Problems · by component

1999 Honda Odyssey electrical system problems

112 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Honda Odyssey cite electrical system, 21% of all 528 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
112
21% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST DUE TO THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNING THE VEHICLE. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2018Electrical systemODI 10704691
“SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST TWO WEEKS VEHICLE HAS STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY SHORTLY AFTER STARTING OR WHILE DRIVING - DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND GAUGES (INCLUDING ODOMETER) ALL BLANK EXCEPT 3 BLINKS OF GREEN "KEY" LIGHT (IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR); ACCESSORIES STAY OPERATIONAL (RADIO, ETC) BUT ENGINE SHUTS OFF. WILL RE-START AFTER A FEW TRIES, TYPICALLY; FAILED TRIES INCLUDE ENGINE STARTING WHILE KEY HELD IN START POSITION BUT DYING IMMEDIATELY WHEN RETURNING KEY TO "RUN" POSITION. WILL STAY RUNNING IF KEY IS HELD BETWEEN "START" AND "RUN" LOCATION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE ENGINE, HOLDING KEY NEAR START, TO GET ENOUGH RUNTIME TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE OFF THE ROAD. RECALL TO THIS EFFECT APPARENTLY WAS PERFORMED BACK IN 2002-2003; LOOKS LIKE RECURRENCE OF SAME PROBLEM?? WHAT ARE MY RECOURSES?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2017Electrical systemODI 10980835
“RECENTLY, WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 94, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE ALONG WITH A LIGHT THAT READS "TCS". SHORTLY AFTER THESE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON, MY VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING. WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN TAKING OFF AND MAINTAINING STABILITY ONCE IN MOTION. DURING TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS, FREEWAYS, INTERSTATES, OR CITY STREETS, MY VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHIFTS FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR, CAUSING IT TO SLOW DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY BEFORE JERKING INTO MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ALSO, DURING RECENT NIGHT TIME TRAVEL THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, GO DIM THEN GET BRIGHT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO SLOWS DOWN WHEN TURNING CORNERS THEN WILL SUDDENLY JUMP INTO MOTION. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR RECENTLY WENT OFF TRACK CAUSING A SCREAMING ALARM TO SOUND DURING TRAVEL. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING LINE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD A HOLE IN THE UPPER HOSE.I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THE POOR ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE AND THE VIOLENT JERKING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2017Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 10960169
“SLIDING DOOR ALWAYS WAS DEFECTIVE FROM 2006. ALWAYS NOT CLOSING TO THE END. ONE SLIDER DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE NOT WORKING FROM 2006, PROBABLY CABLE BROKEN INSIDE OF SLIDER DOOR. SLIDING DOOR HANDLE IS LOSE. MY WIFE NOT USING SLIDER DOOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, BECAUSE IT STOCK AND CAN'T OPEN AT ALL. FRONT DOOR LOCK ALSO NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. ALSO I WANT REPLACE ALL AIR BACK IN MY MINI VAN, I NEVER RECEIVE ANY PAPER RECALL FROM DEALER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2017Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 10960111
“I'M CONTINUOUSLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SLIDER DOORS JAMMING ,STICKING SHUT, SAYING THEY AREN'T SHUT ALL THE WAY. USED TO BE ABLE TO FIX BY PULLING FUSES TO REST DOORS..NOW THEY WON'T EVEN OPEN MANUALLY AT TIMES. PASSENGER SIDE FILES OPEN WHILE DRIVING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2017Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 10956769

Showing 6 of 112 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

3 recalls on this component

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

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Feb 11, 2000NHTSA 00V030000
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.