MYRModel Year Report

1997 Honda Odyssey

○ Not enough data
1997 Honda Odyssey
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:33:19.255Z

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

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.

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Odyssey Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1994: 1 complaints 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 20 complaints 1997 1998: 73 complaints 1998 1999: 518 complaints 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 619 complaints 2002: 960 complaints 2003: 914 complaints 2003 2004: 585 complaints 2005: 830 complaints 2006: 703 complaints 2007: 830 complaints 2008: 499 complaints 2008 2009: 198 complaints 2010: 255 complaints 2011: 233 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 210 complaints 2013 2014: 307 complaints 2015: 205 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2017: 39 complaints 2018: 979 complaints 2018 2019: 955 complaints 2020: 457 complaints 2021: 140 complaints 2022: 131 complaints 2023: 97 complaints 2023 2024: 99 complaints 2025: 353 complaints 2026: 33 complaints 2026
1997: 20 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19941
199596
199670
199720
199873
1999518
2000675
2001619
2002960
2003914
2004585
2005830
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011233
2012243
2013210
2014307
2015205
2016269
201739
2018979
2019955
2020457
2021140
2022131
202397
202499
2025353
202633

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 20 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040120

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON IGNITION OIL RETAINER. UPON PICKING UP VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLES DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED, LOCKS WERE POPPING UP ON THEIR OWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021118

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 of 20 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNCHED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. ANOTHER TIME, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19971105

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

transmission problem

NHTSA ODI report, 20210905

Also filed under FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE and STEERING

VISIBILITY

2 of 20 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and power window devices and controls.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

7/29 LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING AND ONE WINDOW STOPS OPERATING. 7/30 HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE VAN IS STATIONARY AND ANOTHER WINDOW STOPS WORKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010830

SERVICE BRAKES

2 of 20 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
TIRES

1 of 20 total reports mentions: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990517 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Campaign 99V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020614 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHIC

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE

Campaign 02V120000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V120000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 2017 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2002 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Honda Odyssey reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Odyssey?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Odyssey have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.