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

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  • nieburniebur Member Posts: 4
    Odyfan,

    thanks for your message. Yes, the damage seems to be minor but the dealer was willing to give me a break with the price. I guess this is in everyone's interest, he has a happy customer and I feel that I have not been taken advantage of. Thanks again, this is a really useful forum.
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    The slidding doors can be used manualy, however this should only be done when the doors malfunction and will not close on their own.They are not built to close faster than the door normaly closes. Doing so can result in damage to the gears in the motor. They have a fine tooth pattern and on a fast close may skip and damage those gears.

    A few things that may have worked for louiscv.
    1. When door will not fully close and or you hear a beeping when in gear. Push the close button and hold it for each of the doors one at a time.
    2. If that doesnt work and you know which door is open with the power still on pull the door open all the way and then start to pull it closed and see if the motor takes over about half way.
    3.If not then reseting the doors may be the only option left.

    Always try and keep the junction switches clean. You can use a pencil erraser to keep the contacts shinny and clean. This done once every month or so will help keep door problems away.
  • c8userc8user Member Posts: 12
    I just got off the phone with Honda's Denver office just about three hours ago. My 2000 Ody LX has had the shimmy/vibration problem from day one. After three trips to my local Honda dealer yielded no results, (balance & rotate three times)on the fourth trip I raised all kinds of hell, they replaced the Firestone Affinity's with Michelin X Ones. While the shimmy was noticeably better it didn't go away. At the same time I also began to notice that the shimmy would come and go, and there was a vibration at highway speeds that I hadn't noticed when the shimmy was in full swing. Also, there was a noticeable shaking motion coming from the rear of the van. So a fifth trip to the dealer, this time finally the service writer calls me and tells me they did a rim run out test and it was excessive. So, they tried a set of alloy's and the vibration went away. At which point I told him that alloy wheels would be the only fix I'd accept. No can do without the factory rep's OK. So trip six, now the service manager gets involved and tells me that this is a normal and acceptable amount of vibration. At this point I told them they needed to talk to each other and decide who was lying to me. I then on my own found the factory rep, introduced myself and had a discussion as to what to do about this problem. The only information I could get out of him was that the shimmy is caused by the power steering pump at certain speeds it causes an oscillation in the steering which feels like a shimmy, a known problem usually fixed by replacing the tires. As far as any other shimmy, vibration, or shaking, in his opinion it was all normal characteristics of the Odyssey. At which time I promptly got in my van and left. Called Honda's zone office in Denver last Friday and explained what was going on and actually got a call back today. Well for starters (at least she's trying) she spoke to someone (?) at the dealership in question and was told that a rim run out was not performed, so therefore the rep would not OK anything. I told her that someone was lying to her as well and who she needed to contact at the dealership to get the compleat story, she agreed and promised a call back tomorrow. She also informed me that Honda is combining the Denver And California offices and that she needed to take care of my situation within the next ten days because after that there would no longer be a Denver office. Which means I would have to start this whole process over again (oh joy). My feeling on the alloy wheels is that since they are made of a combination of metals they most likely flex more than the steel wheels, I'm not sure but it sounds good. Have not heard about the strut brace but will try to look into it here in Arizona and see if I come up with any info. Please keep us updated on your arbitration, and I will do the same.
  • louiscvlouiscv Member Posts: 5
    Thank you all for your suggestions. Regretfully I did not see Auburn63's step 2 in his posting # 603 before dropping the van at the dealer early this morning. They said they fixed it by resetting the door. They said it might have stopped working because maybe there were debris in the track causing the door to stop short of latching. I will experiment with trying to lock that door while the sliding door is closing just to see how many beeps it makes(as someone was asking) and see if it causes the door to malfunction again and will report back later! Other than that. I am very happy with my van so far and the kids love it.
  • imhip2imhip2 Member Posts: 30
    c8 - I did all that you have done except catch them all in a lie. Michelins do help but does not solve problem. Aluminum rims and steering pump did not solve the problem for the other guy at the same dealer I go to but I think the aluminum wheels do solve alot of the vibration problems.

    Pimm - Since you have a 2001 you must have Michelins already so I think you are part of our club now. Good luck.

    I will keep you informed of my hearing. Am getting good advise in another forum called Honda's Poor Customer Service under the News and Views heading in the Edmunds forum. Check it out.
  • pymmpymm Member Posts: 20
    Great :( I really like this van, but I have already had it in for a rattling door and a gas tank that sometimes opens on demand and sometimes doesn't. That's at a mere 5,000 miles. At least these two problems were easily remedied. You're right--I already have the Michelins. There is NO shimmy or vibration WHATSOEVER unless I hit speeds upwards of 65 mph. Is that your experience too?

