MYRModel Year Report

2003 Honda Odyssey

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Honda Odyssey
BUILT 2026-08-02

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, 2003 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: 959 complaints 2003: 914 complaints 2003 2004: 584 complaints 2005: 830 complaints 2006: 703 complaints 2007: 829 complaints 2008: 499 complaints 2008 2009: 198 complaints 2010: 254 complaints 2011: 232 complaints 2012: 241 complaints 2013: 209 complaints 2013 2014: 307 complaints 2015: 199 complaints 2016: 261 complaints 2017: 38 complaints 2018: 932 complaints 2018 2019: 876 complaints 2020: 417 complaints 2021: 123 complaints 2022: 126 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 70 complaints 2025: 231 complaints 2026: 12 complaints 2026
2003: 914 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19941
199596
199670
199720
199873
1999518
2000675
2001619
2002959
2003914
2004584
2005830
2006703
2007829
2008499
2009198
2010254
2011232
2012241
2013209
2014307
2015199
2016261
201738
2018932
2019876
2020417
2021123
2022126
202387
202470
2025231
202612

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 36%

36% of complaints: power train — 332 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 205 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180416

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, 20120922

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 124 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20171109

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, 20120515

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, 20250328

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 72 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180430

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, 20030820

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 914
R 20030116 — fuel system, gasoline

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 VEHIC

Campaign 03V014000 — 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 20121002 — PE (closed 20130114)

Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway

R 20130222 — electrical system

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 le

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 of

Campaign 12V573000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130606 — PE (closed 20140106)

Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment

R 20131101 — air bags

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.

Campaign 13V412000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20140912 — air bags

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.

Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20151027 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V563000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160222 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V045000 — 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

2003 Honda Odyssey — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (332 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (205 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (124 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V014000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V573000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V412000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) 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 15V563000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V045000 (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 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2018 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

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:automatic transmission, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have?

15 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.