Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems

g3guy

Yes, they are trying to rip you off. Yes, your transmission is toast. You can check your local Yellow Pages for a repair shop that does Honda, but they buy the tranny from Honda anyway. They can give you a cost figure for the tranny and for the installation. The whole deal should cost you no more than $600 (for installation only), with Honda picking up the rest. I'd say that you should take the information from American Honda to a different Honda dealer, as your current guy doesn't want to work with you. It sometimes doesn't make a difference which dealer you use, but sometimes it makes all the difference. I went through three dealers before I found a sympathetic Service Manager who helped me through the process and got me the discount. Also, check your car insurance; some companies pay for rental cars while yours is in the shop for reasons you did not cause. Good luck... g3 guy

stickguy

FWIW, I was looking at the annual auto issue last night (it just arrived). For the Odyssey, they have solid red (the best possible) ratings on the tranny starting with 2004. So while there are still some failures (based on posters here), either that rate by '04 was way down, not enough people have built up the mileage, or dor some reason the people that filled out the survey had good ones!

dionida

Well, we stood firm with the dealership and got the tranny replaced at $2500 + tax.
American Honda covered 50% of the tab, and we got 36,000 miles/3yrs warranty. After all the hassle, this seems like a good outcome, but the reality is that we shouldn't have been dealing with in the first place. You would expect this from an older vehicle.

hammondbeyer

I have a 2000 Odyssey with almost 250,000 and just now am having to replace transmission, so I surely feel blessed after reading these posts! I've been quoted about $1900 total for rebuilt transmission, still looking for cheaper but now feel like I'm getting off light. And I still love my van!

happydaz

It has 108K miles on it and I am getting the slippage. I am the second owner and bought it a year and half ago. Is there any chance that the dealer will help me with cost. It is ten years old but the mileage is not that much. What you think?

temj12

I am looking at a 2000 Odyssey LX with 90,000 miles. A new transmission was installed by Honda 15,000 miles ago. Can some of you who have had a 2nd transmission installed and put several thousand miles on it, please tell me if you had good service?

mgunter

I have a '99 Odyssey we purchased back in '01 and it currently has 97,000 miles on it. The transmission failed at 86,000 miles and we had it replaced free of charge after calling Honda of America regarding class action suit that included our model year. We have not had any transmission problems since the replacement. I would also find out if the catalytic converter has been replaced as those tend to go in the Odyssey in the 80,000 mile range. We had ours replaced twice with aftermarket CC, the first after ten months, the second one failed almost immediately, so we replaced it with a honda CC through our mechanic who was able to be reimbursed for the other two CCs because they were still within warranty. Apparently aftermarket CCs are not built well enough for the Odyssey and can only be replaced with a Honda CC, which is considerably more expensive. We also have replaced over the past year one or two ignition coils, oxygen sensor and sway bar bushings. Other than that our Odyssey has been running well. Hope this helps. Good luck;-)

jchan2

The transmission on my '02 failed around the 70K mark (can't remember the exact mileage) and we have 121K on the car now, and it still runs fine.

It's just luck of the draw, really. Others have gone through 3 or 4 transmissions by this mileage.

happycow

My 2002 Ody has a check engine light at 85K and dealer told me I had to replace the it with on board computer. The good will request to Honda America came back with the result that Honda would cover 60% of the overall cost the dealer submitted which is about 6k.

With all these transmission problem on the web there is on extended warranty for the 2002 as I found out. Any one of you have similar issue and got any help?

rfreitas

So how much do you have to pay?

I have a 2002, and I had to pay $2500 when mine went out. They said the 2002 was not covered under the extended warrant. They said it was only 2000 and 2001's.

pinewood

I have similar transmission issue with 2003 Odyssey. I checked with the dealer. He talked with Honda and they said they would fix it for $2800. I do not want to pay that kind of money. I think we should go for class action suit.

happydaz

Transmission started acting up. I got a lot of advice that it probably needed overhaul. I checked fluid level. Found it to be low, I thought. I added about 1/2 a quart and the problems cleared up. Checking fluid it looked way over full. And on longer trips started having other problems with the transmission in different gears than what was happening before.

