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

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Comments

  • rshtrsht Member Posts: 277
    hrao, are you able to tell if the humming is from your Speakers (as there were some very early discussions around the Noise Cancellation feature in our 05 Odys...) or is the noise coming from the front/rear of the vehicle...? In my case, I noticed a "very" low and faint humming from the engine when my Ody is cruising with the ECO light ON (running with 3 cylinders), could that be what you were describing? By the way, the humming in my case, disappears as soon as the engine is running with all 6 cylinders.
  • hondaconvert1hondaconvert1 Member Posts: 60
    I have nothing but troubles with my 05 Odyssey EX-L with RES for almost one year now... I am pushing HONDA to buy it back... I will never ever.... ever.... buy a HONDA again... I will most likely buy the TOYOTA Sienna once my issue with the ODYSSEY gets resolved... try out the Sienna very nice VAN...
  • patch1patch1 Member Posts: 1
    last night, wife reported check engine light came on....local mechanic checked it over and declared electrical problem - bring 99 Odyssey to dealer recommended. This AM, checked oil - was low - she can't remember last was changed - added 2 quarts but light still stayed on....checked this site and read about disconnecting negative terminal - tried it....check engine light off.....car running well the whole time either way.
  • famodysseyfamodyssey Member Posts: 5
    Yes, my 2005 odyssey does the same thing. It also happened about 2 weeks after I got it. Did you take it in?
  • psgpsg Member Posts: 72
    It seems like my local dealer to too high, but maybe I'm mistaken. They are charging me list for fluids. A quick search on the web didn't turn up any.

    TIA,

    Phil
  • shopaholicmomshopaholicmom Member Posts: 5
    I havent taken it in. Im thinking about it, if only i can find the time. My hubby said it was fine and h dosent think anything is wrong with it. My bestfriend has the same ody and so far she hasnt felt it but then again she dosent really pay attention. Are you going to take yours?
  • pen101pen101 Member Posts: 238
    Bringing in the 05 tomorrow to the Dealer for the following problems:

    1. Recall (airbag)
    2. Brakes (rough operation on quick stops)
    3. Wind noise
    4. AM radio buzz (sounds as if antenna is disconnected)
    5. Trim on rear door separating from plasic near bottom of door
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    Bite the bullet and pay it as it only takes 3.5 qts. as that is all that drains out of the tranny on Odys up thru 2004 anyway. Check the owner's manual to make sure.
  • mlamhallmlamhall Member Posts: 2
    Have a 2005 Honda EX-Leather with 3000 miles. I get a noise starting at 25 mph, especially annoying at 45 mph cruising speed. I am hoping it is not the transmission and the dealer claims it is the right wheel bearing. I will wait until they fix that before taking back in again as I am confident it has nothing to do with the wheel bearing. I didn't notice the noise before 3000 miles.
    Other problems:
    *Wind whistle noise right passenger. Dealer sealed blade housing. Fixed.
    *Rear power window wouldn't come down. Dealer fixed
    *Middle front console rattles. Dealer cannot fix. Resolution keep down versus up.
    *Hood misaligned. Dealer won't fix. Resolution take to body shop.

    30,000 - For a van that sits at the dealer getting fixed. Crazy!
  • psgpsg Member Posts: 72
    After a lot more Google searching, I found a place. They were over $2.00 a quart less then the dealer. I plan on doing a flush so I bought 12 quarts and saved about $30.00. I have 2.5 quarts left from what I bought already. You are right, it only took 3.5 quarts. I've done one change and plan to change the ATF 3 more times over the next few months/oil changes. By the way, shipping was free on orders over $50.00, so I had to buy a few more discounted parts to make the minimum. Now that my 2004 is off warranty, I don't plan on having much to do with the dealer. Not only were their prices too high, their service was terrible.

    I found a lot of metal filings on the magnetic drain plug. I hope that is normal for the first change, but it lead me to believe I should change it a few more times.

