Worst 1998 Honda Odyssey Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Honda Odyssey.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 13 | — | — | 116,138 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 | — | 1 | 177,132 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 9 | — | — | 113,055 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 7 | — | — | 123,667 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 6 | 1 | — | 54,500 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 4 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE | 3 | 1 | 1 | 129,667 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 | — | — | 198,549 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | 1 | — | 169,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 | — | 1 | 140,500 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 | — | — | — | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY | 2 | — | — | 59,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES | 1 | — | 1 | 164,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | — | — | 89,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 1 | — | — | 90,150 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 | — | — | 126,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | — | 169,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 | — | — | 169,148 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 | — | — | — |
Recalls for 1998 Honda Odyssey
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,439,841 vehicles.
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 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Other Honda Odyssey Years
Wider context: See the full Honda Odyssey reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Honda Odyssey
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99