The Lemon Index2004 Honda Odyssey.
The 2004 Honda Odyssey is better than average by owner complaints: 95 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 72, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 13 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 585 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Odyssey year. 2004 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 78K to 141K miles on the car (431 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 88K–135K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 80K–158K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 59K–131K miles
Recalls 13
- 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
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 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 13 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 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY FAIL DUE TO CORROSION OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL.
- 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…
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 193 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Fuel pump connector
- Erratic and harsh shifting; malfunction indicator lamp (mil) comes on or d indicator blinks
- Pcm replacement
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
Dt: contact states vehicle is equipped with a safety device in the door to keep it from closing to stop injury, but nothing was designed for it when it is opening to stop from causing injury.
2004 Honda Odyssey owner · NHTSA complaint 10124299
More owner reports
Sliding door on the passenger's side opens by its by itself when the vehicle is standing still. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.
NHTSA complaint 10083639
A recall was issued for the transmission second gear set. Consumer stated that the dealer will not have the repair kit until november 28,2004.
NHTSA complaint 10092903
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Odyssey year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2004 Honda Odyssey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (18%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and doors, locks & latches (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Odyssey have?
13 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 2004 Honda Odyssey get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Odyssey problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 78,200 and 141,000 miles. The middle report was at 106,800 miles, from 431 complaints.
Does the 2004 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Honda Odyssey cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Honda Odyssey have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Odyssey year is better than the 2004?
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