1997 Honda Odyssey

Summary:

It is a great vehicle when you can turn the key to start it

Faults:

The key will not turn to let me start the car. In March of 2013 I was unable to turn the key to start the car. I found out Honda had a recall for the ignition switch. The Honda dealer arranged to pick up the car and fixed it at no charge to me.

Today the key will not turn to start the car. Honda stated there is no recall for this car today. This is the one and only problem I have ever had with this car. The key not turning to start the car. It has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever driven, but you cannot drive it if the key does not turn to start the car.

General Comments:

Very smooth driving, and lots of room with two back seats. Four doors and hatchback making it easy to load and unload groceries and passengers.

Also has a separate air conditioning vent that can be turned on and off and set separate from the back seat, for the back seats.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th February, 2016

11th Oct 2018, 20:13

The ignition switch is the weakness on this model. Easy, a $37 item and a 45 minute fix (don't try to rebuild it like I did -- not worth it). To prevent this, don't have a ton of stuff on your key chain.

1997 Honda Odyssey 4 cylinder

Faults:

Needs wheel bearings replaced. Starting to slow down.

General Comments:

Have had this van back and forth to Ky three times, a total of 800 plus miles each trip, and it did great.

Does need the front and back wheel bearings replaced. And it's starting to use oil.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th December, 2014

14th Dec 2014, 03:51

330,000 miles. Says it all :)

1997 Honda Odyssey LX

Summary:

Awesome reliability

Faults:

This car has been extremely reliable. Except for the ignition switch that was a recall item and repaired for free at the dealer, we have not had to "fix" anything other than routine maintenance, timing belt and brakes. Awesome!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2009

1997 Honda Odyssey LX

Summary:

Best car I have ever owned

Faults:

Heater temperature control knob broke off at 150,000 (my fault).

Left arm rest plastic in door broken due to overuse.

Door locks sometimes click when locked and parked. Weird, but no problem.

General Comments:

Versatile. Have used this vehicle for family of five. Have camped in it. Made long trips cross-country. Hauls 5 people plus gear up to mountain to ski.

Handles very well in snow with chains on goes where 4X4 won't. Pacific Northwest owned.

Cabin noise high but tolerable. Not a luxury car.

Maintenance costs very low. Have performed regular maintenance including transmission fluid changes done by dealer. Expensive but avoids transmission failures.

Tow an 800 lbs boat rig all over the place.

Great for trips to Costco. Lots of room for cargo.

Too versatile to get rid of. There is no replacement vehicle on market. Still worth $4500.00.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th September, 2009

1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4 cylinder

Summary:

I would buy it again

Faults:

Both axleshafts, at around 150,000 miles.

Oil seal o-ring (on oil filter mounting), due to poor design.

Front wheel bearing, at 150,000.

Thermostat, at 110,000.

EGR needed cleaning, at 145,000.

General Comments:

A good, basic car! It lacks some power, and I dislike Honda's use of mechanical lifters (which need adjustment or they clack), but it's a good car. Cheap interior, lots of road noise, and flexible seating is great for converting between 7-passenger, or hauling stuff without removing any seats.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th October, 2008

1997 Honda Odyssey EX

Summary:

Great Car!

Faults:

No Problems at all. Just got the brakes done after 60K along with regular maintainance checks.

General Comments:

If you have problems with the Honda Odyssey. It's your own fault. and this car hasn't been garage kept since 2003, and it drives like brand new. I will continue to buy Honda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th July, 2006

1997 Honda Odyssey EX

Summary:

Nice minivan with problems

Faults:

I have a 1997 Honda Odyssey EX since 1997.

One of the Rear Auto Door Locks often makes clicking noise. But since last week, it makes loud "Z" noise.

Also at 90,000 miles a balancer seal blew off and ruined timing belt and all other belts with engine oil.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th June, 2006

12th Jun 2006, 10:10

Something tells me that replacing the timing belt would have fixed this problem before it happened; or maybe driving it crazy made it happen. In the world of engines, things also can just wear out, on any car, no matter what make it is.

1st Jul 2006, 23:38

The "Zzz" whine sound from your door lock is most likely the electric door lock actuator. There is a pinion gear that drives a rack gear back and forth to move the lock up and down, depending upon the polarity of the voltage applied to the actuator. At each end of the rack gear there is a little rubber bumper stop. If that rubber bumper stop wears out or gets displaced, the rack gear will move beyond its limit, and the pinion will spin past the end of the rack. The Zzzz sound you hear is the pinion gear grinding away at the teeth off the end of the rack gear.

You have two solutions:

(1) Replace the door lock actuator. You can buy a genuine Honda replacement part for about $113 (if you shop around) and install it yourself, but it's sort of a pain to do, and it takes quite a bit of patience to remove the door panel, handles, latch, etc. You might just want to have a dealer do it for you.

(2) If you are a hard-core do-it-yourselfer, you can remove the failing actuator, open that little guy up, and using some RTV silicone, you can "cast" or "mold" a replacement rubber bumper stop to keep that rack gear within limits. (Make sure you let the silicone set up for several hours, so that it's good and hard before you test the actuator.) This is actually a very good solution that can be accomplished for a $5 tube of silicone and an afternoon of patient putzing.

Good luck!

2nd Nov 2011, 19:35

There was a balance shaft seal recall if that helps. Honda should replace everything for free.

1997 Honda Odyssey LX 2.2 LITER 4 CYLINDER

Summary:

For mature adults in an urban environment, a smart choice

Faults:

The front power windows are slow, but still functional. Otherwise, there have been no problems with the car. It lives in San Francisco where there are many hills and stop and go driving, but the car has only required routine maintenance: new front brakes and tires at 70km timing belt at 75k, oil changes every 3,500 miles and 2 comprehensive tune ups. We are still driving with the original battery, rear brake pads, wiper blades and lights. The interior is in fine shape considering we have 3 dogs.

General Comments:

This car is a perfect compromise for city living. It fits into a standard car space, is maneuverable and reasonable on gas mileage. Having four doors with operable windows and a sunroof is a bonus for northern California where fresh air is the air conditioning. The trade off is a lackluster and somewhat noisy engine, a small storage area behind the 3rd seat and poor leg room for the 3rd seat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th November, 2002