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Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems

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Comments

  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Looks like American Honda is cutting their losses by making it standard 50/50 share of the cost. Few owners before paid nothing then up 25% and now to 50%.

    It is hard to beleive Honda is handling this on a 'case to case' basis.

    I thought "Word of Honor" is highly regarded by the Japanese. However these Honda bunch has none. No Honor.

    The following Honda letter clearly says repair is to be 'free of charge':

    http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/200- 4/V/RCONL-04V176-9663.pdf
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    I am hoping that anyone is experiencing or has experienced with transmission failures should take all action to file complaints with all relevant agencies like BBB, Department of Consumer Affairs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, newspaper and .........etc. to make enough noises to build up class action lawsuit against this irresponsible manufacturer, Honda.

    I escaped a multi car crash while returning from Bay Area at a very busy freeway due to Honda's design flaw before Christmas. Who knows how many crashes on the road are responsible by Honda? I rather buy a Hyundai than a Honda at least you get 10 years/100,000 miles warranty.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    My family had the same experience same time last year. Almost got rear-ended due to this HONDA DESIGN FLAW... thank God no one got hurt.

    I have filed complaints thru BBB and NHSTA already. Anyone here who can help with the media?
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    Thanks to this forum. I had all the information necessary to battle with American Honda for their so-called goodwill gesture. I paid labor and Honda paid for transmission. During this long fought battle, I was afraid to post any message because their so-called goodwill gesture was not in writing. I understood from people from American Honda and their dealerships that American Honda could rescind their offer anytime if I continue to battle with them or file complaints. The dealer kept my van for 2 weeks i.e. one week for battle and one week for repairs. I had to pay almost 2 week car rental. I am hoping there would be a class action lawsuit in the future so that I can recover my costs. I am keeping all my receipts.

    I sympathize the case managers for American Honda. I feel that they have to bully the customers to minimize Honda's price for their design flaw in order to keep their job.
  • hause7hause7 Member Posts: 153
    After hearing car accidents happening i think we will stay with Toyota. I think you guys should get one too.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Like they say - 'They may have win the battle but still lose the war' . The way things are going it seems HONDA would rather lose face than money. What we can do is to BOYCOTT HONDA! that way they lose their face and money. We can start e-mailing our relatives, friends and everyone we know how HONDA deals with its customers. Let's do it!
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Good you are staying with Toyota. I used to be a Toyota -san too. But Honda Hype got the better of me. I don't know why. I was happy with Toyota. My first car was a Toyota. I guess the desire to have a better car was never worth it after all.

    Now Hype comes to my mind whenever I see a Honda.....H is for Hype
  • gavanmomgavanmom Member Posts: 32
    They did replace the whole transmission TWICE. There has been two brand new transmissions in this van and the third is going in on Monday, it has been sitting in the shop since last Monday. At least I bought an extended Honda Care warranty thru Bernardi Warranty. It looks like I'm going to need it!
  • tgrapenttgrapent Member Posts: 4
    I am sending you this email from the Hampton Inn in Dubuque, Iowa. I picked up my 2003 Odyssey on Thursday of this week. I was driving to Des Moines last night when, after stopping at a Subway for dinner, I started the car, the engine light came on, and the "D" on the transmission indicator display began to blink. I spent the night here, and will see the local Honda dealer this morning (Saturday). Wish me luck.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    Now that I have got my car back from my dealership. I am not afraid of them not honoring their so-called goodwill gesture. The storm is now over here. I finally have time to file formal complaints and spread the word about this forum so more people can share our experiences so more people would think twice before they buy a Honda.
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    The Honda Odyssey is still # 1 on my "most probable next new vehicle" even after reading these latest horror stories about the Odyssey transmission failure. :shades:

    Why? Because I had read in Edmund's Town Hall many horror stories about Chrysler T&C transmission failure but still bought a nice, used 2002 T&C because NONE of my friends had transmission failure in their privately owned T&C, Caravan/GC, Voyager/GC minivans.

    It is sad some of you have bad experience with Honda Odysseys but I believe there can be bad transmissions in EVERY brand. There has been a few lemons :lemon: built by EVERY major vehicle manufacturer.
  • charlie31charlie31 Member Posts: 2
  • charlie31charlie31 Member Posts: 2
    My Honda engine light came on and stays on, the TCS light comes on off and on. We just dropped it off at the dealership. When I dropped the van off and asked the CSR if they had transmissions problems with the vans he wouldn't answer my question the first time and after I asked the second time he admitted they have had problems and it is covered under the extended warranty. Do I have an option to have a new transmission put in or a rebuilt one and also will that really fix the problem permanently? A friend of mine told me he had 2 transmissions put in ('01) and they both failed and ultimately they replaced something else that was also causing a problem.
    Any suggestions on what to expect, negotiate, etc. they are suppose to call me Monday PM with their analysis. Has any of the dealerships offered rental cars for free?

    Thanks for anyone's help.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 52,840
    It is a crapshoot. My SIL has a 1999 EX, and it now has about 130K on it, and it has led a hard life in upper NYS. She is also clueless about cars, but at least does take it to the dealer for service, so if they recommended fluid change, she probably did it.

    In the going on 9 years she has had it, the tranny at least (just knocked wood for her!) seems to be fine.

    FOr the newer ones, has anyone heard of an issue with a 2007? That has the new design tranny. Or for that matter, the pilot (where they got it from?)

    the longer pwertrain warranty + new design (finally) would ease my mind about buying a new Odyssey. Doesn't stop me from being sorry I didn't get an ESC on our 2005 though!

    But, the myriad of squeaks and rattles ight drive me nuts enough to trade it in before the trans goes anyway (and we only have 33K on ours).

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

  • blackexv6blackexv6 Member Posts: 503
    It is sad some of you have bad experience with Honda Odysseys but I believe there can be bad transmissions in EVERY brand.

    I still think the Odyssey is #1 also but major premature transmission failure in Honda V6 cars is well documented and not forum rumors.

    You probably are aware of the class action law suit against Honda for '99-'01's and the second gear lubrication problem of '02-'03 & some '04's.

    People who visit this forum want facts & the facts are stacked against Honda this time.
  • akaiakai Member Posts: 1
    The second oil change is not up yet and the oil gauge is 50% at 8,000mi. This is not what the manufactors manual states. Anyone having had problems with oil?
  • ddjayintddjayint Member Posts: 5
    Hi all. finally I've managed to get Honda America to pay 95% of the repair cost with 3 years warranty. It took me few weeks to get this while my Honda dealer, Honda of Nanuet in NY, didn't help much with the issue to resolve this with Honda America. My advise is not take there initial offer and keep fight until u get better deal. Good luck to u all.
  • fast4dr1fast4dr1 Member Posts: 7
    What did you do to get this to happen. So far, the person handling my claim at American Honda has not even returned a phone call. And in the meantime, the van sits at the dealership leaving my wife without a car.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Good for you. Can you tell us when you first called American Honda ? I got a '50/50' deal and thought it was better than nothing. But I will file a complaint at BBB, NHSTA and others as soon as they fix my van.
  • ddjayintddjayint Member Posts: 5
    My CM didn't call me at first either so I called them ( my dealer didn't help help me until I give them a bad review for the dealer survey ). At first my CM just offered me two options. either take 100% with no warranty or 75% with 3 year warranty. . I tried to convince her to cover the cost 100% w/ 3yr warrant by mentioning 2004 recall letter ( old jet replacement ) and the info I've gathered from different web site but didn't work. So I demanded to talk to the CM supervisor and then my CM offer me 95% deal with 3 year warranty. I'm not sure if this made any difference but I didn't leave my car at the dealer at that time.
  • ddjayintddjayint Member Posts: 5
    honda_oh_no - I called Honda America and open a case around Dec 12th.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    I called Honda same time Dec last year like you did.
    Did you have service records and play that 'polite and loyalty game' with the cm?
    I have complete service records and got other Hondas but just got half. I don't know if my dealer did more harm than good. You think I should have gotten a better deal?
  • fast4dr1fast4dr1 Member Posts: 7
    Well, I got painted into a corner. Case Manager said that if I didnt take the 50/50 deal, it was retracted and I should file a claim with the BBB. Im pissed to say the least. But, I cant afford to have this drag on for months, because my wife needs her car. Any advice from those who have been through this would be appreciated.
  • fast4dr1fast4dr1 Member Posts: 7
    When I asked to talk to the CM supervisor, I was told that she didnt have one and that there was no one else for me to talk to. Basically, I was told the decision was final and if I refused, they would retract it.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    You should call again to the general line and speak to another CSR. Tell the CSR that you want another person like the cm's supervisor to review your case again. Do not decline their initial offer. They will call you within 3 days with an answer. In my case, they covered 100% for parts and I paid $924 for labor.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Definitely ask to speak with your case manager's manager. The person must have a boss somewhere, even if it is Honda America's CEO. (who is that, by the way?)

