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.
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2004
THE 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FAILS TO RESTART FROM TIME TO TIME REQUIRING JUMPSTART. BATTERY WAS CHANGED EARLY LAST YEAR WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM SO FAR. THE LATEST ONE OCCURRED YESTERDAY WITHIN ABOUT THREE WEEKS OF THE PREVIOUS SUCH INCIDENT. THE VAN HAS BECOME VERY UNRELIABLE NOW. *LA
Power train, Jan 1, 2004
HONDA IS NOT HONORING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THEY HAVE ON THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THE 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. I PURCHASED A HONDA RECENTLY AND IT TURNS OUT THE SELLER DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I FOUND OUT 5 DAYS AFTER BRINGING IT HOME FROM A HONDA DEALER. I ALSO FOUND OUT HONDA HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS BUT WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THE CAR CAME FROM CANADA WHICH WAS ALSO NOT DISCLOSED. BOTH HONDA US AND HONDA CANADA HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THIS BUT WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE IT IS A CANADIAN HONDA (ALTHOUGH IT WAS SOLD BY A US DEALER IN THE US TO THE PARTY I BOUGHT IT FROM) AND BECAUSE I AM A US CITIZEN. I READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY THAT SAID HONDA HAD SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THIS YEAR OF HONDA ODYSSEY AND OTHER VEHICLES THEY MAKE TO 100,00 MILES OR 7 YEARS DUE TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE NHTSA BECAUSE NHTSA WAS GETTING READY TO ISSUE A RECALL. HONDA HAS REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THE HONDA I PURCHASED AND IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2001. I DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AS HONDA TERMS GRAY MARKET CARS. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED MOST OF THE HONDA'S ARE MADE IN CANADA THAT COME INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST , SOME ARE ALLOTED FOR CANADA AND SOME FOR THE US AS I HAVE FOUND OUT. BUT ME AS THE AVERAGE CONSUMER KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS AND HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THAT. HONDA MADE THIS AUTOMOBILE, THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. THEY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON IT IN BOTH COUNTRIES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW AS I DO NOT WANT TO RISK MY CHILDRENS SAFETY OR MINE IF THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD FAIL COMPLETELY, SAY ON THE FREEWAY. HONDA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS AND HAS REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE . CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?*AK
Air bags, Seats, Dec 16, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATED ON 11/25/03 HE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THAT HIS SEAT, WHICH WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION, COLLAPSED. HE STATED HE INJURED HIS SHOULDER, AND WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS SEATED ON THE THIRD SEAT, SHE WAS ALSO INJURED. HE STATES ALSO THAT HIS WIFE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH. *JB
Suspension, Dec 9, 2003
PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS ON 01 HONDA ODYSEEY. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2003
ODYSSEY SURGES AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. DURING THIS TIME THE RPM SURGES TO 4000 AND THEN BACK DOWN TO 1.5-2000. DEALER HAD ATTEMPTED TO FIX PROBLEM 5 TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS SO INTERMITTENT THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN OR DUPLICATED THE ISSUE. THEY EVEN KEPT THE VAN FOR A FULL WEEK AND DROVE IT. AMERICA HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS VERY UNRESPONSIVE AS I HAVE FILED ISSUE WITH THEM AS WELL. THEY JUST SEEM THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HIDE THE PROBLEM THAN RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND HOPE THAT THE ISSUE BECOMES LARGE AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THIS HONDA PRODUCT.*AK
Suspension, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 25, 2003
WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VAN LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE COIL SPRING BREAKING. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED, "WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM". THE SLIDING DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Tires, Oct 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD MANAGED TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHANGE TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2003, fire
VEHICLE FIRE WHILE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD BACKED HIS CAR INTO THE PARKING SPOT, AND THE TAIL PIPE WAS JAMMED INTO THE MULCH. THE BLOCKING OF THE TAILPIPE CAUSED THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST TO START THE MULCH ON FIRE SPREADING TO THE PLASTIC BUMPER OF THE CAR AND INTO THE CAR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IT CAME TO THE CONSUMER ATTENTION THAT THE TAIL PIPE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD PAY FOR ALL EXPENSES AND REPAIRS MADE AS A RESULT. *CB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 30, 2003
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS APPLY DANGEROUS PRESSURE TO PEOPLE BEFORE RETRACTING. I HAVE BEEN HURT TWICE BY BEING CRUSHED AND BRUISED BY DOORS CLOSING ON MY BODY WHEN DOOR WAS ACCIDENTLY ACTIVATED WHILE LOADING CHILDREN AND PASSENGERS. THE SENSOR TO RETRACT DOES NOT OPERATE AS INDICATED BY MANUFACTURER. THIS DEFECT POSES SERIOUS DANGER TO CHILDREN. ALSO, BOTH SLIDING DOORS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING SINCE OCT 2002. WILL ALMOST CLOSE, THEN RETRACT WITH NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THEM. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR STARTING AT 25,000 MILES WITH NO SUCCESS. FAULTY JUNCTION SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND DOORS REHONED BUT MALFUNCTIONS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN APPROX EVERY COUPLE MONTHS AND MILEAGE IS NOW AT 38,000. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS VERY SLOW TO RAISE. FAULTY REGULATOR WAS REPLACED OCT, 2002. ALMOST A YEAR LATER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR WITH DEALER SAYING IT JUST NEEDS CLEANING. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 28, 2003
