Honda Odyssey: Problems & Solutions:(1995-2004 Models)

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Comments

  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    Mine did it, too. I took the spoiler off and glued the gasket back in place with some automotive adhesive. It's been permanent til now.
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    There is now a service bulletin out for it and it also calls for a complete new spoiler but the gasket looks differant on the new one. However if out of warranty I am sure adhesive would work as it has for Mschafer so far...Good luck
  • DTKWOKDTKWOK Member Posts: 131
    Auburn63,

    Would you be so kind as to post the number of the TSB? I looked for it at the NHTSA web site but no luck. Thank you!
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    SB 01-061 this covers 99-00 and some 01's.
  • fishmonger1fishmonger1 Member Posts: 15
    Just heard from my Honda service manager... the leak I'd noticed from my '99 Odyssey was from the transmission (the very transmission which had been replaced after losing reverse gear at 12,000 miles). I'm stunned. This is my 4th Honda and I've never seen anything like this. Will I be replacing the transmission more frequently than the tires?

    The service manager said that last year's replacement was done with the original transmission, but they will now installed Honda's "Updated" Odyssey Transmission.

    My questions:

    1) Does anybody know if this "updated" transmission has really fixed the problems?

    2) Will Honda extend my warranty given this atrocious record? Any advice for dealing with Honda customer relations?
  • joekrish1joekrish1 Member Posts: 6
    I am waiting for my remanufactured Tranny. My van has 45k. I've negotiated a replacement cost of $600 from me...they supply the part since I'm out of warranty. The most frequent item on this site other than doors is transmission.....
    I've been told it'll be a couple of weeks before they get the part....Joe
  • DTKWOKDTKWOK Member Posts: 131
    fishmonger1,

    I think the transmissions are improved, however I have a '01 that was probably built in between the update period. Had some sort of solenoid replaced, as a precaution, at 875 miles and have not had any problems so far.

    joekrish1,

    I would definitely press Honda for them to cover up all the costs, they could use their "goodwill funds" to cover it. Did you get your van serviced from that dealer regularly?

    auburn63,

    Thank you for the S/B, will show it to the dealer this weekend.
  • kikaiderkikaider Member Posts: 5
    <<<With all the problems everyone is having with these junkers, why is anyone buying them? My advise is to sell them now! <<<<

    It seems that the Odyssey is popular by word of mouth in America now. Sometimes even 1200+ posts in the "Odyssey Problems" forum will not discourage people.

    I have been in one with a Nav system, and it is pretty nice, but the 3rd row seats are pretty cramped - friend took it in for some issue at less than 1,000 miles though.
  • jpmbgoodjpmbgood Member Posts: 3
    I think I want to by an Ody vice a Sequoia (due to interior size, safety, price). However, the last van I bought was a Plymouth through a broker at dealer cost. I now live in DC. Does anyone know where I might be able to purchase an Ody at a dealer cost price point. The best I've seen, thus far is $700 over invoice.
  • djludjlu Member Posts: 3
    With all of the EGR problems mentioned on this board, what would be the process of pressing for a recall?

    My wife took in her '00 LX last week because the Check Engine Light came on. Diagnosis was EGR Air Flow Insufficient. I'm concerned in what they did to correct the problem. Apparently, they "removed intake" then "cleaned and oversized EGR portal holes." I called the next day and found out that "oversizing" meant they drilled larger holes. According to the advisor, they have done that close to 100 times and it's been successful.

    I am baffled as to why they drilled two bigger holes. My concern is that it suggests to me 1) poor engineering in the original design 2) incompetent repair shop (this is a Honda dealer) or 3) both.

    Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. We have had the Odyssey exactly two years but, at 44000 miles (mostly interstate), is out of warranty. The charge for this service was $132.
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    The problem is #1 in your list of concerns. The dealer's shop is just following a TSB sent out by Honda on this problem. You could probably press them and get them to do it at no charge, even though you're out of the warranty period.

    Scroll back a ways in this message list. A TSB Number as well as an Engineering survey number were given. In the latter, it recommended that, if the TSB didn't solve the problem, they should go back and use an old Accord TSB (99-085) to attack and solve the problem. This one calls for removal of the intake manifold; and using a small drill to clean out the plugged port. It does not, however, call for oversizing the port. This must be a recent dealer innovation, which is probably a good idea to prevent recurrance.
  • bigjim01bigjim01 Member Posts: 13
    You got off lucky and, I think , better.

