Problems · by component

1998 Honda Odyssey electrical system problems

33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1998 Honda Odyssey cite electrical system, 45% of all 73 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
33
45% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2021Electrical systemODI 11421924
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2016Electrical systemODI 10933961
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2016Electrical systemODI 10875442
“1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT PARTS RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2002, THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS BEING REPLACED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WORK WAS DONE, TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. IN 2008, THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE ENGINE STALLED REPEATEDLY IN TRAFFIC. HONDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CONTACTS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL, BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2016Electrical systemODI 10852658
“1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED DOORS AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER. THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE DOOR AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS TO FAIL, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO A FIRE IN ALL FOUR DOORS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2013Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10525457

Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported May 16, 2002NHTSA 02V120000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026

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