2002 Honda Odyssey Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
WHEN I WENT TO FL I WAS GOING 80 MILES AN HOUR AND I KEPT HEARING A NOISE I STOPPED AND SAW THAT MY MUD GUARD, FENDER, AND BUMPER WERE LOOSE AND THE MUD GUARD WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND. I ONLY HAD 126,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, THEN I KEEP IT MAINTAINED AND DO NOT KNOW WHY THESE PARTS WERE FALLING APART. I WAS TOLD THE CLIPS FELL OUT. I GUESS THE WIND FROM DRIVING 80 MILES AN HR BLEW IT APART. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THAT FRAGILE. I SAW THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, I NOW HAVE 128,000 MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *CN
HONDA ODYSSEY 2002 MINIVAN, PROBLEM WITH REAR SLIDING DOORS ON MINIVAN WHERE DOOR IS OPENING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. INFANT SEAT IS BUCKLED INTO SECOND ROW SEAT ADJACENT TO DOOR, CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH DRIVING VEHICLE WITH UNRELIABLE DOOR OPENING WHILE MOVING. AFTER STOPPING VEHICLE AND MANUALLY CLOSING DOOR, NOTED THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING AS EXPECTED AND UNABLE TO LOCK PROBLEM DOOR TO PREVENT DOOR FROM RE-OPENING. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ENTIRELY. DRIVING WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT AND THE DOOR OPENED. PULLED OVER AND I TRIED TO CLOSE DOOR BUT DID NOT ENTIRELY CLOSE. LOCKED WITH MANUAL BUTTON BUT STILL OPENED. I SCHEDULED WITH DEALERSHIP AFTER WEEKEND TO CHECK IT OUT AND WAS TOLD NEEDED LATCH ASSEMBLY KIT. THEY DIDN'T STATE WHY A NEW LATCH WAS NEEDED BUT HAD REPLACED AND TOTAL LABOR AND PART COST $303.00!! NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF DOORS OPENING/ NOT CLOSING PROPERLY ON THIS MAKE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CLOSED WHILE A PASSENGER'S HAND WAS IN THE DOOR PATH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO REOPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE PASSENGER'S FINGER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE FINGER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,437.
OUR VAN CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR STRUTS HAVE FAILED SO THE REAR DOOR DOES NOT STAY UP. *KB
THE MANUAL SLIDING DOORS FOR THE REAR SEATS OF OUR 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY STOPPED CLOSING SECURELY SO WE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RED LIGHTS ON THE PANEL AND THE INABILITY TO CLOSE THE DOOR TIGHTLY CAUSE PARENTS DRIVING CHILDREN QUITE A BIT OF ANXIETY. INTERNET CHAT ROOMS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
YESTERDAY (2/1/08), ODOMETERS READ APPROXIMATELY 41,000. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR REFUSES TO LATCH CLOSE. AFTER OPEN AND CLOSING SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY A HARD PUSH AFTER THE LAST CLOSE, THE DOOR LATCHES CLOSE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES THE WHOLE DAY. TODAY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH TWO SMALL CHILD'S. THE DOOR WON'T LATCH & CAR WON'T LOCK A CALL TO HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, GOT THE ANSWER THERE'S NO RECALL ON THE 2002 ODYSSEY REGARDING THE SLIDING DOOR. WHEN ASK IF 2008 MODEL HAS ALL THE BUGS FIXED, ANSWER WAS "WHAT CAN AMERICAN HONDA DO FOR YOU". YOU SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP. I ANSWER THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, THANKS. *TR
2002 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN - BACK SLIDING DOORS STICK... CAN'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE BACK SLIDING DOORS HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE SOMETHING IS IN THE GROOVE, NEVER SMOOTH. AT TIMES, THEY ARE STUCK CLOSED OR STUCK OPEN. MY KIDS OFTEN HAVE HAD TO CLIMB TO THE FRONT OR THE REAR DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE VAN. IN READING ABOUT SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED BY HONDA SO THAT NO CHILD IS EVER STUCK IN THE CAR TRYING TO GET OUT. PANIC STRICKEN CHILDREN OR PARENTS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FLEE FROM DANGER SHOULD SOMETHING OCCUR. *TR
