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I recently spoke with the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (Part of Dept of Transportation that investigates recall issues) after Honda USA in Torrance CA refused to help out replacing the transmission/torque converter on a 2005 Odyssey Touring with 90K miles. I have owned 6 Honda's in the past 20 years and they still did not offer me any assistance.
Honda refused to extend any goodwill and replace the torque. Repair estimate is $2150 from dealership ... and they said they have done hundreds of torque converter replacements.
Class Action Suit or gov't issue recall is only thing Honda will respond too.
Please call the NHTSA hotline 1-888-327-4236 and lodge a formal complaint. You can search # of complaints here:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/index.cfm
Honda knows there is a problem but will not do anything unless critical mass is reached and enough people complain to proper channel. There are 20 complaints on file under Powertrain: Automatic Transmission.
Everyone has the same problem of whole van shuddering between
20-45 mph. Please get the word out too, more people who reach out to the NHTSA better chance action will be taken. Pass along the phone and or URL above.
- A former long time Honda owner.
Meanwhile, I've also been plagued with other issues:
-the haudraulic door motors and rollers failed after 5yrs
-the vent window motors failed after 2 years
-the front console electrical system is quirky. ie. the fuel indicator and the coolant temperature indicator displayed high coolant temp. when the fuel level fell below half.
Now, at 111,000 miles, the transmission clunks when shifting in the higher gears and the 'check engine' light is on. Took it by a local shop and they gave me the computer codes to why the 'check engine' light was on and the 'torque converter' is going bad, just like on the recall. My Honda shop, where I bought the van, tells me we have to wait and see what the Honda rep says. If they refuse to pay any of the cost then it is NOT considered warranty work, and we won't even be able to get a replacement transmission, period. We will have to, quote, "try and track down a used one or rebuilt one." So on top of all of this, I'm now finding out that the transmissions are going for a premium, because of high demand?? This is bull.
AND, this was our 'good vehicle', the one we paid more for, took extra good care of, relied on to transport our kids around. It has been sitting in the shop now for almost a week, and the Honda rep hasn't even returned my dealer's calls about my case. My wife is currently pregnant and having to get the kids around in a broken down POS vehicle we borrowed from my parents.
Sure, Honda is beyond the warranty period for my van, but the reason I paid a premium for this van, around 4 or 5 grand more than I would have paid for any other of the same year and specifications, is because I thought I was making an investment in quality and longevity; stupid me. I'm thinking my next vehicle will be a cheaper American built rig. I can use the money I save in price to fix whatever goes wrong down the road. This was my first Honda... looks to be my last.
I would definitely not put in a used transmission. Go either new or rebuilt. If I remember correctly some other posters have had luck going to independent shops to buy rebuilt transmissions.
With the failure rates on these transmissions being as high as they are, you could put in a used one and have that fail shortly after installation.
See what the Honda dealer says, but also look into an independent shop to rebuild/replace the transmission.
Facts: Everyone knows Honda had serious design flaws within the transmission in these vehicles. Honda did what they should do, replaced it 3 times. Now, the vehicle has literally no residual value.
Transmission 2: Honda made no significant design modification to the transmission whatsoever and only replaced it with the exact same transmission after the first one failed. I know this for a fact because I asked Honda and investigated it.
Transmission 3: Honda made some very minor internal changes like increasing the size of the orifice within the tranny somewhere but there is no way to know oif your vehicle actually has an old design or new design????
LEGAL: If you have the old tranny, even beyond your warranty, you have legal recourse. Do NOT listen to Honda. Sue them collectively or alone in small claims court. Tell the judge that Honda breached the warranty by knowingly replacing your transmission with one that would also fail because they did not modify it to rectify the design flaws.
Furthermore; You can sue for Breech of Warranty and violation of the Deceptive Trade & Practices Act. The DTPA says that misrepresentation of fact or warranty is an unconscionable action. It takes advantage of the general public's knowledge or ability or experience with transmission design to a gross degree.
Put another way, Honda took advantage of us all. They did not thoroughly re-design a long term fix for the replacement transmissions and most people have no concept of engineering to know that Honda 's lack of diligence to modify and THOROUGHLY test the transmission modifications left thousands or millions of Odyssey Owners with defective merchandise that Honda no longer wishes to replace under warranty.
