Honda Odyssey: Problems & Solutions:(1995-2004 Models)

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  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Scroll up to posts starting around #3182 (December 8th) for a discussion on changing the backlight bulb.

    Steve
  • jwalden2jwalden2 Member Posts: 1
    We have a 2000 ody and the engine light came on and it started running very rough.Went to the dealer and they replaced one coil pack and spark plug they couldn't give me any reason for the coil pack failure other than diffective part.BTW repaired under extended warrenty cost for one coil pack invoice said $65.00.
  • laundryguylaundryguy Member Posts: 89
    Did you get the extended (100k) warranty with all the towing you do? I'm only thinking the tranny is the big risk on this van, but maybe I'm wrong.

    laundryguy
  • lisahhhlisahhh Member Posts: 22
    I thought I was having transmission problems (some surging at lower speeds) but the dealer tells me I have broken motor mounts and they will gladly fix for $450... I'm taking the ODY to my mechanic and when I called him, he said it is highly unusual to have broken motor mounts on such a "young" car. (Even tho I have 76K miles). Anyone else experience this?

    Another thing - a warning to all you owners who have sticky doors... I learned my lesson. Brought the van in a couple times and had the doors greased or oiled but the problem returned. I got tired of brining it in and just lived with the prob. Now that my warranty has expired, the door handle on my ODY broke, due to the need to pull on it so hard. The dealer said it is no longer under warranty so sorry, it will cost $30 parts, $100 labor... If you have the sticky doors, don't let them go.
  • alison11alison11 Member Posts: 9
    Am not sure what motor mounts have to do with the transmission but doesn't your 2000 have the extended transmission warranty from Honda? I received notification of this about a year ago- extended to 10yr/100,000 miles. I've found the dealers will charge you for otherwise covered repairs if you don't point this stuff out!

    My 2000LX had the tran. replaced at 15,000 miles and now at 90,000 seems to be slow to engage from a stop but otherwise fine.
  • rbell2rbell2 Member Posts: 180
    I did not get the extended warranty.
  • dougg6424dougg6424 Member Posts: 1
    I have a '01 Ody and developed seal problems at 35,000 miles (fluid dripping out of front wheel boot). Honda replaced the transmission on warranty, and I received notification soon after that our transmission warranty was being extended to 100K miles due to "greater than expected failure rates". (I had purchased the extended warranty at purchase anyway.) I'm worried because my old Caravan had problems starting at 40,000 miles, and I wound up replacing the trans. 3 more times, or about every 45,000 miles. I also had to replace motor mounts twice on the Caravan, which I thought excessive, so I worry when I hear of similar problems on the Ody. I'm at 66,000 miles and keeping my fingers crossed.
  • laundryguylaundryguy Member Posts: 89
    Thanks for info - I was leaning toward opting out. Does Honda, like Ford and many others, keep hounding you after the buy for extended warranties anyway? I was thinking if I ran into a pile of issues, I could then opt for the warranty if need be - but more likely unload van if it were really that bad.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    before buying an extended warr. Never heard anything from Honda about them during that time. While I am having no problems with the van, the reports from others gave me pause. I found a good deal on the internet from a dealer in the South ($875 - no tax - for 7yr/100k/ $0 deductible) for Honda Care. I may or may not get my money's worth, but for a mere 3% of the initial cost of the van, I will not have to worry about this stuff. Who cares if the tranny blows up, motor mounts break, etc? It's their headache....

    Steve
  • lsg1lsg1 Member Posts: 42
    I have a 2001 EX
    I have a rattling sound in the engine area. It only happens when the climate control blower is on. Any idea what this can be?

    Also, I had my car inspected yesterday(in NYC) and now my backlight to the clock is out. Any chance it is related to the inspection?
  • bamaboy35004bamaboy35004 Member Posts: 25
    The lant here in Alabama has caught 99% of customer probs/complaints and warranty items. All 2004 models are from here in US and all future ones will be built here too.
  • lisalisa Member Posts: 10
    Alison - Yes, I got the extended trans warranty info in the mail. Brought the van to the dealer a few weeks ago for this and that, including the "surges" I experience at lower speeds. They said they fixed everything... Adjusted things, but didn't replace my trans... Well I didn't notice any changes, actually, it seemed WORSE. So when I brought it back, they said my transmission was "fine" and that I had broken motor mounts that might be causing the problem. They will fix them for $450+.... Brought it to my mechanic who fixed my worn motor mounts for $300. Now I'm taking it back to Honda and I guess insisting that they figure this out. I wonder if other dealers are not wanting to actually do something about the transmission? Doesn't Honda pay them?
  • baby927baby927 Member Posts: 7
    I've read the manual and still have question: With the front control on dash set to red RR with the fan speed on one of the settings, and the rear control on ceiling set to the red person, should warm air come out of the ducts under the two front seats?
    The fan in the way back wall picks up speed, but no air blows out of the ducts under seats. I have to take in the van for a recall on belt tensioner, and was going to inquire about that.
    The way the manual reads, I should expect air to flow out of the ducts under the two front seats.