A FEW DAYS AGO WE HAD TO TAKE OUR 01 ODYSSEY TO THE HONDA DEALER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE THIRD TIME. LIKE CLOCKWORK EVERY 15000 TO 20000 MILES THIS CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. IS THERE ANYTHING WE ALL CAN DO TO ELIMINATE THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM FOREVER. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Seat belts, Sep 2, 2003
SEAT BELT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE, PER CONSUMER. IF BELT IS NOT PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT, IT WILL LOCK UP EVEN WHEN NOT IN MOTION.*AK BELT COULD LOCK AROUND SEAT PRIOR TO CONNECTING WITH THE BUCKLE REQUIRING SEAT DISASSEMBLY TO BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, INDIVIDUALS WITH 30 INCHES OR LONGER BACKS RECEIVE INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM HEAD REST AT TALLEST POSITION. *PH
Power train, Aug 27, 2003
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON 2001 ODYSSEY'S AREN'T LIMITED TO US MODELS. WE PURCHASED A CANADIAN MODEL, AND ARE ON THE 3RD TRANSMISSION, AND NONE OF OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS WILL ASSIST US BECAUSE IT'S A CANADIAN MODEL. DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CANADIAN MODEL, AND THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS. DEALER INFORMED US THAT 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEN SUED US BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T COLLECT FROM AMERICAN OR CANADIAN HONDA. WE HAVE BEEN A LOYAL HONDA PRODUCT CONSUMER, BUT THE TREATMENT WE'VE RECEIVED FOR SUCH HAS BEEN A SEVERE DISAPPOINTMENT. WE WON'T BE PURCHASING HONDA IN THE FUTURE. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2003
2001 HONDA VAN : AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOOR WAS CLOSING AFTER SOMEONE ENGAGED REMOTE DOOR CLOSE. DOOR CLOSED ON ME SLOWLY, BUT FORCE OF DOOR MOTOR WAS QUITE STRONG TO THE POINT WERE I NEARLY PANICED. I HAD SLIGHTLY SORE RIBS FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. I AM 5'11'' AND 165LBS AND OF GOOD STRENGTH. MY CONCERN IS FOR MY 18 MONTH SON WHO WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. HAS THER BEEN ANY REPORTED SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH WITH THESE TYPE DOORS? PLEASE ADVISE....THANKS. *AK
Structure, Aug 7, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THEM TO STOP THE SLIDING DOOR FROM CLOSING CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE PANEL SLIDING DOORS ON EITHER SIDE OF VEHICLE THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD CLOSE BUT WOULD NOT LATCH, CAUSING THE DOORS TO POP BACK OPEN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 7, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT, AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIP AND PULL. VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD TRANSMISSION. *AK
Power train, Jun 25, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING UP A HEAVILY TRAVELED TWO-LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD (STATE HIGHWAY 330 TO RUNNING SPRINGS, CA). VEHICLE BLOCKED TRAFFIC UNTIL IT COULD BE PUSHED INTO THE DITCH ON THE SHOULDER RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO PAINT. VEHICLE HAS 19,905 MILES; SLIPPING PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS; IN BOTH INSTANCES DEALER DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEM. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Jun 20, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE DOME LIGHTS DIMMING BRIEFLY. *MR THE PURGE CONTROL SOLENOID CYCLED OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY, THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR SPEED DECREASED AND VARIOUS DASH/DOME LIGHTS DIMMED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS THEN REVERT BACK TO ITS HIGH SPEED SETTING AND ORIGINAL BRIGHTNESS. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE THAT HAD COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS REPAIRED. *SCC *JB
Tires, Jun 17, 2003
FRONT PASSENGER TIRE (FIRESTONE INFINITY) EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS FIRESTONE TIRE IS STANDARD ON THE LX VERSION OF THE ODYSSEY. DESPITE ASSURANCES FROM THE DEALER THAT THESE TIRES ARE SAFE, THE TIRE NEVERTHELESS EXPLODED. TIRE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, PROPERLY INFLATED AND ROUTINELY ROTATED. DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE I DID. TRADE UP FOR THE MICHELIN TIRES ON THE EX MODEL. THE FIRESTONE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. DESPITE WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS, THEY ARE NOT SAFE. FIRESTONE GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND ONLY WANTED TO CREDIT ME WITH A FEW DOLLARS OFF ANOTHER FIRESTONE TIRE (HOW CONVENIENT!), DESPITE HAVING 32000 MILES LEFT ON A 70,000 MILE TIRE. IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY'S LIVES, AVOID FIRESTONE! *JB
Structure, Jun 12, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING DOOR INDICATOR BELL WOULD RING STATING DOOR WAS NOT CLOSE, BUT CONSUMER HAD CLOSED DOOR. *AK
Structure, Jun 12, 2003
SLIDING REAR DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY CAUSING DOOR TO POP OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 10, 2003
SLIDING POWER DOORS APPLY TO MUCH PRERSSURE BEFORE THEY REVERSE. IT APPLIES TO MUCH EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO A PERSON. I THINK THE FORCE EXERTED SHOULD BE LESS BEFORE IT REVERSES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 21, 2003
NAR 05/21/2003 *MR REAR BRAKES GROAN WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *CB
Power train, May 19, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO A DIFFERENT LOW GEAR. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED IT WENT BACKWARDS. *NLM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 6, 2003
I DRIVE A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY AND I HAVE 50,000 MILES. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY GAS TANK AND ALTERNATOR. WHEN I CALL THE MANUFACTURE THEY SAY I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A DEALER MY CAR WAS ALREADY AT A REPAIR SHOP. TANK WAS BROKEN IN HALF AND ALL MY GAS WAS LEAKING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG WITH THIS PROBLEM I DRIVE FOUR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES. WHEN I WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THIS VAN, I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND I CHOOSE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST RELIABLE CAR. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR TO REPLACE PARTS THAT SHOULD STILL BE IN GREAT CONDITION.*JB