MYRModel Year Report

2002 Honda Odyssey

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Honda Odyssey
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

Complaints per year, Honda Odyssey Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1994: 1 complaints 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 20 complaints 1998: 73 complaints 1998 1999: 518 complaints 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 619 complaints 2002: 960 complaints 2002 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: 232 complaints 2012: 242 complaints 2013: 210 complaints 2013 2014: 307 complaints 2015: 204 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2017: 39 complaints 2018: 970 complaints 2018 2019: 936 complaints 2020: 453 complaints 2021: 137 complaints 2022: 130 complaints 2023: 95 complaints 2023 2024: 91 complaints 2025: 330 complaints 2026: 27 complaints 2026
2002: 960 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19941
199596
199670
199720
199873
1999518
2000675
2001619
2002960
2003914
2004585
2005830
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011232
2012242
2013210
2014307
2015204
2016269
201739
2018970
2019936
2020453
2021137
2022130
202395
202491
2025330
202627

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

POWER TRAIN 64%

64% of complaints: power train — 613 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BAD TRANNY AN I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. NOW TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON YOUR DEFECT. HONDA OFFERS ZERO HELP CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130322

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMELL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120807

My transmission has almost completely went out

NHTSA ODI report, 20260814

Also filed under AIR BAGS and ENGINE

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE AIRBAGS ON MY HONDA WERE RECALLED AND WE HAD THEM REPLACED AT NANUET HONDA WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THINKING AFTER WE HAD THEM REPLACED THAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY WORK IF WE GOT INTO AND ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190114

GOT A LETTER SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH THE AIRBAGS BUT I DO NOT OWN THAT CAR ANYMORE. THAT CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS GONE NOW.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180824

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS OF OUR 2002 ODYSSEY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020503

STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and body.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE PUSHED THE BUTTON FOR THE AUTOMATIC DOOR TO OPEN, BUT THE SLIDING DOORS ONLY OPENED A FEW INCHES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021021

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 43 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 960
R 20020830 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICL

Campaign 02V226000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040427 — power train

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIO

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V370000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160629 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (613 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (102 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (57 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V226000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V370000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2019 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Honda Odyssey reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Honda Odyssey is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Odyssey?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda Odyssey have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.