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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, May 16, 2006
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND SLIDING DOORS. *JB
Power train, May 15, 2006
I OWN A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT 86K MILES. IT WAS REPLACED "FREE OF CHARGE" UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION WAS GUARANTEED FOR 1 YR OR 12K MILES. I COMMUNICATED MY FRUSTRATION WITH THE WARRANTY OF 100K ON THE FIRST TRANSMISSION AND ONLY 12K ON THE NEW/IMPROVED ONE? WHEN I SPOKE TO HONDA CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS GIVEN THE BROKEN RECORD ABOUT THE 1 YR/12K MILE FREE REPLACEMENT. I STILL ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT IT IS NOT FAIR TO ASSURE THIS CUSTOMER THAT THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION WAS GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR AND I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THEIR SUPERVISOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BUCK STOPPED HERE AND THERE WAS NO HIGHER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. AT THE TIME, I WAS FRUSTRATED BUT HAD NOWHERE TO TURN. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE HONDA CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND THE CENTRAL REP PRETTY MUCH SHUT ME DOWN. LITTLE DID I KNOW AT THE TIME THAT MY NEW/IMPROVED REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WOULD IN 35K MILES GO OUT AGAIN. THE TCS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AWHILE WITH THE EGR CODE AND THE 1559 CODE SHOWING. I SEE THERE IS AN ONGOING THEME BASED ON PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS. THIS IS THE SAME THING. THE VAN ROLLS WHEN I AM ON AN INCLINE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, I CANNOT AFFORD A 5K REPLACEMENT AND CANNOT RISK DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. MY WIFE IS USING THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT KIDS IN HER CHILDREN'S SERVICES JOB AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Structure, May 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE SHIELD UNDERNEATH THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE CEMENT BARRIER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR AND THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING COOLANT AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Suspension, Apr 15, 2006
IN OUR DIRVEWAY WE FOUND A METAL CIRCLE, ABOUT 1/2 " IN THICKNESS, ABOUT 8" IN DIAMETER, APPARENTLY MADE OF IRON, WHICH WAS A RUSTED THROUGH, A BIT TWISTED AND OBVIOULSY SNAPPED IN ONE SECTION. WE DISMISSED IT AS GARBAGE. THREE WEEKS LATER WE HEARD A NOISE ON OUR VAN & BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON EXAMINATION OF OUR VAN, THE MECHANIC BROUGHT OUT ANOTHER PART TAKEN FROM OUR VEHICLE IDENTICAL IN CONDITION AS THE ONE FOUND IN OUR DRIVEWAY. HE SAID IT WAS A FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING AND THE VAN, A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH APPX 58500 MILES, WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NM
Suspension, Mar 28, 2006
FRONT RIGHT SPRING FRACTURED CAUSING THE SHOCKS TO FAIL ALSO. REPAIRS TOTALING $699.37 INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT SPRING AND FRONT SHOCKS. *JB
Suspension, Mar 27, 2006
THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ON OUR 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN WITH APPROX. 56,000 MILES IS BROKEN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. *JB SEE ALSO 10212265 *DSY
Suspension, Mar 16, 2006
NOISE COMING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF VAN. RUBBER SEAL AT TOP OF STRUT WAS HANGING DOWN. SPRING ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS BROKEN. HONDA DEALERSHIP SAID BOTH SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE SPRINGS, STRUTS, SEALS...ETC. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS. {BOTH SIDES} RON AT EXT. 118038 AT AMERICAN HONDA STATED THAT PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. AMERICAN HONDA PAID FOR ALL PARTS BUT NOT LABOR. TOTAL BILL OVER $2,000! *NM
Structure, Feb 25, 2006
REAR MANUAL SLIDING DOORS STICK CLOSED. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR PASSENGERS TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE FOR RESCUE. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY PUT TAPE ON THE DOOR SEALS. THIS WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE SECOND TIME THEY PUT GREASE ON THE DOOR SEALS. THIS WAS EFFECTIVE FOR A SHORT TIME. *JB
Power train, Feb 24, 2006
RECALL ( TRANSMISSION HONDA ODYSSEY 2001 )*JB
Suspension, Feb 8, 2006
ON 12/28/05 THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE ON OUR 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY LX WITH 79,662 MILES. THIS OCCURRED ON A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET AT LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, HOWEVER, THIS WAS CONTROLLABLE. NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED AS THE SPRING BROKE CLEANLY AND COLLAPSED VERTICALLY (TIRE, STRUT, STRUT TOWER ARE FINE). THIS WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE BY OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER. AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT I NOTED THAT THIS SEEMED UNUSUAL, HOWEVER, I'M NOT SURE IF THE DEALER NOTIFIED AMERICAN HONDA OF THE ISSUE. I'M AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE OTHER SPRING AND PLAN ON CALLING HONDA TO DISCUSS. *JB
