2001 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 629 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 19 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 57 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 20V027000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
629 reports, newest first.
Power train, Equipment, Nov 26, 2008
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED A SECOND TIME. *TR
Power train, Nov 9, 2008
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DISCOVERED 2 ERROR CODES - P1676(IGNITION SWITCH) AND P0740(TRANSMISSION), THEY SUGGESTED REPLACING IGNITION, WHICH I OK'D AND THEY DID FOR $286.58. THEY HOPED THE SECOND ERROR CODE WOULD GO AWAY, BUT IT DIDN'T. NOW I AM LOOKING AT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS EXPENSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ON THE DAY OF THE VISIT 9/26/2008 HAD 80,702 MILES ON IT. I AM LOOKING ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THERE ARE A LOT OF SUCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAD WITH HONDA ODYSSEY AND THERE WAS A SUCCESSFUL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA AGAINST HONDA FOR 1999-2001 ACCORD TRANSMISSIONS THAT SHOWED THE SAME MALFUNCTION CODE. I AM THINKING HONDA SHOULD PAY FOR ODYSSEY TOO, SINCE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Nov 4, 2008
TRANSMISSION BROKE FIRST TIME AND REPLACED AT END OF 2005. LAST WEEK I AND MY TWO BABY WAS ENTERING IN INTERSTATE... CAR STOPPED AND FELT LIKE WAS IN NEUTRAL...CLOSER TO CAUSE A BIG ACCIDENT...AFTER INCIDENT,CHANGED THE SOLENOIDS, BUT DID WORK... NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACE AGAIN!!!!! *TR
Power train, Oct 18, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 30, 2008
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP OUR 2001 ODYSSEY IN MY SON'S SCHOOL PARKING LOT THE BRAKE PEDAL--WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING--WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COASTED PAST MY INTENDED STOPPING POINT BY ABOUT 20 FEET. LUCKILY NO PERSON OR VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT TIME. I WAS ABLE TO RESTORE BRAKE FUNCTION BY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE NEXT DAY MY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE SEALS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAK THE FLUID COLLECTS IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MASTER CYLINDER. HE THOUGHT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY VERY UNUSUAL. HE SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTED VEHICLES AND HAD NEVER BEFORE REPLACED A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER ON A HONDA ODYSSEY OF ANY MODEL YEAR. OUR ODYSSEY IS A 2001 MODEL, IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 64,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2008
INTERMITTENT "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING ACCOMPANIED BY "TCS" WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD; SLIPPING TRANSMISSION DURING ROUTINE ACCELERATION BETWEEN 2ND/3RD GEARS AND 3RD/4TH GEARS. WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM STARTED IN AUG '07; RECURRING NOW IN AUG '08 WITH CONSISTENT TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE/FAILURES DURING NORMAL CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2008
2001 ODYSSEY, TRANSMISSION ACTED UP... SLIPPING AFTER STOP, AND HARD CHANGE FROM GEAR TO GEAR...LOUD NOISE IN REVERSED JUST NOTICED.*TR
Suspension, Aug 30, 2008
WHEN CAR WAS PARKED, RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PIERCED RIGHT FRONT TIRE. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2008
TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING AT 67500 DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEING TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 25, 2008
THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON (A $1,500 REPAIR) FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED (AT 93K). APPARENTLY THESE ARE BOTH INCREASINGLY COMMON PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MY VAN CARRIES THE HONDA NAME. THEN I STARTED GOOGLING AND FOUND MANY SITES REPORTING THE SAME HORROR STORIES HERE I REALIZED THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FAULTY PARTS AND MAY BE A LEMONS AS WELL? THE PROSPECT TO PAYING $100 EVERY TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON IS NOT A PLEASANT ONE. VEHICLES BUILT TODAY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE TRANSMISSIONS & EMISSION CONVERTER AT A MERE 93,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RELIABILITY OF MY HONDA ODYSSEY. THE BRAND IS CONSIDERED HIGHLY REPUTABLE AND HAS A PRICE PREMIUM (AND SUPPOSEDLY A RESALE VALUE) TO MATCH - BUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE ODYSSEY HAS BEEN ONE OF REPEATED MECHANICAL BREAK DOWNS AND POOR PERFORMANCE AS MANY OWNER HAVE WRITTEN AND BLOGGED. I FEEL HELPLESS AND KNOW HONDA IS POWERFUL CORPORATION WHO WILL DO NOTHING ... WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT CONSUMERS OF THESE PRACTICES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Power train, Aug 24, 2008
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK FROM WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A FAULTY SWITCH. I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES AT LEAST 5-10 TIMES BEFORE I CAN SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS COME ON WHEN DRIVING A BRAKING. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HONDA ODYSSEY VANS AND HONDA ACCORDS OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME YEAR. *TR