    Phil
  • hondakid1hondakid1 Member Posts: 7
    my advise is to consider the 2006 ody.. Toyota had their share of problems for their first redisiged... some worse than the Honda... 06 should prove to be more problem free just like the 05 sienna.
  • pen101pen101 Member Posts: 238
    here is how the dealer handled the above noted problems:

    1. Recall (airbag) - inspected
    2. Brakes (rough operation on quick stops) - rough pads came with car, will order new and improved for quieter operation, under warrantee
    3. Wind noise - trim around windshield needs fixing, a 3rd party repair service comes to my place of business or home to fix it, under warrantee
    4. AM radio buzz (sounds as if antenna is disconnected) - cannot find problem, will follow-up at next appointment when new door seal part comes in (see below)
    5. Trim on rear door separating from plastic near bottom of door - ordered new part under warrantee.
  • hondaconvert1hondaconvert1 Member Posts: 60
    One piece of advise, HONDA quality does not even come close to TOYOTA quality... never ever again HONDA!!!!!!!!!
  • hondakid1hondakid1 Member Posts: 7
    Im sorry for you if you misunderstood me, i never said that toyota quality was inferior of superior to that of hondas... toyota quality is world class, i know this... and so is Hondas (fact) Believe me... i was tearing my hair out on the comparison of the sienna and ody. for my parents who i was helping. Just saying it doesn't sound like a very smart or muture move to me on what you claim you did or are going to do. I know I speak for many others out their that when people claim things like toyota is better, or ody. is better, it just makes them sound like a child. Obviously you liked the odyssey since you bought it... so my comment was just a suggestion... hope you enjoy the sienna you say your going to get, 2006 sienna looks to get a much need facelift...if thats what your considering... ;)
  • jmcheeriojmcheerio Member Posts: 2
    My car, "00EX 112,000 miles, on 3rd transmission provided by Honda, just started having the exact same problem. I was thinking it must have something to do with transmission, again, since it was at certain RPMs. Then, this afternoon, when I went to start it, the car almost "jumped" or shook when turned on. I have to call the service dept tomorrow am.
    Did you ever figure out what was wrong with yours?
    Thanks
  • akhanakhan Member Posts: 23
    I noticed this at the dealership when I bought my 06 EX-L, but the front driver side tire seems to be slightly a little bit flat almost like it was low on air, the sales man said he'd have them fill up the air.

    Well today I was looking again and this time checked the pressure and sure enough it is 35psi and still looks slightly flat when I look from the font at groud level.

    When I bought it the car had 8 miles on it so not sure what to do since I bought the car from a dealer approx 200miles away. Dose anyone else see any of their tires look slight flat on any side?
  • rshtrsht Member Posts: 277
    I had a 2000 Toyota Sienna before, it has been a trouble free van for us all these years. However, I have heard from people with the same model year with Transmission defects/recalls, engine problems, oil leaks and etc. Even with the new redesigned Sienna, from what I have read and heard, its still not a trouble free vehicle. Yes, I do agree with you that Toyota offers a better overall quality than the Honda, but, as far as dealing with problems that is on a per vehicle basis... sometime we get lucky and sometime we don't... There is always a bad apple...
    Bottom line, the manufacturer needs to shape-up their assembly quality, especially during their first model year.
  • akhanakhan Member Posts: 23
    I noticed the whistling noise on my 06 when I was driving it on a high bridge, also I notice the AM buzz as well. Trouble is I bought mine from a dealer 200 miles ago so not sure if a local dealer will be helpfull.
    Also how did you get the 3rd party to fix trim around windshield? what should I be looking for?

