Problems · NHTSA complaints

2003 Honda Odyssey problems

Owners filed 940 complaints about the 2003 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between Jul 2002 and May 2026. The most-cited component is power train (535).

Complaints
940
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
54
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
53
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train535
  2. Air bags137
  3. Electrical system82
  4. Engine and engine cooling44
  5. Structure42
  6. Engine32
  7. Vehicle speed control30
  8. Latches/locks/linkages27
  9. Seat belts21
  10. Visibility15
  11. Steering13
  12. Seats13
  13. Tires11
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic11

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 Oct 30, 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
20025
200335
200447
200537
200618
200734
200867
200969
2010129
2011106
201288
201363
201457
201590
201641
201719
20186
201911
20206
20212
20223
20231
20241
20253
20262

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

535 reports10 crashes9 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted into gear. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in four unrepaired recalls. The contact informed the dealer that she was afraid to drive the vehicle due to the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission and the motor mounts were replaced in May 2025. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 251,599.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2025Power trainODI 11677771

Air bags

137 reports22 crashes2 fires12 related recalls
“I never had issues with my van when I bought it but On Monday got all the fluids drove to Phoenix and the transmission got hot the TCL light and ABs light turned on as well as the SRS light no check engine the floor on the driver side and passenger side was super hot. The transmission on 1st gear start hitting hard 2nd gear started slipping we pulled over right away let the car cool down but the transmission level where normal motor oil was at normal we did the oil service transmission service the dealer I bought it from has did Amazon service I don’t really drive it only to visit my kids. I looked up the recall and my van has a lot of them I’m worried of driving home to California I’m in Phoenix so I hope the dealer will fix the recall when u put the year of the 2003 honda odyssey my vin switch to a different one on your site please help”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2025Power train, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11673559

Electrical system

82 reports11 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“All recalls have been completed on this 2003 Honda Odyssey Van but every now and then the warning light for the supplemental restraint system comes on and will stay on for a long time. the next trip it will be fine. Just wondering if this is something to be concerned about. It is a car we keep at our beach house and only use on a limited basis but I need to know it is safe. I recently had vehicle scanned and had all old codes cleared. If the air bag situation is the cause of this I don't want to be driving it. East Coast Honda in Myrtle Beach, SC. (833-299-3248, 8756A US Highway 17 Bypass South, Myrtle Beach SC. 29588) has replaced the recalled airbags on 2 different recalls. Thank you for your assistance. [XXX]. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11506598

Engine and engine cooling

44 reports2 crashes
“I TOOK MY 2003 ODYSSEY FOR AC COMPRESSOR RELAY REPLACEMENT WHEN I WAS INFORMED THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED REPLACING. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS AND I FOUND OUT THROUGH MY WEB SEARCH THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ODYSSEY MODEL. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. HONDA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND READ THE COMPLAINTS ODYSSEY OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT AND POSTING ON THE WEB HTTP://COMMUNITY.CARTALK.COM/DISCUSSION/1560611/HONDA-ODYSSEY-MOTOR-MOUNT-PROBLEM I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND HAVE NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2013Engine and engine cooling, Unknown or otherODI 10494261

Structure

42 reports2 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE KEY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COGGIN HONDA JACKSONVILLE (LOCATED AT 11003 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 302-8217) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2019Electrical system, StructureODI 11221306

Engine

32 reports2 crashes
“Vehicle was inspected, Vehicle is leaking fuel, but it's difficult to spot, but I have to put fuel on it daily, TCS goes haywire almost caused me to crash because the TCS sensors are near the tires, and engine crank sensor issues, Vehicle does not do last gear shift, and rear door stopped working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2026Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11717146
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

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