1997 Honda ODYSSEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
104,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 18 complaints (27.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2001: 4; 2002: 9; 2004: 3; 2011: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10081976 · 2004-07-14 (July 14, 2004)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM THE REAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COMPONENT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10394035 · 2011-04-02 (April 2, 2011)
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SINCE THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED WHILE NOT IN PARK, THIS REQUIRES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN RECALL 05V025000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751203 · 2001-08-27 (August 27, 2001)
7/29 LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING AND ONE WINDOW STOPS OPERATING. 7/30 HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE VAN IS STATIONARY AND ANOTHER WINDOW STOPS WORKING. I DISASSEMBLED THE DOOR AND WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT FURTHER SMOKE/FIRE DAMAGE. PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ARE MELTED. AMERICAN HONDA IS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE AFTER A MONTH OF DISCUSSIONS AND INVESTIGATION BY HONDA TECHNICIANS. THEIR STORY KEEPS CHANGING. TODAY THEY REQUESTED THAT I MAIL ALL PARTS IN QUESTION TO THEM IN CA.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010377 · 2002-05-23 (May 23, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431774 · 2021-09-05 (September 5, 2021)
transmission problem
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564532 · 2002-02-28 (February 28, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A COUNTER SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTAINED A FLAW, WHICH RESULTED IN ROUGH SHIFTING FROM THE VERY MOMENT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 899116 · 2001-11-14 (November 14, 2001)
VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. CONSUMER LOST BRAKES/POWER STEERING, AND SMOKE CAME FROM IGNITION HOUSING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED DEFECTIVE PART WITH 35130-SXO-AO1 STEERING SWITCH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 899116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013772 · 2002-07-11 (July 11, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THERE WAS RECALL 02V120000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS VERY UPSET THAT NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER HE DID HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE/ CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007470 · 2002-04-12 (April 12, 2002)
CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A MECHANIC. MECHANIC NOTICED A HOLE IN FUEL TANK THAT WAS CAUSED BY CONSTANT CONTACT WITH METAL UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007470 at NHTSA ↗