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Honda Odyssey: Problems & Solutions (2005+ Models)

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Comments

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    The car manufacturers know what kind of test EPA is going to be putting their vehilces thru. They know the answers before the test is taken. So, they can design their vehilces to get maximum EPA, knowing fully well this does not translate into real world EPA numbers. So, yes...in a way it is the manufactuerers fault.

    This months Motor Trend has Ody getting 18.6 mpg combined over 20,000 miles.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Not for a minute. I do know a lot of salespeople amy be guilty of pointing at the EPA sticksr and saying..." That's the mileage you will get".
  • sekhonsekhon Member Posts: 4
    i am having humming noise with my 2006 Honda Odyssey ex-l with res. i keep going to my honda dealer and they have given up on my van and American Honda has came and driven my odyssey and they said they heard the noise and they have changed my A pipe and it didn't help and know it is making the noise even worse. they said no one else is having the problem and we are going to sue American Honda and if anyone else is having the problem and wants to get it fix email me at hrmw92i8@hotmail.com or call American Honda 1(800)999-1009 :lemon: WE ALSO PRINTED OUT ALL THE OTHER POST AND FAXED IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID NO ONE ELSE HAS CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
    THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT SO WE ARE SUING THEM. :lemon:
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    sekhon,

    Sorry to hear that your problem was not fixed.

    There is a law in my state that requires that the manufacturer reimburse you or give you a new car after three unsuccessful repairs of the same problem and if the car is in the shop for a certain number of days during the first year or 15K miles, whichever comes first.

    Check your rights, bug your dealer until they fix it or your meets the criteria of a . :lemon:

    ">Good luck.
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    american honda customer service is helpless. i have the humming/vibration problem from day 1, have been to 3 different dealers in the past 6 months, and 1 of them have no clue on how to fix the problem and the other 2 states that the noise/vibration is normal road noise. count me in if you are planning to sue honda...i have wasted so much time on this van..
  • scout7scout7 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2006, the humming noise occurs when I maintain a speed of 45-65mph. I took it to the dealer. They are aware of the problem. They stated they have swapped out the A pipe in 2 other persons Ody. One said it did not fix the hum the other said that it helped but did not get rid of it.
    Has anyone else had the A pipe swapped? If so, did it work?
    Thanks.
  • ash217ash217 Member Posts: 6
    I have humming noise at 2,000-2,100 rpm, and also engine noise just BEFORE it comes out of VCM, how I know that, because I hear the noise and right after the ECO light goes out. Van is in the shop right now for last 4 days. While talking to them on phone, they have no clue what is going on. I will keep you posted.
  • ash217ash217 Member Posts: 6
    Does anyone know, how Lemon Law applies if you bought the Van in another state and just drove it home from there. Thanks.
  • moses7moses7 Member Posts: 25
    sekhon,

    I called American Honda today and they suggested everyone with the humming/noise give them a call and register their complaint and vin number.... implying this would help pressure the engineers to find a fix.

    I hope everyone will be encourage by this information and make the call......... 1-800-999-1009
  • davidbhdavidbh Member Posts: 8
    Hi, My Odyssey has same problem.
    I have a 2005 Odyssey (navi) and 5000miles.
    Honda mechanic said that was normal sound and he said don't compare to toyota.
    I had already visited 2times with this problem.
    They didn't have clear solution but care about their customer satisfaction grade.
    Actually This minivan is my first honda car.
    Next time I will hesitate to buy honda car.
    DL
  • sekhonsekhon Member Posts: 4
    CAN EVERYONE PLEASE CALL AMERICAN HONDA AND TELL THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID NO ONE HAS CALLLED WITH THAT PROBLEM AND SO THEY ARENT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. :lemon:
  • davidbhdavidbh Member Posts: 8
    My car has exactly same problem as yours.
    Now My feeling better to hear that.
    That was not my own car's problem alone.
    What should we do now?
    DL
  • sekhonsekhon Member Posts: 4
    CAN YOU SEND ME YOUR INFO AND VIN AND I WILL GIVE IT TO MY LAWYER THANKS
  • davidbhdavidbh Member Posts: 8
    Somebody said it is humming noise.
    I think they complaine same problem under different title.
    My car has same problem, hummning noise or vibration. when it goes around 2000 rpm.
    Honda should know this problem is not comming from sensitive and choosey person.
    DL
  • elmerito25elmerito25 Member Posts: 4
    Hi

    I've been following this forum and decided not to post my problem until the honda service dept looked and checked my odyssey. Well they did today and guess what ... they said that there's no problem with your van ... its normal !!!!
    I don't buy that ... I have the same problem as you guys have, I am hearing/feeling the noise/vibration around 2000RPM @ 45-55MPH. They checked the A-pipe (my recommendation) but the problem is still there. I'll go to the dealer tonight and see if I can duplicate the problem with another 06 odyssey.

