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

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Comments

  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    I think the point was only the case would be re-used.

    Also I believe this is what other manufacturers do (re-use the case, replace all innards with new parts). To my knowlege, there is no wear to the case (from inside or outside).
  • swasswas Member Posts: 2
    I had the same problem, it started after I took the van to the Car wash. After some searching, turns out the problem is a gap between the cowl cover and the windshield. tell the dealer to check the computer for Service bulletin 04-078. They will have to install a gasket, part number P/N 74202-SOX-AOO, H/C 7765043, under the plastic cover.
  • fljoslinfljoslin Member Posts: 237
    If you really want 28mpg, I suggest that you do not drive above 55mph in the highway. If you can by miracle keep your speeds at 55mph forever, exceeding 28mpg should be easy.
    I got just over 28 mpg in a 2006 EX-L on a 400 mile trip across WA state at 70 mph and through the Cascade mountains and 50 miles of Seattle traffic. I bet if you drove on the flat at 55 mph you would get over 30 mpg.
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    Your message dispels a wide spread myth about invincibility. ;)
  • exudeepexudeep Member Posts: 2
    We own a pre-owned 2001 Honda Odyssey, and we seem to have the same problem. Basically here is what we do:

    1. Press the brake.
    2. Try to shift the gear to reverse (or any other gear). The gear is stuck. Does not shift to any gear.
    3. I've left the van, come back to it, and suddenly the gear works...it is a random problem.

    Rajup23, can I please ask you what the outcome of this problem was and how you got it fixed?

    My faith in the reliability of Honda vehicles is being sorely tested by this problem, because my wife and two small children depend heavily on this van.

    Does any one else reading this forum have this problem, and what the diagnosis was?

    Thank You.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,433
    ONe thing that can cause this problem is a fualty brake/transmission interlock switch. THis is the gizmo that senses yo uhave your foot on the brake, otherwise it won't let you shift out of park.

    If the problem is intermittent, and some times it works normally, this is a good place to start.

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

  • taboky1taboky1 Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    We have a 2006 Ody. I back-up all my DVD's for the kids to use. For some reason, the van systems doesn't like alot of them. I get read errors. Some work, others don't. The ones that don't work fine in any other player I have. Anyone else notice this, or have a work around?

    Thanks,
    Steve
  • feilofeilo Member Posts: 128
    Just a random contribution - we have an '04 EX which we got from new and from the get-go, the stock headlights leave a lot to be desired. So after 2 lackluster winters with the stock headlights, I finally put in PIAA Extreme White bulbs (~$50 a pair off eBay) and they work great! Of course they are not HIDs but they are MUCHO brighter than stock and I actually look forward to driving now in the dark Chicago winter days just to "enjoy" the light. Merry Christmas fellow Odyssey owners! :)
  • exudeepexudeep Member Posts: 2
    stickguy,

    You're spot on. I had a talk with an extremely friendly and helpful Honda service rep. who showed me how I could bypass this problem (just so that I could drive the car to the dealership without having it towed). Basically here are the steps to bypass the problem...

    1. On the top of steering wheel manifold, near the dashboard to the right side, there is a small rectangular cover.
    2. Prise out this cover with a screw driver. There is a small slot under the cover.
    3. Using the ignition key, you push your key into this slot (you don't need to push the key in too hard).
    4. While depressing the key, move the gear lever into N (neutral), and you can now start the car.

    Note that if you put the car in P (park) again, you may have to run steps 3 and 4 again.

    While the dealership is still diagnosing the problem, and hasn't told me the interlock switch is the culprit, you're most probably accurate about the cause.

    Luckily I have a Honda Care Services Contract and this problem is covered under the contract.

    My faith and esteem in Honda has gone up again.. :)
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I hope you have better luck than I did with these.

    Mine would burn out constantly to the point I ended up just switching back. I have also heard reports of overheated and melted wiring.

