HondaOdyssey1998Overview/honda/odyssey/1998/base/

1998 Honda Odyssey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Odyssey.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Honda Odyssey is equipped with a 4.6‑quart oil capacity using 5W‑30 API‑rated oil and paired with an automatic 4‑speed transmission. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings stand at 19 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined mpg. The model records 75 total owner complaints, a figure that falls far short of the 972 complaints peaked in 2002 yet remains above the single complaint recorded in 1994, indicating a modest but historically respectable reliability for this model year.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920181998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/24/21 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 length187.8 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3360 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 24 / 21 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 4.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 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.45-.55 VTEC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance16,800-25,200 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
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)47.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 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

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep If using old bolts:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2180 degrees; If using new bolts:180 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2270

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) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (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)
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.

In the 1998 generation of the Honda Odyssey, complaints rose to 75 and recalls to three, matching the peak trend that began in 1995 and 1996 and would continue to climb until 2003. The 1998 model sits at the high end of this arc, just before the dramatic spike to 552 complaints in 1999, indicating that the issues were already well established by this year. Recalls did not increase dramatically during this period, staying at three through 1998 and rising only slightly to five by 2000, suggesting that most problems were not addressed by large safety recalls. The top complaint categories—Electrical System (29), Power Train (12), Air Bags (6), and Service Brakes (4)—reflect the broader trend of mechanical and safety component concerns that peaked in the late 1990s. With 2 crash complaints and 3 fire complaints recorded, the 1998 model does not stand out for catastrophic failures but does carry the same general reliability issues as its neighbors. Given this context, 1998 is a cautious buy: the vehicle’s problems are typical of the era, but the high complaint volume signals that diligent inspection and maintenance are essential.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
75
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 75 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System29
Power Train12
Air Bags6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Visibility3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Tires2
Structure2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V026000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 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
2042004-02-16Service Brakes, HydraulicGRUNT NOISE AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. *NM
110120032003-11-01Engine And Engine CoolingHEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT
110120032003-11-01Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0740, P0741 REPAIR TIPS. ANOTHER LOOK…

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 1998 Odyssey take?

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

Does the 1998 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 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.