Buying used: Honda Odyssey
2003 Honda Odyssey. Photo: Honda
The 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey is a very spacious, comfortable minivan with good safety ratings, strong engine and good handling. Overall, it's a good minivan, but the reliability isn't spotless; transmission issues, for example, were not uncommon.
The 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey came in two models: LX and EX, with one major difference that the EX comes with dual power sliding doors.
The 1999-2004 Odyssey has front-wheel drive with a V6 engine and 4-speed automatic (5-speed automatic from 2002) transmission. The only available engine is the 210-hp 3.5L SOHC, VTEC V6.
2003 Honda Odyssey. Photo: Honda
Starting from 2002, the engine power has been increased to 240 horsepower on a regular unleaded fuel.
This is a very good reliable engine, but it needs to be maintained well.
Antilock brakes (ABS) were standard.
The Odyssey interior is very spacious. The tall driving position provides great visibility in the front. The controls are well designed and easy to use. The dual air conditioning system has separate controls for the rear passengers. For more cargo room, the second-row seats can be folded or completely removed. The third-row seat easily folds flat into the deep storage well in the cargo area floor.
2003 Honda Odyssey. Photo: Honda
On the road, the Odyssey handles very well for a minivan. The ride is fairly smooth, but the interior could be quite noisy.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey "Good" in the offset frontal crash test. In the NHTSA frontal crash tests the 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger. In the NHTSA side impact tests, the 2000-2004 models also received five stars. Don't expect the Odyssey to be cheap on gas; the EPA rates the 2003 Odyssey at 16/23 mpg or 14.7/10.2 L/100 km.
Overall, the 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey offers good crash test ratings, well-designed spacious interior, folding third-row seat, powerful V6 engine and standard ABS. On the downside, Honda parts and service could be quite expensive. Automatic transmission issues, power sliding doors on early models and the 'Check engine' light with the EGR system codes are among common problems.
When buying a used Honda Odyssey, check used car history records to avoid vehicles with problems in the past. Make sure to test an automatic transmission carefully;
If you feel a strong clunk when shifting into the Reverse or while driving, the transmission may have a problem. Read more how to check an automatic transmission. In the Odyssey EX, test if both power sliding doors are working properly.
Look for a trailer hitch; if the vehicle was used for towing, a transmission may be excessively worn. Check if the rear controls for the heater and air conditioner work. Read more what to look for when buying a used car. Have the Odyssey thoroughly checked by a mechanic before making a final decision to buy it.
A few notes on maintenance: Regular oil changes will help keep your engine in a good shape; the 2003 Honda Odyssey owner's manual says Always use premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil displaying the API Certifications Seal. Be easy on your transmission; there are plenty of complaints about it. Change transmission fluid regularly; the 2003 Odyssey owner's manual recommends using Honda ATF-Z1 automatic transmission fluid.
The Odyssey's engine has a timing belt that must be replaced at recommended intervals. If you have power sliding doors, don't open them when they are frozen in winter. Keep the door rails clean and lubricated. One of the common problems with the Odyssey is the Check Engine light with the trouble code P0401. A Honda service bulletin for 1999-2002 Odyssey describes the issue with the 3.5L V6 engine causing hesitation or surge during light acceleration with the code P0401 or P1491. The repair is not easy; it involves removing the intake manifold, cleaning the EGR port, drilling out the EGR port with a special drill bit (included in the kit), installing a new EGR pipe kit and replacing the EGR valve.
2003 Honda Odyssey specifications
| Dimensions: | |
| Overall length: Wheelbase: Overall width: Overall height: LX: EX: |
201.2 in (5110 mm) 118.1 in (3000 mm) 75.6 in (1920 mm) 68.5 in (1740 mm) 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
| Seating capacity: |
7 |
| Cargo capacity: | |
| Behind 1st row Behind 2nd row Behind 3rd row |
146.1 cu. ft. 88.5 cu. ft. 38.1 cu. ft. |
| Towing Capacity: |
3500 lbs. (1587 kg) /additional equipment required/ |
| Engine: |
The SOHC 24-Valve VTEC 3.5L Aluminum-Alloy V-6 240 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 242 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm |
| EPA Fuel Economy: |
city: 16 mpg (14.7 L/100 km) hwy: 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) |
| Recommended Fuel: |
Regular Unleaded |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: |
20.00 US gallons (75.7 liters) |
