Problems · NHTSA complaints

1998 Honda Odyssey problems

Owners filed 73 complaints about the 1998 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between Feb 1999 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (33).

Complaints
73
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system33
  2. Power train13
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  4. Air bags6
  5. Structure4
  6. Engine3
  7. Engine and engine cooling3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Equipment2
  10. Vehicle speed control2
  11. Tires2
  12. Suspension1
  13. Service brakes1
  14. Interior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
19996
20007
20012
200214
20033
20042
20050
20061
20077
20083
20091
20106
20111
20121
20134
20142
20152
20163
20170
20180
20190
20204
20212
20220
20230
20241
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

33 reports2 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2025Electrical systemODI 11654658

Power train

13 reports
“THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I PUT ANOTHER ONE IN AND IT FAILED WITHIN TWO DAYS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I THINK HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THESE PROBLEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE $1,500 TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION EVERY DAY OR TWO. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2014Power trainODI 10586591

Service brakes, hydraulic

6 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, StructureODI 11596160

Air bags

6 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2021Air bagsODI 11419188

Structure

4 reports1 crash
“WAS IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY IN NESCONSET NY, I TURNED THE KEY PUT IN DRIVE, THE CAR REVVED, TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED FINALLY HITTING A TREE. MULTIPLE INJURIES, TAKEN TO STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER. NINE WEEKS HOSPITAL AND REHAB. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2015Structure, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 10692830

Engine

3 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT FILED STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE AND IT LEAKED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2014EngineFire reportedODI 10575079
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.