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Comments
Minivans are heavy vehicles and can create a lot of wear and tear on the drivetrain, but they are more car based than truck based. So the theory is that minivans get beefier car trannies instead of "regular" truck trannies.
Maybe we'll have a Sienna transmission problems discussion one of these days too?
Steve, Host
My overall experience with Honda was awesome, as they certainly did not have to give me the time of day at 76,000 miles. This was our 7th Honda, and we think it has otherwise been one of the best vehicles we have ever owned. Looking at Pilots, but with the MSRP + sticker, we may go for another Ody. FYI, since Honda did the tranny work, they gave us a 3 year warranty on the tranny. I can't complain about that, I think it's more than fair.
Best of luck to all of you with the tranny issues.
Maybe odin17 meant that Honda has an above average frequency of transmission failures.
I would not give any manufacturer that much leeway.
As far as giving Honda another look - well I must admit I'd rather not but then again there aren't that many other vans out there that are as nice as the Odyssey. The Siena is nice but the first year run thing concerns me. Plus I had an Acura Integra for 9 years and 150k miles without any major problems. Don't get me wrong, I'm very unhappy about the transmission issue and that's why we plan on selling the van.
Let me quote you on something: "Gonna get a Windstar? lol. You can get a MPV but it's rather small and Ford-related engine/transmission. I'd rather keep putting transmissions in my Odyssey."
Really? You'd rather keep spending quality time with those weazling Honda dealership people than buy from an American manufactuer? I've never heard of a van that blows it's tranny within 30-50k miles (of normal, sane driving), nevermind a Honda. And what did Honda do when the problem surfaced? Deny it, blame the customer of course.
I'm not saying all Hondas are bad. Far from it. Most Hondas are very good. But many Odys have serious problems. Given Honda's history for reliability, this should be considered a Honda lemon and only the great automotive god knows exactly how many people have had to go through countless hours of unnessesary conversation with Honda dealers on a van sold on the basis of quality, reliability, and workmanship.
Actually, unlike when my Windsatr blew its tranny and Ford treated me like scum, Honda has been paying for replacements.
Interesting thing to me. There are only 222 total posts on this topic. This is hardly an epidemic. Were it anyone other than Honda (ok -or Toyota) this wouldn't even be a blip on the radar.
That said I found a good deal on an extended warranty..... This thread is making me paranoid.
What they DID do was extend the warranty on the transmission to 7 years or 100K miles, for free.
Fezo: When DID your Windstar blow it's tranny? As for "What they DID do was extend the warranty on the transmission to 7 years or 100K miles, for free"---you're avoiding the issue here. The warranty only came about after a LOT of people started complaining about their trannys breaking on almost new Odys. Read the previous posts please. Don't tell me that just because Honda gets you a re-manufactured tranny for free, it's OK that a woman gets stuck in the middle of nowhere during Christmas. And if Honda was so customer friendly on this issue, they wouldn't try to screw over that woman who didn't change the transmission fluid at 30k miles. Oh, and don't forget about those people who had their re-manufactured trannys fail within a week. And what about those people who had to pay ~$500 for installation, and even more for rentals? Do you know how many people had to pay out of pocket (money and time) for Honda's little mistake?
And who came up with this 2% information? How credible or accurate is the source? And let's say it's actually 2% and not 5%...believe it or not, 2% of '99,'00,'01 Odys means a LOT of people. I remember hearing that ~60,000 Odys sold in the first quarter of '99 alone. So do the math here, about 1200 people got bad trannys with their Odys in just the first quarter of '99 alone. And not everyone with a failed tranny on an Ody comes to Edmunds.com.
My point is, Honda made a mistake here. And they, not you the consumer, should have to bear the burden of that mistake. The free warranty is a start, but I believe this warrants a recall.
Some aftermarket transmission replacement companies brag about a 2.5% failure rate, so 2% doesn't look out of the norm.
Steve, Host
I feel sorry for people who were stranded by their Ody transmission. Just as I feel sorry for the people who were stranded when their engines failed in the Windstars or Siennas, and just as I feel sorry for those who had transmissions go out in their Grand Caravans.
