1997 Honda Odyssey Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Honda Odyssey (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Honda Odyssey. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (45% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and brakes (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system9 45%
- Brakes2 10%
- Air bags1 5.0%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
- Steering1 5.0%
- Suspension1 5.0%
- Tires1 5.0%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #10394035, filed 2011-04, 150,000 milesVehicle speed control: “The cruise control on this car causes the speed to increase while traveling up longer grades. There have been many times during our ownership when this had caused very awkward and dangerous situations. Other drivers who begin to pass on a hill have gotten annoyed when our car picks up speed while they are trying to pass. On occasion the increase in speed has been substantial, as much as 8 miles per hour. Sometimes, when cresting a hill, the car continues at the faster speed, wanting to gain even more speed at the next hill. …”
NHTSA complaint #739715, filed 2001-01Brakes: “Applying the brakes while in the process of parking the vehicle lunched forward, causing the vehicle to hit a brick wall. Another time, applied the brakes while in the process of parking the vehicle lunged forward into traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #817216, filed 1997-11Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “7/29 large quantity of smoke emitting from drivers side door while driving and one window stops operating. 7/30 happens again while van is stationary and another window stops working. I disassembled the door and wiring harness to prevent further smoke/fire damage. Plastic and electrical components of the power window control are melted. American Honda is very uncooperative after a month of discussions and investigation by Honda technicians. Their story keeps changing. Today they requested that I mail all parts in question to them in ca.”
NHTSA complaint #751203, filed 2001-08Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 88,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Honda Odyssey. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey · sedan FWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Honda Odyssey version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V120000May 16, 2002Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Honda Odyssey 1997–1999, Acura CL 1997–1999, Honda Accord 1997–1999 +5 more
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.
- 99V069000May 10, 1999Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Honda Odyssey 1997–1998, Acura RL 1996–1998, TL 1996–1998 +4 more
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.
Recall details for the 1997 Honda Odyssey → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10013953May 1, 2004Equipment. Audio unit and navigation system anti-theft codes available on interactive network.
Other model years of the Honda Odyssey
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 57 | 6,338 | 2 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 438 | 15,300 | 2 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 121 | 14,500 | 3 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 105 | 28,412 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 42 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 141 | 31,400 | 9 | 5 | 22 | 55 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 147 | 32,164 | 8 | 5 | 22 | 35 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 490 | 14,000 | 14 | 5 | 22 | 82 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 995 | 23,000 | 20 | 5 | 22 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 1,009 | 24,000 | 16 | 5 | 22 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 39 | 24,000 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 271 | 30,344 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 207 | 32,000 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 46 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 310 | 28,000 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 57 · Typical | Stable |
| 2013 | 210 | 34,000 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2012 | 245 | 40,376 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 235 | 21,400 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 255 | 62,277 | 1 | — | 20 | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 198 | 64,500 | 3 | — | 20 | 33 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 499 | 50,000 | 4 | — | 20 | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 830 | 54,720 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 703 | 65,350 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 830 | 74,210 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 585 | 106,800 | 13 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 914 | 102,000 | 15 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 960 | 84,000 | 10 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 619 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 675 | 97,634 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 518 | 100,000 | 9 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 73 | 139,034 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 20 | 104,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 1996 | 70 | 113,468 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 96 | 128,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Honda Odyssey model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Honda Odyssey have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Honda Odyssey as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Honda Odyssey is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (45% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1997 Honda Odyssey been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Honda Odyssey get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Honda Odyssey (Odyssey, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Honda Odyssey reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,000 miles and the middle half falls between 88,000 and 120,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.