Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 552 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Honda Odyssey, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 144 | 26% |
| Electrical system | 79 | 14% |
| Structure | 56 | 10% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 54 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 4% |
| Tires | 18 | 3% |
| Air bags | 14 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 2% |
| Seats | 10 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switc
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED TWO VEHICLES GOING 25 MPH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG RUPTURING AND SPRAYING METAL PE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000(AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED SCO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME IN MARCH/2020. I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL HONDA DEALER, AND CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RESPONSE THAT "NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE" A COMPANY THIS LARGE SHOULD HAVE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION BY N
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. HOFFMAN HONDA (40 ALBANY TURNPIKE, WEST
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THERE HAVE BEEN 2 RECALLS FOR MY 99 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE FIRST WAS ON TRANSMISSION A FEW YEARS BACK N NOW THERE IS ONE OPEN FOR MY AIRBAGS. WELL MY TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER FIXED BY HONDA. AND NOW I CAN'T GET THEM TO FIX MY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1999 Honda Odyssey. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly p
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1
ON 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.
Risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE DIMMER CONTROL FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAN FAIL.
Risk: AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND DISPLAYS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MULTIPLEX UNIT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVAN. THE SLIDING DOORS MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY LATCHED DOOR COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, A DOOR COULD OPEN COMPLETELY. AN UNRESTRAINED REAR SEAT PASSENGER COULD FALL OUT OF AN
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY ON ALL ODYSSEY MINVANS BUILT FROM DECEMBER 3, 1999 THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 1999. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,612 ODYSSEY MINIVANS THAT
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 68 | good |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 552 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 144 of them (26%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.