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Research · Minivan - 2WD

1999 Honda OdysseyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 528 owner complaints for the 1999 Honda Odyssey. Most complaints involve power train (174) and electrical system (112). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
528
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Electrical systemReported Oct 27, 2003NHTSA 03V423000

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
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

528 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1998 – Jan 2023
  1. Power train174
  2. Electrical system112
  3. Structure77
  4. Latches/locks/linkages76
  5. Engine and engine cooling34
  6. Air bags19
  7. Tires18
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  9. Vehicle speed control11

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

By model year

Complaints for each Odyssey model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199677
199727
199873
1999528
2000685
2001629
2002972
2003940
2004585
2005829
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011235
2012245
2013210
2014310
2015207
2016271
201739
20181,012
2019998
2020492
2021147
2022142
2023105
2024126
2025447
202663
20271
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

174 reports
“THERE HAVE BEEN 2 RECALLS FOR MY 99 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE FIRST WAS ON TRANSMISSION A FEW YEARS BACK N NOW THERE IS ONE OPEN FOR MY AIRBAGS. WELL MY TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER FIXED BY HONDA. AND NOW I CAN'T GET THEM TO FIX MY AIRBAGS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2020Power train, Air bagsODI 11309953

Electrical system

112 reports2 crashes5 fires
“The contact owns a 1999 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,617.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2023Electrical systemODI 11502474

Structure

77 reports
“DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. I GOT A EMERGENCY TONE TELLING ME SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT NO INDICATION ON THE DASH. I FOUND A COUPLE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND STOPPED BY THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER (PIAZZA), BUT THEY SAID THE VIN HAS NO RECALLS AND THE RECALL IS TOO OLD. I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE A MONTH AGO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN BY HONDA AND EVEN IF IT IS HAPPENING ONLY NOW, THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2019StructureODI 11268824
All 1999 Odyssey problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Odyssey
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
  • Odyssey
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Honda Odyssey as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 3955
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Odyssey questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Honda Odyssey have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Honda Odyssey problems?

Owners filed 528 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (174), electrical system (112), structure (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Honda Odyssey get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Honda Odyssey at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026