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES BOTH OF THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY FREEZE AND WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EACH COLD MORNING, THEY NEED TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS AND PROCEED TO THE MIDDLE AND LAST SEATS IN THE VAN. I HAVE EVEN INSTALLED A REMOTE STARTER, SO I CAN HAVE THE CAR RUNNING TRYING TO HEAT UP THE INSIDE FOR 20 MINUTES OR SO. THIS RUNNING OF THE CAR STILL DOES NOT HELP THE SITUATION. WHEN THE CHILDREN EXIT THE VEHICLE, THEY MUST EXIT IN THE REVERSE MANNER WHEN WE GET TO SCHOOL. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT THAT WE ALL NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY FOR AN EMERGENCY. THIS SITUATION OF THE DOORS FREEZING HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER OF 2002, I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, ALL THEY DID WAS ADD SOME SILICONE SPRAY TO THE SIDES OF HE DOORS AND THE SEALS/GASKETS AROUND THE DOORS. I PARK OUTSIDE EVERY DAY IN THE ELEMENTS OF THE WINTER MONTHS IN CHICAGO AND WHEN THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER, OF COURSE, IT WAS INDOORS, AND THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE FREEZING DOOR SITUATION. IN CHECKING WITH CARSTATS.COM, IT APPEARS THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET INJURED. RIGHT NOW IT HAS JUST BEEN A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE TO ME AND MY CHILDREN AS THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING (WITH OR WITHOUT FREEZING RAIN). NO HERE IS IT DECEMBER 2007, FIVE YEARS LATER, AND I NOW OWN THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. OF COURSE THERE IS NO MORE WARRANTY, AND I REFUSE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I HAD A 1994 VOYAGER AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO THAT VAN. I AM JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED AT THIS DOOR FREEZING SITUATION EVERY WINTER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. *TR
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN. THE METAL HINGES ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR DO A TERRIBLE JOB AT KEEPING THE DOORS OPEN. A SLIGHT GUST OF WIND OR IF THE CAR IS ON AN INCLINE, THE DOORS WILL SLAM SHUT ON THEIR OWN. I BROKE A WATCH BAND AND WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO SEVERELY INJURE MY WRIST ONE TIME. IT PROBABLY CLOSED ON MY SHINS BEFORE THAT. I WON'T LET MY CHILDREN NEAR THE FRONT DOORS WHEN THEY ARE OPEN, FOR FEAR OF SEVERE INJURY TO SOME BODY PART BEING SLAMMED INTO THE DOOR. I MAKE A POINT TO HAVE MY WHOLE BODY LEANING ON THE DOOR IF IT NEEDS TO STAY OPEN FOR SOME PURPOSE NOW. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED TO RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOM, BUT SAID THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BET OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN ANOTHER CAR THAT I WAS AFRAID THE FRONT DOOR WOULD SLAM SHUT ON ME - WITHOUT WARNING - BEFORE THIS. THANK YOU - MIKKI BATES. *JB
STRUTS ON MY HATCH FOR MY 2002 ODYESSY FAILED. HATCH FELL AND HIT ME ON THE HEAD. *NM
HIGH HEAT CONDITIONS CAUSES THE REAR PLASTIC CAPS OF THE LUGGAGE RACK TO WEAKEN AND BLOW OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 2ND TIME THE CAPS HAVE BLOWN OFF. HAZARD FOR VEHICLE'S BEHIND. *NM
THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS CONTINUALLY AND SPORADICALLY: 1 WON'T OPEN MANUALLY OR USING THE KEY, TRAPPING PERSON INSIDE 2. WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY USING EITHER METHOD, CAUSING A MOVING HAZARD 3. DOES NOT "SENSE" WHEN SOMETHING IS OBSTRUCTING THE PATHWAY (EX: MY HAND) SO DOES NOT STOP, CAUSING AN INJURY HAZARD 4. OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, CAUSING POTENTIAL WEATHER DAMAGE OR THEFT OPORTUNITY. *AK
I OWN A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. MY PARTNER'S MOTHER WAS GETTING INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE VAN LAST WEEK, AND GRABBED HOLD OF THE OVERHEAD HANDLE TO HELP HER UP (SHE'S 79 YEARS OLD), AND AS SHE STEPPED INTO THE VAN, THE HANDLE BROKE OFF THE CEILING, CAUSING HER TO FALL BACKWARDS ONTO HER BACK, ROLL BACKWARDS AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE ASPHALT. FORTUNATELY (MIRACULOUSLY), SHE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY (EXCEPT BEING A LITTLE SORE THE NEXT DAY). THIS WOMAN IS NOT A LARGE WOMAN...SHE IS ONLY 4'10" AND DOES NOT WEIGH ALL THAT MUCH. MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY THAT THE BREAKING OF THIS PART COULD POSE. I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL (EHS MANAGER FOR MANUFACTURING), AND AM QUITE ATUNED TO HAZARD AWARENESS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT TELLS YOU NOT TO USE THIS HANDLE TO HELP YOURSELF INTO THE VAN. IT APPEARS TO BE THERE FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE, AND EVIDENTLY (NOW THAT I CAN SEE WHERE IT BROKE) IT IS PLASTIC ALL THE WAY TO THE MOUNTING SCREWS. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HAZARD, SO THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE EITHER IN THE DESIGN, OR IN THE WARNING SYSTEM. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS INJURY (BROKEN HIP OR OTHER BONES, OR EVEN A HEAD INJURY). MY HONDA DEALER SIMPLY ORDERED A NEW PART TO BE INSTALLED. I CAN GUARANTEE THAT IF THERE WERE AN INJURY INVOLVED, THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LAWSUIT. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT. CAROL TOPITZER MILFORD, CT. *AK
