Honda Odyssey 1999 - 2004

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  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    After a serious consideration between SUV or minivan, I decide to get the 2003 Odyssey EX-L with RES. I have read a lot of discussion about the transmission problem on some 1999-2002 Odysseys (not to mention the problem on power sliding doors). And with the unusual long waiting time and paying at MSRP, I am start losing faith on Honda and wonder it is still confidant to buy one. Does anyone know if any problems with the 2003 model?
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    Yes, I agree the odds are very small, and are probably as likely to happen on a surface street than on a highway. However, it doesn't change the fact that I now have to worry more about it when my kids are strapped into the car.

    lok88 - the Honda engineers have already implemented the design fix, so maybe the 2003s will have the tranny design flaw corrected by the time you get yours!
  • maple49maple49 Member Posts: 66
    I work in downtown NYC and saw my first 2002 Odyssey NYC Taxi. It was a brand new LX. I have seen a lot of the older Odyssey/Izusu Oasis taxis but this was the first 2nd generation.
  • bikerguybikerguy Member Posts: 13
    Looking to upgrade from 99 GG LX to a 2003 LX. Has anyone seen the Sage Brush color in person - can you describe it (is it at all green, or more of a dark gun-metal blue)?

    Dealer said end of November availability for Sage Brush and for Red Rock. How does availability look for Taffetta White?

    Thanks!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Don't know about colors, but our 2003 Honda Odyssey pricing is now live.



    Steve

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  • ecarmackecarmack Member Posts: 161
    The warranty is being extended to 7yr/100k for the 2000 and 2001 Odyssey transmissions. That is a relief to me, as my 2001 has 30,000 miles, and I was looking at possibly purchasing an extended warranty. My co-worker had the transmission go out in his 1999 Odyssey (I don't know what the problem was with that year), so I have heard about the problems first hand.


    http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002-09-20-honda-warranty_x.htm

  • ecarmackecarmack Member Posts: 161
    Sorry, I just checked with my co-worker again, and his van is a 2000, not a 1999. Hope I didn't scare any 99 owners out there. He was pleased to hear about the extended warranty, as his van is out of warranty, and his replacement transmission is acting up again.
  • billg7billg7 Member Posts: 342
    Thanks. Good to know the warranty is extended.

    I have always wondered if maybe some drivers are harder on transmissions then others. I know some drivers are harder on autos then others, and their cars wear out faster as a result.
  • skubesskubes Member Posts: 19
    Was the transmission any different in the 2000 vs. the 99? I thought it didn't change until 2002. I had a 99 transmission go bad out of warranty and paid $1200 out of pocket for Honda to replace it. Wonder why 99's aren't included in this refund/extended warranty deal????
  • ecarmackecarmack Member Posts: 161
    I would call/write/email, and anything else possible, to Honda complaining about your situation. Honda must have statistics to back up its position the problem was not as widespread with the 99s, but that does you little good. However, now that a problem has been admitted with the 2000 and 2001 vans, with the same transmission as yours, perhaps a letter from a lawyer could at least get your $1,200 back. Good luck.
  • cavillercaviller Member Posts: 331
    If Honda has determined specific parts are responsible for the problems, they may also know the specific supplier and/or batch of the faulty parts. It is possible that some years or VINs may not be affected because another supplier or batch of parts was used.

    Just a guess.
  • dchoppdchopp Member Posts: 256
    $1200 plus lawyers fees will put you deeper in the hole.
  • ecarmackecarmack Member Posts: 161
    I agree, I wouldn't have a lawyer actually pursue a case, although some may be interested in a class action suit if the problem is more widespread with the 99s than what Honda is letting on. However, I would see if I could get a threatening letter sent for a minimal fee. Or better yet, it seems many people either know a lawyer, or have a "friend of a friend" that could send a letter for free.
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    that some '99s were covered. Honda does continually change their process to improve the car, even within the same year - so it is likely that they either changed designs, or part suppliers in mid-stream.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Is that mean those cars are not in the list are free of trouble (the tranny)?
  • mfeldmanmfeldman Member Posts: 140
    Haven't driven it much. A couple questions.

