MYRModel Year Report

2003 Honda Odyssey

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Honda Odyssey
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
914
Recalls
15

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

59% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 2 complaints 1990 1994: 1 complaint 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 2003: 914 complaints 2003 914 2004: 585 complaints 2005: 830 complaints 2006: 703 complaints 2007: 830 complaints 2008: 499 complaints 2008 2009: 198 complaints 2010: 255 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2012: 244 complaints 2013: 210 complaints 2013 2014: 308 complaints 2015: 206 complaints 2016: 270 complaints 2017: 39 complaints 2018: 992 complaints 2018 2019: 977 complaints 2020: 473 complaints 2021: 143 complaints 2022: 137 complaints 2023: 100 complaints 2023 2024: 113 complaints 2025: 400 complaints 2026: 43 complaints
1990: 2 complaints 1990 1994: 1 complaint 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 20 complaints 1998: 73 complaints 1999: 518 complaints 1999 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 619 complaints 2002: 960 complaints 2003: 914 complaints 2003 914 2004: 585 complaints 2005: 830 complaints 2005 2006: 703 complaints 2007: 830 complaints 2008: 499 complaints 2008 2009: 198 complaints 2010: 255 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2011 2012: 244 complaints 2013: 210 complaints 2014: 308 complaints 2014 2015: 206 complaints 2016: 270 complaints 2017: 39 complaints 2017 2018: 992 complaints 2019: 977 complaints 2020: 473 complaints 2020 2021: 143 complaints 2022: 137 complaints 2023: 100 complaints 2023 2024: 113 complaints 2025: 400 complaints 2026: 43 complaints 2026
1990: 2 complaints 1990 1994: 1 complaint 1995: 96 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 20 complaints 1997 1998: 73 complaints 1999: 518 complaints 1999 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 619 complaints 2001 2002: 960 complaints 2003: 914 complaints 2003 914 2004: 585 complaints 2005: 830 complaints 2005 2006: 703 complaints 2007: 830 complaints 2007 2008: 499 complaints 2009: 198 complaints 2009 2010: 255 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2011 2012: 244 complaints 2013: 210 complaints 2013 2014: 308 complaints 2015: 206 complaints 2015 2016: 270 complaints 2017: 39 complaints 2017 2018: 992 complaints 2019: 977 complaints 2019 2020: 473 complaints 2021: 143 complaints 2021 2022: 137 complaints 2023: 100 complaints 2023 2024: 113 complaints 2025: 400 complaints 2025 2026: 43 complaints

2003: 914 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19941
199596
199670
199720
199873
1999518
2000675
2001619
2002960
2003914
2004585
2005830
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011235
2012244
2013210
2014308
2015206
2016270
201739
2018992
2019977
2020473
2021143
2022137
2023100
2024113
2025400
202643

Known problem areas

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

Power train

59% · 543 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the RPM needle fluctuated back and forth as the vehicle started to lose power.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-16

I parked my van on my sloped driveway, setting the emergency brake. As I was getting out, the van started rolling backward. As I was trying to stop it, I tripped and my left leg was run over by the front left tire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-22

Air bags

14% · 132 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 40 MPH over a speed bump, the driver's air bag deployed without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-09

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the driver was seated in the vehicle while parked and the air bags inadvertently deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-15

The contact owned a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V344000 (Air Bags), 15V320000 (Air Bags), and  15V045000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-28

Electrical system

9% · 84 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The interior roof of the vehicle caught fire and burned after the car was turned off. The smoke started while driving and the smoke was coming from the drivers side seat belt area where it connects to the frame top.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-30

New 2003 Honda Odyssey ex-l van caught fire while I was driving. The fire started in the stereo/cd player. Earlier in the day, the radio stopped working, shut off and would not turn on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-20

Engine and engine cooling

5% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASH

Structure

4% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

15 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 914 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-01-16Fuel system, gasoline03V014000 On certain mini vans, some fuel tanks have surface imperfections that could allow fuel to leak from the tank.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for surface imperfections. If any imperfections are found, the fuel tank will be replaced. Owner notification began January 16, 2003. Owners who take their…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2012-10-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-01-14 Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
  5. R
    2013-02-22Electrical system12V573000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock…

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2013-06-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-01-06 Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
  7. R
    2013-11-01Air bags13V412000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. R
    2014-09-12Air bags14V353000 American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2015-01-26Air bags14V700000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  12. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V370000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2015-10-27Air bags15V563000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 28, 2002, to August 30, 2002.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JU0.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2016-02-22Air bags15V045000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003.

    Remedy: Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2016-06-29Air bags16V344000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 543 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 132 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 84 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V014000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 12V573000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 13V412000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V353000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V370000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V563000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V045000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V344000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda Odyssey is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Odyssey?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have?
15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.