    Based on your emails, I'm guessing when I take the van in for the shimmy, I should ask the following:

    1. Rotate and realign the tires

    2. Conduct a rim run test (whatever that is)

    Anything else? Please keep me updated. Thanks, Pymm
  • teckelberryteckelberry Member Posts: 1
    I just bought the Honda Odyssey LX 2001 and picked it up last night. This is what I have noticed since my drive home. Yes, the gas does slosh back and forth when starting and stopping the vehicle. Actually, I was kind of surprised that Honda did not fix such a silly problem on the new 2001's. Hopefully this will not annoy me very much since I am used to driving older cars. The only other thing I have noticed is that the rear speakers are very weak. Out the door price with CD player $400, destination charge $440, tax, title, and license $26,440. Ganley Honda North Olmsted, Ohio. There financing is through Chase. If you qualify for their lowest interest rate you can lock in at under 7.00% when buying.
  • imhip2imhip2 Member Posts: 30
    Pardon my conversions (they may be a little off). I am Canadian Eh!

    Yes, shimmy is only at 110KM/h to 140KM/h (65mph to 85mph) then it is gone again. Have been lucky not to have the long arm of the law catch me doing this (speed limit is 100KM/h but 120KM/h is seen as acceptable) but figure I could tell him I'm just trying to drive at a speed that allows me to not hold up traffic and does not cause my Ody to shimmy. To bad most of my driving is done in this range and a round trip from home to work is 110 KM or 65 miles. Has no shimmy after a wheel balance for about 100KM (60miles) so once you get it back from the dealer it will seem fixed. Had this happen a number of times (three times in the first week) only to find that it is vibrating again the next day. Best I have ever done is 150 KM of shimmy free driving after a tire balance that was done in January at a local tire dealer who has a high speed balancer. Even when I got the new rims and Michelins it started the vibration after about 25 KM (15 miles). The shimmy was at 80KM/h (50mph) with the Firestones

    Did you ever notice the problem before your trip? I drive on the highway every day so I have noticed it since it was new.

    Does yours pull to the right? Mine doesn't. It actually tracks fairly true but gets a little floaty just before the shimmy starts.

    So ask that the balance be done on a highspeed balancer and tell them that you want to put a few hundred miles on before you decide if the problem is corrected. Get a receipt with this noted on it. Should all be covered under warrenty.
  • pymmpymm Member Posts: 20
    Thanks for your help and advice, imhip2! I live in the northern mountains of North Carolina (elevation of around 3300), and I don't do a lot of interstate driving. In fact, most of my driving is on curvy 2-lane roads at much slower speeds (van handles really well in the snow here). BUT--this shimmy is definately a NEW problem on my Ody. On several other earlier occasions, when driving I-40 at speeds of 65-75, there was NO hint of a shimmy. Nor was there any such shimmy on the first half of my trip out west. This just started in the last week or so.

    There IS a very slight pull to the right, so slight in fact that I haven't complained to the dealer about it. I am hopeful that this pull to the right is an indication that the shimmy problem is indeed wheel balance and not the problems you and c8user are having.

    I never felt any "float" prior to the shimmy. What's THAT all about?

    I'm going to take your good advice, and will also watch with great interest the solutions you and c8user come up with. I'll check back into this board to give an update on my experience as well.
  • thekerrs1801thekerrs1801 Member Posts: 1
    We recently made our 3rd trip to the dealership for the same intermittent door alarm problem. They finally admitted that last week Honda posted an advisory concerning the door sensors. Luckily for us a technician had just finished a class or training on the doors and made the necessary repairs to the sensors. Got a free oil change for our trouble. Who hobo!! So far no annoying buzzing noise. 17,000 miles on the van...first problem.
  • c8userc8user Member Posts: 12
    I have an appointment tomorrow with the Honda factory rep to drive my 2000 Odyssey LX. I was told by American Honda in Denver that the rep would make the final decision as to weather or not the shimmy/vibration was normal or not. That didn't sit well with me, basically because my wife and I drive the van all the time and are more in tune to what it's doing, and to base the final decision on one test drive would be ridiculous.

    I reminded Am. Honda of the Arizona Lemon Law, witch states the manufacturer/dealer has four attempts to correct an on going problem. After that the owner of the vehicle is no longer obligated to let them continue to try to fix it.

