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Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems

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Comments

  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    I own a 2004 Honda Odyssey-heard such "great" things about Honda's outlasting all other cars~yea sure if you got money laying around to replace a durn transmission!! My Odyssey only has 108,000 miles on it and the troubles began in 2010 after only owning the car for 1 year!!! There are warranty's and recalls listed for the 2004 Odyssey all over the internet even in the New York times this year and yet Honda still ignores the real issues!!! Weird how one recall listed applies to my vehicle-but they say had already been updated years ago yet the other recall for the tray listed on the same page right above the fuel system recall "doesn't apply to my vehicle" wow-this is the lamest bs i've ever heard. I am a single mother that was laid off in Feb.~ what I am suppose to do???? My children have no way to school everyday yet Honda has no answers!!! If I ever get through this and outta this Honda I will NEVER purchase another one!! Can someone give me some kinda advice????
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    2004 Honda with transmission problems-I don't even know where to began-only owned this vehicle for 2 years and started having problems last year and now-need a new transmission!!! "Recall doesn't apply to my particular 2004 Odyssey" WTF??? Why is my 2004 Odyssey different from any other 2004 Odyssey???? Wow-you can't trust anyone these days~but I can tell you I will NEVER EVER purchase another Honda and will steady put the word out about Hondas and the service you get when you own one!!!
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    I also have a 2004 Honda Odyssey and have the same problems going on. The TCS light and transmission light came on and well now-it needs a new transmission. I took it to a mechanic whom told me to raise sand with Honda because there is a warranty that covers the transmission problems. So as a single mother myself whom purchased this vehicle 2 years ago thinking it was gonna a least make it till i could pay it off-i am furious with Honda!!! I recently lost my job and i don't have any way of getting another vehicle and don't have the money to fix this one!! What to do?????? I understand your stress if you come up with anything keep posting it and i will do the same!
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2011
    I have a 04' Honda Odyssey-it is down-i need a new transmission-what did you do to get through to Honda???
    Who do i need to call?? I really need some help with this!!
  • diggernancediggernance Member Posts: 3
  • diggernancediggernance Member Posts: 3
    After 50,000 miles, my replacement Honda transmission has failed. Honda Inc. has had no sympathy with my $4000.00 problem and in fact, each person I have talked to has said exactly the same thing - not just the same idea, but exactly the same words. 'We know you are not satisfied but there is nothing we can do for you. Anyone else at Honda you talk to will say the same thing. And no, you cannot have corporate or Tetsuo Iwamura's phone number.' Well, so much for the loyalty of an owner of 11 Hondas with a complaint that would appear to be a no brainer.
  • ml4416ml4416 Member Posts: 1
    Just got my 2002 Honda Odyssey Transmission replaced three months ago and cost $5K at Honda's Dealership. A van only had 110,000 miles. Where's Honda Quality and Reliability????
    Honda's should recall their auto transmission??? I will NEVER buy another Honda Cars or SUV.
    I should have bought Toyota Sienna.. I have 2004 Toyota Corolla with 187,000 miles and never had any Engine or Transmission problems... Go Toyota and bye Honda !!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • jerdesabjerdesab Member Posts: 11
    Honda sucks..My odyssey 2007 less than two years have to change stabilizer and parts also change on transmission due to excessive shaking.. My next car would be Ford or Toyota. Goodbye HONDA...and all salesmen at Honda dealerships SUCKS too....they squeezed every penny from you.
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    Yea-they don't wanta help you at all there!! Gonna charge me to diagnose the transmission when I have had 5 other mechanics diagnose it already!! To top it all off-the service manager told me I had better not say one more thing about never purchasing a Honda again because they would just make it that much more difficult to get Honda to help with the cost~really~at this point I'm to pissed to care what "Honda" thinks!! If he were in this situation he would understand my frustration I'm sure!!
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    Do you mind me asking?
    Only because I have a 2007 as well.
    Did you have your TCM (transmission control module) software udpated when the van was recalled for this?
    I had mine reprogrammed in 2009 and 2010 and so far no problem.
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    I just purchased this vehicle 2 years ago and the carfax said all updates and recalls had been completed! I have gotten so frustrated that I give up-traded it in for a Nissan Quest!! Shoulda bought a Nissan from day 1-always been a big fan just thought I'd give a Honda a whirl and well.......I must say "Lesson Learned" ~I'll never go that route again!!!
  • disgusted123disgusted123 Member Posts: 7
    I agree~see ya Honda!! Not only did the van need a new transmission after 2 years of me owning it~the service dept manager suggested that I stop junk talking Honda if I wanted their help~Whatever I'd rather move on then bow down to a company who can't take responsibility for the raggedy Van's they are selling that might I add are way over priced!!! I just sold it and got a Nissan Quest-I am so in love with van-not only is it purrrrin like kitten-the features way out do my Honda's!!!! Yeah-so happy!!!!! Finally back on the road after weeks of misery dealing with the Odyssey!!!
  • longo2longo2 Member Posts: 347
    "see-ya-Honda" is the ultimat fix for us Ody' Owners. They knew about the
    Tranny troubles for years and the best they did was a patch up re-call to install a return line fluid diverter in the top of the gear box to squirt a little oil down onto the gears and shaft that were buring up due to oil starvation.
    As for the rest of the multitude of problems in their a/t's, nothing short of a total re-design of the whole system would fix what's wrong with them. We know that's not going to happen. They even put in the a/t from the Honda Ridgeline truck as a stop gap until they came up with then new a/t's from the last few years. Of course they forgot to re-program it for the Ody but hey, it was a start.