Power train, Aug 18, 2008
IT HAS BEEN A YEAR, BUT I STILL SEE TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT DON'T RISE TO RECALL STATUS. WE BOUGHT OUR 2001 HONDA USED ALBEIT NOT FROM THE DEALER. WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE IN THE US ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MADE IN CANADA. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CANADA. OUR VEHICLE WAS WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS BUT WAS DEEMED VOID SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED. HONDA WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT, WHICH WAS CLOSE TO $3,000. WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR RECENTLY, WHICH WAS NOT A HONDA. *TR
Power train, Jul 17, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY'S. HONDA WILL CONDUCT REPAIRS IF FAILURE OCCURS WITHIN 7 YRS OR 109K MILES. MY VAN JUST STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 120K MILES. AFTER REVIEWING SEVERAL INTERNET SITES THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, AND WHILE WE ARE JUST NOW AT THE 7 YR (2008) LIMIT, MOST PEOPLE ARE OUTSIDE THE 109K WINDOW. IS THERE ANY HOPE/HELP THAT THE NHTSA CAN OFFER TO INFLUENCE HONDA TO PERFORM A FULL OR AT LEAST SHARED REPAIR? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER SERVICES AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT FOR FREE. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WITH LESS THAN 19,000 MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN FOR FREE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,234 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,910. UPDATED 08/20/08 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSION WITHIN SIX YEARS. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. UPDATED 08/21/08. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2008
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL DOOR PROBLEMS. DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK, VERY DANGEROUS SHOULD THERE BE A VEHICLE FIRE OR IF VEHICLE WERE TO TURN OVER. PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC DOOR ALREADY HAD SAME PROBLEM AND WAS FIXED. DOORS DON'T FULLY CLOSE PROPERLY EITHER. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE SAME ISSUES. HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX FOR FREE DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL DOOR PROBLEMS. CURRENT LOCK PROBLEM OCCURRED 6/5/08; HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH DOOR CLOSING PROPERLY FOR YEARS NOW. *TR
Power train, Structure, Jun 4, 2008
WE OWN A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY MINI-VAN WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2001. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEARS SHIFTING AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE. FINALLY, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THE DEALER CONCEDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS 77,000 MILES AND WAS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE DEALER THAN TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN READING THE STRINGS ON THE NHTSA ODI WEBSITE, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS ACROSS THE 2001 MODELS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT HONDA AND NHTSA BEGAN A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND/OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND THE TRANSMISSION TO 100K OR 10 YEARS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 29, 2008
VERY NOISY SQUEAL REAR BRAKES WHEN NOT WORN. STARTLING WHEN BRAKING. SO LOUD THAT THEY MASK THE WARNING NOISE THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE WHEN THEY WERE ACTUALLY WORN, THUS MAKING WARNING NOISE INEFFECTIVE. LOCAL HONDA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS AN OBNOXIOUS PROBLEM ON 01 ODYSSEYS. HONDA AMERICAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TSB BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS ON GROUNDS THAT IT WAS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE". *TR
Structure, May 29, 2008
WE HAVE A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY THE SLIDING DOORS WILL CONTINUE GOING NO MATTER WHAT IS IN THE WAY. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS I HAVE BEEN PUT MY KIDS IN THEIR CAR SEATS AND THE DOOR STARTS TO CLOSE. THE DOOR WOULD HAVE CRUSHED ME IF I DID NOT JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHILD IT WOULD KILL THEM. I WOULD THINK THE MINI VAN WOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF SENSOR ON THE DOORS BUT IT DOESN'T. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2008
