VehicleVerdict

2001 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 721 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Odyssey year — the 2001 model ranks #10 of 34 Odyssey years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 62 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 47% of all reports (337 of 721), far ahead of body & structure at 64.

721

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

62

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Odyssey years?

Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission33747%
Body & Structure649%
Suspension517%
Airbags436%
Engine395%
Latches & Locks335%
Electrical System253%
Other223%
Brakes193%
Speed Control172%
Fuel System162%
Seat Belts142%
Visibility & Wipers101%
Seats91%
Tires & Wheels81%
Steering61%
Lighting41%
Child Seat20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2001 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

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

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator 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 air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. SMOKE WAS RELEASED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN CASE OF A FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 2, 2012 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE SHIELD UNDERNEATH THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE CEMENT BARRIER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR AND THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING COOLANT AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 11, 2006

“WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VAN LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE COIL SPRING BREAKING. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED, "WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM". THE SLIDING DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 25, 2003

“SRS LIGHT ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY. HAD AN SMALL ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T NOT DEFLATE, LIGHTS BEEN ON FOR 2 YRS AND THE DEALER SAYS THE WILL STILL DRIVE WITHOUT FIXING THE ISSUE. TOOK IT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE IS CHARGING ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WHEN HE KNOWS WHAT THE ISSUE IS, AND THEN HE SAYS THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 21, 2008 · crash

“VEHICLE FIRE WHILE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD BACKED HIS CAR INTO THE PARKING SPOT, AND THE TAIL PIPE WAS JAMMED INTO THE MULCH. THE BLOCKING OF THE TAILPIPE CAUSED THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST TO START THE MULCH ON FIRE SPREADING TO THE PLASTIC BUMPER OF THE CAR AND INTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 29, 2003 · fire

2001 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda Odyssey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 721 complaints put the 2001 model at #10 of 34 Odyssey years. It is one of the Odyssey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (337 complaints), body & structure (64 complaints), suspension (51 complaints).

Does the 2001 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Honda Odyssey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Honda Odyssey under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.