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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
225,000 miles · Apr 15, 2025
Electrical System

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired…

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The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

NHTSA ODI #11654658

169,148 miles · Jun 24, 2024
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake …

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The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake fluid to the vehicle; however, the brake fluid leaked out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,148.

NHTSA ODI #11596160

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Electrical System

The 1998 Honda Odyssey recall for ignition switch I don't believe included all VIN numbers affected. My van is having the exact issue for what is stated in the recall, yet my VIN does not show as a recall. When the switch is turned to the run position, the dash lights may or may not illuminate. Once the van is started, there is …

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The 1998 Honda Odyssey recall for ignition switch I don't believe included all VIN numbers affected. My van is having the exact issue for what is stated in the recall, yet my VIN does not show as a recall. When the switch is turned to the run position, the dash lights may or may not illuminate. Once the van is started, there is a 50/50 chance that the stops running because of the switch. I believe this is an issue that needs to be looked into. Has not been confirmed yet because we are awaiting service on the airbag recall to put the van into service.

NHTSA ODI #11421924

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2021
Air Bags

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a …

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The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11419188

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2020
Air Bags

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PART NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11375532

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. SMAIL HONDA (5043 US-30, GREENSBURG, PA 15601) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. SMAIL HONDA (5043 US-30, GREENSBURG, PA 15601) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *DT CONSUMER STATED PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND REPAIR COMPLETED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11361714

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REAS…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11350433

109,000 miles · Jun 18, 2020
Air Bags

RECALL 20V-026. A3877WC012823 RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. MADE APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP. HONDA IS UNABLE TO INSPECT OR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. WAITED 60 DAYS. NOW FILING FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DUE TO MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329585

190,000 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND LEAVES US STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AT FIRST AND THEN WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. I HAD A DEALERSHIP PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE IGNITION RECALL PERFORMED IN 2…

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VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND LEAVES US STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AT FIRST AND THEN WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. I HAD A DEALERSHIP PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE IGNITION RECALL PERFORMED IN 2004 WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. I FILED FOR COMPENSATION WITH HONDA AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A SECOND IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #10933961

180,000 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Electrical System

98 ODYSSEY, ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF AND KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT PUTTING CAR IN PARK. APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM...NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. AM YET ANOTHER OWNER WISHING RECALL 03V423000 APPLIED TO 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY IN ADDITION TO THE 1998 HONDA ACCORD.

NHTSA ODI #10875442

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.