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2004 Honda Odyssey Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Honda Odyssey has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Driver seat bracket fracture.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Honda Odyssey.

Reported to NHTSA

Driver seat bracket fracture

SEATS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2021-02

“OUR 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE FROM THE BRACKET. THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE BRACKET BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO START TILTING AND WOBBLING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11221920
“THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL OF A SUDDEN ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AND IS NOT STABLE. I REMOVED THE SIDE PANEL AND COULD SEE THE METAL BRACKET THAT IS RIVETED TO THE SEAT HOLDING FRAME BROKE - METAL ACTUALLY CRACKED ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM STARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10960189
“BRACKET HOLDING SEAT TO BODY OF VEHICLE SNAPPED. APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING THE SEAT TO SUDDENLY JERK AND FALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11299210

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key stuck, hard to turn or removable

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2023-01

“THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT BEING IN PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10882895
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO ENTER AND REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705294
“CANNOT PUT KEY IN IGNITION FULLY AND/OR CANNOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION TO START CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033408

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Peeling paint

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2017-06

“PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF IN BIG PATCHES DOWN TO THE BARE METAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10945464
“PAINT IS PEELING OVER THE WHOLE BODY OF THE CAR. *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10608842
“PAINT BEGAN PEELING SOMETIME BUT NOT NOTICEABLY UNTIL A YEAR AGO. WHEN SERVICED AT A HONDA DEALER, THEY SHRUGGED AND SAID THEY DIDN'T HANDLE PAINT. THE DAMAGE HAS INCREASED GREATLY (SEE PHOTOS) AND RUST IS BEGINNING TO BE VISIBLE. THE PAINT FLAKES OFF WHILE I DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992958

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure or loss of drive while driving

POWER TRAIN

40 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2022-08

“TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURED WHEN DRIVING IN RT 5 FREEWAY PAST GLENDALE AND 134 JUNCTION, CAR WAS RUNNING IN ABOUT 60 MILES SPEED AND CAME ABRUPT STOP (LOSS OF DRIVE/PULL IN A VERY DANGEROUS WAY). MANAGED TO PUSH IT TO BREAKDOWN LANE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373264
“I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STATE ROUTE 22 BETWEEN ALTOONA PA AND EBENSBURG PA WHEN I EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THE INABILITY TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10608050
“2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING A RECENT TRIP. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOST POWER(SPEED) WHILE TRAVELING. *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RPM'S INCREASED RAPIDLY AND SMOKE STARTING EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638926

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag recall repair parts unavailable or delayed

AIR BAGS

47 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2023-07

“TAKATA INFLATOR PASSENGER SIDE RECALL, PART NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATE ON TIME FOR PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883721
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V045000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10735537
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V045000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10860177

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

SRS air bag warning light illuminated

AIR BAGS

23 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2025-06

“THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON INDISCRIMINATELY. CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAG AND SAFETY RELATING TO IT. IT COULD HAPPEN DRIVING OR WHILE ITS STATIONARY. SECONDLY THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. FUEL SYSTEM LEAK ACCORDING TO A TECH. HE SAID IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926322
“SRS light is on, diagnostic test done at Honda Dealer ($149.00), drivers seat belt buckle was at fault, Dealer ordered part and to install at no cost to me. Light would come on for a week or two maybe longer when vehicle was started”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487039
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000, 15V320000, 15V045000 (AIR BAGS) AND 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903852

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Acceleration without throttle input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2026-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED GEARS TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810508
“I WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME. WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY IN THE SPOT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR PLUNGED FORWARD GOING OVER THE CONCRETE BARRIER AND INTO A POLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THANKFULLY EVERYONE WAS OK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864206
“2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH INSTANCES OCCURRED, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED A BUILDING WALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10649150

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment without collision

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2026-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THREE MINUTES LATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10761010
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH HER VEHICLE INTO A UTILITY POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10749462
“The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the driver-side front air bag deploy on its own without any impact, causing the contact to drive off the road and struck a tree and causing damages to the front end of the vehicle. No one was injured”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11505893

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

167 crashes 1990–2024

How the 167 occupant deaths break down

100

driver deaths

67

passenger deaths

167

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

41

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Honda Odyssey reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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