1996 Honda Odyssey

Recalls

1 recall names the 1996 Honda Odyssey. Newest first.

• Exterior lighting

  Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E01200016,270 vehiclesEquipment

  Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

  Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Air bags24
2. Electrical system18
3. Engine and engine cooling11
4. Service brakes, hydraulic8
5. Seat belts5
6. Unknown or other5
7. Vehicle speed control4
8. Visibility3
9. Equipment2
10. Engine1

Latest complaints

• Apr 24, 2021FL185,000 mi
  Air bags · Unknown or other
  Cruising at 35 miles an hour down park boulevard without hitting any bumps the passenger airbag exploded. The explosion was so hard that it knocked down the rearview mirror, the glove compartment door, and caused damage to the windshield. I was so lucky not to have been hurt by flying debris or…

  Cruising at 35 miles an hour down park boulevard without hitting any bumps the passenger airbag exploded. The explosion was so hard that it knocked down the rearview mirror, the glove compartment door, and caused damage to the windshield. I was so lucky not to have been hurt by flying debris or having my ear drums blowing out. Everyone I spoken to in the car service business has never heard of anything like this. An airbag exploding without impact or hitting a major bump. I had local ems come to check me out.

• Jun 22, 2016CA200,000 mi
  Electrical system
  This IS the second time that we have had an ignition switch failure on this 1996 honda odyssey. it will sometimes start, with some jiggling of the key, or will not start at all. it has cut out while driving, a dangerous situation, especially when carrying children. at this point, it will not…

  This IS the second time that we have had an ignition switch failure on this 1996 honda odyssey. it will sometimes start, with some jiggling of the key, or will not start at all. it has cut out while driving, a dangerous situation, especially when carrying children. at this point, it will not start at all. how often do we need to replace this? honda odysseys of this year were subject to recall for this very problem in australia, japan, and china. why not here? china, in this instance, has more concern for safety than the obsessively safety-oriented USA.

• Sep 2, 2014NC120,064 mi
  Air bags

  TL* the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. While the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the driver side air bag deployed independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,064.

• Apr 27, 2014AZ165,800 mi
  Electrical system · Engine
  Was waiting in the left turn lane to make the turn, light turned green and when trying to make the turn, vehicle stalled suddenly without any notice or engine problems. A family member was present in the car when this happened. Have had engine stall after starting before and had the battery…

  Was waiting in the left turn lane to make the turn, light turned green and when trying to make the turn, vehicle stalled suddenly without any notice or engine problems. A family member was present in the car when this happened. Have had engine stall after starting before and had the battery checked. No issues were noted with anything before this sudden stall in traffic. Have researched and found numerous similar complaints with honda vehicles and ignition switch problems with same results about vehicle stalling in traffic without any signs of the stalling about to occur. *tr

• Aug 7, 2011IN205,094 mi
  Electrical system

  Driving down the road engine just quit..ignition would not turn on any lights ,but radio would work had it towed 45 mikes back home. Honda knows about the problem on 97 accords bad ignition switch.had to pull off the road quick to keep from being rearended, hiway 252. *tt

• Jul 21, 2011MO157,400 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
  Honda odyssey LX 1996 would not start in a parking lot so I called for a towing service. towing service tried to unlock engine using door lock trick and the engine started. two days later the engine died while on the highway. I had to coast to an exit ramp, and it would not start at all after…

  Honda odyssey LX 1996 would not start in a parking lot so I called for a towing service. towing service tried to unlock engine using door lock trick and the engine started. two days later the engine died while on the highway. I had to coast to an exit ramp, and it would not start at all after that. modot truck stopped to check it out and recommended to have it towed. vehicle was towed to honda dealer; said it was an ignition switch defect. *kb

• Apr 5, 2011NC72,000 mi
  Power train

  Car was taken in for inspection and told that rear engine mounts need replaced at 71,000 miles. told repair cost was $940 and not covered by warranty. *tr

• Dec 26, 2009NY152,790 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine
  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…

  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. *Tr

• Sep 14, 2009SC197,000 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition
  Tl*the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the interstate and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. There were no warning lights before or after the failure occurred. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch…

  Tl*the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the interstate and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. There were no warning lights before or after the failure occurred. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch caused the failure and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer has not been notified. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 197,000

• Aug 12, 2008WI145,000 mi
  Electrical system

  Tl*the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. if the contact releases the key after placing it into the ignition, the vehicle shuts off. the dealer stated that the failure was her responsibility. the contact was informed that her vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). the current and failure mileages were 145,000.