    As bad as I see at night, I wish I had had better luck!
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    My daughter-in-law had a similar problem with her Accord and indeed the brake/tranny switch replacement fixed it.

    Her mechanic was experienced with this problem and diagnosed it instantly.

    Let us know how you fare.
  • feilofeilo Member Posts: 128
    I hope you have better luck than I did with these.
    Mine would burn out constantly to the point I ended up just switching back. I have also heard reports of overheated and melted wiring.
    As bad as I see at night, I wish I had had better luck!


    Thanks for the heads up. I will keep a close watch on the wiring although the Extreme Whites are stock.OEM rated at 55W. Hope I get better service out of the PIAAs.

    I run Silverstars on my other car (VW Passat) and those burn out prematurely in my mind.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Today, when my wife started the Odyssey in the mall parking lot, the SRS light came on.

    Any ideas on what it may be?
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Did it stay on?

    I believe the SRS(for the air bag?) light comes on initially and then disappears. It does its initialization checks and then goes off, I think.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    It stayed on.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Did she have anything heavy on the passenger seat then without the seat belt buckled?

    Does the SRS light still stay on when you use the vehicle at later times?

    If the SRS light still stays on, I would try disconnecting the battery terminals for at least 5 - 10 mins to see if that would reset the warning system. If the SRS light still says on, you may have a bad switch/relay(sensor) somewhere.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    for the '03 LX i drive - as was stated by macakava, if something is left on the seat, but weighing less than a passenger (criterial in the owner's manual) the passenger airbag off indicator near the radio is illuminated, but that is not the same as the SRS light on the instumentation display.

    if the SRS light (on the instrument display) stays on after starting the vehicle, it's failed some sub-system self-test.

    here's where i would disagree with macakava's advice w.r.t. the battery - while you can try disconnecting your battery, i'm not sure about this, if you don't have your radio code handy, you're going to be looking at some additional inconvenience.

    also, i could be wrong, but i'm not an advocate of disconnecting the battery to reset anything. here's why:

    think about it, if the system detected some problem and you "reset it" using this procedure (if it's even possible with the SRS sub-system), did the problem get resolved, or did you just reset the warning indication you were presented with?

    i'd suggest you bring it to the dealership for diagnosis. it's possibly your clockspring on the steering column, or a connection to the passenger airbag or the bag's themselves, but who is to know exactly, failed an intengrity check.

    finally, with the light illuminated, it's likely the system is holding an important code which will be useful in diagnosis. you reset it to make it disappear, and it's potentially lost...then the question becomes, will the system operate as designed if you need it to? did you make proper diagnosis much more difficult?

    for the SRS system, it's just not worth the risk.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    My 2002 EX doesn't have the indicator next to the radio. I believe it was a little feature added on the 2003's.

    The light stays on. She had my 12 year old son in the front seat, but he was properly buckled up.

    I think I'll bring it by the dealership.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    I understand and agree to an extent.

    Sometimes these "idiot lights" get randomly set for no apparent logical reason. If after resetting it, the idiot light does not come back on, then it likely occurred for no reason.

    If it was a hard solid failure, the idiot light would come back on. So it is worth trying to avoid paying a visit to the garage and a diagnostic charge at $70+/hr, unless it is under warranty still. You have nothing to lose. I have used that same logic before with my other vehicles.

    Yes with the Ody, you have that radio resetting up you have to do whenever the battery is disconnected.

    Good luck.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    We haven't started the car today yet- perhaps it reset itself.