    Consumers Reports gave the 1999 to 2004 Ody's a clean bill of health for years until they finally had to admit the a/ts they were giving full red stars to, were actually solid black in the real world. This accounted for thousands of unsuspecting Van buyers getting taken to the cleaners along with all the other HOnda vehicles that used that transmission.

    I have a friend that re-builds transmissions and he sees Honda Ody's in the shop every week for burnt up clutch packs, fried tourqe converters and tranny fluid that smells like burning garbage.

    For one thing he has never used the Honda Z1 fluid in his re-builds (that he guarantees for 5 years 50,000 miles) even tho if you read the owners manual you would think the world would come to an end if you didn't.
    Just this year they have finally/quietly dropped the Honda Z1 and replaced it with a synthetic for all their a/ts.
    Claiming they did it to "increase milage on cold starts" More HOnda BS, they did it to try and stop the rush of people who have come to the same solution to their many years of reliability issues..."see-ya-Honda" :mad:
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    You are absolutely correct. The 4 speed and old 5 speed transmissions had many problems. They were replaced with the new 5 speed in the 2007 TL, 2003 MDX, 2006 Pilot, and 2007 Odyssey. The TCM (transmission control module) for the new 5 speed (found in the Ridgeline) was not programmed correctly for the Odyssey and if you didn't have the recall done (for new programming) your torque converter would burn out.
    As suggested by website accuratecars.com I did a complete (not flush) transmission fluid change to DW-1 which is Honda's full synthetic transmission fluid. I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey with 120,000 km and only time will tell if this works!
  • hondawhohondawho Member Posts: 1
    Just returned from Honda service with an estimate of over $5000 to replace the transmission on my 2002 Odyssey. It has almost 120,000 miles but after reading the comments about multiple transmission replacements averaging every 50k miles, I guess I should be happy. I called Honda America but got the usual "nothing we can do" after every reasoned complaint I could think of. This is my 4th and last Honda needless to say!
  • longo2longo2 Member Posts: 347
    edited May 2011
    Honda is making a small fortune on these a/t replacements.

    They are not "Honda Factory Re-builds" anyway...they bid out the contract for all their rebuilds to a big anonymous outfit with the fastest turnaround, and lowest cost.

    Guess why so many of the 'rebuilds' have such a bad reputaion? They use the same Honda parts, spend no time solving the basic design flaws of the unit, patch them up and quickly send them back to the Honda warehouse for dealer installation.

    Until Honda a/t's come with an easy to service filter (or you intall one yourself) these things are time bombs.

    Your best bet for anyone with these older Ody's (myself included) is to avoid the Honda shop at all costs and go with a re-buider who actually gives a ^&*T about fixing them and usually at a couple of thou$and less than the "Honda" re-build.

    Insist they install a Magnefine filter in the return line, put in a full synthetic fluid and change it often, drive it for a while.....then ...."See-ya-Honda"
  • uk_evvuk_evv Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 Honda and I am the second owner, I bought it in 2005 and it has 103000 miles. After reading your post, I am very nervous about keeping the van. Is there something that I can do to get it checked because my wife and kids depend on the van?
  • pgnagelpgnagel Member Posts: 60
    The number one cause of ANY brand of automatic transmission failure is heat. Have your transmission serviced annually. You don't need to flush it, just drain and refill. Honda now sells a synthetic fluid for its automatic transaxles. It's pricey, but far less than a new gearbox.