• Mar 31, 2008CO110,000 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

  Vehicle began having starting problems - would crank but not always catch and run. then engine stopped while driving several times, an unsafe situation. finally would not start again. replaced ignition switch, works fine. noted that similar (model, year) vehicles in australia and japan had the ignition switch recalled for same symptoms - IS there a link? *tr

• Mar 16, 2007KY105,261 mi
  Air bags · Electrical system · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Abs warning light
  July 2002, I took my odyssey to a honda dealer because I was having several electrical problems: 1. My srs light came on and wouldn't go off. 2. My ABS light had also begun to go on and off. 3. My power locks would lock uncontrollably and drain battery. I asked them to take a look. After…

  July 2002, I took my odyssey to a honda dealer because I was having several electrical problems: 1. My srs light came on and wouldn't go off. 2. My ABS light had also begun to go on and off. 3. My power locks would lock uncontrollably and drain battery. I asked them to take a look. After $160 diagnostic charge, I was told the following: code 8-3 present on srs. Cleared code and test drove. Light remained off for drive. Suggest replacing airbag if light comes on again. Probably a sensor problem. Cost $748 code 44 present on ABS. Right rear wheel speed sensor IS faulty. Suggest replacing sensor. Cost $283 electronic locks need new lock unit. Cost $256 I was shocked that repairs would cost another $1300. After discussing these problems with the dealer and being told the issues were probably all sensor malfunctions, I opted not to pay for repairs. just after driving off, my srs and ABS lights came back on and have remained on ever since. now, after seeing the numerous complaints by other odyssey owners and learning that the airbags may actually not work, I am reporting my experience as well... I just bought a chevy.

• Feb 20, 2007NH140,788 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
  In the past 2 months my 1996 honda odyssey died numerous times while stationary and 3 times while driving, including 2 incidents on the highway at high speed in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. I was able to recognize the power failure and react quickly enough to get off the road and avoid…

  In the past 2 months my 1996 honda odyssey died numerous times while stationary and 3 times while driving, including 2 incidents on the highway at high speed in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. I was able to recognize the power failure and react quickly enough to get off the road and avoid being rammed into by other vehicles, but it was a frightening and dangerous situation. after the first episode on the highway, I took it to my local mechanic, who suspected either a fuel line problem or ignition switch problem, but given that the vehicle was not dead, they could not identify the problem with certainty. on january 3, 2007 the car died while driving on the highway, and I had the vehicle towed back to my local mechanic. they were able to determine that the problem was a faulty ignition switch. it IS clear from searching online about this problem that this year and model has had many reported problems of this nature. there are also numerous bulletins about this problem for the 1996 honda odyssey. there IS a report of a recall for faulty ignition switches by honda of over 484,000 vehicles in japan and china for models including my vehicle model and year. Http://www.themoneytimes.com/articles/20060615/honda_recalls_484_626_cars_to_fix_faulty_ignition_switch-id-10585.html I had no help from multiple calls to honda customer service on jan. 3, 2007. they tell me there IS no recall on my specific vin and that there IS nothing further I can do other than file the report with nhtsa. thank you for your attention to this matter. note that I called nhtsa twice to report this and was instructed to leave my name and phone # which I have done. *Jb updated 04/13/07.*jb

• Jul 20, 2006TX179,000 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

  Nhtsa 02v120000 ignition problem occurs on 1996 honda odyssey too. honda dealer will not fix under recall because 1996 vin numbers are not flagged for recall. *nm

• Jun 5, 2006TX72,500 mi1 injury
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

