1996 Honda Odyssey Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 16%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,951miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Honda Odyssey, 16% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,951 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1996 Honda Odyssey died several times while stationary and/or driving, including one incident on the highway at high speed. I took it to aaa care plus, got spark plug, spark plug wire set, distributor replaced. It still stall frequently. After doing a google search learned that 1996 Odyssey has problem. Other have also reported. Want to know what Honda is doing about it as this model was recalled for same problem in china and europe.”
NHTSA complaint #10297010, filed 2009-12, 152,790 miles“Complained about a small oil leak when at dlr for oil change at 90000 mi. Was told that cam shaft seal was leaking. Oil leak had saturated time belt. Dlr recommended replacing timing belt due to possible failure due to oil saturation. Original owner, timing belt had already been replaced at 60000 mi as part of regular maintenance. Replaced camshaft seal, balancer shaft seal, gear set, timing belt, and water pump at cost of $866. Noted other complaints on site of balancer shaft seal problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10056224, filed 2004-01, 89,951 miles“Balancer shaft oil seal failed in january 2000. Oil housing oil seal (o-ring) failed in january 2004. Both failures caused heavy oil loss so vehicle was towed at my expense. Srs light is on. Dealer charged me $89 diagnostic fee for srs estimate and said it would cost just under $1000 to repair. This fee was charged even though I was paying for the o-ring repair at that time. * cb”
NHTSA complaint #10054340, filed 2004-01“The counter balance shaft seal on the engine popped out . This drained all of the engine oil out of the crankcase. In researching this on the NHTSA web site I have seen a lot of Honda accords with the same problem (same 4 cylinder engine). When I called the local Honda dealer over the phone with the symptoms he correctly diagnosed the problem (they fixed the popped out seal, belts, labor etc) over the phone as he had seen this several times. He goes so far as to recommend that this $5 seal be changed on a routine maintenance checkup. …”
NHTSA complaint #721198, filed 2000-04“Counter balance shaft seal popped out, causing oil leakage, massive damage to engine cam shaft and master cylinder, van died and had to be towed to a dealership, Honda has been aware of this situation for several years. Cj”
NHTSA complaint #559302, filed 2001-01Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 7 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 36 | 4% |
| 2006 | 71 | 10% |
| 2005 | 87 | 10% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 44 | 5% |
| 2002 | 42 | 4% |
| 2001 | 28 | 5% |
| 2000 | 29 | 4% |
| 1999 | 35 | 7% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 11 | 16% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Honda Odyssey
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Honda Odyssey
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology