HondaOdyssey1999Overview/honda/odyssey/1999/base/

1999 Honda Odyssey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Odyssey.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Honda Odyssey is a midsize van built on the second‑generation Odyssey platform and equipped with an automatic four‑speed transmission, a 4.6‑quart oil capacity using 5W‑30 API‑rated oil, and EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Its power‑train reliability stands out as the primary source of the 552 owner complaints recorded for the model year, prompting nine recalls during its production run. Within the broader 1990‑2026 Odyssey complaint timeline, 1999 falls between the low‑complaint benchmark set by the 1994 model (one complaint) and the peak complaint year of 2002 (972 complaints), indicating a relatively moderate reliability record for its era.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920181999

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 economy16/23/19 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 sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.2 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4211 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 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.

9.4–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.40 sec — 1999 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999EX 3.5L V69.40 sec17.20 sec210 hpFWD
1999EX 3.5L V69.50 sec17.10 sec210 hpFWD
1999EX 3.5L V69.70 sec17.30 sec210 hpFWD
1999EX 3.5L V610.00 sec17.60 sec210 hpFWD
2000EX 3.5L V69.60 sec17.20 sec210 hpFWD
2004EX 3.5L V67.50 sec15.90 sec240 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 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

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

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Main Bearings11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 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 Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.34-.42 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance17,100-20,900 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 Capacity8.00-10.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-48.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)36.0-43.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 71 psi @ 3000
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 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 From1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

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 60,000 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) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment)
Every 30,000 miAntilock Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (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 1999 Honda Odyssey marks the first model year of the second generation, and the federal data shows a dramatic spike in reported issues compared to the first generation's final years—complaints surged from 75 in 1998 to 552, recalls jumped from 3 to 9, and TSBs more than sextupled to 282. This year sits at the beginning of a steep upward trend that would see complaints and recalls peak later in the generation (972 complaints, 15 recalls in 2002–2003), indicating that the 1999 redesign introduced widespread problems that persisted and intensified. The top complaint areas—power train (144), electrical system (79), structure (56), and latches/locks/linkages (54)—along with 12 crash and 7 fire complaints, highlight multiple trouble spots, though the data does not specify root causes. Given that 1999 initiates a generation-long pattern of elevated complaints and recalls, it represents a risky entry point; a buyer should avoid this year and consider later second-generation models only after the trend begins to decline, or stick with the more reliable first-generation years.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
282
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
552
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 552 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train144
Electrical System79
Structure56
Latches/Locks/Linkages54
Engine & Engine Cooling21
Tires18
Air Bags14
Fuel System, Gasoline11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 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…

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 282 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SB-99-0752013-08-09Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO…
05-0262008-02-05Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION…
4062006-04-16StructureLEFT POWER SLIDING DOOR INOP, BEEPS 3X. *TT
000092005-07-20Engine And Engine CoolingWARRANTY EXTENSION: EGR VALVE CONTAMINATION OR EGR POR CLOGGING MAY CAUSE DTC P0401, DTC…
070120052005-07-01Electrical SystemSPEEDOMETER SHOPS CAN TRANSFER ODOMETER MILEAGE. HONDA SERVICE NEWS. *TT

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 1999 Odyssey take?

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

Does the 1999 Odyssey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Odyssey get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.