    thanks
  • mom24mom24 Member Posts: 2
    Do you know what the blade housing is? I have a 2005 Odyssey EX with 6000 miles on it. I am taking it back Friday for the third time to have the windshield whistle fixed. The other two times the dealership adjusted and replaced the moulding on the passenger side windshield (outside). This works for a few weeks and then the whistle comes back!!
  • mlamhallmlamhall Member Posts: 2
    I picked up the van and the whistle is worse, so I guess it isn't fixed. I have a feeling it is the moulding as I have researched other posts regarding this. I just saw some issues with 2005's that revolved around the windshield wiper housing( it is the piece that holds the windshield wipers in place, I guess). I have to take it in again and I will have them try to get them to replace the moulding around the window. In the meantime we just turn the music up really loud to drown it out. I began drawing up a letter to Honda Corporate and will ask for a replacement vehicle. It won't happen but worth a shot. I hate driving this vehicle, my 2001 Xterra rides so quiet it is amazing. We would have went with the Nissan Quest but didn't like the interior. Should have gone with it anyway.
  • dlovedlove Member Posts: 13
    Picked up my '06 EX-L yesterday and noticed that there was some buzz in the driver's side speakers... perhaps it was a poor signal, but it seemed to come just from one speaker... anyone have this experiece? When the dealer turned on the radio when taking me through the van, I noticed it was on a dance music station and the bass was jacked up somewhat...
  • lgifflgiff Member Posts: 4
    Is is common to have problems with the knock sensor with only 80,0000 km?
    Is this expensive to have repaired?
    Is this problem caused in any way by faulty EGR (EGR port in the engine's intake manifold to stick or valve to fail)?
    Please advise. Thank you.
  • pen101pen101 Member Posts: 238
    Local dealer should be helpful because all the problems I noted were covered under warranty. As for the trim around the windshield, the dealer does not do this work, they sub it out to the 3rd party vendor. It can be done at the dealer shop or at my home or place of business. As for the radio buzz, next time I am at the dealer (when the above mentioned parts are in) I will test the radio side by side with another Odessey to see if it is consistent with others.
  • rshtrsht Member Posts: 277
    If you are experiencing "Radio Buzz", you have either a low voltage short/leak in your electrical system, or an improper grounding, or otherwise an electrical interference through Radio Frequency in to your radio out from the speakers... Either way, that's a problem, there is no need to do a side-by-side compare with another Ody, as my 05 Ody is not doing that. If mine is not, your's shouldn't either as far as being on the healthy side of things... BTW, if you can notice the buzzing pitch goes up and down with your engine speed (RPM), then have your dealer check the engine electrical system first (e.g. coils and etc...).
  • akhanakhan Member Posts: 23
    The whistling sound, ... is it noticeable only on certain stretches of highways or all the time at a particular speed.

    I get this sound when I dirve on a high bridge or overpass but not on the regular interstate roads?

    Also you said that the noise is back so I guess the trim fix did not work?

    I also agree that between the Sienna and Odyssey the sienna is unbelievably quite, but the drive is sluggish and the handling is not responsive. I know if I had bought the Seinna, which I came very close to, then I would be lamenting the pickup and handling.

    Its just that when you spend 30K, it should be perfect. I will sign any petition that unsatisified Odyssey owners are planning to submit to Honda.
  • jntjnt Member Posts: 316
    It is a big design/engineering oversight for Honda on the simple thing like that. That makes you wonder where else that their engineers cut corner to save pennies. Just feel the hard plastic material on the Intrument Panel and you would understand the extend of their effort. It feels cheap for $30K vehicle.

    I hope that the same old 5 speed Automatic Transmission problem is fixed on the new 05 and later Odys. Everytime, I hear the humming sound from my 05 Odys engine/transmission , I have an uneasy feeling about this Honda Auto Transmission. May be the additional pump they put in it did not work so well. Honda engines have been known to be among the best. But I doubt that their Automatic Transmissions achieve similar status yet. Even my old and shaky 9 years old GM van shifts better and does not hum like it get bogged down in wrong gear.

    jt
  • jntjnt Member Posts: 316
    The problem is likely related to the speaker itself or the specific Audio channel (from head unit or audio amp) that connects to that speaker. It is sometime simply just connection problem at the speaker terminal. If the radio signal is weak, you should hear static noise on all speakers, especially ones which has tweeters.

    But if you listened to AM, the buzzing sound could be caused by many things: Power line overhead, Fuel pump, Ingition, switches (AC, window,..) activation. AM is very prone to any electrical interference (external or internal). This is incidental problem and will come and go. One thing good about Honda vehicles: their vehicle electrical noises are well supressed.

