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.
Structure, Sep 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOORS HAVE A HIGH TOLERANCE FOR SOMETHING BLOCKING THEM AND ONLY THE FULL PRESSURE OF AN ADULT'S UPPER BODY STOPS THE DOOR AND GETS IT TO GO BACKWARDS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN. AND FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *SCC
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2002
SLIDING DOOR WILL JAM AND NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO OPEN DOOR. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER TWICE, AND BOTH TIMES DEALER FIXED THE DOOR, BUT PROBLEM WAS NEVER REMEDIED. *AK
Power train, Sep 15, 2002
DRIVING ON RAINY ROAD, APPX 50 MPH, TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, NO VEHICLES BEHIND, SO NO ACCIDENT. TRANSMISSION THEN REPEATEDLY TRIED TO UPSHIFT, SLIPPED DOWN TO 2ND, REPEATEDLY. PROCEEDED TO SAFE STOPPING AREA IN 2ND GEAR (MANUALLY SELECTED). COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVER DOES NOT RESPOND CAREFULLY, IF TRAFFIC IS FOLLOWING, IF ROAD IS SLICK, OR IF IN THE MIDST OF NEGOTIATING A CURVE. A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND VEHICLE DISABLING FAILURE. NLM
Visibility, Sep 2, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH BATON ROUGE ENROUTE TO NEW ORLEANS, THERE WAS A MAJOR EXPLODING SOUND AND MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED IN MY LAP. WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THERE WERE NO CARS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF OR ON THE SIDE OF OUR CAR. WE DID NOT SEE ANY FLYING DEPREE OR ROCKS. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO WAS BEHIND US DID NOT SEE ANY ROCKS OR ANYTHING EITHER , HE WAS AS SHOCKED AS WE WERE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IF HONDA HAS REPLACED MANY SIDE WINDOWS AND IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. I KNOW IF A ROCK HITS A WINDOW, IT USUALLY SHATTERS IN PLACE, BUT THIS WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY FACE AND LAP.*AK
Power train, Aug 29, 2002
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OUR TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. FIRST IT WENT OUT AT 19,000 MILES, WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN AT 32,000 MILES. HOW CAN WE PROCEED WITH HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL?
Seat belts, Aug 11, 2002
SEAT BELT EMERGENCY RETRACTION MODE ENGAGED WHEN SEAT BELT WAS NOT LOCKED IN. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND ALMOST STRANGULATED A LITTLE BOY. IT HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE HIM OR HE MAY HAVE DIED. WE CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION THAT PROVIDED ANY OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO CUT THE SEAT BELT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE RETRACTED IN THIS MANNER WHEN NOT BUCKLED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHETHER HONDA WOULD CHARGE ANYTHING TO REPAIR THIS. THE LITTLE BOY HOWEVER IS STILL VERY UPSET.*AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2002
WITH VEHICLE STOPPED (AS AT A STOP SIGN OR AT A RED LIGHT), WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, ENGINE REVS UP BUT VEHICHLE HESISTATES. THEN ,TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SUDDENLY AND VEHICHLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE INTENSITY WAS ANYWHERE FROM A MODERATE BUMP, TO ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO "SQUEAL" AND LOOSE TRACTION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WE GOT THE VEHICHLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE; WE JUST BEGAN TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY SAID IT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AS IF THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. WHEN QUESTIONED THEY DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ODYSSEY TRANSMISSIONS, ALTHOUGH THEY DID SAY THAT THEIR ODYSSEY SHUTTLEVAN (SAME YR/MODEL) HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEK. WHILE