Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Honda was crafty in issueing the bandaid oil jet kit fix. Between the recall and stiff arming at the HQ, Honda hoped the problem would just go away - and they have been pretty successful. The real project will be to add up how many tranny's failed post recall...I'm one of them. The object is to unite the effort - Odyssey/Pilot/MDX/Accord - for indisputable numbers.
Keep your receipts...
Lately the shuddering has gotten worse and is happening in the 35-40 MPH range, as well as any other time it's shifting. Last week, the engine light came on, it started misfiring at idle and shaking terribly bad as I drove. The engine light began flashing and I took it straight to our regular mechanic (I am steering clear of the Honda dealership - too pricey for a bunch of liars). He replaced the spark plugs which were admittedly in terrible condition (we live in the foothills and have a long, steep, wet, dirt driveway) and said to bring it back if it still wasn't working right. After revisiting this website I think I will have him drain and refill the ATM fluid and use the additive everyone here has been talking about and see how it does.
Right now I'm terrified to go anywhere. I drive to Seattle on a regular basis and am petrified to break down on I-5 during rush hour. Good thing my AAA membership is in full swing.
I also have a friend who has a 2003 Pilot and she mentioned the exact same shuddering between 35-40. Let's start the Facebook page and see if we can get Honda to admit this issue and pay to correct it. If no one else wants to start it, I will but it sounds like some of you have had extensive communication with Honda. I haven't started with them yet but I'm about to.
Thanks again to everyone who has posted. It's awful we are all dealing with this. I wonder what it will take for Honda to realize this is their problem - someone getting killed?
Tell me where to go and who to complain to and I will.
In my case I filed a compliant with the NHTSA. I know that there was woman-her name was Diane that filed with Honda I beleive as well. I'll look around to see if I can fnd it. I unfortunetly don't have enough time to spearhead a Facebook page but I would try to help in any way I can. Honda recalled several years from what I understand but not our years even though the problem is the same.
Janelle
https://www.facebook.com/groups/384099154955943
JOIN the group ASAP and we'll get the ball rolling on this matter!
Here is how I solved the transmission shudder which had become very regular at 130,000 miles:
1. "Change" the transmission fluid by draining what will drain from the case through the plug on the bottom as if it were a regular interval. This requires about 3.5 quarts of fresh fluid.
2. Drive the car for 20 to 30 miles and change the transmission fluid, again.
3. On the second fill, include Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix subtracting the amount of fluid prescribed by the directions on the bottle from the 3.5 quarts of transmission fluid.
4. REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FILTER! I was not aware that it even had one, because Honda does not include this as part of a fluid change and I guess Honda expects you to never change the filter. Changing the filter is a normal part of most transmission fluid changes for most manufacturers.
Over 5000 miles after doing this I still have not had a shudder where it had gotten to be a very regular problem before.
It took a lot of searching the blogs to develop this solution and I combined multiple suggestions for a belt-AND-suspenders approach. Feel free to copy this post out to others who are experiencing this common problem. Definitely try this approach for about $100 in parts before plunking out $4 grand for a rebuilt transmission.
I own 2003 Honda Pilot which I bought new and had the shudder issue described in many of the blogs around 30-40 mph. I always have changed the fluid on the scheduled interval and was extremely upset that the vehicle was prone to this problem. So much for Honda's quality reputation for which they command a such a premium sticker price.
Here is how I solved the transmission shudder which had become very regular at 130,000 miles:
1. "Change" the transmission fluid by draining what will drain from the case through the plug on the bottom as if it were a regular interval. This requires about 3.5 quarts of fresh fluid.
2. Drive the car for 20 to 30 miles and change the transmission fluid, again.
3. On the second fill, include Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix subtracting the amount of fluid prescribed by the directions on the bottle from the 3.5 quarts of transmission fluid.
4. REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FILTER! I was not aware that it even had one, because Honda does not include this as part of a fluid change and I guess Honda expects you to never change the filter. Changing the filter is a normal part of most transmission fluid changes for most manufacturers.
Over 5000 miles after doing this I still have not had a shudder where it had gotten to be a very regular problem before.
It took a lot of searching the blogs to develop this solution and I combined multiple suggestions for a belt-AND-suspenders approach. Feel free to copy this post out to others who are experiencing this common problem. Definitely try this approach for about $100 in parts before plunking out $4 grand for a rebuilt transmission.
I also have a strong feeling shift at 35-40 mph, again, sometimes it's stronger than others, sometimes it's a smooth shift.
Last week, I have the VTM-4 light go on for a few trips and nothing every since.
I've had the flashing D for over 2 years!!! It was around 15,000 miles after the re-built trans was put in by AAMCO. I drove the 2003 Pilot into AAMCO when the D was flashing. He checked the codes and said there were no codes to read. He thought it was a corroded wire/connector. (I wasn't going to pay to find out where).
I had the new trans installed at 150,000 miles (approx) and it now has 223,000. The Flashing D is annoying!!!!
