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
- 73
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
48% of complaints
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 | 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.
Electrical system
48% · 35 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
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, 2013-07-23
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, 2007-06-08
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, 2025-04-15
Power train
22% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Service brakes
12% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Air bags
8% · 6 reportsShow 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…
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-01-05
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, 2020-09-29
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, 2020-08-20
Structure
5% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing body.
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-08
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, 2024-06-24
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
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2002-06-14Electrical system02V120000 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…
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…
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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.
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2020-10-01Air bags20V026000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 35 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
- Recall 02V120000 · Electrical system
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 20V026000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.