    I've also called American Honda Corp. to report this problem and as usual, they are not aware of the problem. :confuse:

    EA
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    scout7,

    Read message #106 where I described the symptoms of my car and how it got fixed. It did fix my car.
  • rtklmdrtklmd Member Posts: 5
    When I was driving my Maxima, my wife was always saying, "Don't you hear that strange noise?" all the time-constantly complaining. I said, "What! What?" I couldn't hear any. Now since we got our 06 Odyssey, I haven't heard a peep out of her. I guarantee you, if there was a noise in it she would have complained already.
    DEW
  • elmerito25elmerito25 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks Scout7. Yes I did read your post and I did tell them the possible solution and the fix. They said they did look at it and couldn't see any problem.

    Thanks!
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,221
    not a cheap piece, and doesn't look that easy to get to. No wonder they don't want to start replacing 300K of them!

    Even if that is where the noise is coming from, it still seems that it is a natural harmonic resonance (that the right techie term?) at a certain RPM that causes the vibration that leads to the noise.

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

  • luckylauwiluckylauwi Member Posts: 4
    I am going to check this problem in my van, I have a 2005 model, but I have problems with the strut and the slinding doors that don't lock right, the rattles, do you have that problem by any chance?

    I am willing to contact your lawyer too, I contact several lawyers after trying to deal with Honda Headquarters (imposible) they delayed your case to lost time to sue them. Be aware!!!

    Let me kow and email me to try to fix this problem. thanks :lemon: :mad:
  • flybuddy01flybuddy01 Member Posts: 4
    Honda forgot to put a stop button for the dvd player in the front. So the driver cannot stop a dvd. You can pause it but cannot stop it.
    Pausing it for long periods of time will ruin the dvd player.
    One has to pull over and stop and than lean back and use the stop button in the remote control in the back.

    I called and complained to American Honda, they said that they were following California laws. I told them that is BS, so he changed his story to " OK I will write a complain" but noone else has called about it. And they wont do anything about it either.

    I also complained about the vibration and noise at 1500 and 2200RPM, he said he had never heard about it. Another BS.
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    You can turn the power off from the front. That will stop it.
  • flybuddy01flybuddy01 Member Posts: 4
    Yes , But that also turns the whole system off
  • samjaynessamjaynes Member Posts: 2
    Interesting comment... I have the humming sound on my 06 ODY EXL. I also have a 98 Civic that has a manual transmission. It would make a louder humming sound under stress of low rpms (wrong gear)... eventually a part of the exhaust fell off (fought with Honda to replace that, even though the exhaust has the longest manufacture warranty).

    I hope my Odyssey is a simple pipe issue. I love the vehicle, just like my piece and quite.
  • scout7scout7 Member Posts: 3
    stn5900,
    I have read all of the threads for this problem. You mention that your problem occured around 2100rpm (that would put the speed over 65mph). My hum starts at 45mph or 1500rpm and continues up to 70mph(I don't drive much faster than 70). It does not bother me when accelerating but when I set it on cruise and maintain a constant speed it is annoying. When I let off the gas, it stops.

    My question for you is this, Do we have the same problem? Does my problem sound similar to yours and the others? I am glad that your problem was corrected. Did the other swapped out A pipes solve their problem?

    Thanks again.
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    Yes , But that also turns the whole system off

    Yes, it turns off the rear system. I'm trying to figure out a situation where I would want the DVD stopped but need power to the RES. I guess if kids were playing video games or something, but then if they can play video games they could push the stop button on the remote.
  • nothappyhondanothappyhonda Member Posts: 1
    I have an 2005 Honda Odyssey L-EX and last week with only 6000 KM (3700 Miles) I started having problems automatic shifting up or down 1st to 2nd. I have no strange noises but the engine is shuddering and D and N light are flickering but generally do not work. I can put it in "2" and not have the shifting problem so I do not think it is the transmission. The service report is about three pages long put the up shoot is the Automatic Transmission Fluid was low and Computer systems says everything is fine so they think it is the computer. Also the service guy say they have never seen a problem like this before in Canada (FYI I live in North Vancouver British Columbia Canada). They say they will have an answer for me this week.
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    Scout7,

    The humming noise happened when the rpm was between 2100 and 2300, at any speed. It was most obvious on uphill roads when I maintained a constant speed. In city, when I drove at low speed, it was hard to keep the rmp in that range but I could easily detect the noise. The trick is to maintain the rmp in that range when you detect the noise. You mentioned that it does not bother you during acceleration. My guess is is that the rpm goes in and out of the range fairly quickly enough that you are not bothered. Just like your van, when I eased off the gas the noise stopped.