    At this point Am. Honda told me that there would be another rep/management person who would be in town next week that is willing to drive/check/experience what my van is doing. Small consulation, but I will go as high up the ladder as needed. I also wanted to drive home the point that my patience is wearing thin and tomorrow makes the seventh visit for this problem, three more than allowed by loacal law, and if anyone was going to make a final decision it would be me. Again Am. Honda tried their best to assure me that they would get to the bottom of the problem. I hope for their sake they get it this time.

    I will keep everyone posted.
  • imhip2imhip2 Member Posts: 30
    Get ready. Here are the standard Honda answers.

    You are to sensitive to the vibration and are too in tune to the problem. An average person would not notice. Nothing we can do for you. Just try to get use to it. (My favorite)
    It is within what we determine to be normal.
    It is a characteristic of the vehicle due to the rigid body construction. Most people don't notice.
    All vehicles have some vibration and what you are feeling is a characteristic of the road.
    (sorry I do not have the page references from the Honda Customer Service manual to back up these answers ; )

    Ask them to use yours as a test drive vehicle for potential Ody buyers. How many people do you think would buy one? It would certainly help to reduce the long wait for Odys in your area.

    They can't fix it. If you had Firestones and now have Michelines you can't have the problem because that fixes the problem. (ie that is the only thing we know of that will mask the shimmy)

    Apply under your lemon law now and cut your wait.

    I still have no info on the struts. Maybe they don't exist????
  • thodgesthodges Member Posts: 2
    I mentioned before that I was taking our van in on Tuesday to have the shifting problem with overdrive looked at again. (problem was transmission would shift into, out of, into, out of, ... overdrive very quickly under certain conditions.)

    This time, they finally decided that something was wrong inside the transmission and are going to replace it under warrently. So now, I just cross my fingers that the new transmission works better.
  • parman5parman5 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2001 Ody and the Purge Control Solenoid (PCS) Valve in the engine area (upper right corner) does not shut off while the car is idling. Normally, such a valve goes on and off to adjust air flow to the engine. I have complained to the sales manager and service manager at the dealership from which I purchased the vehicle and, so far, after 2 attempts, they have been unable to solve the problem. During the first repair, they replaced the valve. The second time, they adjusted it. No help either way. Has anyone dealt with such a problem and how can it be fixed?
  • c8userc8user Member Posts: 12
    ...then you shouldn't have bought an Odyssey." So were the words from the Honda factory rep after three extensive test drives today. He also added "we can't fix it if we can't duplicate it". There must be a secret script sent out to all the dealers by Honda listing the "Top Ten" reasons why there's nothing wrong with your Odyssey.

    Of course I never expected it to go in my favor. I'd have been a fool if I thought the rep was going to call me and say " Oh yes Mr. S. we feel the vibration and are in the process of mounting those alloy wheels on you van right now". No they chose instead to make the battle lines as clear as possible. So on to the battle.

    Back to those three extensive test drives. When I droped off the van this morning the mileage was 6577, when I picked it up the odometer read 6590, a whole thirteen miles. What really cracks me up is all the bare faced lying that goes on. They must think we're as stupid as they are. The rep told me he drove all the way to this one particular exit on the freeway as if it was supposed to impress me. But what this guy didn't know when he told me that is I live 11 miles south of the dealership off the same freeway, the exit he supposedly drove to is 4 miles south of my exit. 11 + 4 = 13 yeah I got it. 13 - 13 = one lousy liar.

    And when I spoke to customer service in Denver, the rep already had called and gave a much different story. Making me out to be the liar. I did agree to meet with another rep next week but it's "too little too late." On to the Lemon Law!
  • pymmpymm Member Posts: 20
    c8, if your van shimmy is anything like mine, the Honda Rep's response is ABSURD! At 65 mph plus, my van is literally hard to hang onto. The shimmy is so strong, it takes both hands to keep the car in the road. It violently shakes my entire body. Is this supposed to be something we "get used to"? Is this supposed to be "a normal characteristic of Hondas?" I am apalled! And I am dreading the clear fight I'm gonna have on this!
  • treyh1treyh1 Member Posts: 34
    Not that I'm telling you guys anything you don't already know, but vibration is not acceptable in a new vehicle in this day & age. My Odyssey is smooth as silk up to 90mph, and the average Kia probably is too, if it will go that fast. Do not "live with" a problem like this, especially in a $26,000 vehicle.
  • phil47phil47 Member Posts: 394
    Pymm's description is the first I've seen that gives me a sense of how bad the "shimmy" is for those that have it. Like Treyh1, my 2001 EX is absolutely smooth and rock solid at any speed (up to 150 km/h or 90 mph which is the fastest I've taken it). If the shimmy is as bad as Pymm's description, than something seems TERRIBLY wrong. Don't stand for it!!
  • vanman94vanman94 Member Posts: 4
    Wow. My 99 Ody has 25K, zero problems. I get sick to my stomach, though, reading about problems that Honda keeps denying. Is it possible that they have become too arrogant about their historic reliablity to be able to provide good customer service???
  • imhip2imhip2 Member Posts: 30
    Well the vibration that I experience is not as bad as Pymm describes but it is definetly annoying. (It was bad with the Firestones though) The steering wheel does visibley shake when you are on the highway. The vibration can also be felt though the drivers seat as well.

