2003 Honda Odyssey Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 5%of 914 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Honda Odyssey, 5% of the 914 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my 2003 Odyssey for AC compressor relay replacement when I was informed the front engine mount needed replacing. I was surprised to hear this and I found out through my web search that it is a very common problem with Odyssey model. This is a design flaw and a safety issue for me and my family. …”
NHTSA complaint #10494261, filed 2013-01, 68,000 miles“I have a 2003 Honda odessy and discovered this pass weekend that there was a major oil leak the car has only been serviced by a Honda dealer, I was told that there is a stripped head bolt, after searching on the internet Honda is aware of the issue but is keeping this quiet, my out of pocket cost is over $2,000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10255969, filed 2009-01, 69,000 miles“I have a 2003 Honda Odyssey. I was entering the highway from the on-ramp. The car failed to shift at around 38 MPH. The engine revved to the red line but, the car didn't accelerate. I almost got into an accident. I took the car to the dealership recommended by the guy who has serviced my three previous hondas. The dealership fails to acknowledge there is an issue because they couldn't replicate it during a 30 min test drive. After reading the other complaints, I am convinced I have the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314634, filed 2010-02, 104,150 miles“As original owner of 2003 Honda Odyssey engine buying car from weir canyon Honda in anaheim hills california. My engine block light, tcs, lit up at 153,000 miles. I have been experiencing a major transmission problem between 2nd and 3rd gear as car seem stuck and I am unable to accelerate. This is not safe at all since my van can be rear ended when it's stuck in this mode. My mechanic advises everyone from not to buy any Honda as his shop rebuilds Honda transmission all the time and makes a fortune from the poor victims of Honda owners like me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10448261, filed 2012-02, 153,000 miles“I drove my car to Honda dealer in hillside , nj for check-engine-light on. Its service rep gave me codes po 700 & po 740 for transmission problems. He first gave estimation of around $4000. I immediately told him no, not to fix it. He then said to check Honda for cost. I drove away and he called me for a quote of about $2100. I said no when he gave me cost of $4000 because I decided to sell the car and buy a new one. I told him to order the part when he called me later on because he could fix the problems at $2100. …”
NHTSA complaint #10318971, filed 2010-03, 99,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10053545Aug 9, 2013Honda: troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1456 and p1457. Dealers are to run evap function test to find if there is a leak so the vehicle can be repaired.
- 10024566Feb 5, 2008Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: egr valve contamination or egr port clogging may cause dtc p0401, dtc p1491, or engine…
- 10013616Jan 29, 2008Accelerator pedal hard to press. *eh accelerator pedal feels like it pops when first pressed. Updated 4/1/08.
- 10012650Nov 23, 2005Pcm replacement. *eh pcm replacement for erratic or harsh shifting.
- 10017431Jul 20, 2005Warranty extension: egr valve contamination or egr por clogging may cause dtc p0401, dtc p1491, or engine hesitation/surge.
- 10016295May 16, 2005Engine-cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes.
- 10015294Feb 16, 2005Timesert 14mm drain plug thread repair kit.
- 10015292Feb 16, 2005Timesert 12mm head bolt thread repair kit.
- 10014747Jan 16, 2005Dtc p0172 after timing belt and or tensioner r&r.
- 10014485Oct 16, 2004Engine coolant leaks.
Engine 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 2003 Honda Odyssey
533 complaintsAir bags
131 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
26 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSeats
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Odyssey
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology