1996 Honda Odyssey
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 70
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
34% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 70 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 96 |
| 1996 | 70 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1998 | 73 |
| 1999 | 518 |
| 2000 | 675 |
| 2001 | 619 |
| 2002 | 960 |
| 2003 | 914 |
| 2004 | 585 |
| 2005 | 830 |
| 2006 | 703 |
| 2007 | 830 |
| 2008 | 499 |
| 2009 | 198 |
| 2010 | 255 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2012 | 244 |
| 2013 | 210 |
| 2014 | 310 |
| 2015 | 207 |
| 2016 | 270 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 1,005 |
| 2019 | 991 |
| 2020 | 483 |
| 2021 | 146 |
| 2022 | 141 |
| 2023 | 104 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 445 |
| 2026 | 59 |
| 2027 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
34% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was in head-on collision at 40 to 45MPH, and both passenger's and driver's side airbags did not deploy. Dealer has not seen.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-17
Cruising at 35 miles an hour down park boulevard without hitting any bumps the passenger airbag exploded. The explosion was so hard that it knocked down the rearview mirror, the glove compartment door, and caused damage to the windshield.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-04-24
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Honda Odyssey. While the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the driver side air bag deployed independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-02
Electrical system
26% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
2 related incidents -- car no longer runs or shuts off if ignition key is not fiddled with. Solder from ignition switch melted, dripped and burned my wife's foot.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-06-05
I purchased a 1996 Honda Odyssey van new in 1996. (VIN#: [xxx]) on March 11, 2003 we drove it with some friends to a neighborhood restaurant where we parked and locked the car, and went in.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-14
The vehicle caught fire, which seemed to be electrical related.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-31
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Service brakes
13% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Seat belts
7% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing rear/other and integrated child seat.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Honda Odyssey reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Honda Odyssey is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Honda Odyssey?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Honda Odyssey have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.