1998 Honda Odyssey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about ignition switch trouble — intermittent stalling, keys that will not turn or come out, and keys that can be removed while the van is not in park — and many of these complaints reference the 2002 ignition switch recall, sometimes noting the same symptom returned after the recall work was done. Transmission complaints, mostly around the P0740 torque converter clutch code and full transmission replacement, are the other recurring theme, and a few owners describe brake noise and rotor wear. Reported mileages vary widely, from under 20,000 to well past 200,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch stalling and key-removal problems

   • 23 complaints (32%)
   • median 170,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2025

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning while driving or at a stop, and keys that will not turn to start the van or will not come out of the ignition. Several owners say they can remove the key without the transmission being in park, and in some accounts the van rolled afterward. Many link the symptom to NHTSA campaign 02V120000 and report that the switch was replaced but the same trouble came back later; dealers and the manufacturer are described as declining a second free repair, and some owners were told their vehicle was not covered by a related campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 70,000 to 225,000 miles, often on vans that had the 2002 recall repair years earlier.

   Recall 02V120000

   What to check: Check whether the ignition switch recall work was done and when, and test that the key turns freely, starts reliably, and cannot be pulled out in gear. Ask a mechanic to check the ignition switch if the engine has ever cut out while driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle stalls unexpectedly and leaves us stranded in traffic. Happens sporadically at first and then with increasing regularity. I had a dealership perform a diagnostic and they found the ignition switch needed to be replaced. Once it was replaced, the problem disappeared. This vehicle had the ignition recall performed in 2004 with a previous owner. I filed for compensation with Honda and now they are saying they don't have to pay for a second ignition switch.”

   NHTSA complaint #10933961, filed 2016-12, 190,000 miles

   “Ref: NHTSA campaign 02v120000 for 1998 Honda Odyssey. The ignition switch in my car was replaced in the recall of 2002. I was not having problems then. However, last fall (2009) and this winter (2010) I was experiencing sudden stalls and in some cases dangerous situations when accelerating at intersections, pulling out into traffic etc. My Honda dealer, in march 2010, could not id the problem. I took the car in the same month to an independent mechanic who first thought it was distributor related. They replaced that part. The problem continued. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10330086, filed 2010-05, 141,223 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure and P0740 torque converter code

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 149,161 mi at 12.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2014

   Complaints describe the check engine light coming on with code P0740 (torque converter clutch circuit), rough or delayed shifting, and in several cases a transmission that failed and had to be replaced, sometimes more than once. Owners report being quoted full replacement rather than repair, and some note the failure occurred under 100,000 miles. Repairs such as fluid flushes and control module replacement appear in the accounts without lasting results. Often reported between roughly 90,000 and 230,000 miles, with a few failures under 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and whether the transmission has been replaced. On a test drive, watch for delayed or harsh shifts, and have any stored P0740 code read before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The check engine light on my 1998 Honda Odyssey came on while driving vehicle. I took it to a repair shop and they told me that the vehicle registered a problem code of p0740-torque converter clutch circuit malfunction. I researched the problem on the internet and found that this is a common problem for hondas which should be reported to the NHTSA.”

   NHTSA complaint #10241658, filed 2008-09, 149,161 miles

   “We were just told that our 1998 Honda Odyssey needs a new transmission for $4,000. This would be the 3rd transmission replacement in this car since we've owned it (we're original owners). That's triple what the car is worth. We have taken immaculate care of this car and there is no reason why the transmission should die so often. Is there a class action suit we can be part of?”

   NHTSA complaint #10475352, filed 2012-09, 230,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag inflator recall parts unavailable

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 22.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2021

   These complaints are about recall 20V026000 for the driver-side airbag inflator: owners received notice but report that dealers did not have the parts, in some cases waiting months or being told the part was still unavailable. Most state they had not experienced a failure, and one describes a frontal impact where the driver-side airbag did not inflate. A separate account reports that the repair was eventually completed. Filed mainly in 2020 and 2021 on vehicles of this age; mileage not consistently reported.

   Recall 20V026000

   What to check: Ask whether the driver-side airbag inflator recall has been completed and request documentation; the campaign can be checked by VIN with a dealer.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 Honda Odyssey. Consumer writes in regards to airbag inflator safety recall. The consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. The part necessary to complete the recall had not been available.”

   NHTSA complaint #11375532, filed 2020-12

   “Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part needed to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350433, filed 2020-08
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake noise, judder and repeat rotor wear

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe growling, thumping or squealing when braking, sometimes with a shimmy, and repeated dealer visits for the same problem. Several accounts mention front pads replaced and rotors machined or resurfaced more than once, and one reports a broken caliper mount. A service bulletin covers a grunt noise after the vehicle has sat for several hours, and another covers ABS/TCS diagnostic codes 51 and 53. Reported from low mileage (about 22,000) up to roughly 170,000 miles, often recurring within a few thousand miles of the previous repair.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for grinding or groaning on a test drive and ask for brake and rotor service records. Have the front brakes, rotors and caliper mounts inspected, and check for rust on the subframe where brake lines run.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake problems, loud noise when applied. Purchased 8/98 and have taken it to the dealers for repairs, 7 times, for the very same problem. Had the front brakes replaced, and rotors machined, mileage 22,201, 4/10/00. Returned 7/13/00, 3 months later, for the same problem,mileage 25,262 was told front brakes 65%. Then today, 1/22/02 returned, same problem, mileage 38,444, again, told need to replace front brake pads and resurface the rotors. How much longer do we have to put up with this? We have always done what the dealer suggested now what?. …”

   NHTSA complaint #757210, filed 2002-01

   “Upon applying the brakes a growling and a thumping sound seems to be coming from the wheels; sounds like an impact is occurring underneath the vehicle. Causes vehicle to shimmy. Been in/out of dealer shop on five occasions, and problem still remains unresolved. Consumer has also experienced problems with the ignition--key will not turn to allow car to start, even after new keys were tried.”

   NHTSA complaint #858717, filed 2000-03

Buying note. On this model year, the ignition switch history and transmission condition are the two things worth confirming before purchase: ask for recall and repair documentation, and have the van checked for stored transmission codes. Given the age, a pre-purchase inspection that covers brakes, ball joints and subframe rust is also worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.