CONDUCTING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, WE FOUND DOZENS OF INSTANCES OF ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILURES, ALL WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS THE REMEDY. WHILE IN OUR CASE THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT CAN EASILY LEAD TO A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE VAN STALLS WHEN DRIVING AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. DEALER FOUND VEHICLE IS STALLING BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT AIR FLOW CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE A DELAY ON REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *TT
Seats, Jul 24, 2002
DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD SHIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN TURNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2002, fire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, OPENED SLIDING DOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE. TEN SECONDS LATER, VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. POLICE INVESTIGATOR SAD IT WAS A RESULT OFF BAD ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *AK
Power train, Jun 18, 2002
FRONT AXLE BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
Tires, Jun 4, 2002
ALL TIRES ARE BALD ON INNER EDGES-EVEN AFTER ROTATION AT 6,200 MILES. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2002
GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN PROCEEDING FROM STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM SLOW (UNDER 20MPH) SPEEDS. PRESSING GAS PEDAL WITH MORE FORCE FREES IT UP AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS LACK OF SENSITIVITY IN ACCELERATOR MODULATION HAS RESULTED IN A FEW NEAR CRASHES. DEALER WORKED ON ACCELERATOR ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.*AK
Structure, May 29, 2002
THE SLIDING POWER DOORS DO NOT STOP WHEN THEY HIT RESISTANCE. I WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN FRAME AND DOOR FOR A GOOD 5 MINUTES IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT GET FREE UNTIL I FINALLY WRESTLED THE KEY REMOTE OUT OF A POCKET AND HIT DOOR OPEN, OTHERWISE, I WAS STUCK. I COULD NOT MOVE TO FREE MYSELF. I COULD NOT MOVE THE DOOR. THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T MY CHILD THAT GOT STUCK (I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD WITH ME, AND IT WAS PRETTY SCARY FOR HER TO SEE ME TRAPPED). THIS IS A REACCURING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S JUST THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS, IT'S NOT DEFECTIVE. EVIDENTLY, THE DOOR WON'T REVERSE FOR AN OBSTRUCTION UNTIL IT IS 2" FROM CLOSING (MUCH SMALLER THAN A CHILD'S HEAD OR TORSO). THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD A BRUISED SIDE. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW (SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR) - WHO'S A BIG GUY - GOT HIS ARM TRAPPED AND BRUISED. WE TOLD YET ANOTHER BROTHER-IN-LAW INTERESTED IN SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR - NOT TO GET THE POWER DOOR OPTION ... "IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE KIDS"... AND HE DIDN'T!! THIS IS ALL VERY ALARMING FOR ADULTS. I WORRY ABOUT THE FIRST CHILD WHO WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU.*AK
Steering, May 23, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE. OWNER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANAGE TO STOP VEHICLE AND CHECK TIRE, WHICH WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *JB *SCC
Fuel system, Other, May 8, 2002
AUTO. DOOR OPENED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED WHEN GAS DOOR WAS OPENED FOR FUELING, STOPPED WHEN FUEL WAS BEING PUMPED TRAPPED FUEL PUMP BETWEEN DOOR AND VEHICLE
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 29, 2002
BOTH SLIDING DOORS "STICK" AND CANNOT BE OPENED. IN CRASH, OCCUPANTS WOULD BE TRAPPED IN VAN.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Apr 6, 2002
