1Tires
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 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 reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Suspension complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
5,000 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Suspension

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM THE REAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COM…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM THE REAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COMPONENT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081976

Official recalls

2

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.