1998 Honda Odyssey Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 19%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Honda Odyssey, 19% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 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.
“This transmission failed and I put another one in and it failed within two days. I have looked online and found out that everyone is having trouble with these transmissions. I think Honda should replace these problem transmissions with a recall. I don't have $1,500 to put in a new transmission every day or two.”
NHTSA complaint #10586591, filed 2014-05, 267,646 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“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“Check engine light came on. Stopped at autozone to have them read the code. The code p0740, indicated a tcc failure. Upon consulting with the Honda dealership on my 1998 Honda Odyssey, and consulting the internet, determined that this was a common problem with 1998 - 2002 Honda Odyssey's. Honda offered no help. The car had less than 100,000 miles on at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10357465, filed 2010-09, 99,000 miles“Transmission replaced at 90k miles. Have read that many '98 Honda Odyssey's had transmission problems and many were replaced instead of simple repair. They replaced mine and refused to recall or assist with repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10231241, filed 2008-06, 91,005 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 44 | 10% |
| 2024 | 16 | 13% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 14 | 10% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 128 | 13% |
| 2018 | 166 | 16% |
| 2017 | 7 | 18% |
| 2016 | 38 | 14% |
| 2015 | 41 | 20% |
| 2014 | 73 | 24% |
| 2013 | 14 | 7% |
| 2012 | 24 | 10% |
| 2011 | 19 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 9% |
| 2009 | 18 | 9% |
| 2008 | 41 | 8% |
| 2007 | 78 | 9% |
| 2006 | 87 | 12% |
| 2005 | 106 | 13% |
| 2004 | 221 | 38% |
| 2003 | 533 | 58% |
| 2002 | 608 | 63% |
| 2001 | 332 | 54% |
| 2000 | 228 | 34% |
| 1999 | 170 | 33% |
| 1998 | 14 | 19% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Honda Odyssey
34 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Honda Odyssey
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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