HONDA ODYSSEY · model year

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

89 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998HONDAODYSSEY carries 89 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 ODYSSEY is electrical system:ignition:switch with 13 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (9) and electrical system (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 8 investigation files overlapping the 1998 ODYSSEY, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

89
Complaints
4
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

89 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
AIR BAGS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
POWER TRAIN3
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1

Recent Complaints

20250415ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20240624SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake fluid to the vehicle; however, the brake fluid leaked out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,148.

Mileage: 169,148

20240624STRUCTURE

The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake fluid to the vehicle; however, the brake fluid leaked out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,148.

Mileage: 169,148

20210622ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The 1998 Honda Odyssey recall for ignition switch I don't believe included all VIN numbers affected. My van is having the exact issue for what is stated in the recall, yet my VIN does not show as a recall. When the switch is turned to the run position, the dash lights may or may not illuminate. Once the van is started, there is a 50/50 chance that the stops running because of the switch. I believe this is an issue that needs to be looked into. Has not been confirmed yet because we are awaiting service on the airbag recall to put the van into service.

20210601AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20201202AIR BAGS

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PART NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE. *JS

20200929AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. SMAIL HONDA (5043 US-30, GREENSBURG, PA 15601) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *DT CONSUMER STATED PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND REPAIR COMPLETED.*JB

20200820AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200618AIR BAGS

RECALL 20V-026. A3877WC012823 RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. MADE APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP. HONDA IS UNABLE TO INSPECT OR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. WAITED 60 DAYS. NOW FILING FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DUE TO MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

20161208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND LEAVES US STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AT FIRST AND THEN WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. I HAD A DEALERSHIP PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE IGNITION RECALL PERFORMED IN 2004 WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. I FILED FOR COMPENSATION WITH HONDA AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A SECOND IGNITION SWITCH.

Mileage: 190,000

20160620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

98 ODYSSEY, ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF AND KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT PUTTING CAR IN PARK. APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM...NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. AM YET ANOTHER OWNER WISHING RECALL 03V423000 APPLIED TO 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY IN ADDITION TO THE 1998 HONDA ACCORD.

Mileage: 180,000

20160404ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT PARTS RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2002, THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS BEING REPLACED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WORK WAS DONE, TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. IN 2008, THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE ENGINE STALLED REPEATEDLY IN TRAFFIC. HONDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CONTACTS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL, BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. *JB

20150406SUSPENSION

ON 4/01/2015 THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF MY 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY BROKE, CAUSING THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND. THE HALF-AXLE SEPARATED AND FELL OUT AND THE CAR ENDED UP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER RESTING ON THE TIRE WHICH HAD FLIPPED OUT AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE HOSE ALSO BURST UNDER THE STRESS AS THE CAR CAME TO A LITERAL GRINDING HALT. I HAD JUST HAD ALL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON 9/23/22013 AT THE BRAKE CHECK SHOP ON AUSTIN HIGHWAY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THEY TELL ME THE PARTS WERE DISTRIBUTED UNDER THE BRAND NAME DRIVEWORKS, AND SOLD BY ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. RIGHT NOW I AM HAVING THE CAR CHECKED OUT AND REPAIRED AT ANOTHER SHOP. WILL HAVE THEM SAVE THE DAMAGED BALL JOINT, WHICH I WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO YOU. JUST HAPPY ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN FRONT OF AN 18-WHEELER.... *TR

20150308CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 169,000

20150308CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 169,000

20150308CrashENGINE

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

Mileage: 169,000

20140505POWER TRAIN

THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I PUT ANOTHER ONE IN AND IT FAILED WITHIN TWO DAYS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I THINK HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THESE PROBLEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE $1,500 TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION EVERY DAY OR TWO. *TR

Mileage: 267,646

20140327FireENGINE

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 THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 50,000

20130723FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20130326ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE AT A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 2002 FOR THE 1998 ODYSSEY. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2002. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH IS NOW HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

Compare 1998HONDAODYSSEY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY have?
The 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY has 89 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY?
The most-complained component for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.