    My check engine light on my '99 LX came on 5 times in 36000 miles. Two times under warranty, Honda "fixed" it. After warranty expired it came on and I had my local mechanic fix it. He first turned off the code ($35) and told me to come back if it came back on again. It did, thre days later. Following Honda's procedures, he replaced the EGR valve for me. ($178). He said if it happened again, he'd have to remove the intake an clean the ports. The light came on again. I took it to Honda this time and they removed the intake and cleaned the port ($152). After a lot of bitching on my part, I got them to refund the $152 and agreed to another $42 worth of service credits for use later (an IOU from the service mgr.)

    I believe this is a bad design and Honda won't admit it. The problem apparently is not too widespread. I don't hear many reports about it. I like the idea of re-drilling the EGR port, which is actually a passage thru the intake manifold under the EGR valve. I think making it larger sounds like a real "fix". I'm going to make a note of this solution for the next time my "Check Engine" light comes on. I figure I might have another 10-12K till it happens again.
  • neusslneussl Member Posts: 28
    Remember, Honda's warranty is 3yr/36K on everything, just like the Big 3. Toyotas (Sienna) and Nissans have powertrain warranty that is 5yr/60K miles from the factory with no deductible and fully transferable. This fully covers the engine, transmission and driveline components for an extra 2yr/24K miles longer than the Honda product. While I feel that Honda makes a great product, I am always swayed to purchase the Toyota/Nissan because of the extra warranty at no cost.
  • stoltziestoltzie Member Posts: 15
    Good afternoon everybody!

    I have a question about our 2001 Taffeta White ODY EX. We are approaching our 1 year annivesary of ownership and have a question about some small specks of corrsion appearing on the seams where the front driver and passenger door window frames meet the upper part of the door. It is behind the area where the side view mirrors are mounted. The seams under the weather stripping have started to show corrosion. It's small now and living in a rustbelt state, I'm curious to see if other rustbelt owners have noticed the same thing. Typically, when I wash my cars, I dry out the door jambs and that is how I discovered this.

    The car is do for a 15,000 mile service and I will ask our local Honda Dealer about this but am wondering if this is a wide spread problem. Also, the TW paint seems to chip much easier than the CSS paint on our previous '99 Ody LX.

    Thanks,

    S.
  • deblyndeblyn Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 odyssey. When I apply the brakes mainly at @40 mph, the brakes seem to apply harder by themselves (like a hydrolic pull) and jerk the car forward. This also sometimes happens at 60 mph. Lately my RPM's seem to be sticking after the brakes are applied so that I hear a little revving sound and the car seems to going faster when I am not applying the gas as hard. Anybody else experiencing this problem??? I have 29000+ miles on the car. Everytime a technician takes it for a ride they find no problem. I'm getting worried since my warranty is almost up. Please help.
  • elimelim Member Posts: 8
    Does this happen only when you're going down a steep(er) grade? What you've described appears to be the Grade Logic control in Honda's auto transmissions. It's supposed to work going both up and down hills, but the grade logic is more noticeable going down a grade because under sustained or harder braking (several seconds at least), the transmission downshifts which feels like the car jerks forward. The RPM's should actually go up after downshifting.

    If you feel your car jerk or lurch on flat roadways after braking, I would be concerned.
  • pvanmeterpvanmeter Member Posts: 4
    Our van is an EX-2001 with 17,000 mi. on it. We have a transmission problem and other issues at this time. I am not the expert regarding the transmission though I could repeat the problem if anyone wants to discuss the torque converter noise issue. I do have concerns that I would like to know more about.

    The paint seems to have "smudged" in two places. Apparently something touched the very back bumper some time ago and a "smudge" appeared and now the same thing has happened to the front, near the license plate on the bumper. Has anyone else noticed a problem with the paint?

    A second question. Should the clock and glove compartments have lights, i.e. can you see your clock at night? If so, mine are not working. I've also had problems with the gas tank release, I have to pull it three times to get the door to the gas tank to open.

    Thank you for your help.
  • DTKWOKDTKWOK Member Posts: 131
    Yes, I have the same thing on my rear bumper, I lightly grazed the corner of it and now the paint looks like it was smeaered, at least it didn't crack off.

    As for the lights, the glove box does NOT have a light bt the clock should be illuminated, you might want to check your fuses first (reading the manual also helps).

    The gas tank release works just fine for us, one pull = open lid. Definitely take it into the dealer to have it looked at.
  • khoakhoa Member Posts: 64
    deblyn - I think you're just at the sticking shift-points of the auto trans. Did you just notice the sticking or do you know for sure that it has never done it before?
  • doepeldoepel Member Posts: 20
    I hear the torque converter making noise when I'm cruising between 50-55mph at about 1500rpm. When it makes this noise, I can hit the gas pedal just a little and the transmission will immediately down shift from overdrive to 3rd. The noise then goes away. I don't hear the noise if I leave the shifter in 3rd, and avoid overdrive.

