2004 Honda Odyssey Review: Arguably the Best 2004 Minivan, Certainly the Best for the Price

The 2004 Honda Odyssey is just about tied with the Toyota Sienna when it comes to features, specs, and interior space. But the Odyssey costs a few thousand dollars less, on average, making it the obvious choice of the two.

Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey a Good Used Minivan?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – Simply one of the best vehicles in its class.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – You could almost haul another car in the back of the Odyssey. You’ll never have any complaints for comfort and space with this van.
• Reliability 7/10 – Some drivers have reported early transmission failure, but if that doesn’t happen to you, you can make 250,000 miles on the original powertrain, easy.
• Safety 8/10 – Excellent crash test ratings and traction control as a standard feature make the Odyssey one of the safest vehicles of 2004.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – Grading on a curve, the 2004 Honda Odyssey gets great fuel economy for its size, at 18/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Value 9/10 – Put it up for debate and the Toyota Sienna might or might not be a slightly better minivan, but the Odyssey is absolutely the best for the price.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Honda Odyssey?

Consumer Reports were impressed with the Odyssey’s zippy acceleration and comfortable ride. They liked teh agile handling and roomy interior, as well as the smooth, strong powertrain. They admit that the minivan feels a bit dated, but that it’s still one of the best family vehicles on the market.

Kelley Blue Book users praised the Odyssey for its reliable transmission and low maintenance costs, as well as the spacious seating and agile, easy driving feel. Most complaints come down to the simple fact that it’s a minivan, so it’s going to be a little more expensive to refuel than most vehicles.

Edmunds liked the Odyssey’s excellent crash test scores, spacious interior, fold-flat third row and powerful V6, as well as the high-end entertainment options. They did note that some of the interior materials felt a bit cheap.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Honda Odyssey Have?

The 2004 Honda Odyssey has 577 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 107 of these complaints are for airbags, as are ten of the minivan’s 13 recalls. Exploding inflators and VINs being overlooked in the recalls are the main issues here.

There are 221 powertrain complaints on file with drivers reporting difficulty shifting, sometimes leading to total transmission failure at under 250,000 miles.

There are 55 structure complaints on file, with many of these reporting flaking exterior paint on the body, leaving the body exposed and prone to premature rust. This is more common with lighter paint colors, which tend to be more susceptible to sunlight and heat.

The 2004 Honda Odyssey has its share of issues with 13 recalls and 577 complaints on file with the NHTSA, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 20 year old minivan.

How Long Will the 2004 Honda Odyssey Last?

Based on driver testimony, you can expect the Odyssey to last a minimum of 200,000 miles, with many drivers reporting more than 300,000 miles on the original powertrain. But, with so many transmission complaints on file, early failure isn’t unheard of. Expect an average life expectancy of 250,000 miles.

RepairPal reports an average annual repair cost of $547, with the most expensive common repair being new parking brake shoes starting at around $277.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is better than you expect for a 20 year old minivan. The entry-level LX is a bit basic with an AM/FM radio and not much else, but DVD players are available in the higher trim levels.

Safety technology is likewise excellent for 2004. 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard in all models.

Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey a Good Value?

The 2004 Honda Odyssey is a pretty good value. An entry-level LX typically lists at around $4,647, which is a bit outside of the fair market range of $3,300 to $4,509, so it shouldn’t be hard to talk the dealer down a bit. The EX-L actually lists a hundred dollars cheaper than the LX, so you might as well buy the high-end model.

What really seals the deal here is the low cost of ownership. As far as minivans go, the fuel economy isn’t bad at 18/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and major repairs are few and far between at under 250,000 miles.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Honda Odyssey?

The 2004 Honda Odyssey is available in three trim levels, from the entry-level LX to the high-end EX-L.

With the base LX you get:

• Manual air conditioning with separate controls for the back seats
• AM/FM radio Cloth seating
• Traction control and anti-lock brakes
• Cruise control
• Power windows and door locks
• Power exterior mirrors

The mid-range EX adds:

• Automatic air conditioning
• Driver lumbar support
• Remote keyless entry
• CD player with six speakers

With the top-of-the-line EX-L you’re adding:

• Leather seating
• Heated front seats

What Engines Come In the 2004 Honda Odyssey?

• No matter your trim level or your options, you’re getting a 3.5L V6 engine deliverin 240 horsepower and 242 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed electronic transmission, it’s configured in front wheel drive, and it averages 18/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway.

What Colors Does the 2004 Honda Odyssey Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Honda Odyssey?

The 2004 Honda Odyssey is one of the most comfortable vehicles on the market at any price range. You’ve got a cavernous 67 inches of hip room in the back, and 58 in the front, meaning that you’ll have no trouble taking the entire squad with you wherever you go.

There are only seven suspension complaints on file with the NHTSA, meaning that the shocks and struts have held up nicely over the years and the ride should still be smooth.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Honda Odyssey Have?

The 2004 Honda Odyssey offers 38.1 cubic feet of storage space with the backseats up, or 93.1 with the seats down. This is almost a moving van for all the cargo you can pack into it.

Just about anything you want to fit, it’ll fit. Your only concern is that the payload capacity maxes out at 1,255, so weighing your cargo is more important than measuring it.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2004 was the final model year for the 2nd Generation Honda Odyssey, launched in 1999.

2002: The 2002 Odyssey is basically the same as a 2001 Odyssey, but with some under-the-hood tweaks to bring the horsepower up from 210 to 240.

2003: Automatic up/down driver-side windows were the biggest change for 2003.

2004: Honda didn’t make any major changes for 2004. They were already phasing the second gen out for the third by this point.

2005: The 2005 Honda Odyssey wasn’t a dramatic redesign of the iconic minivan but a general overall improvement. The Odyssey got a 15 horsepower boost, better fuel economy, improved ride and handling, and a subtly restyled exterior.

2006: The DVD-equipped Touring model made its debut in 2006.

2007: The 2007 Odyssey got a tire monitoring system as a standard feature, and a few new exterior colors, but no huge changes beyond that.

How Does the 2004 Honda Odyssey Compare to the Competition?

Comparing the top minivans of 2004, the Toyota Sienna is an excellent choice all around with a fuel efficient 3.3L engine delivering 230 horsepower, spacious seating and top-tier interior features. It also averages close to twice the cost of an Odyssey without really delivering twice the value.

The Dodge Caravan is priced in the same range as the Sienna, but it’s not as reliable, and horsepower taps out at just 215 in the most powerful models.

In short, the 2004 Honda Odyssey is arguably the best 2004 minivan overall, and certainly the best for the price. It’s reliable, spacious, and more fuel-efficient than you expect of such a large vehicle.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Honda Odyssey?