    It seems to me that your problem is very similar to mine if not the same. Take your car to your dealer and have a mechanic sit with you. But first, you need to reproduce the problem consistently so you can make it occur with a mechanic.

    I think the humming noise is an inherent problem with the design of the Odyssey's exhaust system. Even after I had my A pipe swapped out, I can still hear a faint noise under the same condition. I did not come to the conclusion just because of my van. I did drive 2 other Ody. In both I could also detect a very faint humming noise. But at least, after my car was fixed, it behaves like my friendss cars. I am now happy with it. Some said that the A pipe swapout did not help.

    Bug your dealer until you have it fixed.

    Good luck.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Reguarding the humming problem. Couldn't the dealership put it on a lift or treadmill and locate the humming noise that way? Also, wouldn't some type of heat resistant rubber wrap type of compound around the A pipe deaden the sound? If that is the source.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    I tried with the tranny set at D3 but could not reproduce it. The car has to be under load and when it hits the right rmp range it would make the noise. In fact it starts with vibrations that becomes the humming noise at the right frequence (resonance frequency). The noise can be really loud.
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    Read message #106 for a possible solution to your problem
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    2006 ODY EX: City: 18MPG, HWY: 20MPG- cruise at 65
    2003 Acura TLS: City:20MPG, HWY:23MPG -cruise at 65
    Honda's claim for mileage are completely wrong.

    Not so fast...although I kindof agree with the fact that the numbers are off. My Accord is EPA listed at 24city/34hwy. I have never gotten below 28mpg after 3800 miles total and I drive downtown rush hour everyday. On my last highway trip I garnered 36.4mpg (250 miles of highway each way). I'm not overly light on the gas pedal (I don't merge at 40mph as you may be saying to yourself)...but I don't go excessively fast (5-10mph over the limit tops). Generally I go 70 on the highway (my 36.4 mpg was with cruise on 75mph). I think maybe you drive a little harder than I? How long are your highway cruises? HWY mileage is only a good measure if you are at a constant speed. Ten miles of highway is not a good measure, with a big merge at the beginning, and more stop and go once off the highway.

    See, I'd say the numbers are off, TOO LOW, this is why they are called EPA ESTIMATES, not guaranteed figures. Check the sticker...it gives leeway up and down for likely mileage figures (in small print below the big numbers).
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    This months Motor Trend has Ody getting 18.6 mpg combined over 20,000 miles.

    And Motor Trend is a lead-footed magazine. You can read MANY articles there about how "We only managed XX mpg in the hands of our heavy-footed testers."

    keep in mind, they are going to drive to TRY to expose faults in performance or reliability, not like they want to own the car for 300,000 miles. Frankly, I'm impressed they are so close to listed EPA figures. With the Toyota Prius, they were down by over 10 Mpg vs. the EPA listings.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    It would seem illogical for Motor Trend do a mpg study, then state we only got "XX mpg in the hands of our heavy-footed testers." If anything they were proably test driving performance cars, to have made such a statement. As many performance oriented drivers do. Doubtful that they would be "heavy footed" in a family minivan long term study...especially considering epa claims of 20/28.

    18.6mpg combined seems close to you?...when it should be 20mpg in just city :confuse:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Yes, 1 mpg seems close, considering how most people drive. When we are talking about a performance-oriented magazine, it seems REALLY good, and the heavy footed testers comment has been mentioned many times before in different fashions (I've subscribed since 1996, I've seen it a lot). No MT test car usually gets good mileage, usually it is pegged around the "city" estimate or below; sometimes well below. Example...

    Motor Trend tests the 2006 Civic sedan in its COTY competition. It lists at 30/38 EPA mileage, yet Motor Trend garnered only 20.6 mpg (not the Hybrid or Si, just the EX). This wasn't strictly track testing, but included real-world driving for days...they are just heavy-footed drivers! I've never been able to get my Honda to hit the city number...its always higher. Even my 10 1/2 year old Accord gets 27-28 mpg in driving to school (in morning and afternoon rush times, 9 and 4) in downtown Birmingham from the suburbs. On one trip in Fall of 2005, I got 33 mpg going 65 mph (the car is rated at 23/31).

    Some fluctuation is bound to happen due to the driver's characteristics...i.e. I coast to every red light i see change within a reasonable distance, I rarely leave a stoplight at over 3,000 RPMs, etc.

    If I can achieve higher numbers than the over-optimistic EPA, then surely Motor Trend Magazine is going to get lower than that.
  • aaykayaaykay Member Posts: 539
    Odyssey EX-L with Navigation and RES

    I have obtained close to the EPA Highway mileage when driving at or around 70mph and with the front and rear AC switched off (fan on)....it is tough to do that in the summer. With variable speeds in the 70-80+mph range and with AC on, which is how I drive most of the time, I barely make 23-24mpg...par for the course.

