VehicleVerdict

1998 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1998 Honda Odyssey is among the quieter years of the Odyssey on NHTSA's books: 89 complaints (73% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 35 reports (39% of the total).

89

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Odyssey years?

Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3539%
Transmission1618%
Brakes910%
Engine67%
Airbags67%
Body & Structure44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Other22%
Speed Control22%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

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.

02V120000Electrical SystemMay 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 units

Defect

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.

99V069000SuspensionMay 10, 1999 · 124,875 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED DOORS AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER. THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE DOOR AND WINDOWS MECHANISMS TO FAIL, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO A FIRE IN ALL FOUR DOORS. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2013 · fire

“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTERED A PROBLEM CODE OF P0740-TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 8, 2008

“WAS IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY IN NESCONSET NY, I TURNED THE KEY PUT IN DRIVE, THE CAR REVVED, TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED FINALLY HITTING A TREE. MULTIPLE INJURIES, TAKEN TO STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER. NINE WEEKS HOSPITAL AND REHAB. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 26, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT FILED STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE AND IT LEAKED ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 15, 2000 · fire

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 5, 2004 · crash

1998 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 1998 Honda Odyssey reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 89 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Odyssey year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (35 complaints), transmission (16 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.