    Road noise seemed high on the freeway. Thought it might be a door seal, but couldn't tell. Or maybe tire roar. O r maybe I'm not used to a higher profile vehicle. Any thoughts?

    Still can buy the Honda care 7/70,000 warantee for $925. Seems like a good deal,especially with the doors.

    Was offered exterior and interior "protectant" for 200 eack or 359 together. I know these are usually thought to be rip offs. But for this price if they really work, they sound appealing . Any experiences?

    Talked to Honda last week and the rep suggested but did not confirm that transmission fixed for 2003.

    Thanks
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    no guarantees.

    mfeldman - look at it this way. If a door breaks, or an A/C, or something, you'd be out a bit of $$. Just a question of how much, and when.
  • billg7billg7 Member Posts: 342
    Road noise seems to be a problem on concrete roads but not asphalt roads. I wonder if undercoating would help cut down on the noise?
  • bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    Road Noise is caused by Michelin Symmetry tires.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    You might like to search here for cheaper Honda warranties e.g. $870 for 7Yr/100,000 miles.


    Protectants at $200 or $500 are a rip off, but it's your money.

  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I don't know what is the reason to buy an extended warranty for Honda unless I have a good deal or this is a very bad car. I didn't want the 5Yr./70,000 miles for around $600.00 (don't remember the exact amount) when I bought my '93 Accord until they mentioned the lowerst interest rate (normally 6.99% in 1993), was offered 5.25%. I think the coverage was covered by the dealer rather Honda (don't know Honda Care was introduce back then). Anyway, I think between $800 to $900 (for 7/70000) is a good deal. I got quote about $1000.
  • bjk2001bjk2001 Member Posts: 358
    You can get 7years/100k miles extended warranty from Honda dealer for $875 bucks. If Honda put 7yr/100k miles warranty on each car the cost got to be way less than $875. Why can Honda add the cost for 7yr/100k to the base of the car and have it as standard or just another way for Honda to take care their dealers?
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Do you know if the dealer can offer you some good deal like mine when buying the Honda Care? Something like lowest interest rates. You know... when you go to the business manager for finance, they always sell you something else like rust protection, LoJack, etc. Is the profit go to Honda or dealer? Is there any guideline for the dealer to charge for the Honda Care? Something like invoice price and M.S.R.P.
  • mghorethmghoreth Member Posts: 14
    The '99's have the same transmission as the '00 & '01. Mine went out at 65K and I did not have an extended warranty.
    Honda is replacing it today. They are paying for the parts, labor and rental car.

    My advice to '99 owners - seek reimbursement! I cannot believe that the '99's were not included in the extended warranty. If enough people complain, maybe they will add it.
  • moonkatmoonkat Member Posts: 265
    Thanks for the info. I'll keep it in mind for my 99 EX with 55K miles. Do you tow or otherwise stress the tranny?

    What is it with minivans and auto transmissions??!!!
  • mghorethmghoreth Member Posts: 14
    Yes, I have a small utility trailer (4'x6') that I pull on occasion. Although, I have never gone over the weight limit, I am seriously thinking of adding the transmission cooler after the repair is done. I live in the Southeast, so it does get hot.
    I also use my roof rack a lot. On our last vacation to Fla., my check engine & TCS lights came on 70 miles north of Pensacola. The dealer there (an outstanding one!!!) told me (via cell phone) to take everything off of the roof if at all possible. The drag created by "top loads" is significant. He then replaced a couple of solenoids ($500.00 that Honda paid for). I did eat the $150.00 labor on that one!
    I guess since they are taking care of me, I am still a happy(?) customer. I also bought a '00 Accord EX loaded. I did not know that it has the same problem! Oh well.
  • kenmitchkenmitch Member Posts: 3
    Just picked up my 03 Ody yesterday...
    WOW what a beautiful vehicle!!
    Still considering the extended warranty and service contract. This is my first Honda as I had always been of the "buy american" mindset however my last two fords where built outside the USA.

