8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$690
Average Mileage:
122,350 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace ignition switch (3 reports)
  3. replace main fuel pump relay (2 reports)
  4. bring to Honda dealer for ignition switch recall (1 reports)
  5. Honda dealer unable to reproduce the problem (1 reports)
  6. honda spervice believes the cause was a short in the battery (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.

problem #13

Oct 182012

Odyssey LX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,538 miles

My 1999 Honda Odyssey has stalled while I was driving for the last 10 years. If I let it sit for couple days, then I could start it back up and it would run for a day. Sometimes I could run for two days and it would stall again. Sometimes it ran for an hour or sometimes it ran two hours then stall again. I sometimes could start it back up in 4, 5, or 6 hrs. Sometimes I had to wait for couple days to start it again.

I have replaced the original engine with a used engine, but I still have had the same problem. I brought it to Brand Honda dealer in Tampa, Florida for them to test it. They said that their test showed #5 cylinder lost pressure. They suggested that I need a new engine to solve the problem. They charge me $360.00 for the test. The total cost to put in a rebuilt engine was $5,400.00.

I did not replace the engine because I did not believe that losing pressure on cylinder #5 would cause the van to stall while driving. They I also replaced a new fuel pump. I don't think the fuel pump is the problem either. If you in the market to purchase a new car, new van, or new truck, buy Toyota. I have 2000 Toyota Tacoma, manual transmission. it has 563,000 miles on it now. It still runs well. I plan to keep it for another 15 years because I will retire in 15 years. DO NOT BUY HONDA. They suck.

- Du N., Apollo Beach, FL, US

problem #12

Jun 202018

Odyssey ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,329 miles

Having your engine stop while driving is quite dangerous and should not happen. Especially since a few months ago I had I used Honda Service to fix a problem with my cruise control, which was behaving in the same way - that is, it stopped working while I was driving and then came back later in the drive.

Update from Jun 21, 2018: There might be a causal relationship with from the engine as it happened on a hot day after the car had been sitting in the sun. The engine heat indicator did not show any overheating.

- Bruce J., Ashland, US

problem #11

Oct 242015

Odyssey EX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,000 miles

Over the past 2+ months, 7 or 8 times, without warning, while driving (45-55 mph) my 1999 Honda Odyssey's engine cut out. Dead. Terrorizing particularly the last time, 10-24-2015 on a busy rural road in the pitch dark of night. Restarting took dozens of panic'd tries & when successful, the engine quit another 30 feet later with no juice enough to roll onto the shoulder again. Took 4 min of retries to get off the road. Found online that this problem was a Honda Recall issue in 2002- faulty ignition switch. Discovered our used 1999 Honda already had the switch replaced in that recall. I called Honda of America who said they'd cover the cost if that was the problem again based on the diagnostic test. (Thanks Honda!) I called the Honda Dealership with the BEST online reviews (100 of them & absolutely amazing customer feedback!)- Lehigh Valley Honda, Emmaus, PA and within 24 hrs of that call they tested, diagnosed, and replaced the switch.They will file the required claim for payment based on the 2002 recall & my Honda's test results with HOA. The culmination of those many terrifying engine-quitting events of 2 months could not have had a more satisfactory end than the superb, professional service shown us by the staff and technicians at Lehigh Valley Honda and the compassion of the Honda of America Headquarters woman who took my call in allowing for the 2nd switch replacement. I'm so happy to be posting a 100% positive outcome here:)

- hondafan, Saylorsburg, PA, US

problem #10

Jul 182014

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

The engine shutdown while driving. It is happening for last couple of months, 3-4 times a month, the Honda dealer has checked it twice, but cannot reproduce.

I am really frustrated that Honda does not acknowledge that this problem exists. Keep away from Honda Odyssey, if they can't fix this who can.

In addition to engine shutdown, this van had its transmission rebuilt ($5000). I think it's not worth buying a Honda products anymore.

I saw similar issues being reported for Accord. Looks like keep away from this brand.

- D N., San Jose, CA, US

problem #9

Jan 092013

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 186,411 miles

My car would stop every few months, and more often recently. After car stopped I'd restart it and it would go for another period of time. No error reports on computer. One garage cleaned battery terminals. Another replaced fuel pump. I'm not sure if the latter fixed it. It may have stopped again and restarted on its own.

One thought, there is a problem with the key in the ignition, I started the car and with little pressure, was able to turn the key CCW and the car stalled. I tried several more times but could not duplicate it. My feeling is that the key moves in the ignition and breaks contact, stalling the car.

Update from Sep 19, 2013: Found a recall notice for '99 Odysseys - http://www.automobilemag.com/am/99/1999/honda/odyssey/lx_minivan/1067/recalls.html

Ignition switch gets worn and car could stall. Honda dealer should fix. 2002 recall notice.

- Daryl S., Vancouver, BC, canada

problem #8

Aug 212009

Odyssey LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,337 miles

..IF YOU EXPERIENCE THIS, THE FIRST TIME, MY SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY, IT WILL STALL ON YOU ANYTIME WHILE TRAVELING.