    Have your mechanic install a good aftermarket cooler. Hayden is an excellent brand. Their model 678 cooler will keep your transaxle happy for a long time. Here's a link:

    http://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Inc-678-Transmission-Cooler/dp/B000C3DDKO

    Don't drive it like a race car. Minivans aren't meant to be drive like someone is chasing you. A light right foot means less stress on all the compenents, front the engine to the tires, and everything in between.
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    Great advice. I would still do a flush to get all Z-1 out and then do drain and fill regularily with DW-1.
    Some Ody's have a tube type cooler. Do you think an inline is still required if you put in DW-1?
  • pgnagelpgnagel Member Posts: 60
    Synthetic fluid isn't magically better, its' just more stable. So yes, I would still install the Hayden cooler.

    Our Odyssey has that useless Honda cooler. It's a joke, and it should be replaced with the far more effecient *stacked plate* version. See this link for a quick tutorial on how heat affects the fluid:

    http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm

    You can't cool ATF fluid too much. Spend the $60 on the Hayden cooler and have it installed. You could save yourself $100 and do it yourself. It really isnt' difficult if you have a little patience.
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    Yep you are right. This is very cheap insurance. I will give it a try.
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    This Hayden Cooler, according to the Amazon website, is only compatible with Honda Odyssey 1999-2004?
  • pgnagelpgnagel Member Posts: 60
    Check out the Hayden website and ask them which one you need:

    http://www.haydenauto.com/ROOT-Home/Content.aspx

    The compatibility issue concerns hose and fitting placement, and clearances at the radiator. I'm sure thye can tell you which one will fit your vehicle. I know the 678 fits my 1999 Odyssey.
  • ignorisblissignorisbliss Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2011
    I'm sorry my friend, Hayden's website shows they do not have a cooler for the 2007 Odyssey. They do have them for the 2007 Accord, Pilot, and Ridgeline. And they do have them for 1999-2004 Odyssey.
  • defush2003odysdefush2003odys Member Posts: 1
    You say you sued Honda in Small Claims Court and won, are you still driving the Honda Odyssey 2003? Did they pay for you to get it fixed???? What do I need to do to get started with this same claim? I am also having transmission problems with my Trans. I have been to my dealer with all my Maintenance needs. Never told of an extended Warranty that covered this problem. My light went on and was told Po740 code only. Now they tell me that I need a rebuilt Trans for $5,600.00 and a new computer board to connect it to. Wow what problems this Honda is giving me, I will never buy a HONDA again.
  • chrismichellechrismichelle Member Posts: 1
    I've been reading the horrific posts here, and I'm ready to ad my story now and seek advice. Our van has 90000 miles on it, however the transmission was replaced with "new" at 26000 when we bought it at the dealer in 2006. Admittedly, I have never changed the transmission fluid, my bad, never thought to. Coming home from the beach three days ago, with cruise control set and about to go up a slight highway incline, the engine raced to 5k rpms and oil coated the back window. We got the car home, determined it to be transmission fluid and are currently weighing our options. Point #1, the fluid level (albeit dirty and smelling burnt) is not lower, and is not leaking where I can see. Also, the van is performing, shifting, and running just fine. Am I playing with fire by just changing the fluid? How can fluid blow out but stop leaking? I'm thinking of trading it in for a 2008 or newer. Any help is appreciated!
  • jmnygaardjmnygaard Member Posts: 48
    $5600 is too much for a transmission. I agree with an earlier post (longo2?)that you should go to a shop that will totally rebuild the transmission themselves. My Ody needed a transmission last year after 9 yrs and 103,000 miles. (Not that bad, in my opinion.) Anyway, I got an estimate from one shop for over $4000. They also charged me $800 for flushing, changing selenoids, "diagnosis," etc! Finally got the name of a good mechanic who sent me to a great transmission shop. For the transmission, torque converter, and two engine mounts, I paid $2300, parts, labor, and tax.
  • pgnagelpgnagel Member Posts: 60
    Have you been checking the fluid level? I'm asking because when we bought our van several years ago it had WAY too much fluid in it. Too much fluid can cause cavitation problems and burn up the pump. Have the transmission serviced, and have the tech trace the leak too it's source. You probably popped a hose off the cooler, and it needs to be fixed. You may be experiencing symptoms of a failing torque converter. These transmissions are actually pretty stout, and will regular servicing and a decent cooler they will live long, happy lives.
  • eharestadeharestad Member Posts: 1
    We are currently having this same problem with our Odyssey. We took it in once and they thought it was just low on freon.