    C8 - You didn't ride with the Rep? I did. My mistake was I didn't insist he drive. Same result as you though.

    I know the van feels smooth as silk right after a good tire balance. Too bad it only last 150KM. Well at least I can take comfort knowing I am getting close to a resolution. Arbitration on Tuesday. I'll let you know. My 2000 Civic doesn't vibrate and it still has Firestones and steel rims. Maybe it's the Civic that is defective????!!!!! I think I'll go to the Civic forum and complain that my Civic doesn't shimmy or vibrate and see how many others have this same problem.

    Done - See Honda Civic Owners - Service and Repairs - I'll see what happens (They don't have much to read over there! Only 13 messages!)
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    I don't see it as American Honda denying their problems as much as maybe each Dealer either trying to deny them or maybe don't know them. Every dealer and sometimes each tech comes across certain problems that others haven't seen yet.As well as the service writers to which many of you deal with don't know all and without investigation and or a call to tech line they may just say"no problem found".One example of this is the control vent shut valve that is going bad in like 7 states but not in the rest of the country. We see alot of them but someone in a dry state or non snowy state will not see many.It comes down to how much effort each dealer/tech puts into your complaints. Most dealers in our state try real hard to keep the customers happy due to comissions being paid out on the cutomer satisfaction survey.If you have a problem and feel you are getting the run around ask to speak to a zone rep and if that doesn't help call american honda and see what they say.Good luck to all.
  • pymmpymm Member Posts: 20
    What I get is a really "violent" shimmy, but it seems to be primarily in the steering wheel. Takes both hands to hang on and drive straight. But I don't feel anything in the driver's seat itself. It certainly makes for a rough ride at 65 mph, but speeds less than that are smooth as silk.

    What I want to know is WHAT IS CAUSING IT? And why is it only at those higher speeds?

    My van goes back in on Monday for a high-speed balance and further discussions with the dealership. Their advice to me was not to drive it until then :(
  • c8userc8user Member Posts: 12
    No my van does not shake as bad as pymm's. It's more like imhip's, sometimes not as noticeable but always there and always annoying.

    pymm, have they done anything to your van yet tires, wheels, balance, rotate, etc...

    My major frustration is I just can't get them to drive the thing far enough to feel what is doing. They keep driving it on the same freeway which is very a new concrete surface that is grated and grooved and very rough. So of course their right when they claim it's road vibration in this instance. I keep telling them to find a smooth asphalt surface to drive on, thats when I feel it best. They claim they have and still don't feel it, or it's normal for your van. I say they're full of it.

    imhip, no I didn't ride with the rep. When I dropped it off at 7:30 AM yesterday, the rep was already there. He and I got into it immediately. Arguing over what his idea of normal is. He was supposed to drive my van to my place of work, pick me up and go for the ride together. That never happened. As I said in my last post, he called Denver and made me out to be the difficult one, saying I had changed my mind and no longer wanted to go. When the Denver rep told me this, I hit the ceiling. (I think I was still in shock when I was typing yesterday's post)

    Realizing I'm not going to get anywhere with these people I made a suggestion. I asked the Denver rep to put the alloy wheels on my van for one week and let me drive it and determine if the vibration was gone. If it didn't work, I'd be willing to pay for all the labor time spent on my van for the last two visits including the mounting and balancing for two complete sets of wheels. I also offered to leave them my credit card in case they were nervous I wouldn't return the wheels. But if it cured the vibration I only want two things, 1)the alloy wheels be left on my van and 2)they up my warranty from 3-36 to 5-50. A small token on their part for all my frustration. The Denver rep told me only the local rep could authorize that. I think I'm being lied to again. I'm sure customer service can override the local rep if they really wanted to.

