IllustrationTHE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TOOLS.*JB
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
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
10–25K
025–50K
350–75K
575–100K
7100–150K
12150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsNO PARTS AVAILABLE::::::::::::THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH THE DEALER NAME LARRY HOPKINS HONDA SERVICE MAN GABRIEL 408 720 1888 PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NO PARTS AVAILABLE::::::::::::THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH THE DEALER NAME LARRY HOPKINS HONDA SERVICE MAN GABRIEL 408 720 1888 PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
CONSUMER RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FOR IGNITION. DEALER STATES THE MANUFACTURE HAS NOT PROVIDED THE DEALERSHIPS WITH PARTS. RECALL # 02 V 120 000. PH
CONSUMER STATES A RECALL ON THE IGNITION, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, DUE TO MANUFACTURED. TS
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE ALARM MUST BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE BECAUSE IT IS AN AFTER MARKET PRODUCT. CONSUMER FEELS THE COST TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE ALARM SHOULD BE INCLUDED OR HO…
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CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE ALARM MUST BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE BECAUSE IT IS AN AFTER MARKET PRODUCT. CONSUMER FEELS THE COST TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE ALARM SHOULD BE INCLUDED OR HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY, IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JG
DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPLACE ALARM SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT BROUGHT/INSTALLED BY THEM.*AK
THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARING CONSUMER TO RE-ATTACH THE ALARM AND KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM, DUE TO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HONDA WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO RE-ATTACH BOTH SYSTEMS UNDER THE RECALL. BOTH WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS FACTORY EQUIPMENT AND …
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THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARING CONSUMER TO RE-ATTACH THE ALARM AND KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM, DUE TO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HONDA WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO RE-ATTACH BOTH SYSTEMS UNDER THE RECALL. BOTH WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS FACTORY EQUIPMENT AND IS STATED TO BE A HONDA SYSTEM. (NHTSA# 02V120000) *SCC
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 02V120000 NOTICE FOR IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. SERVICE MANAGER MR WELLMAN FROM LEITH HONDA DEALERSHIP. 4800 CAPITAL BLVD RALEIGH NC #919 876 5432, STATED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
DATE: 3/17/99; MILEAGE: 12,264;NGINE CHECK LIGHT CODE P0740, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FLUSHED. DATE: 11/08/99; MILEAGE: 23,874 ENGINECHECK LIGHT ON, DEFECTIVE ECU, BULLETIN 98-033. DATE: 12/20/99; MILEAGE: 25,706; ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, REPLACED ECU AND FLUSHED TRANSMISSION. DATE: 7/24/01 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, CODE 740 TORQUE CO…
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DATE: 3/17/99; MILEAGE: 12,264;NGINE CHECK LIGHT CODE P0740, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FLUSHED. DATE: 11/08/99; MILEAGE: 23,874 ENGINECHECK LIGHT ON, DEFECTIVE ECU, BULLETIN 98-033. DATE: 12/20/99; MILEAGE: 25,706; ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, REPLACED ECU AND FLUSHED TRANSMISSION. DATE: 7/24/01 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, CODE 740 TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED UP, TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. DATE: 11/06/01; MILEAGE: 61,115:ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, CODE PO740, SPECIAL ORDER PCM (CONTROL MODULE) PER BULLETIN. DATE: 11/12/01; MILEAGE: 61,281 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, INSTALLED PCU AND FLUSHED TRANSMISSION. DATE: 7/12/02; MILEAGE: 70,624; ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, FAILURE CODE P0740, CLUTCH FAILURE, WILL NEED TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, EST. COST $1400. AS CAN BE SEEN, THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 12,000 MILES. THE CONTROLLER WAS "TOO SENSITIVE" AND REPLACED, WHICH BRINGS INTO QUESTION THE REASON FOR THE ULTIMATE CLUTCH FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE, FOR INSTANCE, SHOULD THIS OCCUR DURING ACCELERATION INTO BUSY TRAFFIC. REQUESTING ASSISTANCE ASAP. NOTE: CAR WAS PURCHASED AT GRIFFITH HONDA, BALTIMORE, MD, BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT O'DONNELL HONDA, ELLICOTT CITY, MD.*AK
Official recalls
320V026000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.