    They adjusted those levels.

    It was fine for a few weeks, and then the battery was dead again. Once started, it made the same hissing and let off the same steam. I took it in once more and they diagnosed that the whole ac compressor would need to be replaced for $1000.

    I am supposed to take it in tomorrow for the compressor to be replaced, but I'd much prefer to just replace a relay.

    They look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I think that the battery and the a/c problems correlate.

    Was there any better terminology that would help me explain things to them so that we can properly diagnose this?

    Thanks
  • robardskyrobardsky Member Posts: 1
    Our 2010 Odyssey that we bought new in 2009 just clicked over 42,000 miles and the warning signal came on indicating that tranny fluid needs to be replaced. Have been driving various models of cars for 45 years and have never had to replace it that quickly. Honda service mgr says typical replacement time is every 38-40,000 miles.

    After ready many of the horror stories on this forum, it's starting to sound true but still ridiculous. I researched Odyssey vs. many other minivan models before we bought the Odyssey and don't remember seeing the tranny problem discussed much. Just hope it isn't an indication of tranny replacement in the near future.

    Anyone else seeing tranny fluid replacement warnings at the 40,000 mile range? Does $155 to replace the fluid seem like gouging?
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,507
    $155 sounds high. might depend onwhere you are. About $95 at my NJ honda dealer.

    and I consider it cheap insurance. 60K would be the most I would consider reasonable on one of these, and I do every 30K on my 2005.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • pgnagelpgnagel Member Posts: 60
    It's so expensive because they flush the transmission with 12 quarts of fluid. That's 3 gallons, kids. Just drain and fill, then do it again in a month or so. The new fluid is about $6 a quart.
  • mykiddosmykiddos Member Posts: 3
    DO NOT flush the transmission. Honda says to drain it. Make sure the paperwork that you get from the company does not have the word flush on it. The place who drained my transmission fluid had the word "flush" on the papaerwork because that is how they have it in their system. My transmission blew at 85k miles and even after having it confirmed that they only drained and refilled the fluids, Honda pretty much told me I should be happy that i got "all those miles" out of the transmission when I went to them, despite information all over the internet about the transmission problems. This is my last Honda. I did replace the transmission with a non-Honda transmission because I read those who had the problem and just replced it with the Honda tranny had the same problems.
  • sanjeevasanjeeva Member Posts: 2
    I have 2005 ody. I replaced trans fluid at around 50k. Now at around 70k it asked to replace it again. I took the car to get an oil change and they are telling me that transmission is leaking oil and is almost empty. I was really shocked. I had several cars in the past but no such issue with transmission.

    They filled the oil and asked me to check it if keeps loosing. I will have to now get it diagnosed ($150) and then who knows how much will it cost. Reading about previous models transmission issues makes me nervous.
  • sanjeevasanjeeva Member Posts: 2
    any update on this? Did you get a response from Honda? I have 2005 ody too and started to see transmission oil leak at 70k.
  • luckwithhondasluckwithhondas Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 honda odyssey ex with 262,000. miles on it, that I bought brand new. This vehicle has been very very good to me until about 1 month ago. I am having slipping problems with the transmission. Took it to a transmission place where they were working on 3 other odyssey, much newer them mine. they found a leak and are saying that I probably need a new torc converter and other things but they wont know until they take out the transmission. It came up with 2 codes one was for the torc converter and cant remember what the other one was. I have taken very good care of this car by making sure maintenance is done when it is recommended. I have gone thru 2 timing belts and water pumps at every 100,000. not because they were bad but recommended. Everyone says it was a waste of money but I have been very pleased this honda. The transmission place said it would cost about 4,800. to replace the trans. I was also told that if you get the trans replaced after having that many miles on it, that I should have the engine rebuilt. I dont want to spend that kind of money. So I was looking for used odyssey with low miles and found a lot of info on customers having problems with the trans. anybody want to help me out with the years honda was having these problems so I can stay clear of those certain years
    thanks in advance
  • autowriteautowrite Member Posts: 226
    If you look at customers' reports [reliability dots] on Cconsumer Reports 2003-2006 and 2008-2010 had best reliability in transmissions for the Odyssey. 2007 is bad news. You need to read more on Edmunds.com & OdyClub on what members have to say. I trust Consumer Reports more than any other magazine because they purchase vehicles where the dealers do not know that they are Consumer Report people.
  • longo2longo2 Member Posts: 347
    If CR is saying the 2003 to 2006 HOnda trannys are great, it just shows how far behind the problem they still are. My friend who owns an Automatic Trasmission repair shop is seeing these vans coming in off warranty and needing re-builds too.

