HondaOdyssey1997Overview/honda/odyssey/1997/base/

1997 Honda Odyssey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Odyssey.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Honda Odyssey is a VAN equipped with an Automatic 4-spd transmission and an engine requiring 4 qt of 5W-30 API oil. This configuration returns EPA mileage of 18/24/20 mpg, establishing the vehicle's fundamental efficiency specifications. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1990-2026, this year recorded 27 total owner complaints with the Electrical System as the top complaint area and 3 recalls. While this volume is substantially lower than the 2002 high of 972 complaints, it exceeds the 1994 low of 1, placing the 1997 model in a distinct position relative to the model's historical extremes.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920181997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3382 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Odyssey of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.3–10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.30 sec — 1995 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995EX 2.2L I-410.30 sec18.30 sec140 hpFWD
1995EX 2.2L I-410.70 sec18.10 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.64-.78 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance41,400-21,600 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.33 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-37.0 psi
Engine Compression135-178. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 28 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.929 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.937 in / 0.358 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
372.3

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment) · Underbody (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAntilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
At 105,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Honda Odyssey represents the midpoint of the first generation’s federal complaint arc, with 27 complaints—significantly lower than the 80 in 1996 and the surge to 75 in 1998. Recalls tripled from one in 1996 to three in 1997, yet remained modest compared to the nine recalls in 1999, marking the start of a sharp upward trend in reported issues. Complaints in 1997 were concentrated in the electrical system (10 reports), while crash and fire incidents each accounted for two complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. This year sits in a relatively stable phase before the dramatic rise in complaints and recalls beginning in 1999, suggesting fewer systemic issues than later models. However, the increase in recalls and electrical complaints indicates early signs of reliability concerns that would worsen in subsequent years. **Takeaway: The 1997 Odyssey is a comparatively better year to buy within this generation, but thorough inspection of the electrical system is critical.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
27
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 27 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System10
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Air Bags2
Tires2
Visibility2
Steering,Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Structure1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

02V120000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 16/05/2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
050120042004-05-01EquipmentAUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM
4042004-04-16EquipmentAUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
110120032003-11-01Engine And Engine CoolingHEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT
0601032003-06-01Power TrainGRADE LOGIC CONTROL INFORMATION. *TT
0522032003-05-22Electrical SystemCAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1997-99 HONDA IGNITION SWITCH RECALL CAMPAIGN…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Odyssey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Odyssey take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Odyssey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Odyssey get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.