2003 Honda Odyssey Reliability
The 2003 Honda Odyssey has 940 owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Odyssey model years (2001–2005), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Odyssey's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
940
NHTSA owner complaints
15
Recall campaigns
54
Complaints citing a crash
13
Complaints citing a fire
2003 Honda Odyssey complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 model year, filed between 2002 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 535 | 57% |
| Air bags | 137 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 82 | 9% |
| Engine & cooling | 44 | 5% |
| Body structure | 42 | 4% |
| Engine | 32 | 3% |
| Speed control / throttle | 30 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 27 | 3% |
2003 Honda Odyssey recalls
15 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2003 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03V014000 | Jan 16, 2003 | Fuel system — storage / tank assembly | On certain mini vans, some fuel tanks have surface imperfections that could allow fuel to leak from the tank. |
| 04V176000 | Apr 15, 2004 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission | On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear… |
| 12V573000 | Dec 11, 2012 | Electrical system — ignition / switch | Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the… |
| 13V412000 | Sep 19, 2013 | Air bags | Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to… |
| 14V353000 | Jun 20, 2014 | Air bags | American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline… |
| 14V700000 | Nov 4, 2014 | Air bags | American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles… |
| 15V045000 | Jan 28, 2015 | Air bags — frontal | Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag… |
| 15V320000 | May 28, 2015 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura… |
| 15V370000 | Jun 15, 2015 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid… |
| 15V563000 | Sep 4, 2015 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 28, 2002, to August 30, 2002. The affected vehicles were manufactured with the incorrect air bag modules, rendering the vehicles noncompliant with the… |
| 16V344000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that… |
| 18V268000 | Apr 26, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012… |
| 19V182000 | Mar 6, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic,… |
| 19V499000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008… |
| 19V501000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008… |
How the 2003 compares with nearby Odyssey years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Odyssey analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 629 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2002 | 972 | 10 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2003 (this page) | 940 | 15 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2004 | 585 | 13 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2005 | 829 | 9 | Body structure | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2003 Honda Odyssey
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 15 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2003 Honda Odyssey can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2003 Honda Odyssey reliability FAQ
Is the 2003 Honda Odyssey reliable?
The 2003 Honda Odyssey has 940 owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Odyssey model years (2001–2005), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Odyssey's typical year.
What are the most common 2003 Honda Odyssey problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Honda Odyssey are powertrain / transmission (535), air bags (137), electrical system (82), engine & cooling (44). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have recalls?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2003 Honda Odyssey, including 03V014000 (fuel system — storage / tank assembly) and 04V176000 (powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2003 Honda Odyssey compare with the 2002 and 2004 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2002 has 972 complaints and 10 recalls (avoid); the 2004 has 585 complaints and 13 recalls (avoid). The 2003 has 940 complaints and 15 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2003 Honda Odyssey?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Honda Odyssey research
Other Honda Odyssey model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2003 Odyssey, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.