But fact is, Honda acknowledged the problem and is replacing the transmission even on Ody's that are outside their factory warranty and not included in their official recall.
Some companies would KILL for a 2.0% or lower defect rate.
We have had 3 Accords, 2 '89's and one '95. The lowest maintenance cars we have ever owned. One of the '89's saved my husband's life - he was rear ended at high speed while he was stopped at a light, forcing his car underneath the one in front of him, which ended up on top of his car. The front and especially the rear crumpled very nicely and he walked away without a scratch. The car on top of his was an American car with airbags (the '89 has none - sometimes they do more harm than good) and the people sustained more injuries than my husband. The reason we have another '89 is that he loved the one we lost and felt good about it's ability to keep him safe, he wanted another just like it.
We are very lazy car owners and NEVER have routine maintenance or tune-ups of any kind. We change the oil every 6 months and that's it. His original '89 had only one thing (other than brakes and muffler) go - the timing chain. It had 180K miles on it. Awesome car! His replacement '89 is getting to the point of nickel and diming us now, and when we bought it, the owner had a stack of maintenance records - mostly routine to give us. She did routine maint. and this car has had more problems than ours where we did nothing. My '95 had the starter go, and nothing else. All have had manual transmissions which I think go forever!
BUT, we need a new car to replace the replacement '89 money pit and we want a van - have seen, driven and read about them all. It sounds as if the Odyssey has a "lemon" issue going on, which surprised me since we have had such good luck with our Accords. Have heard about the tranny and electrical problems on the Dodge (I cannot ever imagine us buying an "American" car, but I have tried to keep an open mind) and the Odyssey with their tranny problems. Which leaves the new 2004 Sienna which we drove and liked (only things I didn't like is that it's not as "peppy" as the Odyssey and I hated the placement of the gear shift and the cheap plastic surrounding it - and that notched shifter is too weird.) Turning radius is awesome and the seats fit me like a glove.
One thing I want to know is WHY don't more people consider full-sized passenger or conversion vans? Yes, they are a little more to haul around and gas mileage is quite a bit less, but they are much more luxurious than minivans, are real "trucks" built to last and are tried and true - and they're so roomy! I know some conversion companies has been problematic in the past with electrical issues, but they are getting better - new companies are doing "lighter" conversions which seem to be more compatible with the van's elect. systems.
So, my question is, do you think the best minivan (possibly the Toyota Sienna??) would really be more reliable than say, a Ford E-150 conversion van? I think it is down to one of the 2 for us. I personally love the room in the full-sized van. I can get a 2003 for 30K loaded with lots of goodies, so it's not a LOT more expensive for what you get. What has your experience been with the reliability of full sized vans you have owned??
Wendy
I think minivans handle more like cars (I'd just as soon not drive a truck as my daily driver myself) and they get better mileage.
Take a look at Full Sized Vans for some real world opinions.
Steve, Host
Wendy
The new owner of our Ody is . . . American Honda Motor Company. They bought it back as a result of arbitration. They were nasty 'til the very end.
I want to thank every one who offered advice through the board and directly. I really appreciate all the time taken to help me.
We are very happy with out new vehicle. I would tell you what it is but 'anonymous posts' would list 5 or 6 things wrong with it.
Thanks again and good bye to Honda!
Blake
TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 20, 2002 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced today it will provide extended warranties on approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura models equipped with automatic transmissions due to problems that may result in premature wear or failure. The extended warranty will cover affected transmissions for seven years or 100,000 miles.
The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty for Honda vehicles is three years or 36,000 miles, while Acura vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000 miles.
Vehicles covered by the extended warranty include:
2000 - 2001 Honda Accord, Odyssey and Prelude
2000 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2001 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 CL
While only two percent of these vehicles have experienced these transmission problems, American Honda will provide extended transmission warranties on all potentially affected vehicles. "Our priorities are making sure our customers are taken care of and reassured they can continue to depend on their Honda or Acura automobile for a long time to come," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president for American Honda.
