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model. I haven't heard about 2011 models yet.
I'm gonna test drive a 2011 and see if they fixed it.
Can you tell me how you filed a complaint with honda?
Thanks
Sriram
http://www.autoobserver.com/2010/03/honda-odyssey-owners-report-transmission-tro- ubles-inconsistent-response-from-maker.html
I need opinions?
KW
Stay on them and make them fix it at no charge. Look up the lemon law and take it back frequently. Don't let them keep it more than 2 days.
Excessive Engine Vibration with ECO on the Honda Odyssey EX-L and Honda Odyssey Touring
When American Honda introduced the current body style of the Honda Odyssey in 2005, the van had some new refinements. For the first time, many of the Honda vans included a factory sunroof, back-up cameras, and sensors in the front and rear bumpers, that notified the driver if the van was too close to a standing object, which was especially important in tight areas such as parking lots and narrow garages. The 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Honda Odyssey has a considerable amount of additional room and creature comforts that were only dreamed about in the 1999 thru 2004 Honda Odyssey. One of the most important innovations that American Honda Motor Company incorporated into many of the Honda Odyssey vans in 2005 was the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) engine which cuts out cylinders when the are not needed, while driving at a consistent speed on a highway.
This is referred to as ECO or ECONOMY mode and it makes these Honda vans very fuel efficient when compared to their competition.
With this innovation of de-activating cylinders that are not needed, American Honda had to incorporate a rear motor mount that would dampen the added vibration of the dead cylinders while in ECO mode. This motor mount is on the Honda Odyssey EX-L and Honda Odyssey Touring models and has been known to start weakening within 50,000 miles. The weakening starts a progression of vibration and buzzing that is especially prevalent on acceleration and when the engine goes into the ECO mode.
The photo below shows a worn rear engine mount. As you can see, there is no air gap (where the arrow is pointing) so the engine block is resting on the metal part of the mount, which is connected to the frame. Because there is no cushion (support), this is where the buzzing and excessive vibration is produced.
The photo below shows the new motor mount installed. As you can see, there should be an air gap of about a 1/2 inch between the engine block and the mount (at the arrow). You can also see the darker rounded area (at the point of the yellow arrow) where the engine block was laying flat on the original failed engine mount.
As many of our readers know, here at Accurate Automotive and Accurate Auto sales, we love Honda and Acura products and we have dedicated both sales and service to Honda and Acura vehicles. With that said, while the ECO mode is a very good idea and has been successfully applied to the 2 wheel drive 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Honda Pilots as well; American Honda should either re-think the design of this rear engine mount on the 2005 and up Honda Odyssey EX-L and Honda Odyssey Touring vans or adjust the ridiculous price of the replacement part . This rear engine mount has a shorter-than-normal life and is not currently the traditional Honda quality that American Honda has a reputation for. Currently, this is a very expensive engine mount and retail cost on this part at Accurate Automotive is $668.00 + tx, installed.
At Accurate Auto Sales we sell high quality Honda and Acura used cars. The photos in this article were taken during the replacement of the rear motor mounts involving two of our inventory vehicles. One of them was a 2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L vin code 5FNRL38775B012737 and the other was a 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring (pictured above) with vin 5FNRL38805B078426. The 2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L had 59,651 miles at the time of engine mount replacement and the 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring had 83,057 miles at the time of engine mount replacement. Management of Accurate Auto Sales simply was not willing to allow either of these vans to be sold to our customers with a faulty rear engine mount. Do you think any other dealer would surrender $668.00 per unit, in profit to protect the next owners best interests in a similar scenario? That is why we say, “Come in and see why www.accuratecars.com is the best place in Nashville and Middle Tennessee to purchase and service your Honda and Acura automobiles”.
I guess the rear motor mounts might have been the problem. I miss my van - it was very comfortable - but I just can't stand taking a car to the dealer over and over again.
I now have a 2011 Honda Odyssey and I have the same problem with 19,000 miles but in addition to the vibration there is a lerch in the transmission as well. The vibration is easily felt under light load while the engine is in ECO just in the zone where it won't bump up to 6cyl. The lerch seems to come from no where and is intermittent but almost feels like an engine miss, although it is not, no codes. The vibration is loud enough that you can hear a growl when on a quite smooth road....
I called Honda of Tiffany Springs in Kansas City where I purchased this and the 5 other Hondas I owned,, they duplicated the problem, and then duplicated it to a lesser degree in a new on the lot car as well. So they called Honda tech support... survey says.. " Known Drivability Issue" suck it up and live with it, no tranny updates or torque converter software updates.
