Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle was inspected, Vehicle is leaking fuel, but it's difficult to spot, but I have to put fuel on it daily, TCS goes haywire almost caused me to crash because the TCS sensors are near the tires, and engine crank sensor issues, Vehicle does not do last gear shift, and rear door stopped working.
1.starting in early July 2016, my Honda Odyssey began randomly accelerating on this own, without a human depressing the gas pedal. While in drive, the car accelerates on its own. 2.when this happens, I have to press extremely hard on the brake to get the vehicle to stop. Then, when I place the car in park, the RPM increases to between 5,ooo and 7,000. Again, this is without a human depressing the gas pedal. 3.this issue seems to occur when the air conditioning is turned on, and it feels like the cruise control system is taking over even though it's turned on. 4.this issue doesn't always happen immediately once the car is turned on. It sometimes takes a random amount of time to manifest itself while the car is being driven. 5.I've faced this issue at least 15 to 20 times over the past 2 months. …
Engine, suspension or unknown ?: three of the 4 motor mounts are broken and not supporting the engine. The one remaining motor mount is under extreme stress and can fail anytime. I have had two dealer service managers confirm this problem and both have said that they are not covered under any warranty or recall. Both have warned me that it is not safe to drive because if the last mount fails it could cause an accident. The condition of the roads and freeways make it very hard to avoid pot holes and I hold my breath every time I hit one to see if the motor is OK. Electrical: 1. After I had the air bags that were recalled replaced there is an electrical ?? Problem that turns the radio on and off (I can usually change it by beating on the steering wheel but that doesn't always work.) 2. Occasionally when I remove the key it continues to beep until I beat on the steering wheel. 3. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train), which experienced heat build-up between the counter shaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission. The vehicle began to move slowly when transitioning from second to third gears prior to the repair. Once the vehicle was repaired, the failure recurred and the vehicle began to jerk when in second gear when or while driving 22 MPH or higher. The vehicle would also emit a whining sound under the hood of the vehicle. The brake warning light, the pcs warning light, and the engine warning light illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed a second time and the vehicle would no longer receive a repair under the recall. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to increase in speed. Also, the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lindsay Honda (5959 scarborough blvd, columbus, oh 43232, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to roush Honda (100 w schrock rd, westerville, oh 43081, [phone]) who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also recommended replacing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the transmission was repaired in 2005. The manufacturer also provided case number: 05972285 and referred the contact to the local dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 193,000
I can take my key out of the ignition while in drive. Because of the setup of the shifter, and the short space between gears, it's not apparent that the car's not in park, and fairly common for me to remove the key while in drive. I've not had this problem with other cars. Several times I've taken the key out and the car started rolling a little before I stepped on the brake and put the key back in and shifted to park. About 4 or 5 weeks ago I parked at a strip mall in front of a store, and when I came back out my car was backed up against the car on the other side of the aisle, having rolled back about 15 feet. Fortunately there was no damage. Another time my wife went shopping and came out and the car had been in drive the whole time (about an hour) but fortunately the parking lot was flat.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate past 20 MPH when the accelerator pedal was initiated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000. Updated 05/11/15 the consumer stated the vehicle must be stopped completed then accelerated again or powered off then on again. The consumer has a recording of the failure. Updated 9/16/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 40 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started to violently shake and the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine service check, the technician noticed that the transmission and motor mount failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
After turned off ignition and stepped out of car while in store car rolled away across parking lot damaging another vehicle. This is in response to the article read on your site about the 2003 Honda Odyssey rolling away after car has been turned off and keys are removed from ignition.
Engine complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Honda Odyssey, 8% of the model year's 914 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Odyssey engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Honda Odyssey, though it has 15 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Odyssey engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.