2003 Honda Odyssey problems
Owners have filed 1,095 complaints about the 2003 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 49.6% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of air bags at 12.1%.
Complaints1,095
Crashes63
Fires14
Injuries53
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 49.6% · 543
Air bags 12.1% · 132
Electrical system 7.7% · 84
Engine and engine cooling 4.0% · 44
Structure 3.7% · 40
Engine 2.9% · 32
Vehicle speed control 2.7% · 30
Unknown or other 2.4% · 26
Severity
Of those complaints, 63 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire and 53 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Honda Odyssey in this data, 2003 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2018 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 13 in the last three years against 9 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 103,400 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, the vehicle erroneously shifted into a lower gear. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 123,000. Power train · reported at 123,000 miles
Transmission went out on us while driving to florida, took the van to trans pro in dothan alabama. The tech who looked at the van said that we had no 1st or 5th gears. The discs had melted due to over heating, and that this was a common problem with Honda mini vans. It cost us over $2700 to fix money we didn't have. I think Honda should pay us in full for the repair. I will never buy a car/van from them again. Power train
2003 Odyssey, purchased new, I am original owner, at 60,000 miles transmission began to slip, tcs light came on, check engine light came on, engine revved very high at low speeds, car would not go into reverse, erratic and abrupt gear shifts. I am being told car needs new transmission between $3500 and $3700. I notice on Honda's website there was a recall in 2004 but I was never notified. Please help. Power train · reported at 60,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…