    Sometimes switching dealers may help too. Some dealers are willing to go to bat for customers and some aren't. Just call around, tell them your scenario, and see if they will help you out.
  • mpnpspmpnpsp Member Posts: 10
    Hi

    You mention '04s. Do you have any detail on which 04s are impacted?

    Thanks.
    MP
  • 2002odie2002odie Member Posts: 32
    2002 Odyssey EXL, 89000 miles.

    I just went through this ordeal between the dealer and American Honda.

    The TCS and Check Engine Light came on along with the blinking green "D", the day after Christmas 2007. Pulled codes P1740 and P1750 from the code reader.
    Took the car into the dealer on Dec 31. The van sputters and stalls at the stoplight on the way to the dealer. Dealer wants $150 to run "diagnostics" testing. Heard back on Jan 2, and it's $5000.00 for a new transmission and computer and idle air control valve (IAC). I complain it's too much, and dealer comes back saying the district manager is offering to cover 25%.

    Called American Honda on Thursday afternoon Jan 3, and filed a case.

    Friday morning Jan 4, the case manager calls me back and tells me he will work on it. I thought this was all great and wonderful, but then all went silent.

    After a few days of not hearing from anyone, I try to reach the CM, and he doesn't return my calls. I call the dealer, and they say they are waiting to hear from the CM. I finally reach the CM, and he tells me he's waiting to hear from the dealer!
    I call the dealer, who says they've left a few messages for the CM but have not heard back yet. ARRRRGH!!!

    I call the CM, and cannot reach him, the receptionist says he's on the line with my dealership!

    By now 2 weeks have gone by, the van sitting at the dealer the whole time.

    FINALLY, the CM calls me and says they will cover an additional 25%, and cover the computer also. I call the dealer, my total due is $2300+

    Called back the CM, and he says that's the final offer, take it or it's retracted and we'll get nothing. Called back the dealer and they say I am free to take the van anywhere I care to go, but I will end up paying the same, or more since my case is now logged at corporate.

    Do I consider myself "lucky" to get 50% covered?
    Both the dealer and case manager were of no help at all, I felt like I was doing all the work, and they talk like they have done me a favor...
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    I guess most of us are in the same boat - same deal - 50-50. Sounds standard offer for a "CUSTOMER - LAST" HONDA POLICY.

    Wonder if they are IS0 or QS compliant? Their customer policy is just so disgusting they should get their QUALITY Certificates revoked.

    Don't worry. Just don't buy HONDA products anymore.
  • 2002odie2002odie Member Posts: 32
    Apparently they don't care to lose loyal customers.

    I pulled the trigger on the repair, and it will be covered 3yr/36k.
    The service advisor had the balls to "warn me up front" that I might need new front and rear motor mounts after they tear it apart. I said forget it, I am not paying for anything else.

    I will make it a point to recommend everyone I know to get anything except a Honda.
    2009 Chevy Camaro, here I come!

    H.O.N.D.A.
    Have.Odyssey.No.Dedication.Anymore.

    You can find postings galore at odyclub.com on transmission issues.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    There may be failure in every brand. You are just missing the point. People here are angry with Honda in dealing with their design failure. I am sure that other major car manufacturers would simply replace the transmission instead of trying to install the oil jet kit (04 recall) to delay the failures until after the 3 years/36,000 miles warranty period.

    It is a matter of human lives. I asked my dealer about the 04 recall when I brought my car in for the recall. They did not tell me anything. When the customers purchased the vans from Honda, we thought we bought a reliable car from a big name manufacturer. My husband made an excellent point that he suspects that the 04 recall does not correct the faulty transmission by installing the oil jet kit. He suspects that the oil jet kit has a limited life which needs to be replaced from time to time. Honda probably has withheld some major information from the government and their customers.

    When I brought my car to the dealership for 40 point checkup shortly before my transmission failure before, all they did was to sell me their transmission service. My car came to a sudden stop on a busy freeway shortly after the tcs/engine lights came on which was identical to the situation they described in their Service Bulletin dated October 29, 2004.

    It appears to me that Honda is aware of the possible outcome, why they did not educate their customers the possibility of sudden transmission lockup with no warning due to heat buildup. I don't know how many crashes on the road are responsible by Honda as a result of their customers' lack of information on their faulty transmission.

