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 2004 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine revved up high however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle and driving to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic nor a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
We were driving and was at a stop, when we went to go, our van wouldn't move. We shut it off then restarted it and it was ok for about a mile then started shaking a little & we could only go about 10 mph on a highway. We got home after it being off restarted it it goes into gear but won't go anywhere no warning lights came on at all we keep up on maintenance too.
I stopped behind a car waiting to merge from a parking lot to highway 193. The car ahead pulled out a little. Then apparently changing his mind, he backed up into me. I had not pulled forward, but he still totaled my car. Surprisingly, my airbags did not inflate. The collision bent my hood, cracked the grill, broke the bumper.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The alternator wires burned up and the transmission slipped, which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Originating in portland, or to l.a., california, our vacation was abruptly interrupted 30 miles north of bakersfield with some smoke coming out of our engine. We decided to pull over for safety and upon disembarking noticed from fluid dripping from the driver side area of the engine. We were towed to a Honda dealership in bakersfield and after spending the night came back the next morning to the dealer and was told that my transmission on my 2004 Honda Odyssey was out of commission and that it needed to be replaced. I have been a loyal customer of Honda since the 80's, as my other family members, and never had we experienced this type of catastrophic event(having to pay $4000.00 to replace the transmission) during our family vacation. …
On 8/25/2016 I took my 2004 Odyssey to anderson Honda at palo alto for normal oil change. After the work was done they showed me that the oil drain plug would not torque down to specs (just spins). The oil was leaking from the oil pan. Anderson Honda's service advisor denied that they over-torqued the plug. The mileage was only 67637, the plug had been taken off and put on for only about a dozen times and it's the original Honda part in very good condition. Before the oil change there was nothing wrong with my car and during the last time maintenance at another Honda dealer the car was checked with everything OK. On 8/29/2016 I took my car to victory Honda at san bruno to fix the problem. The oil pan was replaced. The old oil pan showed the screw in the oil pan was damaged by the steel plug. …
I had all major services at Honda dealer ( four wheels alignment at 95000 miles in 2012, timing bell at 100000 miles in 2012, oil transmission service at 109500 miles in 2013, alignment at 121000 in 2013). I bought extended warranty for 7 years or 100000 miles when I bought my car. During that time period and all services at Honda dealer they did not advise any thing. Today I brought my car for air bag recall, alignment and oil transmission service, they told me that I need to replace all three engine mount cost approximately $1380. I was shock because it too expensive. I can not understand why engine mounts easy to break. I went home researching online and surprising to discover that a lot of people had same problem. I think this engine mount defected or design problem cause engine mounts easy to break (normally need to replace over 200000 miles) and Honda needs to address this issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. While driving various speeds or while parked, the engine would suddenly rev to over 5,000 rpms. The vehicle accelerated without warning. When this occurred, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently unable to shift from park. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,000.
While driving my 2004 Honda Odyssey would completley stahl without any warning, just shut off.. I got the fuel relay replaced and it still stahled numerous times but started back up soon after.. Almost causing numerous accidents just stopping while driving.. Now my van has stahled and this time it will not restart. I have looked up recalls and found one that made sense for a 2004 Honda Odyssey for a fuel pump wire thst has corrosion causing the car to stahl. My vans VIN doesnt fall under this recall....???
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the relay pump failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also indicated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle would shake as the gears changed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.
Engine complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Honda Odyssey, 12% of the model year's 585 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Odyssey engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Honda Odyssey, though it has 13 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 2004 Honda Odyssey engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.