Additionally: What does this mean: If Your new tranny has less than the Honda warranted 109,000 miles that Honda offered you due to a class action lawsuit settlement, you can sue. The warranty Honda extended was extended on the whole vehicle and Honda hid the fact that replacement transmissions are NOT warranted to another 109K miles. So, you could own an Odyssey, put 3 tranny's in it all under 100K miles and get the 4th one at 109,100 miles.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN: Sue Honda. Demand in court that the show record that the transmissions they replaced in your vehicle were modified in any way and no simply replaced. Make them acknowledge that their was a design flaw (They will say no) and then cite the thousands of others who have had the exact same problem.
Finally: The best thing you can do is blast it all over the net. Start a posting war. Make Honda know that you are telling people NOT to buy Honda! The Odyssey transmission is CRAP. Even in the new Odyssey the tranny is junk. It has fewer issues but is still problematic.
I told the corporate drones that Honda will be Toyota soon in terms of destroyed reputation. If you see the internal Toyota documents you see that they didn't want to do a recall and if they did, they wanted to do it on the cheap. This is what Honda is doing.
My wife and kids ride in the Odyssey. I know don't trust it or the dealer who never disclosed to me there was a recall on the transmission despite repeated complaints. AVOID HONDA OF BOWIE AT ALL COSTS. THEY NEVER DISCLOSED THIS PROBLEM DESPITE REPEATED COMNPLAINTS OF JUDDERING AT 40 MPH. In fact they have charged me $100 to let me know the transmission is broker.
I WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN. THEY ARE THE NEW TOYOTA.
AVOID HONDA OF BOWIE, MD TOO. I WOULD NEVER TRUST THEM TO WORK ON MY CAR AGAIN.
Totally agree. I brought in my 2002 Honda Odyssey for the last 2 years complaining about my transmission, They could never replicate the problem. It goes out of warranty and bang, they find the problem.
AVOID HONDA OF BOWIE and DON'T BUY A HONDA.
Based on my experience, you might choose to replace the whole transmission. I just took my 2009 Odyssey in for a "product update" for a "judder" issue with the torque converter.
Good luck.
I still have a 2007 Odyssey that I also purchased new. I had the steering worked on under warranty, and it now feels as though the power steering is failing again. I've also been notified of two recalls - one for transmission and one for breaks.
Both vehicles handle(d) really well and proved versatile when loading for weekend adventures. The service records, however, have been lackluster. I apparently have been sucker enough to buy the one crappy car in the Honda lineup twice. Naming this vehicle seems to be Honda's most on-target part of its production: Odyssey - a long series of wanderings or adventures, esp. when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc.
did honda ever compensate you for the EGR valve? I have 95000 miles on my 2001 and it's beyond the 8 years and 80k miles. i tried calling Honda Customer Relations and the woman wasn't that helpful. she did take down my number and said someone would call me back. i'm not holding my breath.
victorkomd@yahoo.com
We will be trading in our 2008 Honda Civic, and getting rid of the Odyssey as well. We will never buy another Honda.
Our dilemma at this point is do we have to pay the almost $3k to fix this thing, just to trade it in? Seeing as how many people on are on their 2nd and 3rd trannies, we have no faith that even getting a new one will guarantee us safety and reliability and a return on our investment.
Wonder why the class action suit of the earlier models has not extended to the '03 and '04?
So far i have no issues and very happy with it.
I have a few questions?
1. Am I just lucky?
2. Should I sell it before I have problems?
3. If i will have transmission problem will Honda will pay? Up do how many miles?
4. Do most owners get the transmission problems?
Thanks
Yes
No
Yes
I ask because I will probably be in the market within the week (catastrophic damage to '08 Pilot) for a used Odyssey and had my eye on a number of CPO 08s in my area. I had assumed that they were bulletproof, but after reading this thread in this forum, I am starting to question whether it is worth the hassle. I guess I will need all of the service records to confirm whether a transmission has already been replaced on any used Odyssey (most in my area have between 30k and 45k miles).
Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Not sure where else to turn if the Odyssey is not in the running. We are a Honda family, never owned a Toyota, and when I read about other competitors on CarSpace they seem to have just as many problems as an Odyssey (although may be not transmission problems).
The sad thing is it appears even if the transmission had been replaced at some point (early) in time, the replacement is as prone to failure as the original. So replacement means nothing.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Base model on the 2011 Sienna is a 4-cylinder.
My 2002 is current in for small body job (tree pushed over on it by another vehicle). The rental is a 2010 Sienna. You sure can feed the hard road and the air-conditioner is noisey and there are a few rattles.
