1998 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 PER YEAR
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 | 959 |
| 2003 | 914 |
| 2004 | 584 |
| 2005 | 830 |
| 2006 | 703 |
| 2007 | 829 |
| 2008 | 499 |
| 2009 | 198 |
| 2010 | 254 |
| 2011 | 232 |
| 2012 | 241 |
| 2013 | 209 |
| 2014 | 307 |
| 2015 | 199 |
| 2016 | 261 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 932 |
| 2019 | 876 |
| 2020 | 417 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2022 | 126 |
| 2023 | 87 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 231 |
| 2026 | 12 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
18% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ODI report, 19990427
12% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED DOORS AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130723
10% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250415
8% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. *BF *NAR NAR *JLS *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20050105
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200929
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200820
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Campaign 20V026000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 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.
- Verify recall 20V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Honda Odyssey is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Odyssey?
The most-reported component is electrical system:ignition:switch, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.