Honda Odyssey Complaints (1996)
70 consumer complaints on file.
- #10093907October 10, 2004AIR 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 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10056305February 2, 2004ELECTRICAL 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 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10056224January 31, 2004ENGINE 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 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10054340January 17, 2004ENGINE 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10051795December 18, 2003SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKE FAILURE. THE ACCUMULATOR WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10022538June 4, 2003SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND ABS MODULATOR. *MR THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE MODULATOR COULD BE RESET BUT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. WITHIN TWELVE MILES AFTER THE REPAIR, THE LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10021644May 27, 2003AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STARTED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THE AIR BAG WAS NOT IMPORTANT AS THE SEAT BELT AND WAS NOT MANDATORY TO REPAIR. *NLM. *AK *TS *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10018926May 19, 2003ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FRONT BALANCER SHAFT SEAL FAILED AND ALL OF THE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE ENGINE...RAPIDLY!!! *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10014385April 14, 2003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN NEW IN 1996. (VIN#: [XXX]) ON MARCH 11, 2003 WE DROVE IT WITH SOME FRIENDS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT WHERE WE PARKED AND LOCKED THE CAR, AND WENT IN. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER A MAN CAME INTO THE RESTAURANT SAYING THERE WAS A CAR ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY HONDA WAS ON FIRE. FORTUNATELY, THE RESTAURANT OWNER HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, THE PLASTIC POWER WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED, RENDERING THE WINDOWS INOPERATIVE, THE PLASTIC DOOR LATCH MECHANISM THAT ENABLES THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WAS ALSO MELTED AND INOPERABLE. THIS RENDERED THE DRIVER'S DOOR INOPERATIVE FROM THE INSIDE. THE FIRE FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE FROM THE BURNING DOOR PANEL AND INSULATION, THE WIRE INSULATION, AND VARIOUS PLASTIC PARTS OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY. I'M SURE THE SMOKE WAS QUITE TOXIC, AND HAD SOMEONE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, THEY WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN OVERCOME. PARTICULARLY IF THEY WERE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR OR THE WINDOW TO LET THE SMOKE OUT OR EXIT THE CAR. TO ANSWER A POTENTIAL QUESTION, WE DO NOT SMOKE, AND DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING IN THE CAR. I REALIZE THIS IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT THE FAILURE OF SOME ELECTRICAL PART OF THE DOOR COULD BE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, AND NORMAL DETERIORATION OF MECHANICAL PARTS WITH AGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THOUGH SOME PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY, THE DESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT IT DID NOT FAIL SAFELY. A FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PROTECTIVE DEVICE THAT FAILED, PROTECTING THE WIRING AND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR FROM A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS, AND POSSIBLY FATAL FIRE. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10014815March 31, 2003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHICH SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL RELATED. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10011359March 19, 2003SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
ABS MODULATOR/SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ABS MODUALTOR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10004786January 28, 2003SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE NEEDS NEW SRS MODULE. DEALER WOULD INSTALL IT FOR $875.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10001441December 23, 2002AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILURE, LIGHT PANE INDICATING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER CAN'T AFFORD REPAIR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #8024180December 11, 2002SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH OR FASTER, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE, DEALER CONTACTED AND STATES THAT THE WHEEL SUSPENSION IS OFF BALANCE WHICH CAUSES STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #8021062October 17, 2002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRVING, VEHICLE WILL STALL OR SOMETIMES WILL NOT EVEN START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX. FINALLY CONSUMER ASKED TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD REPEATEDLY FAILED. TSCONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A RECALL ISSUED REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JG
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #767910September 30, 2002INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD STAYED ON AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE FROM PARK. IT STAYED ON UNTIL THE I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK-UP. I HAD TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE SRS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC BOX THAT SENDS SIGNALS TO THE AIRBAG TO TELL IT WHEN TO DEPLOY (ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE REP). I HAD TO SPEND $697.91 TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW ONE THAT HAS A WARRANTY OF "12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST". THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE OF THE SAID PART. MR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #8016943August 22, 2002VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
FRONT WINDSHIELD IS DEVELOPING A HAZE DISCOLORATION AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #566899August 8, 2002AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATED THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER WAS UNSURE WHICH COMPONENTS OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE SRS WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING UNLESS THE ENTIRE UNIT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER DENIED THE REPAIRS AND AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON, HOWEVER IN APRIL 2002 THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *JB NAR *SCC *CB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10007171August 6, 2002AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAGS) WARNING LIGHT APPEARED, DEALER SAYS AIR BAGS ARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER RESET CONTROL UNIT. LIGHT APPEARED TWO MONTHS LATER. ASKED DEALER IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS CONTROL UNITS. SHOULD A SAFETY DEVICE OF THIS MAGNITUDE FAIL WITHIN FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE? THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO CHECK THIS SYSTEM EVERY TEN YEARS. FROM THE DEALERS COMMENT OF REPLACING NUMEROUS CONTROL UNITS, IT'S MY OPINION THAT A PART OF THIS MAGNITUDE SHOULD INDEED LAST THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS.*****765263
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #762162May 22, 2002ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT SEAL POPPED OUT. OIL WAS PUMPED OUT OF ENGINE RAPIDLY. WE DISCOVERED BY FINDING POOL OF OIL UNDER LEFT FRONT TIRE. DEALER REPAIR WAS PROMPT. HONDA PAID FOR SEAL AND NEW TIMING BELT. I HAD TO PAY FOR CAM SEAL, CRANKSHAFT SEAL, WATER PUMP, AND COOLANT. HONDA'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-999-1009 WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THEIR ATTITUDE WAS "NOT OUR FAULT" . I ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "TO PROBABLY DENY CLAIM SINCE THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVEN WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0