Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 13× a quiet Odyssey year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Honda Odyssey were filed between 88k and 136k miles. You're at 111,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Odyssey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 111,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 221 (38%) | 88k–136k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 111 (19%) | 80k–158k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 70 (12%) | 81k–132k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 55 (9%) | 61k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 53 (9%) | 84k–165k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 24 (4%) | 45k–148k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 23 (4%) | 34k–159k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 22 (4%) | 96k–175k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 18 (3%) | 24k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (1%) | 34k–126k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Latches and locks | 24 (4%) | 34k–106k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 14 (2%) | 16k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (2%) | 8k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 12 (2%) | 41k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 111,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 585 complaints: 41 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 41 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Driving with family on busy highway on mother's day 2010. Complete transmission failure on our 2004 Honda odyssey minivan.
I purchased a new 2004 Honda odyssey in the fall of 2003. About a year later, there was a recall & the transmission was replaced with a new one.
The transmission is completely shot on this 2004 Honda odyssey. No warning signs at all. $3000+ worth of repairs.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 111,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Honda Odyssey: 13
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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
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. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
On certain minivans, the fuel pump may fail due to corrosion of an electrical terminal. If the pump stops working, eht engine will stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
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 breakage. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 42
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
PCM replacement for erratic or harsh shifting
Troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P1456 and P1457
Electrical noise (Interference) generated by the vehicle may inadvertently cause some or all of the vehicle s airbags to deploy
Honda bulletin 15-013 safety recall: SRS unit has been updated to clarify and emphasize important details
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
Neighbouring years
2003 Odyssey: 914 complaints, consider selling · 2005 Odyssey: 830 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda Odyssey year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Odyssey years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 13× a quiet Odyssey year. At 111,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Honda Odyssey were filed between 88k and 136k miles. You're at 111,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (221), air bags (111), engine (70), body structure (55), electrical system (53). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 88k–136k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Odyssey have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-501), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-499), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-182), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-268) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.