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Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems - READ ONLY

882 messages,  Last post on Nov 22, 2004 at 10:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Odyssey, Transmission, Van

Messages Page 89 of 89

#873 of 882 by pat84

Nov 12, 2004 (10:58 am)

I bought a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. The transmission began having problems at 72 K miles .I had had it dealer maintained it's whole life.
 I traded it in on a 99 Odyssey EX. I had the factory installed transmission oil cooler, although I never towed anything. That transmission failed at 68 K miles. It failed with no reverse. At least I could still drive the Dodge to the Honda dealer. The 3rd rebuilt transmission was OK to install after 2 that were not OK. The 2nd rebuilt (no good)was done in IL. The one that was OK was from CA. I have no idea where the 1st rebuilt (no good) was done.
  MY ODY transmission failed before they extended the warranty on 99's although they had extended the 00 and 01 transmissions to 100K miles at the time. Honda extended the 100K mile to 99 transmissions later, after mine failed. They did cover the cost of replacement on my 99. The dealer quoted me $6K plus labor. The dealer went to bat for me and got Honda to pay for my transmission. Honda paid part of my rental car bill since they had my van for 22 days, trying to find a rebuilt tranny that wasn't a POS. I also had the ODY dealer maintained all it's too short life.
   I traded the ODY in a week after I got it back on a Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner weighs as much as the ODY -about 4300 lbs- but has huge 4 w disk brakes. It stops 60-0 in 128 feet, and I have had off road where no ODY could go.
   One other thing. I told the Toyota dealer he should send his service department down the street to the Honda dealer to learn how a service department is supposed to be run.
  Honda definitely has a better service department than Toyota.

#874 of 882 service departments by stickguy

Nov 12, 2004 (12:16 pm)

depend on the dealer. I just got back from a Toyota service department, and it was probably the best service experience I have ever had. Friendly, efficient, called right on time, explained everything, no waits, etc.
 
It probably helps that this is a smaller local dealer (family owned still), not a mega-chain place. SOrt of like the difference between Walgreens and the local small town pharmacy.

#875 of 882 stickguy by pat84

Nov 15, 2004 (9:03 am)

Both my former Honda dealer and Toyota dealer are small family owned dealerships.
 The Honda service people put paper covers on the seats and plastic protectors on the floor. They washed my Odyssey , even if it was just in for an oil change. They did allow scheduling oil changes.
 My Toyota dealer service people, do not put any protection on the seat or floor. My steering wheel and gear shift lever are greasy from mechanic's greasy hands. The Toyota dealer frequently sends me coupons that say "If you have to wait over 29 minutes for an oil change it's free." I have never had a Toyota oil change in under 29 milutes. When I asked about it, I was told , "The 29 minutes starts when we get your 4Runner in the shop. We had other vehicles ahead of you.."
The Toyota dealer does not accept scheduling oil changes, because it "only takes a few minutes."
 My not schedulable oil changes typically take an hour or more.
 This kind of lackadaisical approach to service to someone who bought a vehicle there, is drastically different from my experience with Honda.
  The most amazing part of this is both dealers are in the same town less than a 1/4 mile apart on the same highway.

#876 of 882 Pat by steve_ HOST

Nov 15, 2004 (9:26 am)

Sounds like the type of false advertising the BBB or local AG's office would be interested in. Gotta keep those folks employed you know
 
Steve, Host

#877 of 882 transmission oil by hangaralf1

Nov 15, 2004 (8:03 pm)

back on page 44, you were discussing transmission oil changes - It's REALLY easy on an Ody - Just buy 6 or 7 quarts of the Honda stuff for $18. (and a long narrow funnel)- $25 and gaskets for the fill and drain plugs.
 
transmission takes 3.1 quarts for a change (or capacity _ i can't remember) mine took 3 quarts
 
warm the engine till the fan comes on - (go get some milk at the local quickie mart)
 
open the fill plug with a 17mm socket and open the drain with - get this - a 3/8 socket wrench (not the socket - the hole is square like the back side of a socket) and drain. you might want to cover the surface opposite the drain plug since it comes out pretty strongly when you first pull the plug. and have some cardboard on the floor in case you miss the oil canister - fortunately my garage floor is epoxied.
 
there is no filter to change - no gaskets to replace easy in easy out
 
it is recommended that you do this at least twice since you never get all the oil out with just one change. (go get some more milk after your first change) i didn't ask for anything when i got my 99 ody, but i did ask for a service manual.
 
this was easier than changing oil and i saved about $50. and holy cow - its like a new trans.
 