    Actually my wife drove it to the Honda dealer and they said that it might reset itself, so we'll see.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    i suspected my '03 might be a little different in respect to an independant indicator on the dash for the weight sensor and automatic disable of the front passenger airbag.

    i'd say consult your owner's manual to see if the SRS indicator on the instrument panel for your '02 would indicate if the weight on the passenger seat is too little. if so, then when both get out of the seat, then the light should in theory go off, it the '02s aand earlier were designed that way. then if so, if the light doesn't go off, then that's a clear indication it probably wouldn't deploy in a real accident, and you need it fixed.

    i wasn't opposing what macakava was suggesting as much as indicating if you disconnected the battery, you'd probably loose use of your radio. in addition, i see the point about these systems often not indicating true problems. the thing is - we as users don't know if it's a real condition, or a flakey. and - if the light is on - it's going to be easier to diagnose than with it off. (in theory anyway).

    it's always better to err, especially w.r.t. a safety related system, that if you've got an indication, you risk your safety. now w.r.t. emissions controls and other engine / exhaust related systems and the CEL on the dash, i think i know where macakava is comming from. one would think, disconnecting the battery and resetting that system may in the short term save some money. if the CEL (Check Engine Light) doesn't illuminate again - *maybe* you're ok. maybe you're not. maybe it will take some time for the system to sense a problem again and re-illuminate the light. depending on the problem though, was more damage done?

    hypothetically say, an engine running rich is going to toss a code and cause the CEL to light. Continuing to drive with the system rich (how rich we don't know)...you end up sending lots of unburnt fuel to the Cat convertor...and you incurr Cat damage.

    bottom line (for me), a CEL or a SRS...yeah they are going to cost, but failure to attend to them rapidly can cost you more in the long run.

    this reminds me. Santa doesn't know I want a Honda - compliant OBD-II reader with computer interface. Neither does the wife. I think I'll need to buy one in '06 for myself so I'll be in a position to help diagnose my Accord and Odyssey myself...

    Like CELs and SRS lights, I still believe in Santa. ;)
  • just4fun2just4fun2 Member Posts: 461
    Are you tell us that your wife took the van to the Honda dealer, dealer saw the light was on and didn't even try to get a code? If that is the case get another opinion and dump this dealer. Could be nothing, but....... Ask yourself, do you feel lucky? If the van didn't come with a system to warn people, people would ask why not? So it does and people ignore it with hopes that it will go away. Why spend 30k on a van and worry about spending $70.00 or so to find out if it's safe for my family to be in?

    Good Luck
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Yes because the dealer said that he was backed up with appointments until Tuesday, and my wife didn't have an appointment.

    Yes I feel lucky that at least I know something is wrong. But the timing of the light is terrible- I need it for a road trip on Tuesday. (and that's also the day the dealer is backed up until)

    Perhaps now I will take the Infiniti on the road trip to Disneyworld on Tuesday, or perhaps rent a car. I probably won't deal with it until I get back.

    I don't think I would take the van on a road trip without the airbags working...
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    the dealer didn't even read the code with the light on?shouldn't take them that long for them to do it - should be something they could have accomplished in the parking lot...then again, i don't know where the access point for the ABS system is located (OBD-II socket is inside the cabin near the steering wheel) and maybe there are "bay fees" or something. ;)

    remember the days when we were kids and we drove on our parents laps, or we jumped around in the back seat without belts on? gosh - maybe we even stuck our torsos out the window...

    things changed huh?

    the infinity must be a good road-trip vehicle no? oh - yeah - it's not an adults only trip to the Disneyland.. so you don't want to deal with the lingering smell of french fries, spilt coke or cherry icees and cheese and peanut butter cracker debris in the infinity?

    i understand. ;)

    happy holidays!
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    It's a decent road trip vehicle, the Infiniti, but well... Is it enough space for 4 people, and all the junk that inevitably follows?

    I think it's barely enough space. But at least it would get me there with airbags that work... :)
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    same here. the noise is very annoying.. i felt the high freq vibration when the rpm is around 2100 to 2500. The humming noise and vibration happened when cruisng between 60 to 67 mpg. Also the power steering pump is whinning at low speed..i took my van to 3 dealers already and none of them admit that there is a problem. :mad:
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    Will you buy another Odyssey considering the Odyssey dealer is not very much help fixing your current Odyssey problem? :confuse:
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Umm... I would consider it, but I would also check out the competition, most notably the Sienna.