    Ken
  • dchoppdchopp Member Posts: 256
    You did buy American. The 03 is built in the U.S.If you bought the EX and you plan on keeping the vehicle for a while, the extended warranty is good insurance as parts and labor are pricey. Good luck with the Ody and read the owners manual.There will be a 10 question quiz in two weeks.
  • dchoppdchopp Member Posts: 256
    Could supply be catching up to demand. There is a brand new 02 Ody lx for sale at the local Honda Dealer. It has been on the lot for over three weeks and the current price is $24200.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I am surprise to hear this. Where it is? Any 03 Odys.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Someone in the Prices Paid discussion is looking for an LX. Oh wait, that's you Lok888! From looking at your profiles, you guys don't live all that far from each other.

    (It's ok to name dealers, Dchopp).

    Steve
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  • dchoppdchopp Member Posts: 256
    No 03's Murray Honda DuBois,Pa.
  • mfeldmanmfeldman Member Posts: 140
    What are you guys getting. My first tank was 15 mph for mostly city driving. I hope it improves.
  • jcrobertsjcroberts Member Posts: 54
    Our 1999 Odyssey LX just turned over 40K so no warranty. Thru our several visits to the dealer, I have complained about the sticking doors. My wife broke the outside handle on one side and they replaced it. Now the rod has come unattacked off the other sliding door. Might some one made a maintenance manual of how I go about taking off the inside panel to reattach the rod? I have tried several lubercants on the seal.
    This is our one and only complaint about an excellent van. We have averaged just over 20mpg. I was surprised how well it held the WV mountains at 65-70 mph. Even the three guys 9-12 yo love it. Thanks for your assistance. JR
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Since you have a record of complaints with the dealer, it's worth a shot to ask them to fix it.

    Steve
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  • billg7billg7 Member Posts: 342
    As has been pointed out before here the Odyssey is a heavy car and therefore does not get good city mileage. It does however get very good highway mileage. Having looked at the mileage figures given for the other minivans in Consumer Reports, I notice that its overall mileage in both city and highway is as about as good as any other minivan.

    The difference between the best and the worst minivan is about 2m/gal Comparing a vehicle which gets 19 miles to the gallon with one getting 17 miles to the gallon for 15,000 miles per year driven, and at 1.40/ gal we have $1105 versus $1235 or a difference of about $130/yr.

    When you consider that it costs more then 0.33/mile, in variable costs, to drive a minivan, it costs about $4950/yr to drive one 15,000 miles/yr.

    What this says is that it is not significant to consider the differences in mileage figures between minivans. Where you see significant differences is for example in comparing a minivan to a SUV where the gas milage may get into the 10 to 12 miles/gal range. Or comparing a minivan to a subcompact that may get 35 miles/gal.
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    A significant difference in comparing fuel mileage between a minivan and a subcompact?

    No way, I say! Such logic is worthy of Ody ownership I say!

    Zoom!
  • billg7billg7 Member Posts: 342
    I use to live in Los Angeles, CA. When I moved here I noticed about three times the accidents on streets that I saw in Los Angeles. I decided I needed a larger vehicle to protect myself. Were I live the number of persons who run red lights is in the top 10 in the nation. I had read that the Odyssey was one of the safest vehicles.

    Have been hit twice now in a one year period. I suffered no damage. My Odyssey hit, once for $4,000 and the other for $1,000 worth of damage.

    If you get into an auto accident have the Honda dealer fix it. He is the one who is going to be able to fix the automatic doors right. He really had to work on it for the $4,000 accident, as he told me. After he did his work the vehicle is as good as new.

    Here is another idea, although you might not believe it. If the other person is at fault call his insurance company. Don't get your insurance company involved. Most of the time the other insurance company will pay all your costs. They will not hassle you in any way. My State Farm agent suggested this. You can ask your insurance agent about this idea. That way I did not have to pay the deductible nor the rental car fee. The rental car fee by the way was about $900 dollars for just a mid sized car in the $4,000 accident. I could have gotten a minivan as a rental, if I had wanted, from the other guys insurance company. It would have been about $1,500 then.