    jt
  • buddyzunigabuddyzuniga Member Posts: 63
    I recently noticed a noise that occurs only once after I start my 06 Ody EXL-RES and drive off. I went to the dealership and tried an 06 Ody LX in fear of the source of the sound coming from the VCM engaging or disengaging, not the case. I was able to duplicated the sound on the LX which does not have the VCM engine. I was able to get a salesman to hear the sound and I asked him to start the vehicle and drive off nice and easy. Sure enough the sound only occurs one time for each time the vehicle is shut down, restarted and driven off. We also tried stopping the van,putting it in park with the engine still running then driving off. We could not duplicate the sound with this method. He told me that if I was concerned that I should bring the vehilce in to have a tech look into the sound. I requested that he ask the tech the next day (all tech were gone for the day it was late in the evening) since he already new what my concern was I didn't think it was necessary for me to go through the trouble of bringing in my vehicle. We also noticed that when the sound occured it could be felt in the gas pedal. I will call to get an update and post up any feedback the I receive. Any insight to this mystery noise and slight feeling on the gas pedal will be greatly appreciated. P.S could it be something to do with the throttle cable????
  • buddyzunigabuddyzuniga Member Posts: 63
    06 Odyssey EX-L RES. The sides of my glove box are properly aligned, even though there is a small gap between the top of it and the dashboard. The chrome trim on my passenger door does not line up with the chrome trim on my right sliding door. The passenger door trim seems slight lower by as much as a quarter of an inch and there is more space between the passenger door and the right front corner panel in comparison to the drivers side door and the left corner panel. Can this door be properly aligned without them making matters worse? If not, I guess I could live with it, even though I shouldn't have to.
  • buddyzunigabuddyzuniga Member Posts: 63
    Does anyone have any input on the moon roof visor, pros and cons?? I ordered one and it should be in on 9/28/05 and is scheduled to be installed the following friday in the morning. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, thanks. P.S, I also noticed that the radiator seems very vulnerable to incoming objects. Any solutions to that potential problem??
  • pen101pen101 Member Posts: 238
    Let me clarify about the AM buzz. Up until a month ago, we were able to listen to a number of am stations, relatively interference free. Now, when we go near power lines, etc., the interference is prominent. The FM reception also is affected with more static. My suggestion to test the vehicles side by side is to show the service person that there is a problem here and they need to fix it and not say that they looked at the problem and could not find anything wrong (as happened when I picked up the car the other day).

    Also, akhan, I have not had the window trim fixed yet. I will do so in 2 weeks (I will be out of town until then). I will report if the fix was successful or not.
  • rorrrorr Member Posts: 3,630
    The noise is the ABS system doing a self-test. This occurs everytime after the vehicle is first started and driven (as you've noted). It is COMPLETELY normal. The amount of noise it makes (and felt in the pedals) seems to vary a bit from vehicle to vehicle but it is normal.
  • odyoneodyone Member Posts: 14
    We bought the Honda visor. I'm not really thrilled with the fit between it and the body. There seems to be quite a bit of wind noise when the roof is open. I never drove the car without the visor so I don't know if it is better or worse. There is an "aftermarket" visor from somewhere that MIGHT be better.

    The radiator problem is REAL, quite a number of people have had to repair their AC condenser after having it damaged by rocks that get through the large openings. There is a lot of discussion about it on in the "Accesories" section of this forum. I think (and have purchased) the MrGrille (sells on E-bay) add-on grille to solve it for us. See the other group for more discussion of other options.

    jp
  • odyoneodyone Member Posts: 14
    We bought the Touring version of the 05 Ody because we knew we wanted the rear entertainment system for the Grandkids. The first trip we took (3000+ miles) revealed that the rear earphone system didn't work. We got to listen to the DVD audio for the whole trip.

    When we got home, the car was taken to Honda and they said they KNEW about the problem and have a "kluge" fix. Apparently there is some sort of system programming error that causes the system to stop transmitting. The "fix" is to disconnect the battery cables, connect them together, wait 1 hour, and reconnect them. You have to then re-program your radio stations, call XM (if you have it) and get the system "re-authorized" and all will be well (the NAV system will need a bit to re-acquire it's location, but your stored addresses will still be there.)

    There is NO GUARANTEE that this failure won't re-occur in the next ten minutes, and they don't seem to know the cause.

