1996 Honda Odyssey Electrical Problems

Your ignition switch has failed for the second time, causing your car to sometimes require jiggling the key to start or not start at all. More dangerously, the engine has cut out while you were driving, creating a serious safety risk—especially with children in the car. The switch now won't start the vehicle at all. Replacing the ignition switch should resolve this issue.

While driving, your engine suddenly shut off and the ignition wouldn't turn on, though the radio still worked. You had to pull off the highway quickly to avoid being hit from behind. This appears to be related to a known ignition switch problem that Honda has identified in 1997 Accords. The fix will likely involve replacing the ignition switch.

Your vehicle shut off suddenly while driving at 60 mph on the interstate and wouldn't restart. No warning lights appeared before or after the shutdown. A mechanic determined that a faulty ignition switch caused the engine to cut off, and it will need to be replaced to restore normal operation.

Your 1996 Honda Odyssey's engine has shut off unexpectedly multiple times over two months—both while parked and while driving, including twice on the highway at high speed during heavy traffic. A mechanic determined the problem is a faulty ignition switch. The fix will involve replacing the ignition switch.

Your car won't start or suddenly shuts off unless you repeatedly jiggle the ignition key. The solder inside the ignition switch has melted and dripped, which caused a burn injury. This is a serious electrical problem that needs immediate attention from a mechanic.

Your vehicle completely shut off while you were driving on the freeway, which created a dangerous situation with passengers in the car. This appears to be related to the ignition switch. The ignition switch may need to be inspected or replaced to prevent the engine from shutting off unexpectedly while driving.

Your engine stalled suddenly while you were turning at a green light, with no warning signs beforehand. You've experienced engine stalling after starting before, and after research, you believe this may be related to the ignition switch based on similar complaints about Honda vehicles. Diagnosing and potentially replacing the ignition switch may be needed to prevent future stalling events.

Your Odyssey wouldn't start in a parking lot, and after a tow truck used a door lock trick to get it running, the engine died while you were driving on the highway. The vehicle wouldn't restart and had to be towed again. The Honda dealer diagnosed the problem as a defective ignition switch. Fixing this will likely require replacing the ignition switch assembly.

Your car's engine shuts off when you release the ignition key after starting it. This suggests a problem with the ignition switch, which should keep the engine running once you turn the key. The dealership indicated your vehicle's VIN wasn't covered under a recall for this same issue. Fixing this typically involves replacing the ignition switch assembly.

Your vehicle had trouble starting—it would crank but not always catch and run. Eventually the engine shut off while you were driving several times, which is unsafe. After replacing the ignition switch, the vehicle worked fine. You noted that similar Honda Odysseys in Australia and Japan had ignition switch recalls for the same symptoms.

Your ignition system is experiencing problems, but the Honda dealer won't fix it under recall because your 1996 model's VIN isn't flagged in the recall system. You may have difficulty starting your vehicle or experience ignition-related electrical issues. Getting your ignition switch and electrical connections inspected or replaced may be necessary to resolve the problem.

I HAVE A 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY LX AND IT HAS STALLED OUT MANY TIMES WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN ATLANTA, GA RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I DRIVE THIRTY MILES TO WORK EACH DAY AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL JUST QUIT. I TOOK THE CAR TO CATHERINE'S AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR & SERVICE AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER HONDAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE AWARE OF HONDA RECALLS. MY CAR IS A '96 AND WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNFAIR THAT A CERTAIN YEAR SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED WHEN IT HAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER HONDAS. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1996 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN NEW IN 1996. (VIN#: [XXX]) ON MARCH 11, 2003 WE DROVE IT WITH SOME FRIENDS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT WHERE WE PARKED AND LOCKED THE CAR, AND WENT IN. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER A MAN CAME INTO THE RESTAURANT SAYING THERE WAS A CAR ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY HONDA WAS ON FIRE. FORTUNATELY, THE RESTAURANT OWNER HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, THE PLASTIC POWER WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED, RENDERING THE WINDOWS INOPERATIVE, THE PLASTIC DOOR LATCH MECHANISM THAT ENABLES THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WAS ALSO MELTED AND INOPERABLE. THIS RENDERED THE DRIVER'S DOOR INOPERATIVE FROM THE INSIDE. THE FIRE FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE FROM THE BURNING DOOR PANEL AND INSULATION, THE WIRE INSULATION, AND VARIOUS PLASTIC PARTS OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY. I'M SURE THE SMOKE WAS QUITE TOXIC, AND HAD SOMEONE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, THEY WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN OVERCOME. PARTICULARLY IF THEY WERE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR OR THE WINDOW TO LET THE SMOKE OUT OR EXIT THE CAR. TO ANSWER A POTENTIAL QUESTION, WE DO NOT SMOKE, AND DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING IN THE CAR. I REALIZE THIS IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT THE FAILURE OF SOME ELECTRICAL PART OF THE DOOR COULD BE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, AND NORMAL DETERIORATION OF MECHANICAL PARTS WITH AGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THOUGH SOME PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY, THE DESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT IT DID NOT FAIL SAFELY. A FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PROTECTIVE DEVICE THAT FAILED, PROTECTING THE WIRING AND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR FROM A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS, AND POSSIBLY FATAL FIRE. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHICH SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL RELATED. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRVING, VEHICLE WILL STALL OR SOMETIMES WILL NOT EVEN START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX. FINALLY CONSUMER ASKED TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD REPEATEDLY FAILED. TSCONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A RECALL ISSUED REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JG

2ND INCIDENT OF SRS LIGHT STAYING ON IN 11 MONTHS. BOTH TIMES LIGHT RESET, HOWEVER THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL UNIT AT A COST OF $750 DUE TO CODE8-3 REPORTED BY COMPUTER. DECLINED THIS SERVICE DUE TO LACK OF ABILITY TO CONFIRM DIAGNOSTICS. ALSO WAS TOLD ON FIRST INCIDENT THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAN CAUSE THIS UNIT TO REPORT FAULTS -- AT THAT TIME BATTERY WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO RUMORED THAT CELL PHONE USAGE OR RADIO TRANSMITTERS CAN MAKE SYSTEM REPORT FAULTS. NEED MORE INFORMATION ON THESE UNITS AND THEIR FAILURES.. *AK