    I'll run this by the other rep at my next appointment. I feel it's a fair compromise to an uncompromising situation.

    It's not so much that Honda has built a lemon in the Odyssey. Problems no matter how difficult or minor can always be corrected. But it takes people who are willing to take the time necessary
    to determine the cause and come up with the correction to fix the problem. Right now it seems Honda is loaded with lazy incompetent people who just don't care.

    Will keep you all posted.
  • truckie81truckie81 Member Posts: 4
    Could someone please reprint, or give me the post # for the checklist (for potential problems) that one would use when picking up their new Oddy.
    I may be picking one up this weekend.
    Thanks!
  • slockoslocko Member Posts: 111
    My van has a strange problem. I keep climate control on full automatic set to 70 degrees. It works fine, but after a long drive when the car slows or I have to idle for a long time, the heat just doesn't seem to keep up anymore. Also no air seems to come for the middle vents up front.

    It is more of nuisance than a problem and the dealer didn't find any computer codes. They measured the temperature of the air coming out of the vents but of course that was fine.
  • cnybrocnybro Member Posts: 29
    It's NOT normal for the Odyssey to do this. Mine did initially, but that's because a wheel was out of balance. Now rides smooth as silk. I've gone up to 95 mph and no vibration. I'm very picky and in tune with these things too. Oh, I have a 2000 LX with standard wheel/tire setup.

    Good luck!
  • olmanwifnoteefolmanwifnoteef Member Posts: 3
    My wife owns a vary large, silver vibrator that she uses every day. Unfortunately, she's not getting much satisfaction from the fact that it's her 2000 Odyssey LX ;-)

    Short story long, vibrating ocurred after about 9 months of ownership (4000 miles), 3 balances/rotations, 3 alignments, new Michelins, new rims (installed at 3rd party, high speed shop). Problem still exists. That coupled with a new transmission, clunking/creaking suspension (entire front suspension replaced recently - still creaks), rattling doors, etc. has lead us to believe under the Lenin (oops, Lemon)law that our vehicle qualifies as such. Honda has a few more days to reply then off to court (no arbitration, our case was so blatanly ill-handled that our friend/lawyer wants them to pay her as well as us!).

    Good luck with the shimmy issues everyone. Honda has no clue at this point how to fix it. Question is, do we abuse ourselves and get another Odyssey. We like all the features, just not the undocumented ones. Are these problems fixed? Can we find out in a court of law?

    Our area AH rep also stated the vibrating was characterisic of the Odyssey and that we shouldn't be driving over the speed limit anyway!!!. Maybe it's time for a DC Minivan, at least I won't be dissapointed!
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    If you have a dealer near by drop in and ask him if he could copy the feb 2001 issue of the service news. There is a write up in there on the climate controls and operation that may help.Basicly the only time you are going to feel the air temp stay warm is when it is cold in the car. After driving for a while and letting the inside temp get to near and above the setting temp the air tends to feel like it is cool. The inside temp of your van at the time the air starts to feel like it is not keeping up is probably above 70.If you get cold then turn the temp up and you will gain the heat output again.

    In order to get it to blow out the center vents you either have to set the mode selector to the vent mode or in full auto be in the full cold setting(60*).

    If you cant get to the dealer for that service news let me know I will see if I can get it scanned by someone.I think it can explain something to you.
  • cgharlowcgharlow Member Posts: 1
    First thing I would like to state is that I am fairly happy with the Odyssey that we have. So far only a few minor problems at 9k miles (battery died, and short in wiring on one of the sliding doors). However, I was rather disappointed to see that the '99 Odyssey is on Consumer Reports used car do-not-buy list. I also noted that the quality of the Odyssey's is down to average. vanman94 might have a good point about Honda getting arrogant.