6.COOLANT SYSTEM CONTINUED FROM ODI #760344. THIS LEFT SPLASH SHIELD LOOSE,VIBRATING & AT RISK OF COMING OFF, CAUSING RISK OF ACCIDENT/INJURY. IS IT POSSIBLE TO REQUIRE THAT HONDA SERVICE PERSONNEL ATTEND ADDITIONAL IN SERVICE TRAINING ON AUTOMOBILE COOLANT SYSTEMS? SO THAT CONSUMERS ARE NOT EXPOSED TO PREVENTABLE HAZARDS, EXAMPLES BEING: BREATHING COOLANT FUMES, INJURIES FROM ENGINE OVERHEATING, SLIPPERY SURFACES & ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS TO UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLIES FROM COOLANT RUN OFF. 7. RIGHT/LEFT SLIDING DOORS-RIGHT/LEFT SLIDING DOORS FAIL TO OPEN UPON PULLING OF HANDLES AS DESIGNED. THREE TIMES OUR VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP FOR ABOVE COMPLAINT,AFTER SERVICE BULLETIN 00-0091 WAS ISSUED BEFORE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AS PER BULLETIN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER HONDA LX OWNERS WHO STTED THEY HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH BEING UNABLE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS. WHEN THEY TOOK VEHICLES TO DEALERSHIP DOOR SEALS WERE LUBRICATED, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO & FROM SCHOOL AND BECAUSE THE SLIDING DOOR WON'T OPEN, CHILDREN MUST ENTER AREA OF TRAFFIC FLOW TO ENTER VEHICLE, INCREASING RISK OF INJURY. SLIDING DOORS CAN & WILL OEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTIION, DUE TO INABILITY TO FULLY OPEN/CLOSE SLIDING DOORS VIA HANDLES AS DESIGNED. 8.TRANSMISSION-I COMPLAINED OF GRINDING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES FROM 40TO50MPH. RPM'S GO UP TO 2000 UPON ACCELERATION, AFTER REACHING 50MPH, RPM'S DROP TO BETWEEN1500 TO 1700 AND GRINDING IS HEARD. EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES & TEST DROVE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR, WAS TOLD HE HEARD NOTHING & VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. AFTER FINAL REPAIR/VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION INSPECTION/REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE GRINDING NOISE AT 50MPH & WAS RETURNED TO US WITH TRANMISSION SHIFTER INOPERABLE IN D3, 2ND & 1ST DRIVE GEARS. WE ARE NOTIFYING YOU OF WHAT WE FEEL ARE THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN WHICH OUR VEHICLE IS IN.
Suspension, Equipment, Apr 6, 2002
1. WHEEL ALIGNMENT-VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT REQUIRING DRIVER TO OVER STEER TO THE LEFT TO KEEP VEHICLE WITHIN ITS LANE. WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED;PROBLE CORRECTED. 2. A/C SYSTEM-VEHICLE HAD APPROX 4500 MILES ONIT WHEN TRAVELING APPROX 50MPH A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM FRONT END, VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY HESITATED AND SHOOK. A/C SYSTEM THEN FAILED TO COOL PROPERLY. THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS WER MADE AND A/C STILL FAILED TO COOL PROPERLY. NOTIFIED MFG. FOR FINAL REPAIR ATTEMP. COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. UPON COMPLETION OF REPAIR, VEHICLE WAS RELEASED WITH A/C DRAIN TUBE RUBBING & DRAINING ON STEERING RACK BOOT, COOLANT RESERVOIR LEFT EMPTY, COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKING AND RIGHT FRONT DOOR BODY SEAL DAMAGED. 3. PULLEY SYSTEM-VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIPS 5 TIMES FOR ABNORMAL NOISES & VIBRATIONS FROM CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SYSTEM. TENSIONER PULLEY REPLACED TWICE, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY & ALTERNATOR BELT REPLACED X 1. NOTIFIED MFG. FOR FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT. CONDITION CONFIRMED. OUR VEHICLE WAS COMPARED TO LIKE VEHICLES, YEAR 2000 & 2002. MFG STATED "OUR VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." VEHICLE RELEASED WITH CONDITION UNREPAIRED & TRANSMISSION INOPERABLE IN D3, 2ND & 1ST DRIVE GEARS. PLEASE HELP! OUR VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN 1 YEAR OLD YET. IT ONLY HAS 13,500 MILES ON IT. 4. RIGHT/LEFT FRONT DOORS-VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE INTERNAL WIND NOISE @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNTIL BOTH FRONT DOOR WEATHER-STRIPS WERE REPLACED. 