    The 2007 tranny is out of the Honda Ridgeline truck was much better unless you ignored the re-call for re-programming. Seems Honda just slapped it into the Odyssey as a stop gap fix while they were designing the new 5 speeds, but left it set up for the truck. Dumb/Bad move.

    Honda has left a trail of stink down the road now for many many years on this issue but they know it will finally go away as the older 1999 to 20..? Odys get crushed, melted down and turned into re-bar.
  • autowriteautowrite Member Posts: 226
    I did not say that CR said these tranmssions were reliable. I said that the customers said the reliablity was ok (as per the dots). CR explains that this information in gattered from customer surveys. Anyway I believe that heat destroys these transmissions and the optional Honda cooler is not the one to use. I have drained & refill my tranny 3 times at 3 litres each time to the sythetic type & added an after-marker transmission cooler. The cooler was added last August. My Honda dealer recommended the after-market cooler.
    My tranny went at 184,000 kms. Anyone I know that had a Windstar had their tranny go at about 104,000 kms. Coolers are standard on the Sienna.
  • 01intrigue01intrigue Member Posts: 92
    Our 2006 Ody EX-L has over 107K miles and all we've done is replace battery (once) and tires (twice), plus usual maintenance (tranny fluid, coolant, alignments, brake pads) and we're in hot Florida. The car has been a dream to own and drive. As you probably know, owners who had problems are more likely to post message than those who have had no problems. We'd buy another (after checking it out with a machanic) without hesitation.
  • ibeplatoibeplato Member Posts: 13
    We have a 2003 Ody with 77k miles on it. I changed the fluid for the first time at around 65k (3x drain/fill with Honda fluid).

    A few weeks ago we got the dreaded engine light. The mechanic pulled a P0730 code and told us if it happened again, to replace the tranny. Since then it has been ok except for some rough shifting. Occasionally it will fail to shift into 3rd and act as if it is neutral, but if I back off the gas it will shift.

    I took it to the local Honda dealer for a 2nd opinion, they also said to replace the tranny and quoted me $5,400 (said it needs a new engine computer when replacing the transmission). They local Honda rep offered to cover $1k. I called two other shops and got quotes around $4700.

    In addition, it needs an ABS modulator, engine mount, and timing belt. Total bill was almost $9k. So, we're getting rid of it and have bought a new Odyssey (even after all this, I still prefer the Honda over any other van. Wish me luck!)
  • jhk4949jhk4949 Member Posts: 12
    I also had a 2003 with the transmission causing problems at about 105,000 miles. Honda told me the they would cover about $1500. I got a quote from a reputable transmission shop for about $2500 for rebuild. I asked honda to review their part of this problem to keep a customer. They elected not to. I went with the private shop and sold the car about a year later. I decided to purchase the 2011 Ody ..... the transmission problem was overcome by what the Honda van offered. I hope the new 6 speed transmission does not have the problems that the 2003 had.
  • autowriteautowrite Member Posts: 226
    If you are an American what did this new Odyssey cost. I live in Canada and with the tax for a 6 speed it's over $60,000.
  • meem2meem2 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a 2003 Honda Odyssey in February. It had been a dream...until yesterday. Actually, about a week ago, I noticed some rough shifting into second when I was getting on the highway. It only happened once or twice, so I didn't think much of it, but I looked onlime and found a recall on the 2003 tranny cooler line. The recall states that if you have more than 15,000 on your vehicle, they will inspect the gears for discoloration, and i,f it exists they will replace your transmission. I contacted a local dealer about this, but never got a return call. Fast forward to yesterday-75 miles from home, in no man's land with no cell service and at least 5 miles from the nearest phone-my transmission completely blew out. I mean-COMPLETELY, as in, I had tranny fluid on my back window. The gears stripped, and van just rolled to a stop. It was smoking so bad I thought it was on fire. Thankfully, a nice family stopped and let us use their phone and AAA and they towed it back to a dealership near our home, and I fully expect Honda to fix THEIR problem. Am I asking too much?
  • longo2longo2 Member Posts: 347
    "I fully expect Honda to fix THEIR problem. Am I asking too much? "

    If you were the original owner you would have received the recall notice for the 03'. Under that recall they would have inspected the tranny for the burnt gears and replaced the unit with its first rebuilt.
    If your gears and shaft were not discolored yet they would have installed a fluid diverter on the return line to the tanny case and sent you on your way.
    This little do dad simply squirts the returning a/t fluid over a couple of inches and down onto the shaft and gears that are running dry and burning up.

