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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2002 Honda OdysseyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 972 owner complaints for the 2002 Honda Odyssey. Most complaints involve power train (613) and air bags (101). 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
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
972
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

972 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2001 – Aug 2026
  1. Power train613
  2. Air bags101
  3. Structure56
  4. Engine and engine cooling43
  5. Electrical system36
  6. Vehicle speed control34
  7. Engine27
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic24
  9. Latches/locks/linkages24

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
45
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
44
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

613 reports4 crashes4 fires
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When I was on the highway the car lost power and I was almost rear-ended by a car when I was stopped on the freeway on my way to the doctor. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, I am a recent buyer and do not have much information about previous problems with this vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, when it broke down, I just called the tow truck and they transported it to a mechanic and the mechanic put the machine in to find out what the fault was, and he told me and showed me that the fault was in the transmission and the cost would be $1800 to $2000 dollars or so to fix it. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, before the breakdown the car turned on a light that I didn't recognize but I kept going because I was on the freeway and a few meters ahead the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2021Power trainODI 11423253

Air bags

101 reports21 crashes
“The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000(Air Bags) and 15V320000(Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because he no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2024Air bagsODI 11621991

Structure

56 reports6 crashes
“I was involved in a traffic collision on December 15, 2023. The California DMV requires a brake and light inspection for a salvage retention reregistration of my car. After going to two brake and light shops they will not perform a brake and light inspection due to a recall P30 04V-176. I went to a Honda dealer to get the recall fixed and they said they cannot or will not perform the recall as it is not needed. Please let me know what I can do to fix this issue as I don’t see what and why the brake and light inspections cannot be done and I need them completed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2025Steering, Structure, WheelsODI 11634080
All 2002 Odyssey problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-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 Nov 9, 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 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
  • Odyssey
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 2002 Honda Odyssey as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 4598
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

2002 Odyssey questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda Odyssey have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2002 Honda Odyssey problems?

Owners filed 972 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (613), air bags (101), structure (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Honda Odyssey get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Honda Odyssey at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026