The Lemon Index2003 Honda Odyssey.
The 2003 Honda Odyssey is about average by owner complaints: 122 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 97, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Honda Odyssey year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 914 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Odyssey year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 77K to 130K miles on the car (715 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 79K–125K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 96K–151K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 97K–154K miles
Recalls 15
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
Show all 15 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles were manufactured with the incorrect air bag modules, rendering the vehicles noncompliant with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protectio…
- airbags 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury…
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- airbags 2015
Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
- airbags 2014
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 200…
- airbags 2013
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 deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- electrical 2012
The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
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 LEADIN…
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, SOME FUEL TANKS HAVE SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS THAT COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 310 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- V6 engine oil leaks
- Digital photos of engine oil leak
- Install the shift lock release slot cover correctly
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedInadvertent air bag deployment2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2003 Honda Odyssey vehicle quality and vehicle service**
2003 Honda Odyssey owner · NHTSA complaint 10177498
More owner reports
On 02/10/03 while merging onto the highway, the engine lost power and would not accelerate. The dealer stated the speed sensor had failed.
NHTSA complaint 10017892
Inappropriate gear shifts and increases in revs regardless of throttle position. Discovered transmission recall and had inspection and lubrication mods made. Van still displays revs surges and inappropriate up and down shifting.
NHTSA complaint 10078644
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Honda Odyssey reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 97; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Odyssey year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2003 Honda Odyssey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (35%), engine (11%) and speed control (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Honda Odyssey get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Odyssey problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 77,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 102,000 miles, from 715 complaints.
Does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 35% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Honda Odyssey cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Odyssey year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2013 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works