There is usually plenty of warning to the driver that the transmission is not operating properly, such as slow or erratic shifting, giving them ample time to take the vehicle in for service.
American Honda will notify all owners of eligible vehicles via mail in the coming weeks.
When a company tells you that you could have a transmission failure, but don't worry we will fix it,it isn't going to make me feel safer going down the road with my fingers crossed.
I think that they are playing a wait and see game to keep costs down for them. They know that Honda buyers will accept their excuses, after all, Consumer Reports will back them up and it seems that's what Honda folks keep referring too when they need help in making a decision.
To the earlier post about my Windstar, my particular one din't blow its transmission until over 80,000 miles but they were a hugely defective transmission and they knew exactly the problem. Ask crkheen - he got the next year's model and the had fixed the main culprit - an aluminum piston that they replaced with stainless steel.
Yeah, I know what it's like when an auto company doesn't give squat that the vehicle you bought from them leaves a wife and kid miles from home. I don't need further education on the subject.
i commend Honda for raising the warranty to 7yr/100k miles. They should have included the 1999 right away but hopefully they will fully reimburse those affected. To me, 100k mile is all you can expect a manufacturer to warranty a part. To many other factors come into play after that.
Any car can leave you stranded. Ask owners of 1.8T Passats and Jettas, Ford Foci (they catch on fire and wheels fall off .. and you think Ody owners have a problem), Ford Escape (ignition problems), Ford Windstars (engine,tranny), even the new Lexus ES300 experienced transmission issues. The list could go on and on. That's why you invest in a roadside service. And according to most sources the transmission in the Odyssey will give warning that there is a problem.
Steve, Host
Thanks!
I called my dealer on my cell phone and went directly there. The ODY drove as if it's weight had doubled. The dealer said the transmission was gone and I had no reverse.
My ODY had 68K miles on it.
It took 3 replacement transmissions to get a good one
Honda covered it, but I was skeptical about them covering a second transmission, at $6000 plus labor for the dealer quoted cost. I traded the ODY a week after the 21 days it was in the shop for the transmission repair. (A week for each of 3 transmission shipments).
I had the Honda installed transmission oil cooler and the ODY was dealer maintained.
5 minute warning. Lots of time. That's 5 miles at 60 MPH.
.
Yes, you might have some warning, but some areas we drive in are less than desirable. Calling for roadside service and getting it quickly is not always the case.
Heck, I don't feel like this will be as reliable as your standrd Accord and pat84 certainly isn't helping matters but we will see.
I did break down and buy an extended warranty which I NEVER do but this was more to ease the Mrs mind as anything else.
Steve, Host
It's been about a month since our replacement; and lo and behold, the guy we dealt with at the dealer called this week and reported they had extended the warranty, told us to call corporate. We did, and they were set up to take our info, told us to send our bills, etc. Might take 4-6 wks, but we got the ball rolling.
This is the first time I've posted here, but I have really appreciated reading others' experiences, especially when we were in the throes of wrangling over the repair.
Steve, Host
I am glad that Honda has now extended the warranty on the 99's.
Mac
My van is in because I have been experiencing problems with shifting from 1st to 2nd.
They want $75 to diagnose.
I don't have a great feeling about Honda right now.
Good luck!
It has been confirmed!!
7 years 100k miles.
I read this board lists and nothing was said about 2003 odyssey. I am a first time honda owner. I recently bought a 2003 odyssey EX. Now, at 5K miles, I started noticing minor problem and I am not sure if this is normal for odyssey or not?
The problem is in the morning if I just started the van and go, I noticed that there is this jerk of the engine and I can feel it on the steering wheel.
However, if I waited for the engine to warm up (3-5 minutes) then the jerking is not there.
I also own a toyota corolla and I can just start the car and go any time without the jerking of the engine.
Any information on this jerking or is it normal because of cold engine?
Thanks,
MightyThor
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_cod- e=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=08449598