1998 Honda Odyssey

▲ Better than typical

1998 Honda Odyssey
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:10.473Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1998: 73 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	233
2012	243
2013	210
2014	307
2015	205
2016	269
2017	39
2018	979
2019	955
2020	457
2021	140
2022	131
2023	97
2024	99
2025	353
2026	33

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48%

48% of complaints: electrical system — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE

Show 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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070608

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show 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

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WAS IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY IN NESCONSET NY, I TURNED THE KEY PUT IN DRIVE, THE CAR REVVED, TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED FINALLY HITTING A TREE. MULTIPLE INJURIES, TAKEN TO STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER. NINE WEEKS HOSPITAL AND REHAB. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20150308

The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240624

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

R 20201001 — air bags

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