Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
1997 Honda Odyssey: common problems and reliability
27 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 1997 Odyssey?The 1997 Honda Odyssey has 27 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and vehicle speed control.
Safety record for the 1997 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Honda Odyssey vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1997 a good year for the Odyssey?
Across the 30 Odyssey model years we track, complaint volume runs from 27 (1997) to 990 (2018). With 27 complaints, the 1997 Odyssey sits below the model's median of 307.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1997 Odyssey
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 02V120000ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 99V069000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
What owners say across generations
The sentiment is strongly positive regarding the Odyssey's core attributes of practicality, comfort, and long-term reliability, particularly for family transportation.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Odyssey. See the full Odyssey owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Odyssey listings typically run $13,397–$29,354.
Other Odyssey model years
Compare every Odyssey year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Odyssey against its rivals
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