    I wouldn't just go down and write a check, but I wouldn't completely dismiss it either. Afterall, my Accord was perfectly fine at 97,000 miles when I sold it to get the Odyssey. My Civic is still fine at 99,900 (almost 99,999) and I would definitely consider another Honda.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Regarding the noise and vibration, I would look at the following,

    1.) Wheels out-of-balance
    2.) Bent rims
    3.) Out of round tires
    4.) Any suspension related things(eg defective ball joint joints, control arms, bushings, etc).

    The resonant frequency of vehicles is in the speed range (60 - 67 mph) and this noise and vibration can be triggerred by these 4 problems. Some of these can be a very time-consuming diagnosis and maybe the dealers may not want to invest their time especially if under warranty.

    I also wonder whether the humming noise can be the noise cancellation generator found in Odys with VCM, if your is so equipped.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    at steady-state conditions, or under acceleration? would that matter? i would think so.
  • lizpop1lizpop1 Member Posts: 2
    I'm not sure how this posting thing works.
    I posted a message, but it didn't appear.
    now I'm trying again.

    Very dissatisfied with my 2005 Honda Odyssey EX w/leather.

    here's my list of things:

    the transmission makes a weird humming noise (sounds like a leaf blower under the hood!) when the car is driving (sound does not occur when idling). does anyone have an idea on what this is?

    the check engine light came on at 12000 miles. I'm going to have Autozone run the diagnostics before I take it to the dealer. Over the phone the service guy said that I may have "damaged the oxygen sensor" by "running over something". Is this a joke?

    the heated seat on the passenger side does not heat.

    over 40 mph there is a high pitched whistling noise on the passenger side windshield. noticed that the body panel near that side of the windshield is "springy" and there is a gap between that and the weather stripping. guessing this might be the problem. anyone have an opinion?

    lots of other odd cosmetice defects.
    not sure that I would recommend this car to anyone.
    Thanks for letting me vent.
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    under light acceleration or cruising at uphill road, very loud whoming sound. The noise is gone immediately if i let go the gas pedal or the road is relatively flat. cruising at downhill road is a different story. no loud whoming noise but rather low humming noise and vibration. The high freq vibration i felt is not due to out of balance tires. it only happend when rpm is around 21k~23k
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    i hear the "leaf blower" sound too..i think it's form the power steering pump. I only hear the noise when temp is below 35F outside..very annoying, isn't it..i am planning to sell my van..i simply don't enjoy driving it with all the problems and nosie i am experiencing
  • ash217ash217 Member Posts: 6
    That is coming from VCM (3 cylinders) not keeping up the load. Watch this noise will come and go away and within fraction of seconds ECO light will go away, every time. I have the same problem, I noticed it while driving the van home from dealer, it id due to go to dealer for service, lets see what happens.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    is it a vehicle with VCM?

    if so, is there a way to manually disable the VCM (variable cylinder management) and see if the noise is gone under the same conditions?
  • ac2000ac2000 Member Posts: 36
    yes, my van has VCM (EX-L RES) and I don't know any method to disable VCM.
  • taboky1taboky1 Member Posts: 2
    Anyway to disable the buzzer? Every other vehicle I have had I can disable it. 2006 Ody

    Thanks,
    Steve
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    do a google search with:
    +"turn off anc" +honda

    there is a post in a club forum i am not allowed to link to. i feel funny doing a copy and paste of the procedure provided there.

    i guess others have asked how to disable VCM. interesting they didn't provide an obvious way to do this.

    however, the post indicates how to disable ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) that goes with VCM to create effectively the inverse spectral energy in the audible range to cancel the energy produced by the disabling of the cylinders.

    in simplistic (and probably inaccurate terms) it does so by monitoring the internal sounds in the cabin via microphone and performs some digital signal processing to model the energy of the sound in the frequency domain, and generates a signal sent through the stereo's speakers (i think even with the radio off) to negate or otherwise lessen the monitored sound, much like the noise cancelling headphones available from BOSE.

