The 1998 Honda Odyssey has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,564,716 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0260002020-01-171,439,841 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer…
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.
Consequence
WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
SUSPENSION99V0690001999-05-10124,875 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
7
AIR BAGS
6
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
4
ENGINE
3
1crashes1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
1fires
Total complaints89
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The dealership refused to honor the recall for the ignition switch, the dealer stated they did not have the correct tools.*jb”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.…”
“The contact owns a 1998 honda odyssey. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that…”
“1998 honda odyssey. Consumer writes in regards to airbag inflator safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. The part necessary to complete the recall had not been available. *js”
“Recall 20v-026. A3877wc012823 received recall letter. Made appointment at dealership. Honda is unable to inspect or repair at this time. Waited 60 days. Now filing formal complaint with nhtsa. Do not want to be injured by the driver side airbag due to manufacturing issue. *tr”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Honda Odyssey as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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