    Has anyone else had this problem or had it fixed? I've told the dealer about the noise, but they claim not to hear it.
  • pvanmeterpvanmeter Member Posts: 4
    Same noise with our 01 EX. There is apparently a vibraiion when the torque converter is engaged. Honda does not have a "fix " for it at this time. You can register a concern with them. Their response currently is that the problem should not get any worse. We are definitely not as happy with our Odyssey as we are with our 91 DX with 170,000 miles on it (we bought it new as well).
  • doepeldoepel Member Posts: 20
    pvanmeter - Thanks for the info. To register my concern, do I call Honda Customer Service?
  • pvanmeterpvanmeter Member Posts: 4
    My spouse made the call. The dealer gave us the name and number of the regional service person to contact. Please follow through with this. The more people who want a "fix", the more likely Honda will pursue the issue. We are quite disgusted with the problem.
  • bren3bren3 Member Posts: 23
    We have almost 21,000 miles in just a year. As far as long trips go, we have been very satisfied. Most MPG was 24 with reg. gas. I almost laugh as I pass other vans with carriers, or the rear so loaded they can't see out the window. It may be squatty looking, but it holds it's own passing the semi's. If having trouble holding the Ody on the road then it must be EXTREMELY windy. Having said this, I will list the small amount of problems we have had: driver window motor replaced; rear motors soon to be replaced (they have become noisy, as did the driver side motor); bubble in paint on rear bumper (warranty fix); passenger slider rattles over bumps (they keep tightening latches); and what really bothers me the most right now is that I don't feel it rides as smoothly as it did when we first got it. I have had tires rotated on schedule. Has anyone had trouble with the struts? They told me they would check when I take it in next, but said that there shouldn't be a problem with them leaking. Has anyone experienced the ride problem, and if so, found out what the problem is?
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    I have 115,000 miles on my 99EX; and am just now giving some consideration to replacing the struts and the rear shocks.
  • jim_loves_carsjim_loves_cars Member Posts: 190
    The "check engine" light flashes for about 10 seconds after start-up on my wife's '01 Ody. The light doesn't come on again while the vehicle runs and everything operates fine. The van has about 7,000 miles on the odo. She's going to bring it into the dealer, but I'd like her to be armed with some facts. Any idea what could be causing the flashing?

    Besides this, the vehicle is a joy. My wife calls herself "the Queen of the Road" in her Ody!
  • jwhite86jwhite86 Member Posts: 6
    Hello. I have had my '99 Odyssey for well over two years now (around 60K miles) and am mostly satisfied. A couple of problems came up but were dealt with under the standard warranty. Well, the warranty is expired now. My current problem is that I am hearing a distinct popping noise in the passenger side rear of the vehicle. I liken it to the pop made upon opening a new can of tennis balls (but slightly higher in pitch). The noise originally started months ago when making right-hand turns, and seemed to happen at lower speeds and/or sharp turns. Now, it results at various speeds, and occurs upon riding over moderate to big bumps as well as turns. The noise was tolerable at first, but now is generate a good deal of concern.

    It sounds like it is associated with the suspension. Has anybody else experienced this problem? I just want a clue as to what I might be dealing with before trying to correct it out of my own pocket. Any input would be appreciated.

    Most of what I have read so far in this forum seems to be pointing at the rear struts, but I have seen nothing in terms of a dealer's response to such a problem after a fix.

    Thanks! Jeff
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    Is it the Check Engine Light or the Service Engine Light? My guess is the latter, and it's telling her she's due for service.

    The manual tells how to reset it.
  • jim_loves_carsjim_loves_cars Member Posts: 190
    I'll ask her again and take a look at it myself. Thanks.

    -Jim
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    For those of you that have been following this board, you know that I've been experiencing the CEL/TCS lights indicating low flow in the EGR port starting around 65,000 miles on my 99EX. I replaced the EGR valve and worked out a shade tree mechanic solution to clearing the port and the error codes. That solution worked pretty well for a while, but was lasting for shorter and shorter durations recently.

    Finally, today at 115,000 miles, I decided to bite the bullet and do the intake manifold removal and ream out the EGR port in the manifold procedure as recommended by Honda as a fall back method using a TSB originally issued for the 98 Accord. When clear, the port is 8 mm (~5/16") in diameter. When I pulled the manifold, my port was about 1/16" open. Reaming it with a 5/16" drill bit produced about 1 Tablespoon of brown carbonaceous grit.