- Gene D., North York, Ontario, canada

problem #7

Mar 152010

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,560 miles

1999 Honda Odyssey ex 56k engine begins stalling randomly but would restart again. Once at 40mpg the engine stalled. I panicked and hit the gas and low and behold it surge forward and ran. Took into dealership who said it was the ignition switch that needed to be replaced. They said I would have to pay for it since it was the "2nd" switch failure and they only cover one replace. Wrong, that's not gonna happen. I went on the internet and researched the problem. Found this happens to a huge number of owners. I told them I wasn't going to pay since it was a recall problem in 2002 and was still a problem part now. Replaced no charge.

Update from May 26, 2010: Ignition switch replaced. So far things are goung well. The experience with the dealership was absolutly horrible. The Honda dealer in Arden NC.

- andysmom, Hendersonville, NC, US

problem #6

May 152009

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Long story short, we kept noticing the car stalling. This didn't seem like too big of a deal because it initially did it while we were at idle. We just figured that we had some cheap gas. The next thing you know, it's completely shutting down on the freeway while we're doing 70.

As I said, long story short, the ignition completely caught fire. So, it was an apparent short in it.

- Jamey M., Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #5

Feb 092010

Odyssey LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 212 miles

This stalling and restarting problem has been intermittent for about 3 months now. I am usually on the expressway when it happens. I called the dealership and they said they have recalled my starter 2 times and replaced it and they won't again without charging me. I am taking it to a technical center to have it fixed as I do not have the funds to take it to the dealership. Honda service sure sucks these days. Long gone is great service that they once had. This will be the last Honda that I buy. This has been the only car I have ever driven. Not anymore. I do have the brake problem as well and have had for years.

- jingle, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #4

Aug 082009

Odyssey ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

This part is hard to diagnose since it makes you think it is the fuel pump or the ignition switch. The first time my car died on me it made a real loud clicking noise to where I thought I had major problems. But to my surprise my car started right back up with no problem. It died periodically on me off and on for the following 6 months mainly when I was traveling on neighborhood roads or taking off from a red light. Finally one day it died on me and I thought ok lets start it right back up...but this time it took many tries to get my car running. I drive an hour to work every day so I knew I finally had to deal with the problem. This is when I started talking to people about my problem and I realized that my car died on me after it got hot. So I knew it wasnt the fuel pump. I also knew it wasnt vapor lock b/c my car ws too new. I even went to Auto Zone to have then Diagnose the problem and all they could tell me was that it might be a sensor. Finally a friend of mine who works on hondas told me it had to be the main fuel pump relay b/c that was an issue with hondas. Sure enough I did my research and that is what it was. Bought it striaght from Honda and it is cheaper. Its basically a big fuse that goes in under the steering wheel. Without this part you are stuck!

- Laura E., Houston, TX, US

problem #3

Jul 242009

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

The vehicle is my wife's and the stalling problem has been happening for the last 6 months or so. We had my wifes brother who use to be a mechanic to take a look at it. He replaced the ignition switch and we replaced the transmission as well. We also the replaced the fuel pump. I first witnessed the stalling this morning when driving on the highway at about 55 mph. The wife was driving(she didn't want me to be driving when/if this happened). The power just quit...the air went off and it was like all the electrical stuff just went out. The wife shifted the van into neutral and restarted it and it ran fine the rest of the morning. The wife has said it happens randomly. Sometimes it would start by itself...she didn't have to restart it. It really sounds like some electrical type problem. Could it be the darn starter again...or some other wiring? The dreaded computer? Our vehicle was also made in Canada and I remember we had to wait several months to get this vehicle. We looked into the new Cash for Clunkers program and find out the the fuel economy was listed as 19 mpg so this model is not available for the program. A later model 2001...is available for the program...

- deffertz, Prior Lake, MN, US

problem #2

Apr 012007

(reported on)

Odyssey LX 3.8L V6 VTEC

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

My Honda Odyssey would stall and kill engine while underway at highway speeds... VERY DANGEROUS. Also, very random. Very hard to duplicate or mechanics. After several incidents and many mechanics checking it out, it was researched that 1999 Odyssey had a bad ignition and related wiring. The problem is that my Honda was a CANADIAN HONDA. Apparently, there IS a difference, and Honda America wouldn't stand behind the vehicle. Luckily, after several hours of research and waiting, my local HONDA dealer was able to replace it under a recall FREE. That was the only repair to that Honda that was FREE... The transmission and catalytic converter have gone now at 126,000 miles, and I have no choice but to liquidate the vehicle, after taking a $7000+ loss and a bad credit hit. Thanks, Honda... Your CANADIAN cars SUCK! Don't believe what they tell you... There are bad Hondas.

- Bryan J., East Sandwich, MA, US

problem #1

Mar 082009

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Driving down the highway, the minivan stalls going 70MPH and then starts up again automatically. The only way I can tell it has stalled is I see the odometer go to zero and then back up again. I lose power in the accelerator temporarily until it starts back up again on its own. It is a bit concerning (to say the least). It has happened about once a week on the highway. Then recently, it stalled in a supermarket parking lot going about 10 mph and did NOT restart automatically. I parked and restarted it with no problem. I saw that the ignition switch was recalled a long time ago and was replaced in 2002 with about 67k miles on it. It now has 150k miles on it. Should the ignition switch be the problem again?

Update from Jul 23, 2009: UPDATE: Honda replaced the ignition switch and all is fine now. But they made me pay for the whole thing stating it was already replaced and the amount of miles on this replaced one was enough to warrant a replacement.

- tozer, San Diego, CA, US