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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans - READ ONLY

7485 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2008 at 8:43 AM

You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

Messages Page 518 of 749

#5171 of 7485 Re: No more extra rounds to waste time - just observe the recommendations.. by w9cw

Nov 14, 2005 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: dustyk (Nov 14, 2005 4:39 pm)
Every time I remove the rear seat in my 1994 Grand Caravan ES, I certainly wish it had the "Stow & Go" feature! I seldom remove the two captain's chairs in the middle, but for the extra area for hauling, the full-size rear seat is removed quite often. I've gotten to the point where removing the seat by myself is no real chore - if you enjoy heavy lifting!
 
While I was between jobs a year ago, I tried my hand at selling new cars at the local Dodge dealership. Actually, it was an enjoyable experience, and the Grand Caravan's with their Stow & Go feature were our top sellers. I think less time was spent on a minivan sale than any other vehicle in inventory, with the possible exception of a Jeep Wrangler.
 
As to resale value (I don't look at or consider residual values, as I never lease vehicles), I really could care less. As you can tell from the 1994 Grand Caravan, I keep a vehicle for a long time, thereby making resale or trade-in values moot. The '94 is essentially worthless to everyone but me. I think I'll keep it; it's just too good of an utilitarian vehicle to be without. Its interior is like new, it's on the original 4-speed ECT (158K), and the engine (3.3L OHV V6) still is in good shape with very little oil consumption between the 3K oil changes. I have used Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic since purchase, and have changed the ATF every 20K - plus no "jack rabbit" shifts or very few unnecessary kick downs. Maybe that's why the transmission is still shifting smoothly. And, it still delivers 26 to 27 MPG on Summer vacation trips with the AC on.

#5172 of 7485 Re: No more extra rounds to waste time - just observe the recommendations.. [w9cw] by dennisctc

Nov 15, 2005 (5:17 am)

Replying to: w9cw (Nov 14, 2005 6:38 pm)
The '94 is essentially worthless to everyone but me. I think I'll keep it; it's just too good of an utilitarian vehicle to be without. Its interior is like new, it's on the original 4-speed ECT (158K), and the engine (3.3L OHV V6) still is in good shape with very little oil consumption between the 3K oil changes.
 
Thank you for the info!! I've seen posts on here that domestics don't last long term. Usually there's no basis for the belief, all you have to do is say it to make it true. You take care of your car, it'll take care of you.

#5173 of 7485 DCX Minivan safety by artgpo

Nov 15, 2005 (6:35 am)

While y'all mull over the importance of Stow and Go read this:
 
NHTSA said it's probing air bags on 410,000 of DCX's 2005 minivans. The NHTSA minivan inquiry covers Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan models, for which five complaints have been received that an air-bag crash sensor failed, NHTSA said.
 
So, while your van is full of "stuff" on your nice, flat floor, your face, head and upper torso have been flung through the windshield.
 
Wouldn't most of you prefer that your airbags go off in a crash? And, based on an earlier discussion about how just a few complaints on here equal widespread flaws in Honda vans, you would have to agree that five failed airbag deployments represents a horrific flaw in the DCX vans.

#5174 of 7485 Re: DCX Minivan safety [artgpo] by jipster

Nov 15, 2005 (7:39 am)

Replying to: artgpo (Nov 15, 2005 6:35 am)
"..your face, head and upper torso have been flung through the windshield"
 
Doubtful...if one had their seatbelt on no part of the body would be flung through the windshield.
 
But, yes...in a crash I would prefer that my airbags go off. Though I would not yet jump to any conclusions about any "flaws" until the study is complete.

#5175 of 7485 Re: DCX Minivan safety [jipster] by artgpo

Nov 15, 2005 (8:10 am)

Replying to: jipster (Nov 15, 2005 7:39 am)
Though I would not yet jump to any conclusions about any "flaws" until the study is complete.
 
That is like saying "Even though this airline has a terrible maintenance record they have not had a crash so I can fly safely".
 
My primary reason for posting the original message was to show some of the Honda bashers who claim a couple of posts on here equal a massive latent defect in the Odyssey. Apparently NHTSA feels that way about 400,000+ DCX minis based on five complaints.

#5176 of 7485 Minivan safety by hansienna

Nov 15, 2005 (9:37 am)

Remember that the Odyssey was THE ONLY minivan in which a door flew open during a side impact crash test.

#5177 of 7485 Re: Minivan safety [hansienna] by artgpo

Nov 15, 2005 (9:59 am)

Replying to: hansienna (Nov 15, 2005 9:37 am)
Yes but that situation was corrected. I have not heard of any airbag misfires on the Odyssey.
 
I remember my 1989 Festiva having a seatbelt recall. Ford had Festiva owners bring the car to the dealer for replacement of defective latches. Since the parts were on back order Ford gave me a loaner to use for six weeks until the parts arrived. It was a safety issue and Ford did not want the liability in case of an accident. Shouldn't DCX do the same? A safety system failure should be cause to park the vehicle until repair can be made.

#5178 of 7485 Re: Minivan safety [artgpo] by dennisctc

Nov 15, 2005 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: artgpo (Nov 15, 2005 9:59 am)
I have not heard of any airbag misfires on the Odyssey.
 
Maybe you haven't but someone obviously has:
 
2005 Honda Odyssey Touring NHTSA Recall ID Number: 05V344000
Recall Date: AUG 01, 2005
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Potential Units Affected: 85154
Summary: THE FRONTAL AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS,SOME SENSORS WERE INSUFFICIENTLY SEALED DURING MANUFACTURING. IF WATER ENTERS A SENSOR, CORROSION CAN OCCUR. CORRODED SENSORS COULD SHORT CIRCUIT INTERNALLY. IF SENSORS FAIL, THE SRS WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL TURN ON AND REMAIN ILLUMINATED.
Consequence: FRONT IMPACT SENSOR FAILURE COULD CAUSE A DELAY IN, OR LOSS OF, FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., P80
 
I wouldn't be surprised if these two issues are related somehow...maybe same supplier?

#5179 of 7485 Re: Minivan safety [dennisctc] by artgpo

Nov 15, 2005 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: dennisctc (Nov 15, 2005 12:04 pm)
Owners of these affected Odysseys should be able to park them at a dealer and get a loaner until the fix is made. Honda must have bought the sensors from DCX

#5180 of 7485 Re: Minivan safety [artgpo] by jipster

Nov 15, 2005 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: artgpo (Nov 15, 2005 9:59 am)
"I have not heard of any airbag misfires on the Odyssey"
 
Per the Louisville Courier Journal...in the DCX case the NHTSA stated they had "recieved 5 complaints claiming failure in 2005 model year minivans of the front air bag crash sensors. The complaints said dealers replaced the front crash sensors after receiving questions about the air bag warning lamp iluminating. Field reports indicate the sensors may have failed because of corrosion."
 
So, there were no accidental "misfires".

Messages Page 518 of 749

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