NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
675 reports135,349 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE TRANSMISSION STALLED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT UP FROM FIRST GEAR, THEN LURCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. ON DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT HONDA EQUIPPED THE ODYSSEY WITH SUBSTANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THERE'S EIT…
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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE TRANSMISSION STALLED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT UP FROM FIRST GEAR, THEN LURCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. ON DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT HONDA EQUIPPED THE ODYSSEY WITH SUBSTANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THERE'S EITHER NOT ENOUGH ACCELERATION POWER WHEN NEEDED...OR TOO MUCH WHEN IT DOES FINALLY ENGAGE. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA, AS THEIR REPUTATION OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT THE ODYSSEY HAS BEEN SADDLED WITH A VERY POORLY MANUFACTURED, WEAK AND PRONE TO EARLY FAILURE, TRANSMISSION. REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT COSTS ARE ASTRONOMICAL, $3,000 OR MORE. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL HONDA CUSTOMER IN THE PAST, BUT THIS HAS LEFT A BITTER TASTE IN MY MOUTH. HONDA HAS FAILED ITS CUSTOMERS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450023
146,000 miles · Feb 18, 2012
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED "AGAIN" REBUILT IN 2008 THE DEALER WHOM MAINTAINED THIS CAR WANTS 5400 DOLLARS FOR A REBUILT UNIT. THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS RATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448428
70,000 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS AT A STOP WHEN HE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND CHEST STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. THE DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS AT A STOP WHEN HE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND CHEST STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. THE DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10447193
140,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Power Train
@ 74560 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOOK IT DEALERSHIP BUT COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM TWO WEEKS AND DUE TO BEING AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION COULD NOT WAIT AROUND. TOOK TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING HOME BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS OVER MILEAGE FOR RECALL. SINCE I HAD TO PAY FULL PRICE TOOK…
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@ 74560 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOOK IT DEALERSHIP BUT COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM TWO WEEKS AND DUE TO BEING AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION COULD NOT WAIT AROUND. TOOK TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING HOME BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS OVER MILEAGE FOR RECALL. SINCE I HAD TO PAY FULL PRICE TOOK IT TOO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER @ 5000 MILES DEALERSHIP BLAMED OUTSIDE MECHANIC WHO SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CONVERTER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING THE WHOLE TIME BUT THE DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL. NOW IT IS OVER 140000 THE TRANSMISSION IS TOTALLY SHOT EVEN AFTER I HAVE KEPT REFILLING IT TO MAKE SURE THE FLUID STAYED AT PROPER LEVELS AND I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF OR TRADE IT IN. THE DEALER NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT NEVER INFORMED ME WHEN I WAS IN THERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445462
73,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Power Train
I HAD ONE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, NOW MY SECOND ONE AT 3.5 YEARS OLD IS SOMETIMES GOING OUT OF REVERSE AND INTO DRIVE ALONG WITH DRIVING ALONG IN DRIVE AND ALL THE SUDDEN DOES NOTHING WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE GAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444961
112,163 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Unknown Or Other
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. WHEN I NEGOTIATED A TURN INTO MY TURNAROUND, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA. I STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, SAW NO VISIBLE DAMAGE, THEN DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO MY MECHANIC'S GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN.
NHTSA ODI #10445330
118,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ELECTRIC SEAT DOES NOT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443728
230,116 miles · Jan 7, 2012
Power Train
THIS IS MY 2ND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ON THE CAR. UNLIKE THE FIRST ONE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THIS TIME WE WERE DRIVING ON THE SUNOL GRADE IN FREMONT CALIF. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO THE SLOW LANE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS …
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THIS IS MY 2ND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ON THE CAR. UNLIKE THE FIRST ONE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THIS TIME WE WERE DRIVING ON THE SUNOL GRADE IN FREMONT CALIF. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO THE SLOW LANE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS EVIDENT BY READING REVIEWS ON THE CAR. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST HONDA THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN JOIN IN. HONDA KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM VERY EARLY ON BECAUSE I STILL HAVE THE LETTER THAT THEY SENT TO ME IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO EVERY ODYSSEY OWNER REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THE LETTER BACK IN 2000 UNTIL MY FIRST TRANNY WENT OUT IN 2006. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442763
190,000 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA ODI #10442709
33,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Unknown Or Other
THE SLIDING DOORS ON MY VAN QUIT WORKING, FIRST THE SUPER CHEEP PLASTIC HANDLES BROKE. I'VE REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES. THEN THE AUTOMATIC OPENER QUIT WORKING. AFTER GETTING IT FIXED 3 TIMES, AND REPLACING THE LATCHES, THE DOORS STILL DON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE DOORS ARE NOT BEING SECURED! I'M HAVING TO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR AJAR AND …
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THE SLIDING DOORS ON MY VAN QUIT WORKING, FIRST THE SUPER CHEEP PLASTIC HANDLES BROKE. I'VE REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES. THEN THE AUTOMATIC OPENER QUIT WORKING. AFTER GETTING IT FIXED 3 TIMES, AND REPLACING THE LATCHES, THE DOORS STILL DON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE DOORS ARE NOT BEING SECURED! I'M HAVING TO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR AJAR AND REAR DOOR SWITCH OFF SO THE BUZZER SHUTS OFF. SOMETIMES MY KIDS GET TRAPPED IN MY VAN AND HAVE TO EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT OR THE BACK. I WORRY ABOUT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. HONDA WONT FIX IT. "IT IS NOT A REGULAR OCCURRENCE." SAYS HONDA SHOP MANAGER. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, IT IS A PROBLEM! THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2000-2002 HONDA ODYSSEY'S SLIDER DOORS AND THE DEALERS' INABILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10442948
Official recalls
6Jan 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.
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.
Jul 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE DIMMER CONTROL FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAN FAIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND DISPLAYS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MULTIPLEX UNIT.
Apr 25, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVAN. THE SLIDING DOORS MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY LATCHED DOOR COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, A DOOR COULD OPEN COMPLETELY. AN UNRESTRAINED REAR SEAT PASSENGER COULD FALL OUT OF AN OPEN DOOR OF A MOVING VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY ON ALL ODYSSEY MINVANS BUILT FROM DECEMBER 3, 1999 THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 1999. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,612 ODYSSEY MINIVANS THAT HAD THE LATCHES REPLACED UNDER RECALL 99V-158 OR UNDER WARRANTY, THAT MAY NEED TO HAVE THE LATCHES REPLACED AGAIN. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED BY HONDA TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEIR HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED LATCH ASSEMBLY. LATCHES WITH THE SUSPECT DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED.
Feb 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. A WIRE HARNESS, LOCATED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH A METAL PIPE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A FUSE BLOWS, ENGINE POWER, OR OPERATION OF ANY OR ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN, AND THE ANTI-LOCK FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES. A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OR LIGHTING, OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE IN BAD WEATHER, COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING OVER THE WIRE HARNESS AND METAL PIPE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. IF ANY WIRES ARE DAMAGED, THE DEALER WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, AND THEN INSTALL THE PROTECTIVE COVERING.
Dec 15, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FRONT BODY/FRAME IS MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE MISSING WELDS MIGHT AFFECT THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION PERFORMANCE IN A COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS INSPECTED ALL THE VEHICLES AND THEY WERE FOUND TO BE PROPERLY WELDED.
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
2PE06007 · 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.
RQ00014 · Upexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 28, 2000 · Closed Apr 25, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Illustration