Model year record

1997 Honda Odyssey recalls & problems

The 1997 Honda Odyssey has 3 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints20filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMay 16, 2002

Ignition › Switch

Recall 02V1200001,000,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionMay 10, 1999

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 99V069000124,875 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Honda Odyssey

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Odyssey

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	10	0	1	0	150,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	2	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Power window devices and controls	2	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	1	—
TiresTread/belt	1	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear	1	0	0	0	—
Steering	1	0	0	0	—
Forward collision avoidanceAdaptive cruise control	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
transmission problem
Sep 1, 2021
Electrical system
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SINCE THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED WHILE NOT IN PARK, THIS REQUIRES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN RECALL 05V025000. *TR
Oct 1, 2010 · 150,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM THE REAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COMPONENT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM.*AK
Jul 14, 2004 · 5,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE TIRES AND SAW THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE RIGHT REAR. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. DEALER GAVE THE CONSUMER A DISCOUNT ON THE FIRST TIRE, BUT REFUSED ANY DISCOUNT ON THE SECOND TIRE.*AK
Apr 13, 2004 · 120,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
THE IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Jan 13, 2004 · 88,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON IGNITION OIL RETAINER. UPON PICKING UP VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLES DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED, LOCKS WERE POPPING UP ON THEIR OWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Nov 12, 2002
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
WHILE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, KNOCKING CONSUMER OUT TEMPORARILY. THE AIR BAG HIT CONSUMER SO HARD TO THE POINT IT KNOCKED HER RIGHT LEG UP AND HIT THE DASH CAUSING BRUISING AND A NASTY CUT. FOUR WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING PAIN IN THE CHEST AREA DUE TO THE AIR BAG. WHEN CONSUMERS HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HE ONLY RECIEVED A RED SPOT ON HIS ARM. *JG
Sep 23, 2002
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
RECALL 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER: CUSH HONDA IN ESCONDIDO, CA. PHONE # 760/737--3259 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE MUST REACH 65,000 MILE BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS COULD BE DONE. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Dec 15, 2001

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.