Problems · by component

2003 Honda Odyssey electrical system problems

82 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Honda Odyssey cite electrical system, 9% of all 940 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
82
9% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 270,000 MI ON IT. I CHECKED AMERICAN HONDA RECALLS AND FOUND A RECALL ORDER. COPIES OF HE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND EXPLAINED THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOW ANYTHING ON THEIR RECORDS. I MADE AND RESEARCHED AND FOUND THE DOCUMENTS WHICH I'VE ENCLOSED COPIES WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I WAS TOLD TO TALK WITH HONDA DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD ADVICE ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO NORM REEVES HONDA, AS MUCH AS I DID, I WAS IGNORED, NO ONE LISTENED, ALL I WAS TOLD WAS CALL BACK AMERICAN HONDA IN WHICH I SAID I HAVE DONE..THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO CHECK ON IT AND NO EXPLANATION ABOUT IT WAS OVEN EXCEPT THEIR RECORDS SHOW A PART NUMBER THAT UPON MY INSISTENCE FOR MORE INFO, I WAS TOTALLY IGNORED. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED FEB 22, 2013 TITLED, "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH" WHICH CLEARLY EXPLAINS THE ISSUANCE OF THE RECALL ORDER.. ALTHOUGH THE 15 YEAR WARRANTY HAS LAPSED SINCE THE ISSUANCE OF THE ORDER. IF THERE WAS SOMETHING DONE ON THE LEVER, THEY DID…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11326237
“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
“I TOOK MY CAR LAST YEAR FOR THE RECALLS THAT HAD FOR THE AIR BAGS AND THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF HE IGNITION SWITCH.AFTER ONE DAY OF WORK THEY SAID THEY FIX ALL OF THEM. BUT AFTER SOME MONTH I NOTICE THAT THE KEY IT WAS NO WORKING PROPERLY ON THE SWITCH AND I SEE ALSO THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE OLD SWITCH,AND BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE I BELIEVE JUST WHAT THEY SAID.BUT MY CAR IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE KEY IGNITION, THE SWITCH IT'S NOT READING THE KEY MOST OF THE TIMES AND IT'S NOT STARTING AND SOMETIMES IT START BY ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY JUST PRESSING THE HORN.THE RECALL FOR THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NHTSA 12V-573 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER S73.( DEC 2012)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2019Electrical systemODI 11209290
“THE INTERIOR ROOF OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THE SMOKE STARTED WHILE DRIVING AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AREA WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME TOP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11091074
“IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO ACCEPT KEY. KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED. THE PROBLEM BEGINS INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DIFFERENT KEYS DON'T HELP. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY LOCKSMITH TWICE IN DRIVEWAY. LOCKSMITH DISASSEMBLES, REPLACES BENT TUMBLER AND REASSEMBLES. FIX ONLY LASTS 1 -2 YEARS OF VERY LIGHT USAGE. PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED FOR A THIRD TIME IN 6 YEARS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2018Electrical systemODI 11088671

Showing 6 of 82 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

Electrical systemReported Dec 11, 2012NHTSA 12V573000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

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