Most common 1998 Honda Odyssey problems
Share of the 73 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda Odyssey complaints by model year
Best Odyssey years: 2017, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2025, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2002. Compare all years →
1998 Honda Odyssey recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
What 1998 Honda Odyssey owners say
Electrical system all 34 →
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact was able to turn the key to start the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.
The 1998 Honda Odyssey recall for ignition switch I don't believe included all VIN numbers affected. My van is having the exact issue for what is stated in the recall, yet my VIN does not show as a recall. When the switch is turned to the run position, the dash lights may or may not illuminate. Once the van is started, there is a 50/50 chance that the stops running because of the switch. I believe this is an issue that needs to be looked into. Has not been confirmed yet because we are awaiting service on the airbag recall to put the van into service.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The engine would randomly shut off in local streets or while driving low speeds, such as 25 MPH. The contact has not taken the vehicle to the dealer because she could not duplicate the failure. In one instance, the contact applied the parking brake, placed the vehicle in park, removed the key from the ignition, and exited the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly rolled backwards with her daughter inside the passenger compartment. The contact jumped back in the vehicle and slammed on the brakes. She later realized that even when the gear was placed in reverse, the key was still able to be removed from the ignition. She found a recall on the NHTSA website and called the manufacturer; however, they stated that the vehicle was not included. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 90,150.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was powered off and in park, the vehicle rolled away. The vehicle was stopped by applying the emergency brake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics and stated that they would have to look at the tumblers to find the cause for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 98,400.
Brakes
The contact's friend owns a 1998 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact's son added brake fluid to the vehicle; however, the brake fluid leaked out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,148.
Was in my daughters driveway in nesconset ny, I turned the key put in drive, the car revved, took off at full speed finally hitting a tree. Multiple injuries, taken to stony brook medical center. Nine weeks hospital and rehab.
1998 Honda Odyssey engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Honda Odyssey a good car?
Based on 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Odyssey rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Odyssey at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda Odyssey?
The electrical system — 34 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (14) and brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Odyssey have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Honda Odyssey, the most recent from January 17, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda Odyssey?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2019, 2018, 2020 and 2002. See the full Honda Odyssey years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Odyssey problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 141,000 miles; 4% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.