Suspension, Jan 17, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A RURAL ROAD WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE SHOCK, STRUT AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *NM UPDATED 2/9/2006 - *NM
Suspension, Jan 13, 2006
A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND DEADLY DEFECT IN THE SPRINGS OF 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY MINI-VANS. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER-SIDE SPRING OF MY ODYSSEY SUDDENLY FAILED AND BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. THIS CAUSED MY VAN''S STEERING TO IMMEDIATELY PULL HARD TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE OTHER LANE IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO MY VAN OR TO OTHERS. WE REPLACED THAT SPRING AT OUR EXPENSE AND VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE REMAINING SPRING SHOWED NOTHING UNUSUAL. WE WERE TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT SPRING FAILURE IN RELATIVELY NEW CARS WITH AN NORMAL OR EASY DRIVING HISTORY WAS VERY RARE. WE CHALKED UP OUR EXPERIENCE TO A FLUKE. ON JANUARY 12, 2006 THE PASSENGER-SIDE SPRING SUDDENLY FAILED AND BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. AGAIN, THIS OCCURRED WHILE AT VERY LOW SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WHILE THE STEERING PULLED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT, AND NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. AGAIN, WE ARE REPLACING THAT SPRING AT OUR EXPENSE. TO HAVE A FAILURE OF A SPRING IS A HIGHLY UNUSUAL EVENT FOR A ''YOUNG'' CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE AND AN EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORD. TO HAVE TWO SUCH FAILURES WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER IS DEEPLY DISTURBING AND LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE SPRINGS. THIS FACT PRESENTS A GRAVE THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF HONDA ODYSSEYS, BUT OF OTHERS WHO MAY BY HIT BY A VAN WHICH HAS CAREENED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROAD. *NM
Structure, Dec 23, 2005
EARLY IN 2002 I BEGIN HAVING DIFFICULTIES OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I MUST NOT BE CLOSING THE DOOR CORRECTLY. IN JUNE 2003, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP- AT THAT TIME THEY REPLACED THE RUBBER SEAL AROUND THE DOOR, ADMITTING OTHER VEHICLES WERE HAVING THAT PROBLEM. JULY 2005 THE DOOR AGAIN BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPEN, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP APPLIED A SPRAY "THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM". BY OCTOBER 2005 SOME DAYS THE DOOR WOULD OPEN, SOME DAYS IT WOULD NOT. DEC. 4, 2005, I WAS TRAVELING HOME, ALONE, FROM CHURCH ABOUT 8:45 PM WHEN ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. I SAW THE DOOR OPEN SIGNAL FOR THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WAS ON. IT WAS DARK, AT A SECTION OF THE COUNTY THAT I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE STOPPING AT, SO I DROVE FOR APPROX. 2 MILES TO REACH AN AREA WHERE I FELT SAFE TO STOP, GET OUT, GO AROUND THE CAR AND CLOSE THE DOOR. I CONTACTED HONDA ON MONDAY - IF I WANT TO PAY FOR IT, THEY WILL REPLACE THE SEAL AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED THE HONDA 800 NUMBER THEY GAVE ME AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. BECAUSE I REFUSED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS (THE INDIVIDUAL ON THE 800 NUMBER SAID NOTHING ABOUT THAT DURING THE FIRST CALL) HONDA WILL DO NOTHING. THIS DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST, I FEEL HONDA HAS NEVER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, JUST MADE IT BEARABLE FOR A WHILE. IT IS UNSAFE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 3, 2005
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND KNOCKING. THE MALFUNCTION LOCKS UP THE TRANSMISSION WHILE IN MOTION AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMETIMES UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT MAKING HARD TO SLOW DOWN. THE EGR VALVE SYSTEM IS ALSO CLOGGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE POORLY AND POLLUTING THE AIR. *JB
Power train, Oct 18, 2005
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 8, 2005
FUEL PRESSURE CUT OFF SWITCH LEAKING FUEL AFTER VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 28, 2005
WHILE CAR SHOPPING AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WE OBSERVED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS ON A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY DO NOT HAVE ANY EMERGENCY STOPPING MECHANISM SHOULD AN ARM OR OTHER BODY PART BE IN THE WAY OF THE DOOR WHEN IT IS CLOSING. MY HAND WAS IN THE DOOR WHEN IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE AND IT WAS SLIGHTLY PINCHED. I MOVED AWAY FROM IT AVOIDING SERIOUS INJURY. WE TESTED THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THIS AND IT RESPONDED THE SAME WAY EACH TIME. IT DID NOT STOP UNLESS THE KEY FOB WAS USED. WHEN WE POINTED THIS OUT TO THE SALESMAN WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT HAD NOTICED THIS. IF YOU PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE EXTERIOR IT INITIATES THE DOOR CLOSING AUTOMATICALLY. FOR A SMALL CHILD THAT MIGHT USE THAT HANDLE AS A METHOD OF ENTRY THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SALESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DIFFERENT ON A NEWER MODEL. WE DIDN'T CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF A NEWER MODEL TO SEE IF IT HAS BEEN REMEDIED OR NOT. *JB