I'm told that the Elysion (our Odyssey) built in Japan has no transmission problems.
http://www.batfa.com/newcar-hondaelysion.htm
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If the Toyota Sienna isn't a minivan option, where does a minivan shopper turn?
It is time to get some government agencies get involved in this: We need to write to the attorney general, BBB, Nhtsa, and other organizations like JD powers, consumer reports, nada and let them know what we think about Honda cars.
I would like to sue Honda, if somebody wants to join me for their lemon warranties and/or products, ad because their faulty transmission can cause accidents (when I had my transmission problem I was in a 3 lanes hwy with cars coming full speed at my rear and I was having problems to get to the side lane (lucky me I didn't cause any accident). Do we need to wait until somebody has an accident and die? :mad:
http://www.odysseytransmission.com//ProblemCases?msgId=377
How's that for customer loyalty?
uhh, what do you mean? You wanting a new transmission... or more for your trade-in?
http://www.odysseytransmission.com/
It shows they started tapering off in 2003, but they still have problems reported up to 2009. 2007's seem to have a new issue and a recent spike....
I own a 07 EX, first owner, currently at 20k miles. Knock on wood I have not had any transmission issues so far, things have been smooth. However I have noticed that I am having a sound similar to engine knocking (or crunching) as I am stepping on the gas and the vehicle is travelling. It is not loud, and the only way I can hear it is when I lower all the windows down and traveling through an alley (I can hear the engine better since all the noise bounces back from the building walls). I want to say I do not hear it if I am not stepping on the gas but I am not sure. It does not happen if I am parked just revving the engine.
It is not likely that this is a trans issue (I hope) since I'd think I'd hear it all the time that the van is moving but I do not know. Anyone has the same issue?
Thanks.
(edit: I do not hear the sound when I am doing the same thing in Reverse. Ugh. Maybe something wrong with the first gear?)
I took the car home and it still continued to have the same problems until a few weeks later when my sister and I were car pooling in my 2002 Honda Odyssey at now 104,000 miles, we were on the the free way when the car started jerking hard back and forth we slowy tried to manuever to the side right shoulder but it was difficult because we could feel everything in the car shutting down. Luckly we made it to a safe point and called the Honda Dealer where I bought the car just 5 months earlier and they told me I needed to get a tow or pay them $250 and then they could pick up the car. So I get the car towed to the dealer form my AAA and the dealer tells me the transmission blew out and it is going to cost me $3,300 to fix it? I told them they knew of this problem and didn't tell me prior to me coming in 3 times before this time I told them about the problems and the guy who sold me the car knew because before I went each time to complain to the dealer I told him before actully going in. So they told me they would pay for half but I had to pay for the other half? I don't have $1700 that is my only car and I need that car for work.
Someone please tell me what I can do about this can I sue?????
If the car was sold "as is" you can't sue. If it came with some type of warranty, say 3 months, and you have documented proof you took it and they ignored the problem... then yeah, I'd say you have a good case. The revving problem, while in park and while stepping on brake, doesn't sound like a transmission problem to me though.
I would probably take their offer if you car didn't come with a warranty.
but, if you can get it done for $1,700 and it comes with a 3 year warranty, worth getting it done.
then if you want to fight, sue, etc. at least you have your car.
One thing to keep in mind is if you reject the offer, they will rescind it, and you may not get another one. And you will still have a 4,500# lawn ornament.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
RECALL: 2002 - 2004 Honda Odyssey
NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Manufacturer AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Recall Date: 04/15/2004
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 1099796
Description POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Consequence GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
That was 3 yrs ago and we literally got 241,000 miles on the car today. I trust the car fully and would take it on a road trip with no hesitation. We have some friends who also have the Odyssey (couple of yrs younger) and they have been very pleased too.
Service it regularly and I am sure it's cheaper than a new car note.
In my case, we spent $4000 to fix our transmission, it didn't last 300 miles. Took it back to Honda of Bowie, MD, who did the original fix and now they can't "replicated it."
We'd been complaining about this for years and guess what, Honda of Bowie could never replicate the problem while it was under warranty. The moment it went out of warranty, they found it!
This time, same thing. They can't find it. No attempt to disassemble the transmission and find the problem.
Contacted Honda Corporate and they told me "not our problem."
I would like to know what other models/years have a transmission problem or other serious defect before I buy another Honda. If not Honda, Toyota, then who do we buy from at this point?
It really does seem that Honda took an undersized and poorly designed tranny and tried to use it with bigger engines and heavier vehicles, causing a spat of failures.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.