I'd love to fix it, but it runs with "no major" issues. I'm not paying Honda or someone to guess on the issues. annoying!!!!!
When it comes to Odyssey's they are great vehicle's mechanically speaking, but unfortunately transmissions where sold to the cheapest bidder when they were made. If you own this vehicle and haven't kept up your 30k service (especially the trans. fluid change) for the last 60-90k miles. Then i can almost assure you that the transmission is internally not working correctly.
You will know the signs by the "D" light flashing (this is the computer saying there is a trans. problem, may be mechanical or trans. computer...usually the former), hesitation when first accelerating from a stop light, or if check the trans. fluid and its not pink but dark or black... then the trans. is gone, its just a matter of when it will not allow you to accelerate at all.
From this point many people wind up going the silly route and spending about $1500 grand on the trans. without asking if the tech is ASE certified master tech or if there is at least a one year warranty for the parts that were replaced. THIS HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG. If you are expecting the vehicle to work for years after paying that much, you are fooling yourself. The average trans. overhaul alone is about $25-3500 grand easy, if you are not paying this than either its aftermarket parts, or the shop owner is not paying for a true technician (meaning shade tree mechanic or worse)
Many people try to use trans. fluid's to "hope" the problem away. If you are using some type of brand fluid that supposedly makes the trans. better its a lie! This as well as a trans. fluid flush is a big fat waste of money that you deserve to keep for yourself. I apologize if the industry has lied to you and said that Honda's are suppose to have trans. fluid flushes but that's silly at best. The Honda corporation has already sent out letters to their dealerships years ago about this type of selling and that its a waste of the customers money. If someone says that you need a trans. fluid flush then you get in the car and leave, because they don't know Honda's or their transmission. At our store we have never and will never sell one of those things.
If you are fed up with the Odyssey's i definitely understand, we often inform people who are potentially buying these vehicles to instead by the Toyota Sienna. Toyota's are more reliable, trans. are built well and almost all their vehicle's after about 2001 have timing chain's instead of belt's. Which means not only that its a life time part but its also life time warranty if it breaks. Lastly, the big difference with Toyota's is that they are non interference engines; so if the belt break's we aren't talking about a $1500-2500 grand repair because of valve's bent and such.
Hope that informs most people well enough, I'm just tired of seeing everyone get ripped off.
All of the early generation Odyssey V6 variants (Pilot, Accord, MDX...) we're subject to this inferior transmission. The fact that they issued the jet kit recall to cover their rears was equally insulting. There's a 99% chance that if you experience just one of the symptoms described in this thread, it's not a question of "if" but, "when" your tranny will fail.
We have topped 300 posts in this forum and I can tell you the Odyssey trail is even worse. This doesn't account for the poor souls that were fleeced by service depts and led to believe it was something they had done wrong.
So, at what point does it become a brand integrity issue that Honda will assume liability for? I will say it again: KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS! I feel retribution will come about someday.
Please make sure you file a complaint with on the NHTSA.gov. There a a lot of us out there with the same problem. Also check out the Facebook group and log it there too...if there are enough of us, hopefully some action will someday happen. Good Luck...thanks
Janelle
My 2004 Odyssey is another story, but just bad quality from Honda. New trans on that at 112K. I had the bad peeling paint (blue) and horrible service from Honda America and locally. Diffinetly my last Honda.
I have a 2004 Pilot and recently replaced my transmission (with a used one) because of a shudder issue. Unfortunately the shudder issue is still there. Could I have purchased a bad transmission or is the issue the torque converter?
Anyway I have brought it to the dealer and 2 other mechanics and they have replaced the idle control valve twice, MAP sensor, air flow meter, cleaned the egr valve, valve adjustment, new spark plugs, transmission fluid change, new battery, new coolant and thermostat. The car has this problem intermittently.
Finally a local honda mechanic figured it out today. He says that the torque converter is bad and that it would be 1700 to fix it. I'm wondering if this will actually fix the problem. Is it better to get the whole tranny replaced or is the torque converter by itself fine.
This car does have a recall on the transmission and a oil heat shield was put in at 2200 miles. Does anyone one know if the torque converter is related to the recall problem.
Thank You!
Are you saying that you are under the recall for Honda's transmission? And, the tranny was replaced at 2200 miles or just the heat shield was replaced?
If so, could you help the rest of us that are not in the recall to understand just what they will do for you? Maybe post some of the recall paperwork. It would be helpful to see the language and just how they address the situation. Many of us have the exact same problem, but are outside the VIN numbers for the recall. Thanks.
As for your problem being intermittent, that seems to be most folks beginning problem which escalates from there - sometimes quite quickly.
It took 3 honda mechanics to diagnose it as the torque converter. I'm still stuck with the car and continue to drive it. I'm still not sure if I should go ahead and replace the torque converter or if the whole tranny needs to be replaced. Also considering trading it in.
http://www.mdxers.org/forums/attachments/2001-2006-mdx/42555d1300662770-technica- l-service-bulletins-tsb-2004-pdf-06-003-torque-converter-shudder-35-40-mph.pdf
:mad: