Honda Odyssey Problems

4grand · May 2002

to #99. we purchased a 2001 Ody last year and
immediately had wind noise. Like #101 mentioned if
you have crossbars attached to your roof rack, that may be your problem. Last year when we picked up our new vehicle, as we drove our new Ody
out of the lot, we immediately heard the wind noise. We contacted our Honda dealer and they gave us all sorts of excuses. We told them we would have never added on the crossbars if Honda has had problems w/them making noise. We added for the looks. Well I went into "Edmunds" and there was a very informative message from one of
the readers and what you have to do is to have the crossbars both going the same way. If you look close you will see they are built similar to an airplane wing, slightly rounder front and thinner in rear of each bar. They must be the same way. When we checked ours, 1 was going one way and the 2nd was the other way. We took it to our Honda dealer and told them and because they have all the necessary tools it took them about 5 minutes to turn the cross bars so they matched. Even wrote a letter to Honda so they could let their mechanics be aware of the crossbar noise. We haven't had a problem since. Hope this helps.
Had our 2001 - 1 year now and love it. No other problems.

Am also waiting to hear (my request #94) if anyone has found a children's car seat with the HATCH so we can use it in our ODY.

odd1 · June 2002

I know is may be a little late but try Fisher-Price Safe Embrace/Safe Embrace II. It has the "latch system." Babies R Us carries it in our part of the world. If you don't have one I'm sure you can order it on line. Consumer Reports recently gave it their top rating. I don't have a child in a booster seat yet to help with the older child.

rajiv_kishore · June 2002

I bought a new 2002 Odyssey EX just a couple days ago. Even before I drove it off the lot, we noticed that the driver's side power sliding door stopped working - it shut off and then would not open. We tried opening it with both the key fob (remote) and with the switch on the dash but it just kept on giving three beeps . The sales person explained that this happens when the gas door is open. However, it was not open and he tried quite a few other things (including opening and shutting the gas door, sliding the door manually, and sliding the lock on the door) but the door would not open with the key fob and with the switch on the dash. So we took it to the service guys next morning. They were baffled also and said they will have to take the door apart to find and fix the problem. After several hours they fixed the door and told me it was a fuse that had blown out.

The door worked yesterday but this morning it gave precisely the same problem. I try opening it and it gives three beeps and does not open. I will have to take it to the dealer again but I am now wondering if it is just a bad fuse blowing out or something more serious - a real design/manufacturing problem.

So my question is this: Have any of you proud owners of the 2002 Odyssey EX or EX-L faced a similar kind of a problem on the driver's side power sliding door?

Thanks for your replies in advance!

johnn5 · June 2002

I agree with Brian about the multitude of interior lights and battery drain.Our'02 LX is just a few month old & battery has gone dead twice. My 1996 Dodge Caravan had a timer, 10 min or so, which turned off all interior lights left on by kids or occasionally wives. Surely Honda can do something like that.I could not afford the EX but after reading about all these electric door troubles I am not sorry. However, the doors are heavy and one is sticking, so I may gripe to the selling dealer about changing the weather-stripping re another message. As for the gas gauge,my wife tells me about the same thing- go until it is below empty.And the sloshing is I am sure a function of a flat tank designed, like some other things such as difficult spare, to accomodate the hide-away 3rd seat. All things considered, I think I would rather have a 1998 with 4 regular doors and a much smaller profile.

dchopp · June 2002

As I stated before. Read the owners manual. Three beeps indicates the door is locked. The drivers side rear door locks automatically when you get gas. It has to be unlocked to get it to work. The manual details this.

vibration · June 2002

Just received my 2002 Odyssey. Seem to have noise, gas slushing around in gas tank. Hear it when either going forward or reverse and then applying brakes. Even hear it when gas tank is full. Anyone have a similar problem. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow, Monday, to hear what they have to say. Thanks.

marylorraine_c · July 2002

This is in response to #94

I believe that all current safety seats (not including infant car seat/carriers) have the straps on the back that attach to the toggle or whatever it is called. However, this only adds to the safety by helping the seat to be more stable and keeps it from tilting forward in an accident. The safety strap of the car must still retrain the safety seat (car/booster seat) in the normal fashion.