    Anybody????

    Thanks in advance!!
  • surfcreep5surfcreep5 Member Posts: 3
    The normally faint siren sound you hear is the usual whine of the Odyssey accelerating through first and second gear. If it is really loud, that could be a problem, either with your transmission or the law. However, a slight siren sound as if a cop is a distance away is fairly normal.

    If you see the pretty blue and red flashing lights behind you, it might be wise to stop and see what the nice policeman has to say.
  • dannodanno Member Posts: 114
    bamaboy - If Canadian quality is so horrible, why is the new Honda SUT being built in the Alliston, Canada plant? Honda has a lot riding on this new model.
    Maybe the mature technology (Odyssey) is being sent to Alabama as there is minimal chance good 'ol boys can mess it up?
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    The lant here in Alabama has caught 99% of customer probs/complaints and warranty items. All 2004 models are from here in US and all future ones will be built here too.

    The plant at Alliston has built approximately 3595 Odysseys this year (to February 28). Since Lincoln is building all the 2004s Alliston must be building 2003s or 2005s. Smile
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I don't believe that the ducts located under the front seats are connected to the rear heating system at all, but are part of the front floor air distribution. The output from the rear heater is located on the rear passenger wall just behind the sliding door.

    Steve
  • turo19turo19 Member Posts: 4
    We just purchased an '04 Odyssey EXL-RES and live in a rural area. I would appreciate any feedback on how your Odyssey has handled in snow/icy terrain. Thank you.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Acceptable on the OEM Michelin tires, great with Dunlop Wintersport M2 tires.

    Steve
  • baby927baby927 Member Posts: 7
    We had BAD luck with the '02 in snow. We too live in rural america, and our van was terrible with the factory tires. They were a high performance all-season - but we didn't even drive in the snow the 1st year they were so bad. Bought 4 snow tirs for this year, and now the vn is SUPER!!
  • dannodanno Member Posts: 114
    Tires is the single biggest determining factor in snow traction. The Honda Oddy with an almost 50/50 front/rear weight bias relies on it's tires even more than most front drivers that have 65% of the weight on the fronts. The Michelin Symmetry is known to have lower than average snow traction. The Symmetry rib type design is not effective for maximum traction. Dedicated snow tires for your Oddy would be advised if any significant snowfall occurs where you drive.
  • firemann1firemann1 Member Posts: 14
    I haven't tried to trace the heater ducts from the rear heater in the Ody. However, my expectation is the front heater unit provides the heated air for front of the car and to the ducts under the front seat. The rear heater provides the heat for the side ducts beside / behind the middle and back seats.
  • aspesisteveaspesisteve Member Posts: 833
    we took our '02 oddy to Tahoe recently during a freekn blizard. I had to put chains(cables) on at one point but they ended up breaking. This gave me the chance to drive in snow without chains and I'd say the car did really well - I've got half worn Michelen all season tires.
  • baby927baby927 Member Posts: 7
    Thanks to fibber2 and firemann1 for straightening me on the heater question. Before the post, I didn't even know about the heater vents in the rear of the van at the floor. Yes, heat does come out of here and not the vents under the front seats as I thought. Heat does comeout under the front seats for the 2nd row people by the controls on the front dash. The 3rd row people get their own lille vents controlled by the RR settings on the front panel or the ceiling dials..I understand now...thanks
    ............Snow driving..........I live in upstate NY where we get snow..snow...snow....measured by the feet at times. With snow tires ONLY do I dare drive my van during the winter.
  • paulmlacpaulmlac Member Posts: 27
    One problem with the Ody is that there isn't a great cupholder system for kids in carseats in the 2nd row. Our carseat doesn't have a cupholder built in. My 3 yr old's arms are too short to reach the front seat tray or the cupholders mounted on the sides of the seats. For now, we've rubber-banded a cupholder we got at Wal*Mart to the armrest. Even then, the armrest isn't long enough to have the cupholder stick far enough out. Has anyone else encountered this problem & figured out a solution?

    Thanks!
  • tcasboytcasboy Member Posts: 214
    I can think of 3 solutions, but you probably won't like 2 of them. 1: don't let the kids drink in the car. Ok, not much chance of that. 2: Buy a new Ody, they have a cupholder built into the second row seat. Only problem is they are way down by the floor, smaller kid in a car seat still won't be able to reach them. Not to mention the price of a new van. 3: Buy a new car seat with the cupholder built in. Car seats aren't that expensive and it probably woundn't hurt to have a spare around. Plus things like that seem to get better every year. Our daughter's booster seat has a cupholder that clips on and off, you might be able to just buy one of those and clip it on to the side of your child's current seat.