    As for the automatic climate controls, you need to keep in mind that most Japanese companies like using "fuzzy" logic for climate systems. This means that the further the current temperature is from the desired temperature, the stronger the system will react. As the system gets closer to the desired temperature, the system will respond lighter and lighter and then it will seem that it is doing very little. Just trying to suppliment auburn63's explanation.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's a link to billg7's checklist link message. One of these days I should simplify this linking post:-)

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • bandlfreebandlfree Member Posts: 2
    We picked up our 2001 Odyssey/LX one week ago and my husband and I both noticed what could best be described as a vibration (not subtle, very noticeable) that seemed to be from the transmission. It occurs when you have slowed down to approx. 20 mph and then gently accelerate, it almost seems like the transmission doesn't know what gear it should be in. If you accelerate more forcefully it doesn't seem to occur. It has also happened when starting from a stopped position, but accelerating gently. It doesn't happen all the time and of course we couldn't duplicate it on a test drive with the service rep. It feels like a vibration, but there also seems to be noise associated with it (grinding?). This is our first mini van, (we have had an Accord and a Mazda 323) but this certainly seems like a problem. The service rep did mention a "normal" hesitation/vibration in the transmission under situations similar to what I described. Is this normal? Has anyone experienced this or heard of this?
  • 1994honda1994honda Member Posts: 3
    I have a 99 Ody with a "Clunk" when tapping the brakes at low speeds. I could swear it is transmission related, but dealer claims it is the brakes and there is a Honda TSB on the issue. He said replacing brake pads will make issue go away, but it will come back after wear. Overall I am skeptical of this explanation. Has anyone else experienced this issue?
  • slockoslocko Member Posts: 111
    thxs for the info. i will not have the time to visit the dealer anytime soon, but if I do, I'll ask him.
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    There is a noise that comes from the brakes sometimes. It can be recreated by lightly appling the brakes while moving forward then same presure applied in reverse. Should here noise in both directions. If so then it will most likely be the brakes. You can apply disc brake quiet on the backside of the pads and under the shims to get the noise to stop. The pad replacement bulletin that I know of is for brake squeal or squeak. It is a softer material than the original metalic pad.
  • 1994honda1994honda Member Posts: 3
    The noise that I have is definitly not a squeal or squeak, but a load metalic type clunk. The service manager stated it was related to the calipers and how the pads are located with tabs. He said that new pads will temporarily fix the issue, but it will come back. Honda is accepting the issue under warranty for now. Does this sound the same as you are describing?
  • dz6tdz6t Member Posts: 18
    After reading the articles in this group, I have a feeling the LX has more problem than EX (except the power door). The so called shimming problem may due to LX's steel wheel. Steel wheel tends to deform under high load. Consider the weight of Ody, alloy wheel should be the only choice. I am glad that I switch to a EX because the LX I ordered could not be delivered on time.
  • dz6tdz6t Member Posts: 18
    I got my 2001 EX on last friday and it was the first time I saw the power door in action. When I test drive the van, the power doors are not on line yet so as most of the power thingies. We were expecting slow moving doors but to our surprise, the power doors are not slow at all. May be Honda changed something for 2001 model?
  • patupatu Member Posts: 4
    This is to inform everyone that Honda has no clue on how to fix the power doors. I have seen several postings regarding adjustments, grounding, new brackets, etc.. My 2000 EX doors still don't work after five tries and the alarm goes off whenever it feels like. There is also a dent from inside the door that bulges out from "overadjusting". A note to those that think the doors are fixed, THEY ARE NOT!!!!!!!! The problem will return. It seems that Honda was in a big hurry to launch the power doors without enough field testing.
  • dcf1dcf1 Member Posts: 10
    Hello-I live in the Washington, DC area and here is my actual story. Honda replaced 1st transmission at less than 5,000 miles due to shifting problem. Both doors have had continuous problems opening, closing, and with door alarm staying on while driving. Worst door problem was door opened over refueling door and gasoline nozzle WHILE I was pumping gas. Latest thrill - CLUNK in reverse started at approx. 20,000 miles. Two dealers were less than willing to diagnose ("normal operating condition" - see others postings) but finally said I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION (remember I got a NEW one at 0k and then again at 5k)! Have been working with Honda of No. America ever since the refueling incident. Their response has been sympathetic but basically have concluded that its MY PROBLEM! Bottom line: This is by far the worst new vehicle I have ever owned! Honda's treatment of these DEFECTS is starting to look like how Chrysler dealt with its van transmission problems.

    I am interested in pursuing this and would appreciate any information on other responses by Honda. Meanwhile, anyone want to buy a used '99 Odyssey EX with less than 23k miles?

    I loved this van (and Honda) until they both failed me. I know that if you've not had problems you are knocking on wood, as was I until the reverse CLUNK happened (what a nightmare!). The biggest delemma is where else can I securely put my family that includes 4 pre-schoolers? a gas guzzling suburban?
  • auburn63auburn63 Member Posts: 1,162
    It sounds as if we are talking about the same noise and in a way it is normal. However it can be repaired, the thing is how long it will last. Sometimes I don't see them back and some times I do after like 10,000 or so miles.The thing to remember is, if this is your noise it will not cause any harm or shorten anythings life. It is just the brake pad shifting in its holder and clanking on it.