Power train, Sep 12, 2005
WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED (AS AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT), AND THEN ACCELERATED TO MOVE, THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATES. SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE INTENSITY IS ANYWHERE FROM A MODERATE BUMP TO ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO ??SQUEAL?? AND LOOSE TRACTION. THE SAME SENSATION OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO THE NEXT GEAR. IN REVIEWING THESE CONDITIONS ON THE INTERNET, THE REPAIR IS A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE OBD CODE IS A P0740. HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND VOLUNTARILY REPLACING THIS TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY DESTINED AND SOLD WITH IN THE US. MY HONDA WAS PURCHASED IN THE US AND IS REGISTERED IN THE US [NORTH CAROLINA] BUT WAS ORIGINALLY DESTINED AND SOLD IN CANADA. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MINE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT IS WHAT THEY TERM A GRAY?? VEHICLE [A TERM HONDA USA USES TO REPRESENT VEHICLES THAT ARE NOW IN THE US, BUT WERE DELIVERED TO A CANADIAN DEALER]. HONDA HAS SAID THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION IS IF THERE IS A RECALL FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, SOMETHING THEY DO NOT EXPECT TO OCCUR SINCE THEY ARE VOLUNTARILY DOING IT FOR US VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE US AND IS REGISTERED IN THE US AND SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME AS OTHER US VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCHES THIS CAN EVOLVE TO FAILURE MODES OF SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WITHOUT NOTICE AND AT ANY SPEED. CURRENTLY THE FREQUENCY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING IS NOW 60% -70% OF THE TIME. THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THESE SYMPTOMS AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED VOLUNTARILY INDICATE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH A POTENTIAL FATAL FAILURE MODE. SINCE A RECALL IS THE ONLY MECHANISM TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED THAT REQUIRES ALL 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY REGISTERED IN THE US SHOWING THESE SYMPTOMS TO HAVE THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED. NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE PERMITTED. *NM
Power train, Sep 8, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILURE,TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SHIFTING ERRATICALLY,EGR VALVE CODE, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP ADVISOR REPORTED TO ME THAT THE FAILURE IS A RECALL. HONDA WILL NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM. HONDA WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT ME PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. ALL SERVICE ITEMS ALWAYS COMPLIED WITH @ HONDA DEALERSHIPS ACCORDING TO MANUAL SCHEDULING. *JB
Power train, Aug 26, 2005, crash
GEAR SHIFT IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEAR (SHIFT FROM PARK) WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO FOOT ON THE BRAKE. CHILD PULLED ON GEAR SHIFT AND CAR ROLLED INTO STREET AND NEIGHBOR'S LAWN. FORTUNATELY, NO INJURIES. CAR BEING TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. *JB
Power train, Aug 25, 2005
TRANSMISSION DEFECT, FAILURE OF DEALER TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY
Power train, Jul 27, 2005
AT 83,000 MILES THE SECOND TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FAILED (REGISTERED IN MY WIFE'S NAME, LYNN ROESSLER). ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 43,000 MILES IN 2003 AND WAS REPLACED BY HONDA UNDER WARRANTY. IN JULY 2005 THE SECOND TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, D4 LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK, TCS LIGHT CAME ON. RETURNED CALL TO HONDA DEALER, WHO AGAIN REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND LEFT INBOARD JOINT. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE NOW HAVE A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TWO TRANSMISSIONS I HAVE HAD SO FAR HAVE LASTED, ON AVERAGE, ABOUT 41,000 MILES.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 15, 2005
DT THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOES NOT LATCH, IT WILL SHUT BUT IT POPS RIGHT BACK OPEN. EVEN WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS IT WILL COME BACK OPEN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE A FEE JUST TO LOOK AT IT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WER NO RECALLS. THIS STARTED YESTERDAY JULY 14, 2005.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 6, 2005
DT: THE DOOR, WHEN PRESSING THE AUTOMATIC REMOTE THE DOOR DOES NOT WANT TO CLOSE. HASTO FORCEABLY PRESS IT IN ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE DOOR WHILE IT IS MOVIN) . IF MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AT A RIGHT ANGLE THE DOOR OPENED, MAKING THIS A SAFETY ISSU E . *AK
Air bags, May 19, 2005, crash
A WOMAN DRIVER VIOLATED THE RED SIGNAL AT AN INTERSECTION AND HIT MY CAR IN A INTERSECTION. MY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY CHEST GOTA HIT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. EXPERIENCING SEVERE PAIN, ALTHOUGH NO PHYSICAL INJURY. DAMAGE TO THE CAR. MANUFACTURER HONDA ACCORD EX V6 2001 MODEL