The 1999 Honda Odyssey has 8 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, along with multiple sliding door latch failures that can allow a door to swing open while driving.
The door latch issues stem from several separate causes: excessive grease in the power door lock actuator can slow the latch lever's return so the door closes without catching, and on certain LX and EX models, insufficient clearance in the lock ratchet mechanism can also prevent the door from latching fully. On the engine side, ice can form in the throttle body during extremely cold, wet weather and hold the throttle open after the driver lifts off the accelerator, keeping the vehicle at speed when the driver expects it to slow. A related cold-weather issue involves water freezing inside the intake resonator and sending water vapor into the throttle body. There is also a wiring concern: a wire harness in the engine compartment can chafe against a metal pipe, blow a fuse, and cut power to lights, windshield wipers, the horn, or the anti-lock brake function. Finally, the dashboard dimmer circuit can overheat at less-than-full brightness settings, causing the instrument cluster lights to go dark.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may absorb moisture and rupture or fail to fully inflate due to a manufacturing defect in certain non-azide inflator units.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the driver air bag inflator and replace it if needed with a different design inflator, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The dash light dimmer circuit in the multiplex control unit can overheat and fail when operated below full brightness, causing the instrument cluster lights to go out and making gauges unreadable at night.
What the fix does
The multiplex control unit will be replaced with a new unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wire harness in the engine compartment can rub against a metal pipe and become damaged, causing a fuse to blow. When the fuse blows, you may lose engine power or electrical functions like lights, wipers, horn, and brake anti-lock.
What the fix does
Dealers will wrap protective plastic tubing around the wire harness and pipe, and repair or replace any damaged wires.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Manual sliding doors may not latch properly due to interference between the lock mechanism parts. Power sliding doors may fail to latch if grease buildup slows the activation lever's return to latch position before the door closes.
What the fix does
Sliding door latches will be replaced, and power door lock actuators will be replaced where applicable.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold, wet weather, water can freeze in the resonator's front and rear chambers, blocking drainage holes. Trapped water vapor may enter the throttle body, causing ice to form on the throttle shaft and prevent the throttle plate from returning to idle.
What the fix does
Two additional drain holes will be drilled in the front and rear subchambers of the resonator to improve water drainage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sliding doors may fail to latch properly, potentially opening unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the door latch assembly to restore proper latching function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In extremely cold, wet weather, ice can form in the throttle body and prevent the throttle from returning to idle position, causing the throttle to remain open even when the driver releases the accelerator pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will drill two additional drain holes in the bottom of the resonator to prevent ice accumulation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Excessive grease in the power door lock remote actuator may slow the return of the activation lever to its latching position, preventing the door from locking properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the power door lock remote control assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