I had this smart guy on the internet that kept telling me....backflush the transmission cooler only. Everyone else was saying overhaul.

I did the backflush myself. Took about 2 hours. Black sludge came out. I basically took a can of tans. line flush and ran it through one way, then took another and ran it through the other way.

Now the transmission fluid level was right also after this flush.

I ran the van and it appears to be fine. I will now perform a drain fluid/add/drive/drain/add procedure.

My point is that you should not just take the word of the mechanics when they say you need an overhaul. They are all under pressure to make money for the company.

You need to research, think, research, think.

These odyssey transmissions may be extra sensitive to fluid levels. That is the way it reads in the repair manuel.

Best of luck.

warriorcoach

We have an 06 oddy with 81000 miles and our transmission started acting up at around 70000 miles. Had fluid changed and seemed better for a little bit but problem soon returned. Most noticable as a slip between 1st and 2nd gear. Have read on here where there were "secret warranties" on some years (am seeing 200-2004) of the Oddy for these transmission failures. I also see where the trans was changed to the Ridgeline trans in the 07 models. So, is there any hope that Honda will pay a portion of our bill if we have to have our trans replaced? This (a trans replacement) is what our independant Honda repair place suggests.

denver5357

It is disturbing to me that you seem to have this issue. We have a 2005. I had hoped the transmission issue would be fixed. Of course, we only have 25,000 miles on it, so at this pace we'll hit 10 years before we hit 81,000 miles. Hope it works out for both of us.

happydaz

I have a 1999 Odyssey. At 104K miles the transmission started slipping. The check engine light had come on at about 103K miles. After looking over my engine, I ignored the light because I have read that they tend to come on for no good reason. I took the Odyssey by three mechanics. They all told me it needed an overhaul and they gave me their price. I read the owners manual and found where that if the fluid is low you will get slippage. Mine was a little low. I added some, but had overfilled just a little. The slippage went away, but on a 30 mile trip to the beach, it started acting up in higher gears and reverse. I figured this was due to overfill. The manual says do not overfill. Maybe I had overfilled by 1/4 a quart.

I started researching it on the internet and on Craigslist auto forum, this one guy kept telling me that what I need to do is to backflush the transmission cooler only. Not a full backflush of trans. system. He seemed so confident. So I did it myself, since no mechanic would do it for me. It was a pretty simple process. What I found was a buildup of black sludge. It cleaned out pretty good. Immediately the Engine light went out.

I did a drain and fill on it. This removed about a gallon of old fluid. I added it back, but again overfilled. Still it appeared to run better.

I then did another drain and fill. This time being careful to get the fluid level right.

It now runs like new. Incredible how much better the performance is. I must have been getting terrible mileage due to the slippage. You may not realize it is slipping....if it degrades so slowly over time.

So before you rush off to get the transmission overhauled...try this procedure. You can buy two cans of transmission line cleaner at a parts store. I ran one can one way and the other the other way.

There is an input and output from the transmission and going into the radiator. you disconnect these two lines anywhere that is easy. Insert the tube of the first can in one line and let the other line drain into a glass. Use the complete can. Then do it the other way. Just to be safe, I then blew through one end to clear out the remaining cleaner and to make sure I had clear passage.

To get to the dran plug, you don't even need to jack the car up. Just put the left front wheel up on a curb.
From the fron while laying on your back you can use a 3/8 in rachet to undo the plug. Slide your pan under and let it drain.

Any questions...direct them to me at
Paul260426@yahoo.com

happydaz

part of the radiator.

ralphielovesme

I just came to this site via internet search. I bought a new 1999 Ody, my first car purchase, now almost 10 yrs old, just reached 90,000 miles, dealer serviced for everything except new tires and every other oil change. The van jerks when accelerating from stop and the rpm shoots to above 3500 unless I accelerate very slowly. Didn't know I was subconsciously compensating by accelerating slowly. The check engine light came on so I came in for the major service early and was told I need a new transmission for $3000. Ouch! Being a girl, but a resourceful one, I searched the net and came to this site. Will back-flushing the transmission cooler work for me, and are there instructions somewhere that a girl can understand, or at least a reasonably competent mechanic can understand, or am I stuck paying for the new transmission since the extended warranty that came with the 2006 class action law suit settlement (supposedly only covered till 93 months or 109,000 miles whichever came first) has expired? The site for that warranty extension was: http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/php/pdf/caht1not.pdf. Please advise.

hany2006

I have Honda Odyssey 2000 EX with 122k miles. The transmission went out. I started to have frequent slippage until I have no movement, but I have frequent movement when the weather is hot? Is the transmissions coolant flush could help or I need to rebuild?

