1998 Honda ODYSSEY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
139,034 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 67 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 14.9% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 14.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 13.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.4% |
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 | 13 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 13; Electrical System: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Structure:Body: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 12
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 39 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 | 7 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 2; 2002: 14; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 7; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001109 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001359 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
NO PARTS AVAILABLE::::::::::::THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH THE DEALER NAME LARRY HOPKINS HONDA SERVICE MAN GABRIEL [phone removed] PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001360 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
NO PARTS AVAILABLE::::::::::::THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH THE DEALER NAME LARRY HOPKINS HONDA SERVICE MAN GABRIEL [phone removed] PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010041 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TOOLS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010758 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
VISOR ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE WHILE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT IT DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN. WHEN IT BROKE, IT DANGLED IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GRAB THE VISOR AND HOLD IT OUT OF THE WAY AND REGAIN SIGHT OF THE ROAD BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SUPPORTING METAL ARM SEPARATED AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIRE FOR THE MIRROR LIGHT EXITS THE ARM. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND THE CASTING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049782 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT TO PALM HARBOR HONDA, AND THEY CHARGED ME ABOUT $100 JUST TO LOOK AT IT, AFTER WHICH THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $800 TO FIX IT. SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY RECALL FOR 1999 ODYSSEY MINIVANS, AND WONDER IF THE IGNITION SWITCH I HAVE MAY POSE A SAFETY RISK AS WELL. IN ANY CASE, I AM VERY DISAPOINTED IN THIS WHOLE SITUATION. THIS CAR IS MY 3RD HONDA, AND WILL LIKELY BE MY LAST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073354 · 2004-05-10 (May 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL DRIVER SEAT WOULD INADVERTENTLY MOVE BACK AND FORTH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105169 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. *BF *NAR NAR *JLS *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105169 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V120000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V069000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-10 (May 10, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