Problems · NHTSA complaints

2002 Honda Odyssey problems

Owners filed 972 complaints about the 2002 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between Nov 2001 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is power train (613).

Complaints
972
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
45
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
44
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Suspension18
  11. Tires17
  12. Seats13
  13. Steering12
  14. Seat belts12

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 Nov 9, 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
20013
200248
200364
200492
200551
200648
200759
2008119
200991
2010110
201173
201245
201337
201426
201532
201619
201711
201810
20198
20208
20216
20223
20233
20243
20252
20261

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

Power train

613 reports4 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“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 crashes8 related recalls
“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

Engine and engine cooling

43 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The emission switch, check engine, and air bag sensor lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2022Engine and engine coolingODI 11459590

Electrical system

36 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The van completely shuts down no matter where I am. When I try to turn it back on the green key light DOES NOT appear on the dash. The van will still crank but will not turn over. Until the green key light appears on the left side of the dash. I have to sit anywhere from 5 minutes up until 8 hours one day. It does this 3 to 4 times a day. The only warning I get is the green key will start flashing on the dash that's when I know it has shut down. I feel like it has something to do with the immobilizer. Because of the green key. I have changed my key fob battery , regular battery, checked all the fuses. This is very dangerous, it has left my family and myself in some deadly positions. Dar and raining it has shut off on the highway with barely any shoulder to pull off on. Cars and trucks driving past at 60 to 70 miles per hour in the dark and rain a few times we were almost hit. There is nothing I can do but sit and wait for the green key to appear then I know we are in safe zone again until u expectantly it decides to do it again. This is so frustrating leaving for work or appointments I have no clue what time to leave because the shut down is random. I have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2025Electrical systemODI 11653320

Vehicle speed control

34 reports6 crashes
“I've noticed that while driving the vehicle maintains speed/accelerate (without gas pedal pressed, and with cruise control off). I have to constantly fight the vehicle's constant acceleration with brakes. While idling, it keeps going to high RPM and then reduce and then high RPM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2023Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11524302
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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