1996 Honda Odyssey: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 70 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (27% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cruising at 35 miles an hour down park boulevard without hitting any bumps the passenger airbag exploded. The explosion was so hard that it knocked down the rearview mirror, the glove compartment door, and caused damage to the windshield. I was so lucky not to have been hurt by flying debris or having my ear drums blowing out. Everyone I spoken to in the car service business has never heard of anything like this. An airbag exploding without impact or hitting a major bump. I had local ems come to check me out.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2021
“This is the second time that we have had an ignition switch failure on this 1996 honda odyssey. It will sometimes start, with some jiggling of the key, or will not start at all. It has cut out while driving, a dangerous situation, especially when carrying children. At this point, it will not start at all. How often do we need to replace this? Honda odysseys of this year were subject to recall for this very problem in australia, japan, and china. Why not here? China, in this instance, has more concern for safety than the obsessively safety-oriented usa.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. While the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the driver side air bag deployed independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,064.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was waiting in the left turn lane to make the turn, light turned green and when trying to make the turn, vehicle stalled suddenly without any notice or engine problems. A family member was present in the car when this happened. Have had engine stall after starting before and had the battery checked. No issues were noted with anything before this sudden stall in traffic. Have researched and found numerous similar complaints with honda vehicles and ignition switch problems with same results about vehicle stalling in traffic without any signs of the stalling about to occur. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Driving down the road engine just quit..ignition would not turn on any lights ,but radio would work had it towed 45 mikes back home. Honda knows about the problem on 97 accords bad ignition switch.had to pull off the road quick to keep from being rearended, hiway 252. *tt”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2011
“Honda odyssey lx 1996 would not start in a parking lot so I called for a towing service. Towing service tried to unlock engine using door lock trick and the engine started. Two days later the engine died while on the highway. I had to coast to an exit ramp, and it would not start at all after that. Modot truck stopped to check it out and recommended to have it towed. Vehicle was towed to honda dealer; said it was an ignition switch defect. *kb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
“Car was taken in for inspection and told that rear engine mounts need replaced at 71,000 miles. Told repair cost was $940 and not covered by warranty. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2011
“My 1996 honda odyssey died several times while stationary and/or driving, including one incident on the highway at high speed. I took it to aaa care plus, got spark plug, spark plug wire set, distributor replaced. It still stall frequently. After doing a google search learned that 1996 odyssey has problem. Other have also reported. Want to know what honda is doing about it as this model was recalled for same problem in china and europe. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the interstate and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. There were no warning lights before or after the failure occurred. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch caused the failure and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer has not been notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 197,000”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 honda odyssey. If the contact releases the key after placing it into the ignition, the vehicle shuts off. The dealer stated that the failure was her responsibility. The contact was informed that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The current and failure mileages were 145,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Odyssey by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Honda Odyssey reliable?
NHTSA has 70 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Honda Odyssey. The most complained-about area is air bags (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Honda Odyssey problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,469 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Honda Odyssey have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.