    As for the power doors, we are having a high rate of success on repairing them so if you are not then maybe you should try another dealer.
  • odyfanodyfan Member Posts: 40
    Due to internal design, "ALL" automatic transmissions from Honda and Acura, except Passport, will emit a clunk noise whenever shifting from D4 to R or R to D4 with vehicle standing still. The noise is due to the servo activated shift-fork moving the reverse selector smashing against counter-shaft reverse gear or counter-shaft 4th gear, depending which way shift lever is moved. The "BAD!!" part of this particular design is Honda does not use syncronizers with the reverse selector, therefore slight movement of vehicle and hence the counter-shaft will ruin the counter-shaft reverse gear or counter-shaft 4th gear. This is another reason not to shift to N every time approaching a stop sign. Beside increasing wear and tear of clutch pack, there is very possibility of shifting into R while the car still moving. Also, rocking out of mud or snow by shifting between D4 and R is guaranteed for transmission demise. There are advantages of Honda's design: No planetary gear sets means no Bands to wear out, therefore less friction materials flowing in ATF to cause problems and hydraulic control circuits are less complicated and hence less chances for malfunctioning. However, without planetary gear sets, Honda need to use a design similar to standard manual transmission by utilizing a couter-shaft for reverse direction. Because of this design, replacing trany will not eliminate the engagement noise and that is why TSB A00-065 inform Dealer the noise is normal and not to replace the transmission.
    Now, onto fuzy grade logic, I believe Honda should take that out of Ody's PCM. instead put in a push button for over-drive similar to the one on Sienna. Due to the heavy mass of Ody, momentum keeps vehicle speed to change slowly and if someone, knowingly or unconciously, feathering the gas pedal, he or she can make the PCM to confuse and hence locking and unlocking the converter's clucth. This oscillation is bad for the coverter's clutch friction plate and perhaps the consequence: the chattering noise of which some of Ody's owners have been experiencing.
    So, here are few suggestions for prolonging the life of Honda automatic transmission:
    - Do make sure to stop completely before changing gear (from R to D, or D to R)
    - Don't feathering gas pedal so that torque converter lockup clutch will oscillate.
    - Try not to shift to N for each stop sign.
    - Buy a manual trany vehicles from Honda, not Automatic vehicles. perhaps that will send a message to Honda to fix the reverse selector problem once for all and removing that stupid fuzy "GRAVE" logic.

    Above are just my humble opinions, so please be nice to me :) when responses. Thanks!

    Happy driving
  • imhip2imhip2 Member Posts: 30
    Yesterday was the big day for my 2000 Ody LX. I believe it went well. What I needed to prove that the van had a munufacturing defect. I said we need to do about a 45 minute test drive to get the full effect. Arbitrator said not problem we have lots of time. Arbitrator drove the van and felt the vibration. Honda said they had done everything to try to fix "my" van and there was nothing else they could do but Honda still felt the vibration was at an acceptable level. Honda rep would not drive. Rep also said as far as he knew there were no changes to the suspension on the 2001 models so I didn't pursue the strut brace since I couldn't prove it existed.

    Now I need to wait for 10 days to get the results. I did feel the arbitrator was on my side.

    Just some suggestions if you plan to go this route. Document everything you attempted to do to get the problem corrected and be level headed with all correspondense and verbal exchanges. Arbitrator said the documention I provided was excellent and really allowed her to get a sense of the frustration I was feeling as well as the extent I went to help Honda try to find a resolution. Arbitrator also commented on the professionalism in all my correspondence in dealing with the situation. Honda rep even said that it was a pleasure to deal with somebody who is reasonable and who is not confrontational. These comments can only be a possitive and if it came down to a draw I'm sure this could be a seen as a push in my favour.

    Good Luck to all who go this route. It seems it may be the only way.