I hope this helps keep those grandchildren safe.

robbrooks · July 2002

The "toggle" as you call it is referred to by the car seat manufactureres as "tethers". Some of the newer seats also have atachments to use anchors which are built into the vehicles seats, these anchors are used to secure the child seat in the vehicle instead of using the seat belt. It is all part of the LATCH system. (Lower Anchor and Tether for CHildren). To read more about it go to car-seats.org at http://pub59.ezboard.com/bcarsafety.

mattwk · August 2002

Did you ever find out what the culprit was regarding that whistling noise in your Odyssey? I have the same problem and it is annoying to no end.

odyssey10 · August 2002

Anyone experiencing problems with unusual wear on Odyssey brakes? Ours was new 13 mos ago, has around 15,000 mi. but technician says has only 25% left on the front brakes. (50% on rear).
We do a lot of city driving but don't think we're hard on the brakes (haven't had this problem with our other vehicles). Dealer shrugs it off, says this is a common thing with the Odysseys. But replacing the brakes every 1-1/2 years doesn't seem OK.

bjk2001 · August 2002

odyssey10:

I just had my 01 EX done for 15k miles service. My front brakes have 50% left and rear only 25% on the rear brakes. Most people getting 30K service out of their front brakes. Instead of telling you % on your brake left. You should ask them actual front pad thickness measurement and compare with minimum service thickness.

bjk

raimondi1 · August 2002

Hi just changed oil in my 2001 Odyssey for the first time. I used HONDA filter and replaced the drain plug gasket (washer) with a HONDA repl. one and it leaks. Anyone have a similar problem? I dont think I overtightened it but it leaks very slightly.

packert · September 2002

We have a 2000 Odyssey EX. We had the 15,000 mile service at 17,800 miles. The dealer said that we had 10% of the brakes left and charged $144 for new front pads. New pads at 18K miles. This is crazy.

When I called the dealer, they explained that they are soft semi metallic and will wear out at 15-30K. Something sounds wrong with replacing brake pads this much.

Other than than, we are very happy with the Ody.

vanuser1 · September 2002

I run a samll business in Central Ontario and have owned Caravans, Windstar,and currently both an Odessey & Sienna. Each Average 55000km/year. No one makes an ideal van yet. We had major problems with Caravans & the Windstar so are trying the Japanese makes although our Odessey is made here in Ontario. Down time for us is costly. Comparison thus far between Honda & Toyota:

2000 Odessey EX at 80,000km (48,000miles) rust through on driver's door front leading edge under mirror (open door to inspect behind the door sealing foam. There is a bad design with a metal folded seam which is waiting to be blasted with winter salt spray. Dealer says too bad its past the 60,000km warantee yet only 18 months old. Ask me if I'm impressed. (I am putting signs in my windows `Hondas Rust Fast'). Odessey Ex sound system is terrible, My 82 Volvo was better. Seats have no hip bolsters like all other vehicles do today. On our long drives sore hip joins result. Poor passing gear power compared to all other vans. Power door: now its a control module $800 cnd,I told them to stick it. Unfortunately the door warning buzzer can't be easily disabled when using it as a very stiff manual door and still wishing to use the other auto door (power door switch must be switched off and on with every use of the good door.) Loose front end suspension,although parts were replaced,there's a thumping sound on any little bump. Rear top wind spoiler is a magnet for dirt buildup on rear window. Blind spot in driver's side mirror is dangerous on turnpike ramps. Annoying maintenance reminder lights. Folddown seat is great, plenty of room. No major engine or tranny problems to date.

Toyota Sienna 2001 base model 60,000km. Still as tight and yet smooth a ride as the day it was purchased. Overall Best of any van I've owned. My 3 teenagers choose the Sienna first , they like its quick, nimble response and superior sound system (Chrysler's Infinity Sound system was the best I've had). Toyota is quicker in passing gear. Smooth quiet ride is less tiring at the end of a long drive. Steering could be a little stiffer although the suspension overall is great. The engine and tranny are apparently from the Camray and can last 500,000km I'm told. I was having tires replaced on a hoist next to a Venture doing likewise. With the tires off you can see a big difference in the suspension quality and thickness. I only wish it had a folddown rear seat and an Infinity Sound System, then it would be the Top Van of all time without question. A pet peave I have with both vans is that there is no where to rest the driver's left arm. The door should have foam rests extending out a few inches.