    I now have rental car insurance with State Farm. It is the rental car that really costs you in an accident, not the deductible, so I recommend rental car insurance. Be sure and get witnesses if you can. They usually come up to you and volunter their name and phone numbers. In the last accident I had no witness to the accident, but the guy that hit me talked with someone at the scene and told him it was all his fault. I also talked with this person and got his name and phone number. Don't know if it helped, but I gave the other insurance company that information.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You don't mention where you live now, but it sounds like your local government could use some red light cameras!

    Liked your tips - another one is to carry a disposable camera in the glovebox to record the scene, skid marks, even witness's faces I suppose. Be careful out there...

    Steve
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  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Your insurance agent sounds like an inconsiderate salesperson - he basically had you do all his work while collecting a commission on the policy he sold you.

    It may be different in your state but here in MA, when you are not at fault in the accident the other driver's policy covers your rental cost as well as your deductible. Here you typically file with your insurance agent/company and they chase down the other insurance company for reimbursement.

    My insurance company has reps in the field who come out and look at the car, take digital pics for their file, and cut you a check on the spot for the damage. My last accident resulted in my being given a check from my insurance company for the damage minus deductible less than 48 hours after the incident and then a check for the deductible arrived 3 days later as they determined I was not at fault. The body shop then called them back for hidden damage - all in all I had my car back in less than 2 weeks.
  • ocuihsocuihs Member Posts: 138
    The next redesign Odyssey (2004) will have these features: Horsepower from 240 to 260, both voice-recognition navigation system and DVD entertainment as a single option -YES finally (of course you can still order either stand-alone GPS or DVD).
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    ocuihs - Can you confirm this? I can't believe this when they are just finally catch up the demands. Is it going to be a totally redesigned Odyssey or just engine and option updates? I hope they will have these on the new Odyssey: sunroof, power passenger seat, heated mirrors and better transmission shifter arrangement (it is blocking the controls for CD player and climate controls) and maybe power lifegate.
  • dave594dave594 Member Posts: 218
    Honda is on a five year product cycle now. The 2003s are the 5th year of the current design. They're due for a new design in 04.

    You may get the sunroof option. But I see little demand for heated mirrors in the US. They have them in Canada. As for the power lift gate, that's just another unnecessary gadget that is just begging to break and would be very expensive to work on. Honda don't indulge in those gadgets. If you want that, go buy a Chrysler.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    I'm so happy to hear that Fraulein Hamband is now a happy woman. I'm sure that if she keeps the Odyssey in the garage, she will continue to be happy. If the garage is heated, she will not only be happy but also warm.
  • rickydickydooorickydickydooo Member Posts: 1
    Fraulein Hamband like sunglass holder, too?
  • gessgess Member Posts: 90
    Wilhelm, the spare tire is located in a well in the floor behind the front driver's seat. You have to slide the middle row seat back all the way and if you lift up the carpet you will find a lid to lift up. The old tire can be placed in a plastic bag which is provided in a cubby hole in the third row. Make sure you use the bolt provided to secure the old tire in the rear well.

    Geeze, some people should learn to read their owners manual before they ask stupid questions on this board!
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    If you remember, a long time ago, one of the Mouseketeers was named Cubby. Apparently the designers of the current generation Honda Odyssey were admirers of the Mickey Mouse Club, especially Cubby, whom they considered to be especially cute. In his honor, they added a small compartment to hold the used tire bag. They call it a Cubby Hole.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    I just went to a site dedicated to the old Mickey Mouse Club. Cubby O'Brien was in real life Carl O'Brien. Proof that truth is stranger than fiction.
  • gessgess Member Posts: 90
    Willy, go into your third row seat and look to your left. There is a little storage bin with a hinged lid incorporated into the left side armrest.

    Sheesh. Some people.
  • gessgess Member Posts: 90
    A Willy is a... a..

    Never mind.
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