VehicleVerdict

2002 Honda Odyssey engine problems

The 2002 Honda Odyssey has 69 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

69

Engine complaints

6%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Odyssey engine complaints by model year193 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 12 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 45 complaints2000: 38 complaints2001: 39 complaints2002: 69 complaints2003: 76 complaints2004: 72 complaints2005: 158 complaints2006: 149 complaints2007: 94 complaints2008: 54 complaints2009: 40 complaints2010: 56 complaints2011: 28 complaints2012: 45 complaints2013: 75 complaints2014: 60 complaints2015: 51 complaints2016: 92 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 193 complaints2019: 128 complaints2020: 63 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 12 complaints2024: 24 complaints2025: 113 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Odyssey engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V226000EngineAugust 28, 2002 · 17,551 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Consequence

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 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

“I WAS DRIVING 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AT CERTAIN POINT AND I COULDN'T STOP QUICK ENOUGH. TO MY SURPRISE THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED A WHIPLASH, BRUISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF UPPER BODY AND ALSO MY LEFT KNEE BUMP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 23, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Honda Odyssey have?

NHTSA has 69 complaints about the 2002 Honda Odyssey engine — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Honda Odyssey engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 02V226000.

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.