Thanks

cecily1

I have a 2003 Odyssey and the transmission went out...Honda won't cover it and said we have to pay $3500...so is there a recall or law suit?

rfreitas

No lawsuit yet on 2002+. There is a law firm in NY that will take your information. They said if they get enough people they will do a class action lawsuit. The contact information is in this forum:

http://forums.automobilemag.com/70/6556907/technical-discussion/2003-honda-odyss- - ey-transmission-problems/index.html

g3guy

The flush might help, but the 90% probability is that you will need the transmission repaced. Try going to your local Honda dealer(s) and see if American Honda of Honda Japan will help you with the costs. You are out of time/mileage for the 2006 class-action lawsuit, but they might help a little, at least. See earlier posts in this forum for details of the suit, and how the rest of us handled the transmission problems. Good luck...G3guy

odyssey01owner

I have on 01 odyssey and the VIN number was validated on the http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com Web site... I just don't know what to do next... Do we have to have some kind of information and take it to a dealership... Has anyone else used the extended warranty because of the Honda transmission settlement? Thanks!

g3guy

First, read all of the posts in this forum, front to back. I know, there are hundreds, but you are looking at thousands of dollars out of pocket, and a quick skim will tell you if you need to read the whole entry or move on to the next one. Print out the validation page from the website, take it and copies of any work you have had documented on your Ody over the years, including especially any resets of the "check engine" light that could show that you had earlier problems, then take the whole works to your local Honda dealer (get an appointment with the Service Manager before you go; He's the guy who can help you or not), then explain the problem(s) you are having, and ask nicely if there is anything that he can do to help you take care of the problem. If he says no, call American Honda and get on their records as a participant in the class action suit, and keep bugging the dealer for help. If they don't help, contact Honda HQ in Japan. They may be so tired of fighting with American customers that they might direct the local shop to fix it. Worst case, you should have to pay for labor; best case is that they will pay for it all. Don't count on it. Good luck...G3guy

rad817

Well I guess I have to add my issues to the transmission problems. I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey that I purchased from a local dealership. All service was performed at the dealership except for the oil changes which I did myself. About 30K mile ago the transmission started to slip every once in awhile. I took it into the dealership and they said a pressure switch was to blame and replace it. Since the repair cost was not a major issue I was happy to pay for the service and the problem seemed to go away. About 10K miles ago the transmissoin started slipping more frequently. I took it back to the dealership and they could not find an issue but recommended the 100K tune up. After $1200 for the tune up, the dealership told me they checked out everything and said the car was in great shape. The transmission started to slip alot so I took it back in and they still could not find an issue. I took it to another dealership and they too said they could not find an issue. I even took it to a 3rd dealership who told me the transmission was fine. After almost getting hit by a Simi while trying to pull out into traffice and the car would not shift into gear, I took it back to the last dealership. Now I am being told the transmission is gone and the cost will be $4200 to replace and I have less than 100K on the car.
I have had several Hondas and have always liked their product and really had planned on replacing the Odyssey with another Odyssey in the next year or so. HOWEVER.....I'm still working on this price with the dealerships but I have to say that if I can't get some relief on this replacement price, the Odyssey will be towed to a junk yard and that will be the "LAST" Honda I ever buy. :lemon:

I HOPE HONDA USA READS THESE COMMENTS....... GM had issues in the 80's and 90's and slipped out of favor with the public. Looks like Honda may be doing the same.....

Thanks for letting me vent......

odyssey01owner

So we took our 01 odyssey into the dealership and paid them 100 bucks to tell us what we already knew... the transmission was slipping... anyway it looks like the Extended warranty from the Honda odyssey settlement expired about 3 months ago... they want us to pay $3100 for a new transmission... we've been looking at other places and have been quoted $1650... so we will probably go the cheaper rout and not use the dealership...

rfreitas

Did they tell you about the extended warranty? Honda gave usa 3 year warranty on the transmission, so we had ours fixed at the dealership. That is the only benefit, assuming they honor it....

