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, May 11, 2005
I PURCHASED A NEW 2001 HONDA, ODYSSEY IN MAY OF 2001. AS OF TODAY, MAY 2005, I AM PRESENTLY AWAITING MY 5TH TRANSMISSION TO BE PUT IN THE VAN. MY CAR MEETS ALL OF THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO QUALIFY AS LEMON UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE, AND AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY PREFER TO BE SUED. I PAID $32,000.00 FOR THIS VAN, AND THEY WILL NOT DO THE DECENT THING. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN.
Power train, May 1, 2005
I HAVE A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY EX MINIVAN. WHEN AT A STOP, FACING UPHILL IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT ROLLS AS IF IT WERE A VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, OR AS IF YOU WERE IN NEUTRAL. PARKED FACING DOWNHILL, THAN STARTING IN REVERSE (BACKING UP THE HILL) THE SAME PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF, BUT IT IS EVEN WORSE. THIS HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AS WE HAVE ADJUSTED TO THIS UNUSUAL SITUATION, AS ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILES WE HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST DOI NOT BEHAVE IN THIS MANNER. THEY "HOLD" ON HILLS, AT LEAST MOMENTARILY, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED AND THE AUTOMOBILE IS IN DRIVE. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED WHILE THE DRIVERS DISCIOVERD THIS FLAW AND ADJUSTED THEIR DRIVING HABITS (IT'S A LOT LIKE DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION). I CONTACTED MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS IS "NORMAL" WITH THESE VANS AND ACCORD AUTOMOBILES.
Visibility, Apr 30, 2005
WE PURCHASED A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FROM GARCIA HONDA AND STILL OWN THE VEHICLE, HE VIN IS [XXX]. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE 2ND ROW SEATING. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM ACADEMY ROAD (IN ALBUQUERQUE), ONTO VENTURA (NORTH) WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IMPLODED INTO A PILE OF GLASS, ALL OVER THE CAR. MY WIFE THOUGHT THE WINDOW HAD BEEN SHOT OUT OR OTHERWISE MALICIOUSLY DESTROYED FROM SOME EXTERNAL SOURCE, AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE POLICE FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE FILED A POLICE REPORT ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED VIA ALLSTATE INSURANCE. NO PROJECTILES WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE, AND WE JUST HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED AND WENT ABOUT OUR BUSINESS. AT NIGHT ON LEAVING OUR SON'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT HINKLE FAMILY FUN CENTER, AND MERGING ONTO I-40 WEST AT JUAN TABO (MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY), THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW IMPLODED (BY ITSELF) INTO ANOTHER PILE OF GLASS, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND SHOOTING GLASS ALL OVER MY WIFE (DRIVING) AND THE INSIDE OF THE CAR (WHICH HAD THREE OTHER CHILDREN IN IT AT THE TIME), CAUSING SOME SMALL CUTS ON HER ARMS, AND RUINING THE CLOTHES SHE WAS WEARING. THIS IS WAY TOO BIG OF A CO-INCIDENCE FOR BOTH OF THESE PASSENGER WINDOWS TO JUST SELF DESTRUCT BY THEMSELVES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. I WOULD EXPECT AND HOPE HONDA WOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, AND INVESTIGATE THE BLOCK OF VANS AND THE GLASS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE SAME RUN OF GLASS AND WINDOW ASSEMBLIES, BEFORE ONE EXPLODES IN A VEHICLE THAT DOES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INJURY. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension, Apr 27, 2005
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY LX FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE. THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE SPRING FORM THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FOUND COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND JAGGED IN VARIOUS PLACES. *SC *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 6, 2005
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ON MY 2001HONDA ODYSSEY STOPPED WORKING ON 3/12/2004. I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR NO MATTER WHAT I DO. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "DOOR CONTACTS WERE TOO SMALL, AND IT WAS FIXED ON THE NEW MODELS. THEY CHARGED ME $250 TO GET THE DOOR OPEN AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST APROXIMATELY $800 TO FIX IT PROPERLY. THE DOOR STOPPED WORKING WITHIN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A RECALL, BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THAT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND IF I HAD A COLLISION OR AN EMERGENCY THE PASSENGER ON THE DRIVER SIDE COULD NOT EXIT THE VAN QUICKLY. I HAVE OWNED MANY, MANY HONDAS AND CONSIDER MYSELF A HONDA PERSON BUT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING ME TO RETHINK MY LOYALTY. I WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE HONDA TO TASK FOR THIS PROBLEM!!!!!*AK
Power train, Mar 28, 2005
AT APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FAILED. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED BY AN EXTENSION OF THE BASIC WARRANTY OF 36,000 MILES AS HONDA IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED AT 67,000 MILES AND WAS ALSO REPLACED BY HONDA. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WITH ANYTHING BUT THE SAME FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I REQUESTED HONDA TO EXTEND THE NEW TRANSMISSION'S WARRANTY PERIOD TO 100,000 MILES FROM THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT BUT WAS REFUSED MY REQUEST. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AND ARE INSTALLING DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MINE AND OTHER VEHICLES. I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA LOOK INTO OTHERS (AS THERE ARE MANY) REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS AND FIND OUT IF MY EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE OR PART OF A TREND. I CAN BE CONTACTED TO SUPPLY EVIDENCE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO FAILURE TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES OF THE MANUFACTURER. *JB
Power train, Mar 28, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. TRANSMISSION OBVIOUSLY HAS DESIGN FLAWS. WAS REPAIRED BUT THE BASIC DESIGN FLAWS WERE NOT CORRECTED. BEARING FAILURE COULD HAVE LEAD TO WHEEL LOCK UP AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Mar 16, 2005
NEAR DEATH/ACCIDENT EXPERIENCES =4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES= 2 REPLACEMENTS SINCE NEW PURCHASE EGR VALVE REPLACED= SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. IT WAS NOT EVEN ADDRESSED. JERKY ACTIONS IN VEHICLE AGGRAVATE INJURY. STRANDED IN GA. ON XMAS HOLIDAY. LOSS OF VISITATION, VACATION AND HONEYMOON. TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED (NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT), IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT WARRANTY EXTENDED LIFELONG, (WITHOUT PROOF OF DOCUMENTATION). ROTORS WARPING. DEALER (OWNER) STATES, THEY JUST SELL VEHICLES, THEY DON'T MAKE THE VEHICLES.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2005
ALTERNATOR DIED IN MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH ONLY 26,601 MILES. ALTERNATOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED.*AK
Structure, Jan 25, 2005
WHILE EXITING OUR 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN, MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT HER FOOT CAUGHT IN THE MOTORIZED DOOR MECHANISM AS THE DOOR WAS OPENING. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF SENSOR TO DETECT AN OBSTRUCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSING BUT THERE IS NO SENSOR TO DETECT AN OBSTRUCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENING. SHE HAD HER FOOT PINCHED IN THE MECHANISM ALONG THE DOOR SILL. HER FOOT WAS "SQUASHED". WE TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE XRAYS DID NOT REVEAL ANY DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE DOCTOR WHO EXAMINED HER SAID THAT PERMANENT DAMAGE MAY NOT BE DETECTED OR NOTICEABLE UNTIL SHE IS FULLY GROWN. WE CONTACTED HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THE EVENT. WE ASKED THAT SOME SORT OF SENSOR BE INSTALLED IN FUTURE MODELS OR AT THE VERY LEAST A WARNING APPEAR SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR. WE ALSO ASKED THAT SOME SORT OF NOTIFICATION BE SENT TO ALL OWNERS OF THEIR VANS WITH MOTORIZED DOORS. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM HONDA SAID THAT HONDA WOULD NOT DO THAT. *NM
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 6, 2005
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DOOR CAN OPEN ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR'S SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK......*AK
Child seat, Dec 29, 2004
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04C002000, CONCERNING THE HARNESS STRAP. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS IN LATE NOVEMBER. *SC *JB
Air bags, Dec 16, 2004
SRS LIGHT BLINKS INCESSANTLY 40% OF THE TIME. SOME ATTRIBUTE THIS TO ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE DUE TO CELL PHONE USAGE. IT IS ACTUALLY A DEFECT OF THE SRS SENSOR, BUT HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HOW IRRESPONSIBLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 11, 2004, crash
