1996 Honda Odyssey Electrical system Problems

“Honda Odyssey lx 1996 would not start in a parking lot so I called for a towing service. Towing service tried to unlock engine using door lock trick and the engine started. Two days later the engine died while on the highway. I had to coast to an exit ramp, and it would not start at all after that. Modot truck stopped to check it out and recommended to have it towed. Vehicle was towed to Honda dealer; said it was an ignition switch defect.”

“In the past 2 months my 1996 Honda Odyssey died numerous times while stationary and 3 times while driving, including 2 incidents on the highway at high speed in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. I was able to recognize the power failure and react quickly enough to get off the road and avoid being rammed into by other vehicles, but it was a frightening and dangerous situation. …”

“This is the second time that we have had an ignition switch failure on this 1996 Honda Odyssey. It will sometimes start, with some jiggling of the key, or will not start at all. It has cut out while driving, a dangerous situation, especially when carrying children. At this point, it will not start at all. How often do we need to replace this? Honda odysseys of this year were subject to recall for this very problem in australia, japan, and china. Why not here? China, in this instance, has more concern for safety than the obsessively safety-oriented USA.”

“I have a 1996 Honda Odyssey lx and it has stalled out many times with my four year old daughter in atlanta, ga rush hour traffic. I drive thirty miles to work each day and is very dangerous to not know when the car will just quit. I took the car to catherine's automotive repair & service and they determined it was an electrical problem with the ignition switch. They have seen many other hondas with the same problem and are aware of Honda recalls. My car is a '96 and was not under the recall. …”

“July 2002, I took my Odyssey to a Honda dealer because I was having several electrical problems: 1. My srs light came on and wouldn't go off. 2. My ABS light had also begun to go on and off. 3. My power locks would lock uncontrollably and drain battery. I asked them to take a look. After $160 diagnostic charge, I was told the following: code 8-3 present on srs. Cleared code and test drove. Light remained off for drive. Suggest replacing airbag if light comes on again. Probably a sensor problem. Cost $748 code 44 present on ABS. Right rear wheel speed sensor is faulty. Suggest replacing sensor. …”