I used 6 Quarts and 1 set of gaskets (aluminum washers)
 
i am however experiencing problems with my trans - honda stuck it on a diagnosis machine and came up with two lockup solenoids being faulty - to fixed at $585.00 (about $350 for the solenoids) - i know where they are, and what to do, but is it worth $200.......
 
something else, ever since i bought the ody in 99, i have noticed that when in D4, the transmission always tries to achieve the D4 overdrive gear - at a cost of sending the engine into really low rpm's which isn't good for the engine - then you have to step on the gas and the transmission has to change into a lower gear causing the engine to rev and weird transmission shifts - now my point - back in 99, complaints were made that the shift lever had a preference for D3 - i have to wonder about whether or not this was designed to this since, around town, i leave in D3 - i only use D4 on the highway - it seems to be easier on the engine and the transmission - any thoughts?

#878 of 882 Re: Odyssey Transmission Failure [sawhneyv] by bob26

Nov 17, 2004 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: sawhneyv (Aug 27, 2002 12:10 pm)
I purchased 2002 EXL Odyssey in April 2002. At 60,000 miles (Mar 2004) I had the transmission drained and flushed at dealer recommendation. During Nov 2004 (66,000 miles) I noticed a flashing "D" indicator light on the dash. The dealer advised that the transmission needed replacing. The van was never towed and was never used for towing--only driven by a 70 year old locally and on trips. Dealer talked to Honda District Manager who advised that I would have to pay part of the cost of a new transmission.i.e., I would have to pay $826. So much for a "quality" Honda product. Even a Kia gives you a 100,000 mile drive train warranty.

#879 of 882 Re: Odyssey Transmission Failure [bob26] by apla

Nov 18, 2004 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: bob26 (Nov 17, 2004 7:59 pm)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/
 
I recently purchased a Honda Corporation Certified 2002 Honda Odyssey EXL. As soon as I took possession of the car, I was told they wanted to inspect the transmission because of a corporation recall. I have since had it checked out by the dealer. They also paid for a rental of a mini-van for the day that it was in the shop at now expense to me.
 
It would appear that you should not have had to pay anything at all to have your transmission repaired or replaced! I would definitely look into this and get your money back!
 
I have included the link to many of the TSB (technical service bulletins) and recalls associated with the Honda Odyssey. Hope you find this website helpful. Good luck!

#880 of 882 transmission oil ii by hangaralf1

Nov 18, 2004 (7:30 pm)

i'm back. i took my ody to another dealer, they are going to replace the transmission - no problems. i have to wonder about the fact that one dealer wanted to charge 585.00 before Honda would handle any warranty repairs. but after the stories i'm hearing, i wonder too if getting a reman tranny isn't jumping out of the pot into the fire.

#881 of 882 RE:872 by steinbrecher

Nov 22, 2004 (10:37 am)

If you have a tranny problem the warranty should go with the car to 100K.
 
Call 1-800-HONDA9 and ask them.

#882 of 882 re:880 by steinbrecher

Nov 22, 2004 (10:40 am)

Call Honda & see if they will pick it up.
 
Barring that pay for it and then see about getting the 585 re-imbursed from Honda.
 
If that doesn't work complain (have all your facts straight). The last thing that Honda wants is a problem with there dealers.
 
We paid 1500 to get our 99 Ody fixed and Honda sent us a check later.

Messages Page 89 of 89

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