    That solved one problem, but that tranny has a host of other issues that only a total re-design would fix. As you are on this forum and reading the stories, I'm sure you know by now that the Honda Odyssey a/t's are timebombs.
    Most Ody owners find out about changing the a/t fluid soon and often, installing a cooler, and adding an in-line a/t filter but by then that tranny is usually toast and Honda will say, "we understand your problem, but sorry, can't help"

    If you were the original owner and had a record of tranny fluid changes, and the re-call done, it might help, but as the second or (?) owner with no history, I doubt it. :sick:

    Hope I'm wrong, keep in touch.
  • falmar1falmar1 Member Posts: 12
    My 2000 honda Transmision quit on me. Prices varied from $3900 to $6000 to repair it. It has 150,000 miles on the car. Does any one know the following codes? PO740 PO420 1456.
    Book valvue is only around $2500 - $4500. Not sure if it is worth fixing.
    Any suggestions?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Google is your friend:

    P0740 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit
    P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
    P1456 - Manufacture Control Auxiliary Emission Controls

    Basically transmission, catalytic converter and other emission issues.

    IMHO, it's time to take Nellie out back...

    Or Craigslist it for $1000 and move on.
  • diggernancediggernance Member Posts: 3
    I have a quote from AAMCO transmissions for 1800 to rebuild my 2001 transmission. Good luck.
  • steve378steve378 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2011
    My Honda Odyssey has 161,000 miles and I am on my 4th transmission. I'm 59 years old and have never had to replace a transmission in any other vehicle I've ever owned.

    The last transmission that failed was installed by McConnell Imports in Montgomery, Alabama in September, 2009. McConnell Imports installed a transmission which had been remanufactured by Howard Engineering (Los Angeles) and which carried a 3 year warranty.

    This transmission failed and was replaced by Sons Honda in McDonough GA on 2/28/11. The transmission was clearly within the 3 year warranty period. Howard Engineering sent a replacement transmission to Sons Honda and advised the Service Manager that I could recover the labor cost by applying to Howard Engineering for a reimbursement. I’ve sent 2 requests to Howard (one of them certified mail) and have never received a response.

    On 5/20/11, I sent a certified letter to the General Manager at McConnell Imports asking them to intervene with Howard Engineering on my behalf. McConnell has never acknowledged my problem or responded to my letter. Since then, I’ve learned that the Better Business Bureau has given Howard Engineering an “F” rating and that they’ve had multiple complaints about failing to respond to complaints and failing to honor warranty claims.

    Why would a Honda dealer use this type of supplier? Why would they also not intervene on a customer’s behalf? Given this type of service, why would anyone take their car to a Honda dealer for service?

    I'm buying 2 vehicles later this year. Neither will be a Honda.
  • longo2longo2 Member Posts: 347
    "Why would a Honda dealer use this type of supplier? "

    Probably because they picked the outfit that supplied the Honda re-built at the lowest possible price. And as the old saying goes "you just get what you pay for" however you got much less.

    There are reputable a/t re-builders out there that do stand behind their warranty, but the HOnda trannies from those years are time bombs and there really aren't any good options other than using the same OEM parts that failed the original, and (this is the big one) unless the HOnda a/t has a much improved filtering system to take out the circulating clutch debris and metal bits that turn your fluid into grinding compound and plug up the solenoid filters....the same fate awaits your re-build.

    The original "Honda Z1" fluid could also be a part of the problem and only this year has Honda quietly gone over to a more robust synthetic replacement ("DW1")

    That particular tranny has given HOnda a big Black Eye on consumer reports as well, and all the other models (including Acura) that used it had the same reliability issues.

    Eventually Honda a/t stories like yours will all be history, but only when they are all scrapped and melted down, my 03 Ody' included. :sick:
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