    FWIW, this failure also causes the backseat remote control to stop working properly, and the rear "plug-in" earphone connectors to fail. All is repaired by the fix noted above.

    jp
  • jntjnt Member Posts: 316
    Let me clarify about the AM buzz. Up until a month ago, we were able to listen to a number of am stations, relatively interference free. Now, when we go near power lines, etc., the interference is prominent. The FM reception also is affected with more static. My suggestion to test the vehicles side by side is to show the service person that there is a problem here and they need to fix it and not say that they looked at the problem and could not find anything wrong (as happened when I picked up the car the other day).

    On AM, it is normal to hear buzzes and crackles when you drive under power lines. Some power lines have proper connection which radiate less noise. The worst one has flying sparks. The best case is you just hear weaker station without buzzing. In this case, power line acts like a shield which block the AM signal going to your radio.

    If a radio engineer can design radios that are immune to power line noise, he would be famous. Having say that, some radio does behave better than the others under these extreme conditions. This is where one separate a good radio from the also-ran. The best thing to do is to compare radio/vehicle at the same site and at the same time. Speaking of the same time: your daylight AM reception quality is totally different from the nighttime reception due to atmospheric condition.

    For FM, signals do change from day to day. Certain weather condition allows signal to go for hundreds of miles (vs. 50-70 miles on average). In this case, you have a lot of "co-channel" condition: long distant stations and short distant station share the same frequency. As a result, you hear one audio program on top of other(s).

    With the new Odys, since the AM/FM antenna is embedded in the right side glass, it does suffer more "directional" problem: if the antenna facing the station, you get better reception. In other directions, the vehicle metal body will block the signal and cause weaker reception. This is a compromise design (low wind noise and better aerodynamic at expense of radio reception).

    If you suspect your radio is having problem, you can do some quick checks:

    1) Tune to some far away AM stations. If you can receive them, then the antenna connection is good. Do the same for FM

    2) If yours is constantly having a buzzing noise, there is a good chance some noisy vehicle cable running near sensitive audio lines or antenna line. Only dealer tech can check that. Also your cell phone, 2 way radio, DC-AC Inverter, Aftermarket Electronics (DVD player, XBox), PC can jam your radio AM/FM too. This is EMI problem (Electro Magnetic Interference)

    3) Your new Odys radio is less sensitive than the older Odys with whip antenna: tough luck. It is a design compromise that Honda made on the antenna

    4) Hear more static noise compared to other similar Odys: radio or antenna/antenna amp problem. Sometime, having better radio speaker will emphasize static noise in addition to better fidelity

    jt
  • famodysseyfamodyssey Member Posts: 5
    Im thinking about it too. I noticed it happens as soon as I pass 10 mph on the speedometer.
  • famodysseyfamodyssey Member Posts: 5
    I hear the same grinding noise and also feel it on the gas pedal. It happens when I go past 10 mph. If anyone has gotten this checked out please post.
  • famodysseyfamodyssey Member Posts: 5
    Try searching the forum for "10 mph". People are saying this is normal. Supposedly, it's the ABS priming itself or doing a self-test.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    After reading about the number of system failures on '05 models due to road stones, I decided to take a look at my '02 Ody. I was quite shocked at the number of crushed fins and overall damage to the lower portion of the condensor unit. I have never seen damage to this extent before on other cars / vans I have owned or worked on for others.

    It seems that the open grill section below the bumper is perfect for allowing skipping stones in. The rest of the unit is virtually damage free, as expected. I am thinking of removing the upper shroud and sliding down to the lower segment some screen mesh to reduce the impacts. The extent of the damage at just under 50k miles to the fins and tubes tells me that it is only a matter of time before I join the multitude forking over big bucks for A/C repairs....

    Steve
  • jntjnt Member Posts: 316
    It seems that the open grill section below the bumper is perfect for allowing skipping stones in. The rest of the unit is virtually damage free, as expected. I am thinking of removing the upper shroud and sliding down to the lower segment some screen mesh to reduce the impacts. The extent of the damage at just under 50k miles to the fins and tubes tells me that it is only a matter of time before I join the multitude forking over big bucks for A/C repairs....

    I have not looked at my 05 Odys, but I have a question about the shroud shifting: if you do that, could it block air intake to the vehicle? How about thermal exchange for your condensor ?