By the way, I won't be buying another Honda.

bren3 · September 2002

We own '01 EX with 37,000K....have 25% left on the front (don't remember rear unless I go get invoice). I drive up and down a hill almost every day. The majority of our miles are highway as we have taken at least 5 long trips.

haralick · September 2002

I just bought a 2002 EX. We noticed a severe
slosh noise from the gas tank any time we start
or stop. It is EXTREMELY annoying!

After browsing through the town hall messages,
I concluded that it's a known problem by many
owners. However, it's not that every odyssey
that does this. Also, Honda is NOT going to
fix it.

Does this mean that this is a problem we'll have
to live with???

Please help.

robr2 · September 2002

AFAIK, the slosh is endemic to the Odyssey due to the design of the gas tank.

IMO, the difference is in people's tolerance of it. I have not noticed it in our 00 EX in a long time, but I'm sure it is still there.

raimondi1 · September 2002

FYI: After posting a message re:drain plug leaking slightly after oil change and replacing drain plug crush washer on our 2001 Odyssey I finally discovered that it needs to be torqued to 33 lbs in order to seat the washer between the drain plug and oilpan. All is well now.

rjgeisen · September 2002

I would like to thank those who contributed info on how to access the digital clock light. Mine just went out but I would like to know if there is a burned out bulb waiting to be replaced after I go through the effort of getting to it. Some posts indicated the entire clock must be replaced not just the bulb. Incidentally Honda put the Kibosh on free TSBs on the net. The one I would like is: TSB 01-097 which discusses the failed digital clock light.

lok888 · September 2002

For large area, try www.autobarn.com for Dupli-Color spray (4 oz.) both imports and domestics. It cost about $5.00 plus shipping. I tried it on my Accord. It looks great. You can tell the different from a distance. Auto Zone and others may not carry all the color in stock. Good luck!

cindil · October 2002

I was in a 2001 EX Ody with 19,xxx miles on it the other day and noticed a gas smell. The owner was telling me that she had noticed it before, however her husband said not to worry about it. He works in the automobile business. Is this something that she should be worried about? Has anyone else experienced this?

jchan2 · October 2002

We are experiencing a small spot of rust on the front bumper after a minor scratch we had in a Target parking lot. I'm afraid that this spot of rust will grow and wonder if the warranty covers rust from the outside in. (Our selling dealer said it doesn't) By all means, I'm disappointed because our 1997 Honda Accord which we replaced, had no rust up to the day it left our garage. Our 99 Civic is not experiencing problems either. What's wrong? I thought we were buying the most refined minivan on the market and I expected more from the big H. The rust seems to be problemetic in other posts, and i'm afraid that mine will be too. What should I do? Maybe I should dump the van and buy a Saturn LW300 or a Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. Perhaps a Toyota Sienna or Mazda MPV might do too.

phil47 · October 2002

What year is your Odyssey? Don't all 99-03 Odys have plastic bumpers, so I'm not sure how they could rust? My 2001 EX has a few war wounds, but it's not rusting...just showing the black plastic underneath.

bjk2001 · October 2002

Jchan2:

I won't care what model year of your Odyssey is or was, "if your Odyssey plastic bumper skin will RUST I will DEFINITELY DUMP that Odyssey faster than a hot cake. LOL!

bjk

bigev · February 2003

THIS IS FOR ALL OF US HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS. TRADE THEM IN ASAP. WORD HAS GOTTEN OUT ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS:TRANSMISSION GOING OUT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, ETC. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT BUY A USED ONE. THE TRANSMISSIONS COST $6,000.00 TO REPLACE. WE JUST TRADED OURS IN ON A NEW 2003 DODGE GRAND, AND THE SALES PERSON THERE SHOWED US 6 (SIX) HONDA ODYSSEYS TRADED IN ON NEW DODGE VEHICLES, ALL OF WHICH HAD PROBLEMS. THREE OF THEM WERE TRADED IN WITH BAD TRANSMISSIONS THAT HE SAID WOULD COST TO MUCH TO REPAIR, AND THEY WOULD GO TO THE WHOLESALERS AND THEY WOULD MAKE THEM WORK. (WELL, MAYBE GET THEM TO WORK THAT IS) THE HONDA ODYSSEY REVIEWS, GO TO (AutoFan.com) AND SEE FOR YOURSELF ALL THE PROBLEMS POSTED THERE. THESE VANS ARE NOT WORTH THE WAIT AND NOT WORTH THE MONEY. WE GOT TIRED OF LOOKING AT OURS SITTING IN THE DRIVE ALL THE TIME, LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL. NEVER AGAIN A HONDA.

bjk2001 · February 2003

You don't have to yell even you are not happy with your Odyssey.
What words got out? Did you mean that 3% Honda transmission problem? Hope you got a good deal traded in yours. I am happy with my 7 years 100k miles transmission extended warranty from Honda. Good luck with your Dodge

fibber2 · February 2003

But I have read very similar posts in both the DC vans and the Windstar forums: Danger, Will Robinson! Dump this van before xxxxx happens! The word is out!