IT SEEMS THAT MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND ONLY BRIGHT WHEN I USE MY HIGH BEAMS. MY HONDA SEEMS TO CUT OFF BY ITSELF AND I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT SEEMS NOT TO REPLICATE ITS ACTIONS FOR THEM. IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS STALLING SOMETIMES AND THEN WILL NOT TURN OVER. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER CHECKED AND THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE SO THE MECHANIC STATED. IT SEEMS THAT MY DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK AT THE NORMAL TIME THAT IT SHOULD TAKE TO DEFROST. IT TAKES AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO CLEAR. I HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE REAR SEAT WITH PASSENGERS GETTING OUT OF THE LEFT PASSENGER SEAT BELT. IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK. AND THERE ARE NO OTHER ARTICLES IN THE SNAP TO CAUSE THAT. MY SRS AND ABS LIGHT SEEMS TO STAY ON FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. THEN WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AND APPLYING BREAKS IT SEEMS THAT THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO SLIDE, IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON 9-13-04. I HAVE TAKEN THE BRAKES TO GET CHECKED. AND THE MECHANIC HAS CLEARED THEM. I AM GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR. AND JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS THAT HAVE COME ON MY CAR AND WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF THESE RECALLS. ALSO WHAT DO I DO IN SUCH A CASE THAT I HAVE RECALLS ON A NUMBER OF PARTS AND NOT JUST 1 THING? *JB
Power train, Nov 2, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 28, 2004
CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Oct 27, 2004
SRS CONTROL UNIT FAILED AT 39,280 MILES. *AK
Power train, Oct 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AS IF IT WAS SEARCHING FOR THE PROPER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
Seat belts, Oct 10, 2004
THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVES SIDE HAS BROKEN/MALFUNCTIONED TWO TIMES IN UNDER TWO MONTHS!! IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES FOR REPAIR. MY 51/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN THE SEAT BOTH TIMES WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED. THE SEAT BELT LOSES TENSION (FEEDS ALL THE WAY OUT ONTO HER LAP) AND THEN LOCKS. WE ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT ON OUR OWN. EACH TIME WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT. *NM
Seat belts, Oct 4, 2004
THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND PROBLEM RECURRED WITHIN TWO MONTH OR LESS.*AK
Power train, Sep 23, 2004
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 9, 2004
HONDA IDENTIFIES THAT DRUM BRAKES ON HONDA ODYSSEY ARE PROBLEMS. FOR OVER TWO YEARS, WE FOUGHT WITH DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND THEY ESSENTIALLY KEPT IGNORING COMPLAINTS OF LOUD SQUEELING (LIKE A SEMI-TRUCK) WHEN BRAKING. WE PAID FOR PADS AND THEY PAID FOR DRUMS IN FEB. AS OF SEPT., WE HAVE THE SAME CONDITION BACK WITH THE SQUEELING. HONDA HAS KEPT THIS PROBLEM SILENT AND WE NEED TO BRING THIS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.*AK
Power train, Aug 24, 2004
AT 53,000 MILES/2 YEARS, GEAR SHIFTS WERE SUDDENLY DELAYED, SUDDEN, NOT HAPPENING RESULTING IN UNRELIABLE PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING HAZARDS BUT NOT ACCIDENT HAPPENED PRIOR TO TAKING TO DEALERSHIP. FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER EXTENTED WARRANTY (7YR/100,00 MILES) ISSUED BY HONDA DUE TO RECOGNIZED WORKMANSHIP PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. AT 81,000 MILES/3 YRS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER SAME EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL LIKELY BE EXCEEDED WHEN/IF I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM A THIRD TIME AS I PUT APPROXIMATELY 25-30,000 MILES ANNUALLY. I SEE FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PAYING FOR ANY REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS IN THE FUTURE. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE SO THAT EACH REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION MUST CARRY A NEW 7YR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY? *AK
Power train, Aug 19, 2004
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. UPON REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION THE FIRST TIME, THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED 30,000 MILES LATER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. NOW AFTER THE THIRD REPLACEMENT, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB
Power train, Aug 18, 2004
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INCORRECTLY. ON ACCELERATION, WILL SLIP THEN SUDDENLY CATCH PRODUCING A SHOCK AND SPINNING WHEELS. ON DECELERATION, WILL DOWNSHIFT AND GRAB ABRUPTLY, PRODUCING A SHOCK OR SHAKING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALER LUTE REILEY HONDA REFUSED TO FIX IN JUNE, 2004. SEVERE SHOCKS FROM TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAVE NOW CAUSED ENGINE MOUNTS TO FAIL. *JB