VehicleVerdict

1996 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1996 Honda Odyssey is among the quieter years of the Odyssey on NHTSA's books: 88 complaints (73% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (28% of the total).

88

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Odyssey years?

Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted1,586 complaints1990: 2 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 112 complaints1996: 88 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 89 complaints1999: 664 complaints2000: 785 complaints2001: 721 complaints2002: 1,117 complaints2003: 1,095 complaints2004: 715 complaints2005: 1,046 complaints2006: 879 complaints2007: 1,038 complaints2008: 617 complaints2009: 243 complaints2010: 338 complaints2011: 291 complaints2012: 325 complaints2013: 275 complaints2014: 406 complaints2015: 268 complaints2016: 345 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 1,586 complaints2019: 1,525 complaints2020: 833 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 178 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 121 complaints2025: 356 complaints2026: 21 complaints
Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2528%
Electrical System1922%
Engine1214%
Brakes1011%
Other67%
Seat Belts56%
Speed Control45%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Lighting11%
Seats11%
Suspension11%
Transmission11%

Does the 1996 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE WAS IN HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 40 TO 45MPH, AND BOTH PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

“VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS - WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ALWAYS CATCH AND RUN. THEN ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES, AN UNSAFE SITUATION. FINALLY WOULD NOT START AGAIN. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, WORKS FINE. NOTED THAT SIMILAR (MODEL, YEAR) VEHICLES IN AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN HAD THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2008

“BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL FAILED IN JANUARY 2000. OIL HOUSING OIL SEAL (O-RING) FAILED IN JANUARY 2004. BOTH FAILURES CAUSED HEAVY OIL LOSS SO VEHICLE WAS TOWED AT MY EXPENSE. SRS LIGHT IS ON. DEALER CHARGED ME $89 DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR SRS ESTIMATE AND SAID IT WOULD COST JUST UNDER $1000 TO REPAIR.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 10, 2004

“BACKING OUT DRIVEWAY; TURNED A/C ON; PUT INTO DRIVE & VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD; A BRICK WALL IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS HIT DUE TO BRAKES FAILING. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 13, 1997 · crash

“INSTALLED NEW BATTERY IN VEHICLE JUNE 2001. AFTER BATTERY INSTALLATION, SRS LIGHT WENT ON. HONDA MECHANIC DIAGNOSED "CAR HAD A CODE 6-2 STORED IN SYSTEM, WE CLEARED CODE, IF LIGHT COMES BACK ON THE CONTROL UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED." UPON STARTING CAR, SRS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. MECHANIC SAID I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 6, 2001

1996 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 1996 Honda Odyssey reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 88 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Odyssey year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1996 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (25 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints), engine (12 complaints).

Does the 1996 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1996 Honda Odyssey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Odyssey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Odyssey years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2000, 2001, 2004, 1999, 2008, 2025, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. The cleanest record among Odyssey years belongs to 1994.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.