    Just some thoughts, good luck and happy motoring!
  • mike1mike1 Member Posts: 2
    Hello,

    The A/C and the two fans in my 2000 Oddysey cycle on and off. When it goes into the cycle mode, it stays there turning the fans on/off constantly. At times, it just runs fine. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this problem?

    The A/C blows a lot of air and when it is on, it blows cold air.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • mike1mike1 Member Posts: 2
    Hello,

    Can someone tell me the location of the AC relay(s) in a 2000 Honda Odyssey?

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • rickpctrickpct Member Posts: 71
    What size Wintersport M2's do you have on your odyssey? I actually have them on my Saab Wagon, and just purchased a '04 Ody EX.

    Also- noticed in your profile that you are in Hopewell Jct - working for a big computer company...hmm..i work for a big computer company too...with lots of locations in westchester - i'm based out of yorktown heights.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I put M2's on both my '02 Ody and '02 Subaru Outback wagon, and highly recommend them. All 8 are 225/60-16, H-speed rated. The Ody only requires T, but going upward is OK with maybe a slight loss in ride comfort, & a slight improvement in handling due to stiffer sidewalls, etc.

    Yorktown?? Research? EF site here... FIBBER, as in one who is involved with Focused Ion Beams. What do you do?

    Steve
  • badbrakes1badbrakes1 Member Posts: 1
    I have 99 Ody with 47k miles on. Of this about 42k miles are highway/interstate driving. Experienced brake problems (warped rotors/disks)from early on. Had rotors machined at 12k mi. Rotors/pads replaced at 15k mi. Vibration returned every time within 1000 miles or less. At 24k mi. dealer had the car for a week and eventually decided the problem was tires!? (I sort of gave up trying to fix the problem after that) Just had rotors and drums machined (again) - rotors vibrated again almost immediately. Dealer machined them again free of charge, but said the problem must be my bad driving habits! Strange, though - never had this problem before with any car with more than twenty years of driving multiple cars!

    Any advice?
  • hogboyhogboy Member Posts: 84
    If you jump over to the Chevy Impala forum you will see lots of problems with brake pads and warped rotors.
    You may want to skip the dealer and try Raybestos super stop severe duty rotors and super stop brake pads if they are available for the Ody. Someone had switched to Raybestos and so far has had very positive results.
  • remset65remset65 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 99 Ody (purchased in 1998) with 112K miles on it, and this vehicle has been nothing but trouble. This week was the last straw--I paid nearly $700 for a new catalytic converter (CC). There's no (good) reason a CC should be bad after $112K of normal driving and given strict adherence to the periodic maintenance schedule. My hunch is that whatever caused the premature failure of my CC will cost me another $700 within a couple of years. If I add to this the recurring problems I've had over the years with the brakes, EGR valves, doors, and numerous recalls, I can only conclude the Ody was a Honda catastrophic design failure. (Fortunately, my transmission hasn't failed yet like so many others I read about here). It's time to sell this lemon and avoid Hondas again at any cost. They're too expensive in money and time. My "other car" is a 89 Toyota Corolla with 235K miles on it. Of course, it still has its original CC (and clutch, and carb, and just about everything else) and it never had a recall. Bottom line, Toyota knows how to design and build reliable cars. I only hope they forgive me for allowing myself to have been talked into a Honda. It'll never happen again.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Sorry to here about the Oddy problems. I see you have a '89 Corolla. I sold mine at 140,000, and it was still perfect, no troubles at all, except the brakes needed to be replaced I thought too often. My '99 Rolla has been PERFECT so far, and Toyota put incredible brakes on this generation, so I expect it to be better than the '89.
  • ywxfywxf Member Posts: 2
    The factory-installed DVD player in my new 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan cannot play the VCDs which I burned using Nero5 Buring Rom software (version 5.5.4.3 bundled), but my CELERA DVD player at home can play that VCDs. Also the Honda DVD player can play some other VCDs. I have already tried 2 or 3 different CD-R and CD-RW, like Fuji, Maxwell brands. Does anyone have this kind of problem? Or how did you fix it? Thanks
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    are notoriously picky. I don't have a Honda unit, so I cannot comment on it. But my Panasonic home unit will not play some of the VCD's I have obtained, even though support for VCD is listed.

    Steve
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Sorry you are so unhappy with your Odyssey.

    112,000 miles is, however, a lot of miles. A catalytic convertor will eventually go bad. Most last longer than that but 112,000 miles is hardly "premature failure".

    All cars can and will cause trouble. Hondas are better than most at NOT being a lot of trouble.

