1996 Honda ODYSSEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
113,469 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 59 complaints (23.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 15.3% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
Air Bags: 14; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 9
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 8; 2002: 10; 2003: 8; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2011: 3; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014385 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN NEW IN 1996. (VIN#: [XXX]) ON MARCH 11, 2003 WE DROVE IT WITH SOME FRIENDS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT WHERE WE PARKED AND LOCKED THE CAR, AND WENT IN. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER A MAN CAME INTO THE RESTAURANT SAYING THERE WAS A CAR ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY HONDA WAS ON FIRE. FORTUNATELY, THE RESTAURANT OWNER HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014815 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHICH SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL RELATED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011359 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
ABS MODULATOR/SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ABS MODUALTOR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022538 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND ABS MODULATOR. *MR THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE MODULATOR COULD BE RESET BUT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. WITHIN TWELVE MILES AFTER THE REPAIR, THE LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056305 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
I HAVE A 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY LX AND IT HAS STALLED OUT MANY TIMES WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN ATLANTA, GA RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I DRIVE THIRTY MILES TO WORK EACH DAY AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL JUST QUIT. I TOOK THE CAR TO CATHERINE'S AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR & SERVICE AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER HONDAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE AWARE OF HONDA RECALLS. MY CAR IS A '96 AND WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNFAIR THAT A CERTAIN YEAR SHO…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297010 · 2009-12-26 (December 26, 2009)
MY 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY DIED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STATIONARY AND/OR DRIVING, INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED. I TOOK IT TO AAA CARE PLUS, GOT SPARK PLUG, SPARK PLUG WIRE SET, DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. IT STILL STALL FREQUENTLY. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH LEARNED THAT 1996 ODYSSEY HAS PROBLEM. OTHER HAVE ALSO REPORTED. WANT TO KNOW WHAT HONDA IS DOING ABOUT IT AS THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM IN CHINA AND EUROPE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 152,790 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8024180 · 2002-12-11 (December 11, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH OR FASTER, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE, DEALER CONTACTED AND STATES THAT THE WHEEL SUSPENSION IS OFF BALANCE WHICH CAUSES STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8024180 at NHTSA ↗