I have been thinking about creating a website odysseytransmission .com or something and list my story and have a form, so everyone can enter their VIN, year and story. I am a programmer, and could have it up in a week or two.

What do you think? Would you guys enter your information?

rebel7

My 2000 Odyssey--160K mi--is on its 3rd transmission. I'd welcome your website.
My intention was to purchase a new Odyssey after my next major problem, but I've lost a lot of confidence in Honda. My 2nd transmission lasted barely two years and Honda did not stand by their product. The discount they gave me was nominal.
What manufacturer is currently making the most reliable van?

rfreitas

Ok, I just bought the domain name. Give me a week or two and I will post the url, then every one can add their info. I'll call the lawyers again and let them know about it, and keep a running total on the site at the top of the page.

Maybe if we get enough people they will act on the class action lawsuit sooner than later. I wouldn't mind getting my $3000 back...

island222

Hello, so I really need help, maybe someone can give me some ideas, I just bought a 02 Honda Odyssey from a private seller, this is like a week ago, I just got around to getting it registered and being able to drive it, and not 48 hours go by, when the damn transmission act up, the codes I am getting are PO845,PO740,PO730.The milage is 101K
I input the VIN on the settlement website and it says I am not covered... I just wished I would have researched the reviews before buying the problem from someone else, since I do not have any records of service to this vehicle since I bought it used, does anyone think Honda would stand behind there product and repair it, I saw that some people paid $800 and had it repaired by Honda, as soon as I repair it I am selling it ASAP...
Please any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks in advance!

island222

I will definetly add my story to this website. count me in...

island222

Hello
I am wondering if you got your transmission repaired at Aamco and I am trying to see if it is worth it, I read that they are they offered you a warranty for life, is this accurate, I just bought an O2 Odyssey at 101K miles and not a week goes by when the transmission acts up on me, I so frustrated I don;t know what to do, I also live in Fl so just wondering how your problem got solved, apparently I do not qualify for the 2006 lawsuit...

rfreitas

Sorry to hear that, join the club.

I have an 02 and I bought it from a private party and no service records. They only covered 25%, I paid $3000. They did give me a 3 year extended warranty on the transmission. I am dumping mine when that warranty is up. But they say it is a case by case basis.

You should call the person that you bought it from and ask them if they knew about it, and why they didn't tell you about it. They had to know it was slipping. Mine had some minor slips every now and then for months before they determined we needed a new one.

bigdadi118

" .... and why they didn't tell you about it. ..."

The seller has no obligation to disclose the tranny slip "IF" buyer didn't ask about it.

Same theory that seller / real estate agent are not required to disclose of murder or some weird things happened in the property if buyer didn't ask about it.

Plus if the seller told you the slippage will you buy it or offer a lower price?

rfreitas

Oh yeah, I forgot honesty and integrity don't exist any more today. I should have sold mine instead of paying the $3K to fix it.

island222

We asked and the guy said no problem, of course he did, he wanted to get rid of it, and we drove it around, but it didn't slip or anything it was probbably cold or something, yup I guess I am screwed... I just hoped that HOnda would pay for some of the repair, being that that they built a messed up transmission..I Just wished I would have researched it more on the internet... oh well. Thanks for the reply...

bigdadi118

As a conclusion Honda did install a Prematurely Failed Tranny on the early Ody. Honda shouldn't tackle this problem in case by case because the failed product is in Honda side, not the consumer side.

rfreitas

You got further than me, I asked to speak to someone higher up and the rep (Ron) would not let me.

Website coming soon.... :-)

angelpn74

When you log onto www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/ go to FINAL ORDER AND JUDGMENT APPROVING SETTLEMENT. Here is FINAL AMMENDMENT of the warranty for failed transmissions with Honda. Excerpt of one of the most important things you need to know: "All persons and entities residing in the United States who currently own or lease one of the vehicles listed below equipped with an automatic transmission (the "Class vehicles") and both (1) the original purchase or lease date of the Class Vehicle is after November 21, 1998 and (2) the Class Vehicle has less than 109,000 miles in service on August 21, 2006. These are the actual parameters of who is covered for failed transmissions. Then the make model year of vehicles covered is listed. When you first log onto the website there is a place to plug in VIN number and it will tell you if your vehicle is covered. Although it says I am covered, the person who gave me a "case worker" (who hasnt called yet) said all coverage is determined on a "case by case basis". Seems to me like those who dont know the law and stick up for themselves get raked over the coals. I mean, your either covered according to parameters of the class action lawsuit or your not right? Wrong! Even though it clearly says on page 22 under Settlement Agreement: " 18. Honda shall pay all costs and expenses required for notice and administration of the settlement. " Im still reading online the majority of victims...i mean consumers, having to pay labor costs. I myself am on transmission number two. I purchased my 2000 Honda Odyssey a few years ago and the first transmission failed a year ago. Honda replaced and I quote the mechanic "not all of the parts needed to be rebuilt/replaced, we changed the parts that were bad and you should be fine". When I asked what would happen if this were to happen again he got very angry and said " IVE NEVER SEEN THAT...NEVER." Well, here we are a year later and its back at the Honda dealership. I use it for work so Ive had to pay for a rental. Its going to cost more for the rental by the time they get another transmission in than it would be for the new transmission. I was told a rental is not covered and was given a case manager who will determine what will happen. Huh. I thought the class action lawsuit would determine what would happen. I feel like making this a new personal cause. After what Ive read from all the consumers who were and are pushed around by this faceless big business with their powerful lawyers its hard not to want to organize and rise against this type of fraud. I feel really upset that Im paying for some CEO to get his trashy wife another exotic fur while she falls asleep in her cosomopolitan high off her [non-permissible content removed] on valiums and Im sitting here fearing for my life at the end of my 12 hour work day driving my overpriced foreign recalled transmission Honda hoping I make it home from work without a major accident.

rfreitas

I hear ya, and feel the same way. That is why I am starting the website, so everyone knows about the Odyssey Transmission.

The think that really ticked me off with the case manger, is he tried to tell me that there are no problems with the Odyssey transmission except for the 99-2001 models. And all the stuff I read on the internet is not true.

And this case by case crap, I won't get started..

bigdadi118

CASE MANAGER helps Honda to save money, by asking questions (traps) they try to filter cases to see any excuses so Honda can pay less or reject the case. Don't think they are here to help consumers.

If Honda wants to honor the class action settlement honestly, the Honda dealers can take care of that without case managers. Bottomline is Honda still does not want to pay for its failed tranny even the law said so ...

rfreitas

I think the "Honda is going to pay 25%" crap (as in my case) is a bunch of bull. They probably are not paying anything. $3000 seems to be the going rate, and they are just throwing that percent out to try and get the consumer to feel better about Honda. When really Honda is paying nothing, other than giving me a 3 year warranty in the transmission. I know some people who paid under $1000 prob got some help, but those of that paid over $3000 in my opinion go zero help from Honda.

Speaking of warranty. angelpn74, your second one should be under warranty??? I was told all of the replaced transmissions come with a 3yr/36k mile warranty.

stever

I never trust power flushes or back flushes or adding chemicals to the transmission fluid. I wouldn't let the shop do a flush with the engine on my Quest minivan a few months back - just did a simple drain and fill and got rid of some of the older fluid that way. I guess I'm gun shy after reading posts like this one over the years.

I hope your van proves to be the exception and I hope that you report back after a few thousand miles (and asking people to email you defeats the purpose of a community forum - it's better to keep the conversation here so everyone benefits).

Thanks and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you (and for my brother and his Ody).

Steve, visiting host

jdv2

Thanks for all your postings regarding this transmission issue. My 2001 Odyssey transmission went out yesterday, and that is why I started searching. I am the first owner and the car has only 85k miles! Always had all scheduled maintenance.

Reading all the postings here, and reading the settlement information I am wondering if my car is still covered? Or am I just out of luck, since I bought it in April 2001, and if reading all this correctly the (by final judgment) extended warranty was for 93 months, which would be January 2009.

Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Thanks!

jamesvb

The transmission in my Honda Odyssey 2001 failed yesterday. My van has only 77K miles but I am am above the 7 year 9 months extended warranty many folks are talking about here.

I took it to the dealer and he says he can give me a 25% discount on a $4000 repair cost, which would be $3000. This is a huge amount of money to pay from my pocket, which Honda should be responsible. I called Honda and they are one of the rude folks I had talked to recently.

Looks like I have no other choice than to go for the repair. But I can say I will never buy a Honda again.

rfreitas

That was the exact offer I got on my 2002. And they were very rude with me too, and I will never buy another Honda.

Did they say your new transmission would come with a 3yr/36K mile warranty?

hondahawaii

In my case - I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey, with only 87,000 miles on it.

In 2007, The check engine light came on and I took the Odyessy to the Honda dealer. Dealer said that the Solenoid value was saturated and needed to be flushed. Code P1456. Told the dealer that the Odyssey also has been hesitating and missing when accelerating. They said the EGR valve needed to be replaced. The mileage of the vehicle was 76,000.

Now at 87,000 engine check light on again, Honda dealer saying code P0740 need a new transmission. $4,300 to replace it. They said it's outside the 1999-01 TRANS WARRANTY EXT.

I called Honda Customer Relations to see what they could do in helping me with the cost or get it covered by expired extended warranty.

First call I got a customer service rep named April. She took down my information but was insisting that there was nothing Honda could do to help me. I asked if she could check on if someone higher could help me out. Wasn't the nicest customer service rep, not really helpful or sympathetic about my situation.

April called back a couple of hours later. Asked me how long I've been a Honda customer, if I own any other Honda vehicles. I told her I also have a CR-V and that I love my Honda(s).

She said a case manager would be calling me back, in the next 24-48 hours.

A gentleman named Jose then called me back the next day. Asked me about the Odyessy service history, how long I had the van and some other questions. He said next it would have to go to the Honda area/district manager for review.

That was a week ago and I'm still waiting to hear back from Honda. Hopefully, they call back soon, since we've been without the use of our van for little over a week.

I hope to hear good news, if not I guess I'll have to switch to a Toyota. I used to love my Honda, but after reading all these complaints about the transmission with no help from Honda. All i can say is i'll never buy a Honda again.

cindy0345

Please help! My 2002 Odyssey is in the shop for the 5th time doing the same thing - loud clunk when shifting from park to reverse first thing every day. My transmission was replaced on the second visit and still does it - don't think I needed that bill! The dealership is stumped. I was excited to see your post - was this ever resolved? It is obviously not the transmission.

mikanmar

Our 2004 Odyssey looked like it was leaking oil so we had it checked out. We were told that there is a hole in the transmission working its way out from the inside and it was burnt transmission fluid, not oil I was seeing. With only 70,000 miles I never expected this sort of thing to come from a honda. The service advisor gave me a price of $5500 to replace the transmission. He said he would contact honda to try to get them to cover the costs but he didn't sound very encouraging. With a quick search, I have seen everything from recalls, warranty extentions to some kind of settlement. Any suggestions on how I should approach this from here?

Mike

sheeves

Anyone have updates on the possible classaction lawsuit that covers 2003 odyssey? Mine just went in with engine light and tcs light showing, was told it's a transmission failure. Will cost about $4700.00 to fix. Here's the intersting part according to my local honda dealership, once the have the new transmission put in I will have to have a new computer since the old one won't communicate with the new trans, then I will need to have new keys made as well because the computer won't reconize my old ones and it possible I might need new engine mounts. I'm shocked the car has 139,000 miles have taken excellant care, done all maintenance etc. The lights just popped on with no warning...what a racket. Hoping something has come about in regards to the lawsuit, meanwhile I'm faced with trying to decide to fix or not.

jw_r

There is no overlap in the timing belt replacement with the transmission work, so says the dealer.

The total transmission replacement is $2800 + taxes and fees in California, so I am told by Sergio at Honda America.

I am having the same problems with my 2001 Odyssey. Honda should be ashamed of themselves.

Toyota and Hyundai have no such problems.

+JW_R