1999 Honda Odyssey: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 25, 2009 · Electrical · 142,150 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 honda odyssey. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. All of the instrument panel lighting illuminated. While continuing to drive, the vehicle began to stall and jerk as if it would shut off. The contact was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and inspected by a technician, who determined that the ignition switch was failing and the wires were melting. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $150. The contact called the honda manufacturer and was informed that no compensation or replacements would be made because the vehicle was previously repaired according to a recall. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 142,150 and current mileage was 142,260.

Filed Aug 29, 2008 · Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

The van engine turned off while driving on the freeway at 70mph while my family and I were on the third lane. I almost got in an accident trying to get to the right shoulder. Van speed was down to 40mph while making rights to get the right shoulder. The van started immediately, and we went on our way. After exiting the free way the engine again stopped but this time we were in the middle of the intersection. The lights turned red and I was blocking on coming traffic and the person behind me was honking his horn. I put the van in park and restarted the it and continued through the red light. Mean while my wife noticed smoke coming out of the steering wheel. When I got home that evening I removed the cover and ignition switch was overheating and killing the engine ( solder joints on the wires were melting). I looked up this problem on the internet and it conformed the switch problem also the van was recalled for that reason. I call honda and I was told that this recall was done on this van. The engine stopped multiple times while driving till I got the part replaced. The issue here is that the recall did not work, and the replaced parts have the same problem as the original recall ( overheating switch) . I have replaced the switch. But the design is still bad and that will help only temporary. Stopping the van in the middle of the free way of the intersection comes with heavy risks.

Filed Aug 20, 2007 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 honda odyssey. Five years ago there was a recall on for the ignition switch which was repaired. While driving 45mph on 8/20/07 she observed smoke coming from the ignition key and her began to shut down prior to reaching her destination. The dealer stated that they will not repair it again. The current and failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2007 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 honda odyssey. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the ignition switch could be the cause of the failure. Four years ago, the vehicle was repaired under recall number 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). However, the failure has recurred. The current mileage was 204,000 and failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 09/18/07

Filed Apr 26, 2007 · Electrical, Locks · 117,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 honda odyssey ex. While driving 35 MPH on a clear day the contact smelled something burning and noticed smoke rising from the steering column. He stated that the instrument panel shut off and the lights dimmed. Also , the vehicle began to thrust, jerk, and finally shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. He stated that the engine sounded as if the battery was losing power. The vehicle was towed to his residence and was able to restart a few days later. The contact discovered recalls 00v0300 concerning electrical system:wiring:front underhood, and 03v423000 concerning electrical system :ignition :switch, and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in the abovementioned recalls. However, the first recall repair was performed in april 2001, and the second repair was performed on october 8, 2002. The contact informed the manufacturer that the vehicle had the same stalling failure noted in the recall. The manufacturer stated that the repair was completed by them. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer and was issued case number n012007-04-26-00304. In addition, the passenger's side sliding door failed, and could only be unlocked manually. The current mileage is 119,000, and failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Electrical · TX · fire

I bought a 1999 honda odyssey in april, 1999. It now has about 13,000 miles. On 11/13/2000, my wife was driving when she started to smell smoke. Within a mile, all engine indicator lights illuminated, the engine quit, and smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. She got out of the van; within a few minutes, the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department came to extinguish the fire; they say the fire was caused by an electrical short and that there is $18,000 in damage. My insurance company has investigated; they say there is $19,000 in damage -- a total loss. My questions: 1. What's the likely cause of the fire -- a honda design or manufacturing defect, or a dealer installation error? (I had the local dealer install a honda cassette deck in november, 1999; I had to take the van back for repairs a few days later when I noticed that certain electrical accessories no longer worked correctly and my battery went dead.) 2. What leverage do I have to get special treatment (e.g., a good deal on a new van, temporary transportation) from honda and the dealer? (my wife is 6 months pregnant, she had our 20-month-old daughter in the van with her; they are fine, but a bystander had to help them get out of the van -- they could have been seriously injured in this incident.) I have contacted the dealer, who has contacted honda. Neither wants to provide temporary transportation (my insurance doesn't cover it); the best they've offered is to expedite delivery of a replacement (at least 2-3 more weeks). At this point, I don't know if they'll charge me msrp or give me a discount.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Electrical · TX · fire

I bought a 1999 honda odyssey in april, 1999. It now has about 13,000 miles. On 11/13/2000, my wife was driving when she started to smell smoke. Within a mile, all engine indicator lights illuminated, the engine quit, and smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. She got out of the van; within a few minutes, the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department came to extinguish the fire; they say the fire was caused by an electrical short and that there is $18,000 in damage. My insurance company has investigated; they say there is $19,000 in damage -- a total loss. My questions: 1. What's the likely cause of the fire -- a honda design or manufacturing defect, or a dealer installation error? (I had the local dealer install a honda cassette deck in november, 1999; I had to take the van back for repairs a few days later when I noticed that certain electrical accessories no longer worked correctly and my battery went dead.) 2. What leverage do I have to get special treatment (e.g., a good deal on a new van, temporary transportation) from honda and the dealer? (my wife is 6 months pregnant, she had our 20-month-old daughter in the van with her; they are fine, but a bystander had to help them get out of the van -- they could have been seriously injured in this incident.) I have contacted the dealer, who has contacted honda. Neither wants to provide temporary transportation (my insurance doesn't cover it); the best they've offered is to expedite delivery of a replacement (at least 2-3 more weeks). At this point, I don't know if they'll charge me msrp or give me a discount.

Filed Dec 16, 1999 · Fuel system · TN · fire

While filling the van with fuel it caught on fire and burned. Fire was put out by the fire department. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The van was totalled. Please provide any further information. *ak

Filed Dec 14, 1998 · Brakes · MD · crash · fire

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, in which after the impact, the vehicle caught on fire this occurred due a cracked brake fluid reservoir which leaked. Please give any further details.