    All vehicles are bottom breather. That means cold air entering the vehicle at the lower portion of the grill. Any obstruction on this section will negatively affect the air movement and ultimately vehicle performance. Just like putting the bra on the hood and grill: it is great for bug prevention, but that is not good for free air flow and heat exchange.

    jt
  • odyoneodyone Member Posts: 14
    I was concerned about the A/C vs stones issue and installed an "inner grille" made from rain gutter screening held in place with plastic ties.

    We just drove across the desert from CA to OK in conditions where the heat was seriously above 110 degrees. We had the AC running and were driving at 70-80 mph the whole route. The temp guage never went above the 1/4 position that it always seems to run at.

    There was all kinds of trash caught in the screen, but none in the A/C fins.

    I have decided to buy the manufactured grille that MrGrille sells on E-bay. It's $100 with shipping and tax, looks professional, and (according to other users) has no significant effect on the air flow. 98% of our driving is in urban areas of CA so I don't really expect heat to be an issue. The installation is also with plastic ties, so if I ever got into a situation where there was a heat problem I could remove it in minutes and re-install easily. It essentilly just "plugs in" to the existing openings.

    jp
  • agorenbergagorenberg Member Posts: 2
    I am having the same problem. Did Uncle_al (or has anyone else) found a solution for this? Thanks!
  • pen101pen101 Member Posts: 238
    jnt, thanks for the detailed explanation.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    My comment about removal of the top shroud was only to easily gain access to the front of the condensor. The other alternative would be complete removal of the front bumper cover - possible to do, but overkill for this situation. That would be the procedure if you were adding a tranny or PS aux cooler, etc.

    Bottom breathing is more popular today, given that the chin spoiler creates a high pressure zone, forcing air in. I don't think that adding a mesh material between the bottom opening and the radiator/condensor would compromise cooling, as long as it were kept clean, and the mesh size was reasonable. Window bug screen might be OK, but is a little dense. There are probably lower density materials that would do the job just fine, yet block direct hits from stones.

    Steve
  • jntjnt Member Posts: 316
    When we got home, the car was taken to Honda and they said they KNEW about the problem and have a "kluge" fix. Apparently there is some sort of system programming error that causes the system to stop transmitting. The "fix" is to disconnect the battery cables, connect them together, wait 1 hour, and reconnect them. You have to then re-program your radio stations, call XM (if you have it) and get the system "re-authorized" and all will be well (the NAV system will need a bit to re-acquire it's location, but your stored addresses will still be there.)

    What Honda tech did to your Audio/Entertainment system is similar to pushing the "RESET" button on the PC. They suspected the system software/hardware is screwed up somehow and Battery disconnection will set it back to the original state. The 1 hour delay is to make sure the electronics is really dead when power is removed. The reason for it is there are big capacitors in the system which hold Electrical charge and they take time to discharge ( couple minutes to 10 minutes may be). But 1 hour is good enough for this purpose.

    Your system may be problem free for 1 week or may be a year depending on how robust is the design. Sometime the problem may be induced by having LOW battery voltage or certain operating steps that lock up the system (engineers forgot to check them)

    Good Luck

    jt
  • m_walchm_walch Member Posts: 2
    I am interested in removing the radio in my 2002 Odyssey. Does anyone know the steps to get this done?

    I am pretty confident I can do the job, but I'm not sure how this gets started.

    Thanks in advance for a any help.

    MW
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    the H & A Accessories site (a sponsor for Edmunds Honda and Accura P+S Forums) has a good web-site. Select Honda, Choose Odyssey and the Year, and look for Audio And Electronics. Click on the "and more" link. You will see a list of CD/Radios with downloadable installation instructions.

    http://www.handa-accessories.com/
  • dsrtrat2dsrtrat2 Member Posts: 223
    New '06 Odyssey EX-L came with crossbars that I don't want. The back cross bar is very solid, but the front one has some play in it. Can it be tightened to take out the play? How does one remove the cross bars?
  • m_walchm_walch Member Posts: 2
    Perfect. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks

    MW
  • ti48ti48 Member Posts: 14
    I have a '05 Odyssey. Now it's about 10K miles. It makes lots of brake noise when running and each time I brake, it also makes some nasty grinding. Does anyone have the same problem?
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