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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train535
- Air bags137
- Electrical system82
- Engine and engine cooling44
- Structure42
- Engine32
- Vehicle speed control30
- Latches/locks/linkages27
- Seat belts21
- Visibility15
- Steering13
- Seats13
- Tires11
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
35
47
37
18
34
67
69
129
106
88
63
57
90
41
19
6
11
6
2
3
1
1
3
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 35 |
| 2004 | 47 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 34 |
| 2008 | 67 |
| 2009 | 69 |
| 2010 | 129 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 88 |
| 2013 | 63 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2015 | 90 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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”
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]”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.