    I am not a professional mechanic; and the job took me less than 1 hour to do, since I was figuring out how to do it for the first time. An experienced dealer technician should be able to do it in 30-45 minutes. I'm sure the flat rate manual has it down for a 2 hr job, which would explain the $130-150 dealer service charges mentioned here.

    It's easy to see why the port would plug up. The hot exhaust gases pass through the port in the intake manifold right where the cool intake air enters the manifold. This would quickly cool these gases down and cause them to drop out some of their contaminants in that port. Sure looks like a poorly engineered design to me.

    The engine runs great after my inexperienced mechanic work. Hopefully, I won't see the TCS/CEL lights again.
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    Good job, that usally works for a long time so you should be good..
  • larry110larry110 Member Posts: 21
    I have a distinct howling noise in my 2002 Oddy. It sounds like it is coming from the wind. Anyone else notice this?
  • wpalkowskiwpalkowski Member Posts: 493
    Where's the noise coming from? A little more info would be helpful. Do you have the roof rack with the cross bars? If so, first check to see if the crossbars are mounted in proper direction (Mine have a sticker on them labelled "front"). If they're in backwards they make a racket because they disrupt the air flow across the top of the van. If they're in properly but making noise, then try sliding them forward or back to a different position.(I think you may need a torx driver to adjust the fittings, I'll have to look at mine) It's a trial and error thing, you'll have to drive around on the highway a few times to get it right, but you should be able to find a position that causes the least amount of noise. Try looking at any other Odys to see where their crossbars are mounted.
  • larry110larry110 Member Posts: 21
    Thanks I do have the cross bars. As for where it is coming from, I really can't narrow it down. Possibly from the front windsheild. There is a whole forum in oddyclub.com and someone thinks it might be the radio antannea. I swear I read a couple of months ago that Honda had fixed the noise from the crossbars a couple of years ago. So far, nobody except me, in oddyclub.com has the crossbars.
    My front crossbar has a sticker on the most foward side that says front, the back crossbar has no sticker. Should both crossbars have stickers indicating what way they go?
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    Jim,

    What was the verdict on your recheck of the flashing light in your wife's car? Check Engine Light or Service Light??
  • ukrickukrick Member Posts: 66
    We've had our new Ody for just about one month. We've already put over 1500 miles on the van. My wife noticed, since she drives it most of the time, that she's filling up with gas almost twice a week. We've kept records on the mileage for the last few fill ups. Using regular unleaded, we've been getting slightly over 19 mpg. Given the fact that the majority (~80%) of the driving is highway, I'd have expected that figure to be better. The Acura MDX uses the same engine, and they recommend premium unlead fuel. Any other new Ody owners having similar results??
  • bencomobencomo Member Posts: 3
    hello everyone,i know i saw it awhile bake but the search just tells me that there is a match but not where it is. the problem is a grinding noise on long braking. it has 15,000 miles.this is our second '00 ody. the first one was lemon lawed because of the transmission and power doors. this forum is great. thanks!!!!!
  • rockycowrockycow Member Posts: 114
    It is possible your cross bars are not installed correctly, forget about the sticker they were put on incorrectly on some cross pieces. The cross pieces should have the fat side forward on both bars (like a wing) it is easy to turn them around all you need is an allen wrench.
    rockycow
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    My guess is that the pads and the backing plates need to be greased. There is a special grease to do this, and it requires a judicious touch in application to prevent using too much. When used properly, it will quiet noisy disc brakes very nicely.
  • maq4463maq4463 Member Posts: 45
    Couple of days back I was driving my sister's 01 LX and heard a rattling noise from under the driver side dashboard. It sounded like some metal clip was loose.

    Then on the same trip (I can not believe this happened on a honda product) a 10mm nut fell on my feat!!! Wow this is what Honda quality has come to now. Yesterday I saw that couple of relay were hanging down aside parking break, attached to a mettle plate. I don't think I will bother going to a dealer, waiting 2 hours to have a nut screwed back. I will fix it on weekend. My family owns 5 honda cars in the past 7 years but this incident made my intuition more strong that never to buy a North American car.

    I understand that problems would occur with any car regardless of its manufacturing location but this proves a very simple thing, American Honda has substantially gone down in quality. My 02 cents.
  • maq4463maq4463 Member Posts: 45
    Couple of days back I was driving my sister's 01 LX and heard a rattling noise from under the driver side dashboard. It sounded like some metal clip was loose.

    Then on the same trip (I can not believe this happened on a honda product) a 10mm nut fell on my feat!!! Wow this is what Honda quality has come to now. Yesterday I saw that couple of relay were hanging down aside parking break, attached to a mettle plate. I don't think I will bother going to a dealer, waiting 2 hours to have a nut screwed back. I will fix it on weekend. My family owns 5 honda cars in the past 7 years but this incident made my intuition more strong that never to buy a North American built car.