WHILE OPENING UP THE DOOR THE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHEED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A FEW WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOOR DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY. ONCE AGAIN, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE DAUGHTER WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR AND CARGO STRONG ARMS COLLAPSED.*AK *TS
THE PASSENGER'S SLIDING DOOR CLOSED UP ON CHILD'S FINGE, THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED BY ACCIDENT. *AK THE DOOR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A SENSOR TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY IF SOMETHING OR SOMEONE WAS IN ITS PATH. *PH *JB
2002, HONDA, ODYSSEY EXHIBITS WHISTLING NOISE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AT VARYING COMBINATIONS OF CAR SPEED, WIND SPEED AND WIND INTENSITY. *AK LARRY HOPKINS HONDA WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. LARRY HOPKINS HONDA RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST WITH A RECOMMENDED SOLUTION. I CALLED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER 1-800-999-1009 AND SPOKE TO TONY YUN. CASE# NO[XXX]. MR. YUN SAYS THAT I MUST TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER AND BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE NOISE BEFORE ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE CAR. SINCE THE NOISE CAN ONLY BE REPLICATED UNDER CERTAIN WIND AND SPEED CONDITIONS, I ASKED THAT HE SEARCH THE HONDA DATA BASE FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SEE IF THERE IS A RECOMMENDED SOLUTION. MR. YUN TOLD ME THAT HONDA DOESN'T WORK THIS WAY THAT EVERY CASE IS HANDLED SEPARATELY AND THAT THERE COULD BE NO ACTION UNTIL THE NOISE WAS REPLICATED. I NEED HELP TO PRESS THIS CASE WITH HONDA. I BELIEVE THAT THEY MUST HAVE A FILE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS SINCE I FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM POSTED ON HONDA NEWSGROUPS. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS FAIR OR REALISTIC TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR A COMBINATION OF THE RIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS, MY AVAILABILITY AND THEIR SERVICE ADVISER AVAILABILITY BEFORE HONDA ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED BUT, WAS UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE BY PHONE OR EMAIL. *JS 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS STICK. *NLM
PASSENGER SIDE AUTO-SLIDING DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES ITSELF ON OCCASION; HAS NOT YET HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AS HAVING DOOR LOCKED SEEMS TO PREVENT IT FROM OPENING ON ITS OWN. USUALLY CLOSES ITSELF WHILE I AM LEANING IN PUTTING MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT, AND PUSHES ME AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME UNTIL THE SENSOR MAKES IT OPEN AGAIN. *NLM
SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AT TIMES. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU MAY NEED TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS FROMT HE INSIDE AT TIMES. THE DOORS STICK SHUT AND WILL NOT OPEN. WENT TO THE DEALER OVER SIX TIMES AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THEY WOULD LUBE THE TRACK. THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
THE RIGHT OR PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHERE IT WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT MAY ONLY OPEN HALF WAY AND STOP, THEN EITHER CLOSE OR NOT AT ALL UNLESS DONE MANUALLY. CERTAIN TIMES IT OPENS AND DOES NOT CLOSE AT ALL, OR SLOWLY AT FIRST AND THEN STOPS. SOMETIMES IT DOES CLOSES BUT DOES NOT PULL ITSELF IN TOWARDS THE CAR TO LATCH SHUT. IT WONT DO IT FOR WEEKS THEN IT MAY DO IT ONCE OR MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. ONCE HAD TO GO FOR 2 DAYS WITH JUST MANUAL DOORS AS THE ELECTRIC DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL, AND THEN FINALLY IT DID. ITS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT, AND I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT AUTOMATIC DOORS SINCE THE ODYSSEY HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE IT CAME OUT.
THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AT TIMES, WHICH INDICATED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR WITH THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON. AS RESULT A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD'S HAND BECAME STUCK IN THE DOOR. *AK *JB
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Quick Summary
The 2002 Honda Odyssey has 35 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.