    Perhaps you could try disabling ANC and report back if this influenced the "Humming" that you are hearing... maybe the ANC is being overly aggressive and responding to a particular resonance and you're hearing the effects of ANC more than the original sound / vibration source.

    it's a test i'd try.
  • glo22glo22 Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2002 odyssey. The driver's side window was squeaking occasionally. I thought it just need some lubrication. So I waited until my next schedule service before I have the window checked. My van just passed the 36000 warranty.

    The mechanic claimed that he can hear some clunking noise. He said I may have to replace the regulator. I can't hear any abnormal noise. May be the clunking noise was always there. The window works just fine. I contacted the Honda main office. They told me if the regulator is not working, I wouldn't be able to open the window.

    If there is a clunking noise caused by a defective regulator, I tend to think it is more a manufacturer's defect. Unfortunately it is not something I check periodically. I will try to contact the manager to see if they can find out what is causing the clunking noise at the window and see if they will cover it under the warranty.

    My question is now my van is out of warranty. Is there any reason to bring my van to the dealer any more? They can be quite expensive. The only reason I go to them is to make sure they take care of all the manufacturer's parts and schedule.
  • paulhuang1paulhuang1 Member Posts: 5
    Welcome to continuous Honda Repair.

    The repairs will never stop or slow down.

    I have a 2001 EX with the navigation system.
    The van has been in repair constantly since the very beginning.

    I have the 100,000 mile extended Warranty.
    But for last 31/2 years, I have spent tons of money and time at the dealer.

    The power door went out twice, once was the door motor, another time is the roller
    They also have had to adjust and repair the door many times.

    It had gas smell in the winter for about two years , took the dealer 2 years to finally fix the problem, it was the gas pump seal, they had to replace the seal twice.

    Transmission went out also. EGR valve, catalytic converter and many other problems.

    Most of my repairs were not covered under Warranty or extended Warranty except the transmission. The dealer has been great but the Honda Company has not willing to stand behind their product.

    This is the worst vehicle I have ever own, I have several Toyotas and never had any problem like this one. I even had a Chrysler which had problems, but never was as bad as this one.

    I believe that Honda has a reliability problem and the Honda Company does not stand behind their product.

    Even after all these problems, I was still thinking buying a Pilot, but I have decided that I am buying a 4Runner.I do not like to spend time in the dealer and keeping paying problems.

    I will never buy another Honda and I will tell all my friends about the Honda experiences I have had.

    Nobody should own an Odyssey when it is under Warranty or not under Warranty. The extended Warranty is useless.

    I gave Honda the benefit of doubt when I purchase this vehicle. This vehicle proves to me that I was wrong, Not only the vehicle is unreliable but I also learned that Honda Motor is a company that does not stand behind their product.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    quite the contrary, many honda owners have found honda motor company does stand behind their product. when people have found difficulties with their dealer, a call to the number in their owner's manual has brought them satisfaction.

    it's too bad you had all these items go bad on your honda odyssey.

    people are going to take your post with some suspicion as you became a member and logged on today to post this rant.

    you say you've owned several toyotas. would you be more specific, and why you aren't still driving one?

    no vehicle is immune to needing repairs. check out the highlander P+S, 4runner P+S and sienna P+S forums before making your purchase.
  • ench1005ench1005 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2 month old 2006 odyssey with NAV and i noticed that my navigation system lets me input the 4 digit code before i run the system it happened twice now but i did not disconnect the battery or what so ever. Is this normal help. :mad:
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    "people are going to take your post with some suspicion as you became a member and logged on today to post this rant. "

    Great observation! It is indeed a long time he has been "experiencing" these "problems".
  • paulhuang1paulhuang1 Member Posts: 5
    I still drive a 94 Camry V6 with 212,000 miles on it. I still have original transmission, I did have problem with the vibration at highway speed and I posted in the Camry forum few years ago, it turn out to be the struts, I do not have any major problem like engine,and transmission, and exhaust with all the Toyotas I had.