    I will update with the actual outcome when I get it.
  • rrr54rrr54 Member Posts: 14
    I'm having the same problem with my '01 lx. Occasionally when re-accelerating during a coasted slow down, I get a mild shudder from the trans. Not sure if this is typical for this vehicle. If it is I guess more owners reporting on this forum regarding this would be reassuring rather than taking the dealers word that this is a typical/acceptable trait of this vehicle.
  • nighthawk750nighthawk750 Member Posts: 4
    I previously read about a couple people having occasional trouble closing the rear hatch on their van. Someone suggested adjusting the rubber bumpers which I will be doing on my van this weekend. I found that on my van the hatch closes really easily if a window or door is open. Seems that if air is allowed to get out of the way of the hatch (through the open window or door), it closes much easier. My CR did the same thing with either of it's doors, or the rear hatch.
  • chaucerchaucer Member Posts: 6
    About a month ago I posted problems with my 2001 LX after the first week - bad seat belt, battery died, couldn't shift into D3, 2, or 1.

    Well I brought it back to my selling dealership more than an hour away and the van spent two nights there and was driven back by my salesman.

    According to the work order, the seatbelt was replaced, the shifter cable was loosened, and something was done to the electrical system and the battery was replaced.

    Seat belt is fine.

    I think the problem with shifting is that I learned there is a funny way you have to move the shifter to go to the lower gears. It happens going from D4 to D3 and D2 to 1. I still can't do it intuitively. I notice the detents are weak in the Odyssey and it's easy to overshift (at least for those gears where you don't have to move the stalk all over the place). I wonder if retightening the cable will help.

    Now this morning I got an angry call from my wife. The battery died totally - again. Now when our dealership had the van they first thought we had left a door open overnight. Then they acknowledged some other problem (I think the van wouldn't start for them either) and supposedly fixed it. This time we're trying our local dealership.

    Incidentally, I noticed the clunk when shifting into reverse, I hear the sloshing when the gas tank is full, and the van slides back on an incline if my foot goes off the brake.

    This is my first Honda and it may be my last. We'll see.
  • odyfanodyfan Member Posts: 40
    "Battery discharge problem" -
    Your Ody probably has a electrical short some where.
    "shifting pattern" -
    Read your owner manual. shift normally when going from lower gear to higher gear, pull lever toward you before moving it when going from higher gear to lower gear.
    "reverse engagement clunk" -
    Nothing can be done due to internal design.
    "Gas sloshing" -
    Again, probably nothing can be done due to poor insulation and gas tank design.
    "poor incline holding" -
    Transmission is not design to hold the heavy van on an incline by itself; use your brakes.

    Happy driving!
  • humbleguyhumbleguy Member Posts: 3
    I am having a hard time to understand how the Odyssey's grade logic transmission work and I cannot found any technical information about it. I found my 2001 EX behave quite unexpectedly. i.e. it downshifted on small slope when I don't need that but not on a steep hill when I wanted it to. Tapping the brake won't trigger it. Please help. Thanks.
  • warywary Member Posts: 1
    I am on the edge of buying a new 2001 mini van. Right now the decision is between Honda and Toyota--mainly because reliability is a major factor for me. But, the more I look into the Odyssey the more I wonder if it does not carry on the tradition of Honda quality. Just reading through this Problems VII discussion is about enough to convince me to buy the Toyota. Plus Consumer Reports shows sub par (for Honda) quality in 1999 and 2000 and predicts only average quality in 2001. So I'm left wondering what happened to this great tradition of quality that lead me to consider only Honda with Toyota in the first place.

    Partly, I wonder if I just don't have good information. So my question is can anyone direct me to good information either comparing Odyssey problems to those of Sienna or comparing Odyssey warranty service activity to what Honda has historically experienced with reliability and quality stand outs like the Accord.

    Is Consumer Reports survey of its readers really the best information available on overall quality and reliability? I'm sure Honda has very detailed information about this, but I don't expect they would make it available--especially if it showed a problem.

    From reading above, I am particularly interested in "auburn63's" observation on the number of Odysseys coming in for warranty work compared to what he has normally seen with the Accord and other great Honda cars.
  • mschafermschafer Member Posts: 317
    Tapping the brake on a down slope won't activate the grade logic. You have to depress the brake and hold it there for a couple of seconds.
  • bandlfreebandlfree Member Posts: 2
    I have had my 01 LX for less than 2 weeks and it is having the transmission replaced as we speak. I was only experiencing my problem after it had been driven for approx. 30 in. or more, and still not all the time, so I drove around the dealer for awhile and then had the service rep drive it with me in the car. Of course it was fine for at least 20 in. but fortunately just as I was about to give up, the problem occurred. He said it was definitely not right and they are replacing the transmission. I hope this is the end of my problems, although I am concerned. I am considering trying to get them to extend my warranty. Has anyone had any luck with this in the past?
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