    I wish you luck on your next Honda purchase. This forum has provided me all the information to battle my case with my CM.

    Other brand might have premature transmission failures. However, in Honda's case they are well aware that the transmission will fail due to their product design failure.
  • johnd15johnd15 Member Posts: 41
    We have an 02 EX with 63K miles; a couple of days ago I noticed some hesitation during gear shifting at speed; not every shift but variable. I am disappointed as otherwise it's been a great vehicle and I am a diehard Honda fan. Just bought a new Fit too. The flashing D came on but no other warning lights. The second day was the same. Today during a short drive it drove & shifted fine. No D light. I called the dealer & of course they want to see it; I live over an hour away though. What is the typical progression if I am moving towards the worse case scenario? Anyone have this experience similar to mine? I have maintained the vehicle well and just had trans fluid change at 59K, as well as the recall work in 2004.
  • 2002odie2002odie Member Posts: 32
    If you have an AutoZone nearby, see if they have a OBDII code reader that you can use (or some states they can do it for you).
    In CA, I had to rent it with a refundable deposit.
    Blinking D is sign of transmission trouble.
    The code reader is easy to use. Just plug it in under the dash on the driver's side near the center console. Just don't clear out the codes if any come up. The dealer will also need to read these codes when you take it in.
    You will notice transmission slippage (feels like it's stuck in a gear and will not shift).
    The engine may rev up in RPM as if you are in neutral.
  • johnd15johnd15 Member Posts: 41
    There are no Autozones or others around so no way to do code check locally... I am in the stick up in N MI. Since the flashing D is gone I am feeling less anxious, but don't want to exacerbate any problem. Not sure if I need to rush to dealer or not. I will see tomorrow how it shifts. Forgot to mention... I occasionally towed a small aluminum boat but never bothered w/trans cooler - hope that doesn't screw me with dealer help if problems eventually require trans replacement. Again, today it seemed like normal but I drove only around 6 miles. Has anyone else had the slippage come & go? Does it increase progressively? I can get it to the dealer next week.
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    I think 50 / 50 share of cost to repair a 6 year old vehicle with 89,000 miles is very reasonable.

    I doubt that Kia or Hyundai with their 100,000 mile warranty would charge you any less than the generous Honda offer. ;)
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!

    Its not going to be too long. Your Odyssey is going through the same process as everyone's here in this forum. Slight trans slip in the beginning then flashing D. You'll shrug it off at first and the day will come that your beloved Honda Odyssey will just stall while it tries to accelerate in the middle of the road or worse - on the freeway.

    That's the day you will curse HONDA and swear not buy any of their products again.

    I would advice not to use your odyssey until it is fixed. My wife and kids were in the Odyssey when it stalled while making a turn and almost got rear ended. I'm sure you would'nt want that to happen to your family.

    Just call AMERICAN HONDA and tell them you are aware of it. you can do the 'be polite game' for awhile until you get a good. deal. Most get 50-50. Hope you get a better one.
  • 2002odie2002odie Member Posts: 32
    Being polite to them only goes so far.
    Eventually they will ignore you until you get tired of waiting to hear from them. Meanwhile they won't do anything until YOU escalate it.
    Both the dealer and corporate case managers are doing you no favors at all.
    It is not in their interest to do anything for you.
    They are
    1) trying to maximize how much the dealer will get paid, and
    2) minimizing how much Corporate needs to pay out.

    They will try to get as much $$ out of you as possible and leave you with no other choice than to accept their offer. Otherwise corporate will say they will retract their offer and you're on your own. And if you don't like the way the dealer is treating you, they will just tell you to go take it to some other dealer and you might have to pay the same or more, since now your case has been logged at corporate, etc...

    Pleading your case, being a long-time Honda customer, owning lots of Hondas, having (overpriced) services done at the dealer...all in the end didn't amount to anything to these people.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    honda_oh_no, I totally agree with you. You've spoken my words out. No more Honda for me !!!
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    My Toyota has 250,000 miles. The transmission is still good. Honda is plain irresponsible for not alerting their customers of the potential danger which they are well aware of the possible outcome as described in Honda Service Bulletin in 2004. Honda does not care about human lives. The failures are due to Honda's design flaw and has nothing to do with years or mileage of the car. Honda is just plain irresponsible!
  • johnd15johnd15 Member Posts: 41
    Can anyone comment on how long (hours, days, weeks??) the slippage or abnormal shifting occurred in their Odyssey before the fatal day of reckoning? Thanks for everyone's input...
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Mine started to show sign in November 07, gradually got worse to the point of stalling in Mid DEC 07 . So probably about a month for me.

