Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 973 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda Odyssey, and it carries 10 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 | 560 | 58% |
| Air bags | 79 | 8% |
| Structure | 37 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 16 | 2% |
| Tires | 13 | 1% |
| Suspension | 13 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The van completely shuts down no matter where I am. When I try to turn it back on the green key light DOES NOT appear on the dash. The van will still crank but will not turn over. Until the green key light appears on the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was involved in a traffic collision on December 15, 2023. The California DMV requires a brake and light inspection for a salvage retention reregistration of my car. After going to two brake and light shops they will no
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the power seat lifted inadvertently while accelerating and when the brake pedal was depressed, the front corner of the seat we
NHTSA complaint: Seats
SRS light stays on. According to my mechanic, it is a SRS fault 1-1 which is a resistance issue at assembly, not the coil.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000(Air Bags) and 15V320000(Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list becaus
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I've noticed that while driving the vehicle maintains speed/accelerate (without gas pedal pressed, and with cruise control off). I have to constantly fight the vehicle's constant acceleration with brakes. While idling
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Defender XT, Tire Size: 225/60R16, DOT Number: AP3V047X. The contact stated while replacing the driver's and passenger's side front tires, th
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that he ha
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV
Risk: 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 dea
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer servic
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-213
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda
| Reliability raw | 39 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| 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 973 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 560 of them (58%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 39/100 (below 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 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 57/100. 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.