Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Honda Odyssey problems
Owners filed 585 complaints about the 2004 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between Jan 2004 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is power train (221).
Complaints
585
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
45
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train221
- Air bags111
- Structure55
- Electrical system53
- Engine50
- Latches/locks/linkages24
- Vehicle speed control23
- Seats22
- Engine and engine cooling22
- Seat belts18
- Tires14
- Fuel system, gasoline13
- Steering12
- Fuel/propulsion system9
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 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
52
14
19
10
12
16
53
52
61
66
59
64
30
20
15
14
6
6
7
3
2
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 52 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 53 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2012 | 61 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 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
221 reports7 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“In have traffic on hwy van quit pulling causing a major traffic problem upon checking Honda failed to mount a proper cooling system for the Trans even though they acknowledge doing so refuse to do anything about it apparently there's a lot of these on road luckily someone wasn't killed that day”
Air bags
111 reports21 crashes2 fires10 related recalls
“On XXX while traveling at approximately 50 mph on a smooth highway, both front airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners spontaneously deployed and exploded without warning. There was absolutely no collision, crash, road debris, or pothole impact. There were no vehichles in front or behind me. The vehicle continued smoothly for 100 yards post-blast. The vehicle's exterior and undercarriage remain completely undamaged. COMPONENTS FAILED: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) electronic control unit failed catastrophically. The explosive blast shattered the windshield, locked the seatbelt assemblies, and inflicted immediate blast-induced acoustic trauma/severe tinnitus. The vehicle is completely disabled but safely secured on private property and is available for immediate physical inspection. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CONFIRMATION: The manufacturer (American Honda Corporate) has officially cross-referenced this vehicle and confirmed that the safety remedy for the known SRS control unit defect (NHTSA Recall Campaign 13V-412) was previously performed on XXX, at an authorized dealer (Billy Wood Honda in [XXX]). This incident represents a catastrophic failure of a…”
Structure
55 reports3 crashes
“THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS CONTINUE TO FAIL TO OPEN ELECTRONICALLY AND ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN IF THEY DO NOT OPEN ELECTRONICALLY. THIS CAN BE AN ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS EVERYONE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT THE FRONT DOORS. THE DOORS CAN ONLY BE OPENED ELECTRONICALLY WHEN STATIONARY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN MANUALLY, DOORS CAN ONLY BE OPENED A FEW INCHES.”
Electrical system
53 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with an ignition switch failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 308,000.”
Engine
50 reports2 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine revved up high however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle and driving to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic nor a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”
Latches/locks/linkages
24 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENED INADVERTENTLY AND FAILED TO LATCH AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR, AN ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAS ABLE TO LATCH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL POWER SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM ON THE DASHBOARD REMAINED INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. SOUTHTOWNE AUTO MALL (10770 AUTO MALL DRIVE, SANDY, UTAH 84070, (866) 957-1679) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED UNTIL ONE WEEK FROM THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.