1998 HONDA ODYSSEY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

89

Owner Complaints

4 Crashes 4 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

The 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY has received a total of 89 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (13 complaints), Electrical System (9 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (9 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY, potentially affecting up to 2,580,986 vehicles.

Recall 20V026000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,439,841 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag...

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 driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's...

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 02V120000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

| 1,000,000 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 99V069000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

| 124,875 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

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Owner Complaints for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

89 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 13
Electrical System
Complaints: 9 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 9
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 7
Air Bags
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 4
Engine
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 3
Structurebody
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Visibility
Complaints: 2
Electrical System12v24v48v Batterycables
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumdrum
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11654658 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | | 225,000 miles
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.
#11596160 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | | 169,148 miles
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.
#11596160 | STRUCTURE | | 169,148 miles
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.
#11421924 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | | N/A miles
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.
#11419188 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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.

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Safety Rating for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

160801 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SOME VEHICLES A/C COMPRESSOR CYCLES RAPIDLY IDLE. *ET

801 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION REGARDING AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CYCLES RAPIDLY AT IDLE. *YH

98053 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE FOR RETRIEVAL OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FREEZE DATA WITH PGM TESTER. *AK

98053 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONDITIONS WITH MIL COMES ON WITH DTCS P0740 (A/T) AND P0700 (PGM-FI) STORED. *YC

98073 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FRONT BRAKES MAKE A LOW, GROWLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN STOPPING AT LOW SPEED. *YC

98053 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

CONCERNS WITH VEHICLES EXHIBITING A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0740, FAULTY LOCK-UP CONTROL SYSTEM, AND P0700, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, STORED IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 HONDA ODYSSEY

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HONDA ODYSSEY

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Other HONDA Models

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