Every brand has it's bad days and horror stories. We all hope and pray it is just not us that gets stuck with the lemon. The Ford dealer will show you the traded-in Chevy's, the Dodge dealer has an excess of Nissan Quests & some Hondas, and the Honda dealer has plenty of DC vans going to auction, etc......

Steve

vaiad · March 2003

I received a recall on my Honda Odyssey 2003 couple of weeks ago. The recall is to inspect the fuel tank to make sure there are no leakages.
Any one aware of it?

tx_buyer · March 2003

Why does Honda Odyssey's VIN starts with 5FN?
First Character denotes the country and the second character denotes the manufacturer name, right?
Does it mean that FORD makes this van for Honda?Would someone please explain? This is very urgent. I am planning in buying the odyssey in the next 48n hours

bjk2001 · March 2003

Tx_buyer:

Where did you get the information that F stands for Ford? F could be Ferrari.
Good luck!

bjk

bjk2001 · March 2003

Tx_buyer:

Position 1~3 =
5FN: US Honda, multi-purpose passenger vehicle
2HK: Canada Honda, multi-purpose passenger vehicle

Position 4~6 =
RL1: Odyssey

Position 7 =
8: 5 door

Position 8 =
0: EXL-RES
5: LX
6: EX
7: EXL-NAV
9: EXL

Position 9 = check digit

Position 10 =
3: model year 2003

Position 11 =
B: Lincolin (Alabama) Factory
H: Ontario Factory

Position 12~17: serial number=
000001~

Something like that. DON'T worry, FORD doesn't make Odyssey for Honda.

bjk

duckming · June 2003

Most of the time when I press
the brake, I can hear a delayed
pumping like sound come out
from the back of the van
while the van is in garage.
Is it common? Is it from the
ABS system?

voicemailking · July 2003

Have a 2000 ody ex with 66K. Basically a good vehicle, but problems with auto doors since it was 3 weeks old, it was not from the batch of recalls. 1st dealer changed motors on both doors when 3 weeks old. then about 1.5 years later more problems but repaired. Now out of factory warranty, it intermittantly doe not close (both doors). The dealer could not duplicate problem, to make matters worse they had it 5 days, that was because honda care (extended warranty) wanted to examine car, they did and said nothing wrong...that's garbage!!!!!! Never was treated so poorly by Nissan or Toyota, the dealer Rick Caes IS GARBAGE ALSO, POOR WORK, LOST MY LUG LOCK ONE TIME. To make matters worse my car is an Acura and that is from another Rick Caes, and had problems there too!!! Mainly now i need these doors fixed properly and all i get is run around...any suggerstions?????

lapvn · July 2003

Call Honda America, they might be able to push some buttons for you and help you out. What do you have to loose anyway, like you said the car is out of warranty. Next try a different dealer, see what they say. MAKE SOME NOISE. Honda will hear you.

kledford1 · July 2003

I bought a new 2003 Odyssey LX in March, 03. The first week after I drove it home the power steering started making that noise it makes when your fluid is low. I thought maybe the dealer didn't fill it full because it was low on fluid. We filled it and have been doing so on a periodic basis ever since. In the 4 months I have had the vehicle, we have added over 2 bottles of fluid. We have 7500 miles on the Odyssey so I took it to the dealer to find the power steering leak. They told me they could not find a leak and suggested I did not know how to read the fluid levels!! What about the 2 bottles I have added?? I didn't drink the stuff! And what about the obvious noise it makes when the fluid is low and I add fluid?? Who's crazy here?? Anyone else had this problem?? I wonder if it has anything to do with the vehicle being parked on a slope in my driveway? If so, it still has a problem as it should not be leaking. HELP!!!!!!

Karen_S · October 2003

This discussion is continued here.

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