    For all cars, I follow the maintenance schedules closely. I change oil on time, changed timing belt every 60,000 miles. if any thing is not right, I get it repair right the way. I also owned a 1987 Toyota 4x4 pick up which was rusting but it drove great, it never had any major repair. I changed the tires, breaks, shocks. I sold that one to buy the Honda Odyssey. I also owned a 1988 Tercel EZ until I purchased my Camry.

    I can only talk through my experiences with Honda, Toyota, and Chrysler. I always buy new vehicle. For the Honda, I have all the maintenance and repairs done by the dealer. Like I said, I follow the maintenance schedule closely.

    I was a Edmunds member several years ago, I did posted in the Camry Forum about my highway speed vibration problem and how it was fixed. I also posted about engine sludge problem when a mechanics told me about it. It turned out that the mechanics was wrong, there was no engine problem. It was the power steering pump needed to be replaced. Like I said, I never had major problems with my Toyotas.

    I did not log in last 2 or 3 years to post because I changed my email account and forgot my password . I could not get my password send to my old email account because I do not have access to that account anymore.
    Today, I created a new account with my new email account and posted my experiences with the Honda.

    Like I said, I only can speak with my experiences, I had very good experiences with Toyota and had very bad experiences with Honda. I understand every car has problems but I just had too many problem with my Honda.
  • glo22glo22 Member Posts: 7
    I have both a honda and a toyota. But if they are the same price and features, I probably would pick the Toyota.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    One of my colleagues at work had a 3 yr old Toyota Tacoma that developed engine sludge problems and he got rid of it 2 months ago for a Nissan, swearing that he would not buy another Toyota. Toyota did have an engine sludge problem that I believe they must have addressed by now. The same with the Ody tranny 3+yrs ago.

    How one feels about a particular brand's reliability depends on one's own personal experience with that particular brand, even though it may be a lemon.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    They are both fine vehicles, but I prefer vehicles with good handling, great road feel/connectedness, fun to drive, and a non-floaty ride. Honda provide these attributes better than Toyota.

    Quality and reliability wise, you cannot go wrong with either.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    as macakava indicated, both represent exceptional value. we as consumers are lucky we have a choice. each year it seems more safety-related features are being added to these vehicles.

    to paulhuang1's point, the '05 ODY does seem to have a few TSBs. one wonders if this isn't partially a consequence of a newly re-designed model. if i recall correctly, the '04 Toyota's had some introduction issues as well. there may be some merit in being cautious about buying a newly designed (or re-designed) vehicle.
  • camerausercamerauser Member Posts: 31
    Why is it Honda fans often react to a negative post about Honda by calling the person with a problem a suspicious poster, a troll, or a liar? Face it, Hondas have problems and the Odyssey has more problems than old Hondas do. The transmission is a real problem area along with the sliding doors. Dealers themselves are sometimes a problem area also. I prefer reality when it comes to cars. Realizing problems could exist is much better than wishful thinking that there could not possibly be a problem and accusing anyone who has a different opinion of being not truthful.
  • djm2djm2 Member Posts: 712
    I am considering trading my Accord for a 2006 Odyssey. After reading some of the postings about the "sliding door problem," I am wondering if this is a "good idea"?????? Does this problem exist in the 2005 / 06 models? Does the Extended Honda Care Warranty cover the repairs on the "sliding doors"? I plan on putting a 100,000 + mile extended warranty on this vehicle. I think that a 120,000 mile extended warranty is available on 06 Honda vehicles. Is there a transmission problem on the 05 / 06 Odyssey? Any comments would be appreciated! ----- Best regards. ---- Dwayne :confuse:
This discussion has been closed.