5. HOOD LATCH-COULD NOT OPEN HOOD ON VEHICLE TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AFTER REPLACEMENT OF A/C COMPRESSOR & CONDENSER. HAD TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE HOODLATCH REPLACED. 6. COOLANT SYSTEM-FLUID WAS DISSIPATING FROM COOLANT SYSTEM RESERVOIR. FOUR TIMES A HONDA REPRESENTITIVE HS STATED"IT'S NORMAL FOR ALL ODYSSEY'S TO DO THIS." FOUR REPAIR ATTEMPS WERE MADE BEFORE COOLANT LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED & RADIATOR HOSE WAS REPLACED. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, CLIPS WERE MISSING FROM BOTTOM SPLASH SHIELD. THIS LEFT SPLASH SHIELD LOOSE, VIBRATING & AT RISK
Structure, Mar 27, 2002
INTERMITTENTLY BOTH SLIDING DOORS FAIL TO OPEN. BOTH DOORS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED HONDA IS AWARE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A YEAR. NLMBOTH REAR SLIDING DOOR SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ALSO THE REAR SLIDING DOOR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG
Visibility, Feb 20, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF SOME MATERIAL OTHER THAN GLASS, WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSUMERS VISION TO BE OBSTRUCTED BY THE SCRATCHES.*AK *JG
Wheels, Feb 8, 2002
THERE WAS NO TIRE DAMAGE. DO NOT KNOW HOW WHEELS BECAME CRACKED. DO NOT KNOW OF ANY IMPACT DAMAGE THAT MAY OF CAUSED SUCH A PROBLEM. THE TIRES SHOW NO SIGNS OF ANY SIGNIFIVANT IMPACT. DEALER AND HONDA AMERICA CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO RE-IMBURSE ME FOR WHEELS, AND ALSO DECLINED TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH QUALITY OF THE WHEELS. I STILL HAVE BOTH WHEELS IF YOU NEED THEM TO BE LOOKED AT. I OBVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACE THEM. I REPLACED THEM WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRES ON THOSE WHEELS LOOSING AIR. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. *AK
Seat belts, Structure, Dec 21, 2001
SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT CORRECTLY. INSTEAD OF DOOR OPENING IT PRESSES FORWARD. *AK SEAT BELT REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE BELT CONTINUED TO COME OUT UNTIL MAXIMUM LENGTH AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WAS BROKE. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE.*YH
Structure, Dec 17, 2001
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT HAVE A SENSOR OR INDICATOR OR ANY TYPE OF REVERSE MECHANISM TO STOP DOOR FROM MOVING FORWARD WHILE PASSENGERS ARE ENTERING VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE PASSENGER TO BECOME INJURED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Equipment, Nov 28, 2001
HONDA MOTOR CO. (HONDA) SOLD ME AND EQUIPMENT WITH A NEW VEHICLE, THAT IF USED AS SUCH, WILL DAMAGE THE VEHICLE AND WILL CONSTITUTE HAZARD TO OTHERS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HONDA SOLD ODYSSEY - EX MINIVAN ALONG WITH A STANDARD PACKAGE THAT CONTAINED A ROOF RACK / CARRIER AMONG OTHER PERIPHERALS. I TRIED USING THE ROOF RACK / CARRIER AS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 15, 2001, THE LOAD THAT I CARIED ON THE ROOF SLIPPED AND ALMOST FELL OFF THE VEHICLE INSPISTE OF MY BEST EFFORT IN TYING THE LOAD ON THE SET OF TWIN RACKS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE SOFT UNDERNEATH OF THE LOAD THE VEHICLE ROOF WAS NOT DAMAGED DUE TO THE LOAD SLIDING OFF THE ROOF. I CONTACTED HONDA TO FIND OUT HOW BEST TO USE THE CARRIER RACK PROIVDED WITH THE VEHICLE. HONDA REPRESENTATIVE VERBALLY INFORMED ME THAT THE ROOF CARRIER / RACK AS ORIGINALLY PROVIDED WITH THE HONDA ODYSSEY - EX MINIVAN CAN NOT BE USED, BUT HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BASICALLY, MY COMPLAIN IS THAT HONDA SOLD ME AN EQUIPEMENT WITH THE NEW VEHICLE THAT IF USED AS SUCH WILL DAMAGE THE VEHICLE, THE LOAD WILL MOST LIKELY FALL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR OTHER DRIVING ON THE ROAD.