    Car Transmissions are made of planetary gears inside. And these gears have teeth that mesh with one another. One reason transmission slip can occur is when a tooth breaks and can not mesh with the other gear. A gear with a broken tooth will soon damage the gear it is mating with and that is what will make the car stall.

    HONDA Engineers most probably miscalculated the gear design or improperly used the right material. Or their subcontractors must have scrimped to get more profit. Either way, we lose.
  • 2002odymike2002odymike Member Posts: 14
    I whole heartedly agree with this - I think Honda has reached a point where they want to cut their losses despite the beating they will take to their reputation.

    In my case, after they offered nothing they rushed to "close the case".

    I think they are riding on the coattails of having good reliability for many years with other models and now that they have hit a significant design flaw, they just hope that the fact they are "Honda" will pull them through.

    It makes me feel a little bad for being so hard on American car makers and pushing Honda so much in the past; if this is how they handle a design flaw, then they are no better than the domestics when they hit a rough patch - they just haven't had to deal with design issues as much (perhaps), but their handling of it, when it does occur, is deplorable.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    HONDA is a car company that started out as scooter or motorcycle company and gradually moved on to make cars. Unlike other car manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi or GMC, Honda did not have any experience making bigger cars and trucks. How would a scooter maker jump to minivan company overnight?

    This, I think is the reason of their failure.
  • jhanson5jhanson5 Member Posts: 5
    So does this mean I should not consider the Honda Odyssey and go for the Toyota Sienna instead? I am trying to decide right now. This is obviously a huge issue and factors into my decision. More so than leather, dvd, nav, 8 seats, etc...
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Go and buy a Honda if you think you can trust a scooter company that turned into a BIG Minivan Company overnight.

    Sounds funny but true.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Save your money. Don't make the same mistakes we all did. Honda is history.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    The specific wordings in Honda's Service Bulletin dated October 29,2004 are as follows:

    Certain operating conditions can result in heat buildup between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission. Without enough oil to dissipate heat, prolonged operation under these conditions can eventually result in decreased material strength. In higher mileage vehicles, this can result in geat tooth chipping or, in very rare cases, gear breakage.

    In most cases, transmission noise will indicate a problem, however it is possible for the transmission to become locked up without warning. A locked transmission could result in a crash.
    xxxxxxx
    I am a complete idiot when it comes to car. After my transmission failed completely without warning on a busy freeway, I researched into this matter. Per the dealer, they are not sure when the failure would occur. It may be now or may last for another 5 to 6 months.

    If you cannot fix it right away, I suggest that you should rest your car every 20 to 30 miles to make sure it cools down before you drive again. You probably should not go on high traffic freeway because there is a possibility of a sudden transmission lockup without warning like my case which could result in fatal crash.

    You will have to replace your transmission definitely in a few months. You should speak to them about your transmission and see what they say.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    Honda is just like the other car companies after all.

    Profit is everything.

    Quality and customer service - forget it.
  • honda_oh_nohonda_oh_no Member Posts: 49
    I've started my Honda boycott campaign yesterday.

    On my way to pick up my Odyssey at the dealer after more than a week, my rental asked me what's wrong with car and told him my HONDA ORDEAL.

    He could'nt believe HONDA would make such a car and treat the customers that way. Still hyped over Honda quality.

    "What? Transmission replaced at 60,000 miles? a Honda? no way!" he said.

    You got to own it to believe it - I said.

    "Good thing you told me. Now I will think twice about buying a Honda" ...said the young guy.
  • angelaychuangelaychu Member Posts: 54
    My husband and myself are furious about Honda. Honda does not care about human lives and public safety. I believe they have withheld pertinent information from their customers which could lead to loss of lives. We will do everything in our power to make sure our voices are heard. Please everyone here file a complaint online at least with www.safercar.com for the government to investigation the way they handle the recall and their faulty transmission. Please mention one point about the oil jet kit as to question whether it has to be replaced periodically. If you have other good points, please share with us so that we can include it in our complaint.

    Thanks to hnoda oh no and everyone participate in this action to save lives and to boycott Honda.
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