    Before you buy a Toyota, read the Toyota forums. They are great cars too but they have troubles of their own too.
  • beauprebeaupre Member Posts: 4
    What are the symptoms when EGR valve is plugged or gone bad, other than CEL? I have a 2001 EX with approx. 62,000 miles and just this week the engine started surging when transmission is in Park. The Tachometer jumps between 700 and 1200 rpm when it's severe. I do not have CEL yet. Could this engine not idlling smoothly be related to the EGR problems? Anyone with similar experience?
  • turo19turo19 Member Posts: 4
       Response to my 5Mar04 post requesting info on the 04 Oddy in the snow. Well, we had a recent snow storm in our area a few days ago and the Oddy left me stuck on an inclined driveway, unable to make it up. There were about 2 inches of snow on the roadway if that and the traction control struggled and kept flashing on but did not move.

        I just traded the Oddy EXL-RES (700 miles) in today for an 04 Sienna LE AWD with minor Package #1. TOOK A HIT !! which I expected but they took the Oddy in for the Sienna and i had to pay $1500 extra. Not as bad as I thought but still hurt. Sticker on the Oddy I had purchased on 4Mar04 was $30,480 and sticker on Sienna was $29,225.
      
        Just a caution to those looking to buy the Oddy in rural snow belt areas. I had to give up leather and dvd for cloth with AWD but if you are on the fence deciding which car to get, go with the AWD. If snow is not an issue the Oddy was great. Good luck to all and I hope this saves somebody from the mistake I made.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Sorry, but I don't believe you. Two inches of snow on a moderate incline will not stop an Odyssey any more than it will stop any other FWD vehicle. You wanted to trade it for a Sienna (I don't blame you for wanting to do that, by the way) and were just looking for a reason to justify it.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I've never heard this complaint before.

    But, hey, as long is things worked out, great!
  • beauprebeaupre Member Posts: 4
    It all depends on the tires. The original Michelin Symmetry that came with my '01 was pretty lousy in snow or any moisture for that matter. TCS would kick in sometimes even in light rain. Before this winter I replaced the tires with a new set of Michelin Harmony. The Harmony tires give much better wet traction and nicer rides as well. I live in Michigan with fair amount of snowfall and potholes.
  • rbell2rbell2 Member Posts: 180
    It did work out . . . . . for the Toyota dealer's new car and used car departments!!
  • turo19turo19 Member Posts: 4
    Folks believe what you will but just be forwarned. Wish all the best of luck with their Oddy's. I still believe it is a great van, but just not for those with adverse weather dilemmas.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    My 00 Ody with snows on it has never gotten stuck in 4 winters here in Boston.

    Personally I don't believe in All Season Tires so that may have been your issue.

    In any case, good luck with the Sienna.
  • jimblockjimblock Member Posts: 62
    I have driven my 2000 EX up hills in a lot more than two inches of snow -- with the original Michelins and replacement Michelins. The only issue I ever had was that I had to turn OFF the Traction Control System (TCS) to get traction when going uphill on a slick road. This may seem counter-intuitive, but with TCS on, if either wheel slips the system tries to compensate and the car doesn't move. Perhaps this was turo19's problem. (If so, just pressing the button on the dash would have solved it.)
  • johnnyrfjohnnyrf Member Posts: 65
    My wife told me that when she put the Ody in reverse yesterday, it behaved as if it was in neutral. She turned off the car, restarted it and then it went in to gear properly. Anybody know if this is a warning sign for the freaky transmission? I hope not; this is our second one......
    Thanks for any info in advance.....
    Also having the rumbling brake condition. Dealer resurfaced fronts. It's a little better. He claims the rears also need resurfacing.
  • kimo9kimo9 Member Posts: 71
    When I start my '04 Odyssey in the morning, I immediately here a click, click, click noise coming from somewhere in the engine compartment. Specifically, it seems to be coming from around the belt/pulley side (on the left), but I can't pinpoint it. Then, after about 3-4 minutes, it will slowly begin to fade and then it stops altogether. If start it up anytime during that day it does NOT make that noise. It is only after start up in the morning. Wondering if anyone else has had this problem......and if it's serious or something I should have looked at.
  • wpalkowskiwpalkowski Member Posts: 493
    Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water. You took a $1500 hit on your trade to get a Sienna, when you could've absolutely solved all of your problems with a $400 dedicated set of snow tires. I have Michelin Arctic Alpen snows and the difference over the stock Michelin Symmetry tires in any slush, snow, ice is phenomenal.
       I have a steep driveway - got an early snow storm back around Thanksgiving, before I had the snows on and couldn't get out with or without the TCS. Decided to change over to the snows instead of shoveling and then the Ody was able to just chug up the driveway.
       Hope you like your new van, but in my opinion you threw away a $1000 bucks for nothing.
  • wpalkowskiwpalkowski Member Posts: 493
    Kimo9,
       Is the climate control on when you start the van? My Ody makes a similar noise - turns out it's the A/C compressor. If I shut off the A/C the noise stops.
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