1998 Honda Odyssey electrical system problems

The 1998 Honda Odyssey has 35 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 39% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

39%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Odyssey electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have?

NHTSA has 35 complaints about the 1998 Honda Odyssey electrical system — 39% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Honda Odyssey electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 02V120000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.