FAILED TRANSMISSION IN 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. WE DROVE FROM STARKVILLE, MS TO OUR FAMILIES HOMES IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MS FOR CHRISTMAS. WE GOT ABOUT 45 MINUTES FROM OUR HOME WHEN WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. AFTER WE STOPPED WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SHIFTED VERY HARD. IT SHIFTED HARD EVERY TIME IT CHANGED GEARS. WE MADE IT DOWN TO OUR FAMILIES FOR CHRISTMAS. ON OUR RETURN TRIP HOME WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT TO CROSS THE HWY. ON TO THE ON-RAMP THE CAR WOULD NOT DOWN-SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR. THE VAN STRUGGLED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT TOOK US ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO GET ACROSS THE 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REFERRED HIM TO AMERICAN HONDA. HE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD HIM THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WASN'T TOO BAD WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD BUT AS SOON AS IT WOULD GET WARM IT WOULD SHIFT HARD AGAIN. IT FINALLY GAVE OUT ON OUR WAY HOME ONE DAY IN MARCH, 2008. IT WOULD SHIFT HARD AND THEN HANG UP LIKE THE GEARS WOULDN'T LOCK IN. IT WAS TERRIFYING TO DRIVE. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND WERE TOLD IT WOULD COST $3,000 TO FIX. WE KEPT THE MAINTENANCE UP ON THIS VEHICLE AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR
Suspension, Apr 10, 2008
FRONT SPRING FAILURE ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY, I RECENTLY BROKE A SPRING AND RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR A REPLACEMENT WITHOUT SUCCESS SO I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND FOUND OUT THE SPRINGS ON THE VANS THEY HAD WERE BROKE ALSO. AFTER READING THE NHTSA REPORT #PE06007 I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. IT'S A LITTLE SCARY KNOWING A TIRE COULD BE PUNCTURED RESULTING IN INJURY OR WORSE. I HOPE I WILL GET SOME KIND OF RESPONSE ON THIS, THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, GERALD LAHNAN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Apr 9, 2008
HONDO ODYSSEY, 2001 DOOR LATCHES. DOOR DID NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEN DOOR COMPLETELY STOPPED OPENING OR CLOSING EVEN AFTER RESETTING THE SYSTEM. HONDA GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $995.00 FOR THE LEFT DOOR AND $875.00 FOR THE RIGHT DOOR. I KNOW PRIOR TWO YEARS THIS MODEL WAS PRODUCED THE LATCH WAS RECALLED. I CAN NOT FIND A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. I FEEL IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 1999 AND 2000. *TR
Seats, Mar 19, 2008
DRIVER SIDE SEAT - IS SHIFTING LATERALLY (SIDE TO SIDE) ON THE TRACKS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS DURING ANY MODE OF OPERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CORNERING IN TURNS. THIS OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR > 1 YEAR. *TR
Suspension, Mar 18, 2008
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE ON 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. FAILURE CAUSED SPRING TO CONTACT RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RUIN IT. HAD TO CUT SPRING TO REMOVE FROM TIRE. PURCHASED NEW TIRE AND COIL SPRING TO REPAIR VEHICLE. STILL HAVE OLD SPRING AND TIRE. WILL THE LEFT SIDE FAIL NEXT, AND WHEN?? *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2008
TRAVELING DOWN I-75 NEAR MARIETTA GEORGIA, TRAFFIC CAME TO A NEAR STOP AS TORNADO PRODUCING STORM ENTERED THE AREA. THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND TCS LIGHT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT, BUT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RE-ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED RAPIDLY BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DID FINALLY ENGAGE, THE VAN LURCHED FORWARD WITH A VERY UNHEALTHLY SOUNDING MECHANICAL CLUNK. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO DELAY ENGAGING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEEK COVER FROM THE STORM. AS THE TORNADO SIRENS WAILED AND THE HAIL STARTING COMING DOWN, MY FAMILY AND I FOUND OURSELVES ESSENTIALLY STRANDED 8 HOURS FROM HOME IN THE MIDST OF VERY SEVERE AND DANGEROUS WEATHER. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2001 ODYSSEY AND PURCHASED IT SPECIFICALLY FOR HONDA'S PURPORTED RELIABILITY. IT APPEARS THAT HONDA HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS PRONE TO FAILURE. AT A MINIMUM, HONDA SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ALL OWNERS SO THAT THEY COULD ACT ACCORDINGLY - INSTEAD HONDA ALLOWED OWNERS TO UNWITTINGLY PLACE THEIR LOVED ONES IN DANGER. I'M A LONG TIME HONDA PROPONENT AND I'M ENRAGED THAT THEY WOULD ACT WITH SUCH NEGLIGENCE! NOT ONLY ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENDANGERING, BUT THEY DISRUPTED OUR VACATION, COST US A CAB TRIP TO THE ATLANTA AIRPORT PILED WITH BAGS FOR SEVEN PEOPLE AS WELL AS A WEEK'S CAR RENTAL CHARGE. AFTER PRESSING HONDA, THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE TRANSMISSION COST BUT NO LABOR. *TR
Tires, Mar 17, 2008
REAR DRIVER TIRED EXPLODED. DAMAGE : 3 INCH HOLE TO INSIDE RIM OF TIRE, TWO COMPLETE PENETRATION HOLES WITHIN TIRE WELL, BENT METAL AT EDGES, BUMPER HAS TO BE REPLACED THE CORNER BLOWN OFF, VAN IS AT BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED. PARTS OF THE WHEEL HUB MISSING. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED DAY BEFORE. NO PROBLEMS NOTED. ONE OF THE HOLES VERY EASILY COULD HAVE GONE THOUGH GAS TANK. TIRES ONLY HAD ABOUT 36,000 MILE ON THEM. NORMAL WEAR ON TIRES. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT RUN OVER OBJECTS NOR DID I HIT AND OBJECT IN THE ROAD. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. BRIDGESTONE REP STATES THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN HIGH IMPACT , BUT I DID NOT SEE NOR HIT ANY THING. *TR