  2 related incidents -- car no longer runs or shuts off if ignition key IS not fiddled with. Solder from ignition switch melted, dripped and burned my wife's foot. *jb

• Dec 13, 2005NE
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

  Ignition switches I have a 1996 honda odyssey van and the vehicle completely shut off while driving on the freeway. this was extremely dangerous and I had three children in the vehicle at the time. *nm

• Aug 15, 200500296,785 mi
  Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
  I set the cruise control on my van at 120 km an hour. A car passed and then pulled closely in front of me so I touched my brakes to slow down. When I pressed resume to re-establish my set speed, the cruise control malfunctioned and the car started to accelerate to about 130. I touched the brakes…

  I set the cruise control on my van at 120 km an hour. A car passed and then pulled closely in front of me so I touched my brakes to slow down. When I pressed resume to re-establish my set speed, the cruise control malfunctioned and the car started to accelerate to about 130. I touched the brakes, slowed the car, and as soon as I released the brakes the car accelerated again. I pushed off the cruise control button. It had no effect. I realized something was jammed and the cruise control was not going to shut off. I pulled over to the side of the road, put on my brakes as hard as I could, put the car in park and turned off the engine. I re-started to see what would happen and the engine roared at full throttle. I called a tow truck and was towed to the closest dealership where a technician cut the cruise control cable and I was able to continue on my way. *jb

• Jan 21, 2005CT42,981 mi
  Visibility › Power window devices and controls
  Driver's power lock was cycling. driver's power window made a metallic spring-like sound when closing. mechanic diagnosed "power door lock actuator was bad, replaced it." "window regulator & motor were bad, replaced them." power window worked normally when delivered to dealers service, just…

  Driver's power lock was cycling. driver's power window made a metallic spring-like sound when closing. mechanic diagnosed "power door lock actuator was bad, replaced it." "window regulator & motor were bad, replaced them." power window worked normally when delivered to dealers service, just made a noise. when he called me, mechanic said window was not working at all. after much argument, dealer agreed to a "50% goodwill" split of charges due to age/mileage. my share of repair cost was $320.49. *nm

• Jan 21, 2005CT67,003 mi
  Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module · Equipment

  Installed new battery in vehicle june 2001. after battery installation, srs light went on. honda mechanic diagnosed "car had a code 6-2 stored in system, we cleared code, if light comes back on the control unit will need to be replaced." upon starting car, srs light came back on. mechanic said I need new srs control module. he informed me that repair would cost me $600 or more. *nm

• Oct 18, 2004OH116,937 mi
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
  At 117,000 miles the ABS warning light on our 1996 honda odyssey came on and stayed on. also, at the same time ABS system would improperly engage at low speeds on dry pavement when approaching a stop. took to honda dealer, was given diagnosis that ABS control unit has failed. the cost of…

  At 117,000 miles the ABS warning light on our 1996 honda odyssey came on and stayed on. also, at the same time ABS system would improperly engage at low speeds on dry pavement when approaching a stop. took to honda dealer, was given diagnosis that ABS control unit has failed. the cost of replacement IS $1227 plus tax, which IS prohibitively expensive. in my opinion this unit should last the life of the vehicle, it has failed because honda provided a control unit of poor quality. evidenced by the fact that this IS the second safety-related electronic control unit to completely fail on this vehicle - the air bag srs control unit failed at 73,000 miles. where IS the much-touted honda quality and reliability? it seems to be absent on this 1996 ocyssey. was told by dealer that vehicle IS out of warranty, and honda will not replace the control units.*ak

• Oct 10, 2004OH73,522 mi
  Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
  Srs light came on and stayed on at 73522 mi. honda dealer checked all connections and wiring, also tried re-programming-that did not work. dealer said that air bags are inoperative, and that a new srs control unit IS needed - at cost of over $700. the cost IS prohibitive for us. dealer says…

  Srs light came on and stayed on at 73522 mi. honda dealer checked all connections and wiring, also tried re-programming-that did not work. dealer said that air bags are inoperative, and that a new srs control unit IS needed - at cost of over $700. the cost IS prohibitive for us. dealer says they have replaced numerous srs control units on odysseys. this indicates a manufacturing defect rendering key safety system inoperative. the dealer indicated that honda has not issued a recall and does not accept responsibility for failure of key safety component during normal use--the stated reason IS that "you still have your safety belts." I believe that the srs control unit should not have failed within normal life of the vehicle, the owner's manual says that it only needs to be checked every 10 years. *nm

• Feb 2, 2004GA103,300 mi
  Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
  I have a 1996 honda odyssey LX and it has stalled out many times with my four year old daughter in atlanta, ga rush hour traffic. I drive thirty miles to work each day and IS very dangerous to not know when the car will just quit. I took the car to catherine's automotive repair & service and they…

  I have a 1996 honda odyssey LX and it has stalled out many times with my four year old daughter in atlanta, ga rush hour traffic. I drive thirty miles to work each day and IS very dangerous to not know when the car will just quit. I took the car to catherine's automotive repair & service and they determined it was an electrical problem with the ignition switch. they have seen many other hondas with the same problem and are aware of honda recalls. my car IS a '96 and was not under the recall. I believe this IS unfair that a certain year should be disqualified when it has exactly the same problems as other hondas. *jb

• Jan 31, 2004MD89,951 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine
  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…

  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. *Jb

• Jan 17, 2004RI
  Engine and engine cooling

  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

• Dec 18, 2003NV98,000 mi
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

  Consumer complained about ABS brake failure. the accumulator was leaking brake fluid.*ak

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10013953Audio unit and navigation system anti-theft codes available on interactive network.
• 10009278Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse. Honda. Servicenews.
• 10009048Audio, anti-theft codes. Honda. Tech line summary.
• 10005933Keyless, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic. Honda october tech line information. 2002 prelude also included.
• 10005932Srs diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. Honda october tech line information.
• 10005929Clearing anti-lock brake system (ABS) diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Honda october tech line information.
• 10005881Keyless entry, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic. Honda servicenews.
• 10005879Damaged cable reel can cause srs diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Honda servicenews.
• 10002699Grade logic control information.
• 10002575Straining the automatic transmission fluid (atf) to diagnose automatic transmissions.
• 10001811Srs indicator on with no srs diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) set.
• 10001793Searching isis for diagnostic trouble code information.
• 10001790Check (atf) automatic transmission fluid condition to diagnose (a/t) automatic transmissions.
• 629541Customers may complain of a twang noise from the front suspension that sounds like a spring contact. *Slc
• 626824Information regarding a/c cycles rapidly at idle.
• 626611Information regarding air conditioner compressor cycles rapidly at idle.
• 624570Information regarding balancer shaft oil seal labor operation .
• 624159Information on regarding: brakes ABS dtc.
• 623657Some vehicles a/c compressor cycles rapidly idle.
• 622540Parts information bulletin regarding product update for the front balancer oil seal retainer kit.
• 619943Information used when the ABS control unit sets a diagnostic trouble code 1-8 (accumulator volume problem).
• 619921Product update regarding front balancer shaft oil seal.
• 618987Information on preventing diagnostic trouble code 1-3 after anti-lock brake system (ABS) modulator work.
• 618967Information pertaining to honda cellular telephone owners manual.
• 618908A condition may exist where the front balancer shaft oil seal may back out of the oil pump housing over time. If this happens, the oil can be rapidly pumped out of the engine without warning causing serious engine damage if continued to drive.
• 618907Letter to service manager regarding product update campaign - balancer shaft oil seal.
• 615806Information on diagnosing anti-lock brake system (ABS) diagnostic trouble code 1-8, accumulator volume.
• 615783Subject regarding the front balance shaft retainer product update.
• 615765Subject regarding campaign parts available for open ordering for front balancer shaft oil seal retainer kit.
• 610333Information when diagnosing an srs diagnostic trouble code.
• 608022Information on troubleshooting exhaust gas recirculation (egr) diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0401 and p1491.
• 52396Driver's seat makes a clicking noise.
• 52056Rear wheel bearing noise.

Every Honda Odyssey model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.