    However, in pure city stop-and-go driving (more stop than go), I have at best been able to get around 17mpg. Again nothing strange there, since when stopped at signals, the fuel consumption goes on, while the miles don't add on.

    In my 2000 Acura TL, which is rated at 19city/29hwy, I have regularly obtained well above 30mph (upto 33mpg in one instance), in all highway trips with AC blasting away.
  • soccermom13soccermom13 Member Posts: 2
    We have had our '05 Ody for over one year now. For the last six weeks, it has made a very irritating loud whining noise. It's there only when the engine is warm, but if it's there it's there at all rpms, while stopped, in Neutral, etc.. It get's worse while turning the steering wheel.
    We brought it in to the dealership, where they couldn't find anything wrong. We went to another dealership, who said it's the power steering pump and they replaced it. The problem persists. We brought it back and were told all of the cars make the same noise, more or less. This can't be true, because it's very loud and annoying.
    The car didn't make that noise for the first 11 months and I believe it started after we took it in for the first time for the airbag sensor recall.
    Does anybody have a similar problem? Was it fixed? Could it be a computer/controller issue that occured due to a computer reset when they replaced the airbag sensor?
  • asa203asa203 Member Posts: 10
    My 05 Ody EXL has a musty smell every morning when I turn the heat on or have the Auto climate control on. The smell goes away after about 60 seconds, but it is annoying. My kids even complain. If I leave heat or Climate control off, the smell does not appear until I turn it on. The dealer says they cannot find any problems. Has anyone else seen this problem?
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,221
    sounds like mold/mildew in the AC system. THere is a cleaner kit to take care of the problem. basically a spray can of stuff with a flexy hose that you insert into the evaporator drain tube, and shoot the stuff up into the evaporator where it kills the mold which causes the smell.

    Not sure if it is a DIY project, but would be simple for a mechanic to do, since the drain is under the car someplace. Stop at a local AC shop if you have one nearby to see how expensive it is.

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

  • docsergeydocsergey Member Posts: 6
    I AM IN. SAME IRRITATING SOUND AND EVEN MORE DISTURBING HONDA'S RESPONSE. EX-L 2006 2000MIL.
  • rob123rob123 Member Posts: 21
    I called,I have the same problem with the humming and vibrating.
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    mine has the same smell too.
  • mikeypalmicemikeypalmice Member Posts: 10
    Hello. My father has a 2005 touring verison of the odyssey. He has been telling me about problems that he has been having.

    1. He has the PAX tires, and says that the ride is rough. From reading these forums, this seems to just be something that comes along with the tires. He was told that these tires can't be changed, but, I have seen on here that it is possible, if you change the wheels and tires. Is this true?

    2. He has only gone about 6000 miles and has had front suspension problems, and has had to change the brakes two or three times. Is this a problem that others have been having?

    3. How common is this wind noise issue that deals with the windshield liner?

    Thanks for the help
  • odyssey9odyssey9 Member Posts: 4
    I have recently purchased a 2006 Honday Odyssey EX-L w/Nav and DVD and have also noticed this problem. Usually the 'humming' noise occurs when my speed is around 60-65 mph and its not something that can easily be ignored. The first time I heard it, I thought I was near a car with a modified muffler. Sad to say I realized it was my Odyssey making the noise. If anyone knows of a definite fix or if Honda finally acknowledges this problem please let me know. Other than this noise, the Odyssey is a good vehicle.
  • stn5900stn5900 Member Posts: 21
    Odyssey9,

    Have you taken your car to your dealer and have them reproduce the problem. If they can, you will go from there.

    My humming noise virtually was fixed with a new A-pipe.
    It is so much nicer to to drive. It used to bother me a lot.

    Good luck.
  • denver5357denver5357 Member Posts: 319
    Can't you just take the DVD out of the player? That stops it.
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    stn5900,
    I am going to take my van to the dealer tomorrow for the power steering pump noise and the humming/vibration problem. I will mention your fix to the dealer. One question, does the new A pipe fix the humming noise occuring at ~62-67 mph?
    thanks
  • odyssey9odyssey9 Member Posts: 4
    stn5900,

    Thanks for the advice. So you no longer experience that humming sound at 60-65 mph? I'll bring it up to my dealer when I visit them. Might be a silly question, but I assume the replacement of this A pipe is covered under warranty? I just ask since I've read on these forums of some dealers not acknowledging that it's a problem.
  • hillsboro_05hillsboro_05 Member Posts: 2
    Any updates? Was your honda shop able to fix this? I have the same problem, the local dealer tried fixing it at least 3 times with no success. The door does not close only in the morning or night when it is cold (even 40 degrees is cold enough for this).

    thanks.
This discussion has been closed.