    I understand that problems would occur with any car regardless of its manufacturing location but this proves a very simple thing, American Honda has substantially gone down in quality. My 02 cents.
  • dcrislerdcrisler Member Posts: 118
    engine , but it is tuned differently. It makes 240hp. although maybe the 02' does as well. In any case that would be the reason they recommend 92.
  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    Since you posted your complaint twice thats four cents. See even you with all those Hondas in the family mistakes can be made. Be happy if thats the only thing you find wrong. There have been people here who have had to have new transmissions installed on new Odysseys.
  • mtsangmtsang Member Posts: 70
    I also have a '99 Ody. I had the same noise coming from the passenger rear underside. I did not get the noise when I was turning, only when the Ody goes over a bump (a parking lot speed-bump for example). It took my Service Mgr a long time to identify the problem. What they found was "a problem with the lower control arm". Did not hear the noise again after the lower control arm was replaced. This work was done over a year (and at least 10K miles) ago, so I know it's FIXED. Hope this helps.
  • jim_loves_carsjim_loves_cars Member Posts: 190
    It was the Service Light flashing on and off. The van is coming up on it's 7,500 service interval and it was flashing to remind us. The funny thing is that when I started to explain to my wife why the light was flashing she said "oh, yeah. I need to change the oil and have the tires rotated." I was floored! My wife has never taken an interest in a car like she has with her Ody. She's leaving the light on as a reminder until she has the maintenance performed. Then she's going to follow the instructions in the manual and turn the light off. LOL!

    Thanks for the concern and your input.

    -Jim
  • rjc8rjc8 Member Posts: 16
    I have a blue 2000 EX Nav and is a real problem keeping it clean. It always look dirty. I have 65000 miles on it and am thinking about trading it in. I am debating between a Mesa Beige and the Red. I know the Mesa does not show the dirt that easy. I am wondering how the Red is compared to the Mesa. Does it readily show the dirt?
  • larry110larry110 Member Posts: 21
    After further investigation it is more of a high pitch whistle. It is defenitely being made by the cross bars. I removed them today and the noise was gone. However, there sure is a lot of wind noise, coming from the 2002, at 60mph+.
    I had to reinstall the cross bars because there were still the loose attachments from the cross bars in the roof rack that I can't figure out how to remove short of removing the whole roof rack. Any help would be appreciated.
    I also tried every possible combination with the cross bars, including sliding them to different positions, and the whistle noise persists. It always starts between 30-40mph. The best position I could find for the cross bars only dampens the whistle slightly. The whistle noise seems less noticable once the vehicle wind noise kicks in at around 60mph. I don't think I am being over picky. I've never heard wind noise like this from any other vehicle.
  • noburgersnoburgers Member Posts: 500
    I have a '00 Odyssey EX. The same howling noise started as soon as I installed the crossbars, beginning around 45 mph. I found that the "front" crossbar was facing backwards. The instructions are lame--the "front" label was intended to identify which crossbar is mounted towards the front of the van as the two bars are of different widths. They should have a label indicating the leading (front) vs trailing edge. The fatter part of the bar faces front--there is a very subtle difference. Once I flipped it around there was no noise at any speed. You need a Torx driver to loosen the bolts (I think it was size T15)--pretty big. If you want to remove the clips completely you insert a screwdriver into the hole on the inside of the plastic covers at the front of the rails and SLIDE the cover FORWARD--do not pry or lift the cover. You can then slide out the metal clip that the crossbars bolt into.
  • noburgersnoburgers Member Posts: 500
    By the way, there is a tiny "dot" or dimple on the rails that indicates the position of the crossbars. I don't get any noise when installed in the factory indicated position. P.S. for 27K it was cheap of Honda to put rails on without crossbars to begin with.
  • skyhook75skyhook75 Member Posts: 2
    Hi Everyone,

    I'm new here and have read about the first 600 posts of this forum and have not seen my problem addressed. I have a 2001 EX with about 7800 miles on it and at about the 5000 mile mark, I began to notice that the van brakes would begin to squeal as I applied the brakes when backing the van out of my driveway in the morning when the van was cold and had not been driven for hours. The squeal is not there seconds later when I put the van in drive and move forward and apply the brakes. This phenomenon only seems to occur in the morning when the van is cold. I park it outside in the driveway but live in Southern California where the overnight temperatures are very mild (at least 50+ degrees). I had my van in for a 7500 mile service and they said the brakes looked fine. Has anyone else experienced this problem or have any insight on what may be causing this problem?
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