I called customer support, talked to Dave,, told him the story. I sounds very concerned and agrees that it must really be annoying to drive a 38000 dollar car that feels like its driving on rumple strips. So he calls the dealer and tech support... Survey says " Suck it Up" Known issue No Help and all of a sudden Dave isn't so concerned anymore!
At first the dealership said they would buy the car back but now that Honda won't support it they may consider it but I'll get hosed...
There answer, why not see if anyone else is having a problem with the 2011. Honda is on my list how about you?
I have asked the Dealership Managment to step in and assured them that I wouldprovide any addtional feedback from other drivers of the 2011 Odyssey that have found that the vibration is unacceptable.
I was very emphatic with Honda customer support that I will not drive this car for the next 5 years and would be getting ride of it, but that he should the folks know that do risk assessments because I will , put it on Edmunds, You Tube, seek lemon law relief and any other medium to ensure that the driving public is aware that Hondas ECO systems in Odyssey are not what they advertize. The message below is my first message to the general public.
Likely a case of torque converter shudder. Does it occur with the light acceleration (feather the accelerator) at around 50 MPH with engine RPM stead at about 1200? If you toggle the overdrive so it is disengaged does the vibration turn off. The key is to see if you can turn off and on the vibration by toggling the overdrive.
Excellent suggestion with regard to the OD. I'll check it tonight. The reality is however, Honda has said they will do nothing with it, calling it a known drivability issue. My take is this. I believe it is the same type of shudder you would get in a manual transmission when the clutch shudders if you are in a higher a gear then you should be under load. In this case I think it is the torque converter shuddering. All they would have to do is adjust the computer setting to vary the load that causes the engine to switch back to six cylynders... problem is.. you do that and milage goes down,,, make it a factory change and all of a sudden that 27mpg on the sticker window goes away. I don't care about the one mile per gallon, I care about the fact that the vibration is annoying and it doesn't go away.
I would imagine that dropping it out of OD would change that by changing the load factors.. I'll repost when I test it tonight.
The RPM difference w/o overdrive selected is very significant, 1500 rpms at 75 mph. The engine is wound up, about 3500 or so as opposed to 1950 to 2100.
Thinking about sitting in front of the Tiffany springs dealer with a sign or calling channel 4on your side to see if I can drum up some extra ears. I have seen enough posts about the excuses Honda has been peddling to perhaps get some interest. The fact is though, I've seen enough other posts to know it is usually ineffective with Big Honda... I don't want to carry a torch, just want out from under it...
I've sent an email to Honda of Tiffany Springs GM and Service Manager and they never responded. Without resolution my only goal can be to put enough key words and post long enough to change the minds of Odyssey buyers and perhaps those looking to purchase at the Kansas City dealers.
I called American Honda to enquire if they would consider helping on repair costs. After about a week they came back and declined any help, basically saying you are out of warranty and there is no recall on this issue. They pretty much hold the line on "we don't know if there is a trend with Ody 2005 having this issue at this time and there's nothing we can do about it".
Our Honda service adviser told me not to waste our money replacing it. He sees people come back after couple months with the shuddering again.
Once again, like the class action transmission settlement ('99-'03) Honda chooses to ignore the issue and replace defective part with like kind.
I see another class action coming up on the Odyssey again in the next couple years. It's tough to live with this problem after spending $30-40k for a new car.
No more Hondas. Ever! Went through the whole gambit. Torque converter replaced. Fuel economy went to HE@@. Multiple re programs. Arbitration, (a joke). Free at last. Free at last. Received another recall the other day to re program again to prevent premature trans shaft ware. Anything to keep from really fixing the trans issues.
Later I observed that compressor was kicking on and off very frequently and the sound was so apparent and the vibration can be felt from the floor by the passenger as well. On my second visit, after I explicitly reported about compressor problem, dealer fixed the issue and per the report, it was set at high pressure that caused the frequent cycling of compressor. However for the engine’s pulsating noise, service manager said that it was normal and this happens on ECO mode and handed over a literature on eco mode.
As a consumer, I want 36K vehicle to run smoothly or at least at the same level that I test drove the vehicle. Within 100 miles, the vehicle behavior and driving feel has changed and right now I just do not feel that I am driving a new vehicle on that particular aspect. I plan to test drive another odyssey from a different dealer to make sure if it is common symptom and accordingly plan to talk to a lemon layer .. I would appreciate if anyone else have similar issues and if they can share or shed some thoughts on how they are dealing with it ...
Thanks,