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Vans & Minivans Honda Odyssey Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
1251 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 8:31 PM
You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Replying to: soccergirl2 (Jul 01, 2009 12:41 pm)  Erase the Honda Odyssey from your wish list. The transmission problems make this van a nightmare to own and at trade-in the Honda dealers are the worst to deal with because of the problems incurred. Case in point my 2002 Honda offered me $1000. as trade-in with a bad trans. Toyota gave me $6000. with another $2000 off as a factory incentive. Honda parent company does not admit to having a problem, although they settled a class action suit on 1999 thru 2001 models 2002 to present are still failing. Class action suits are being pursued on this website on the later ones. Please see my post # 758. Keep in mind the safety rating will look pretty good with it sitting disabled in your driveway or in the shop for transmission replacement.
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Thanks to all for posting problems and solutions on this site. I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey that I have been fairly satisfied with. Current mileage is 36000. For the past 6000 miles or so I've been experiencing a vibration/shudder at 40-45 mph, observing engine rpms fluctuate from 1300-1600 associated with shifting into 5th gear. I have also noticed what felt like an intermittent misfire feeling at cruise speeds. I noticed this more during cold weather, more when the car was cold and more when I had the whole family in the van (600# of people). At 40-45 the problem was regularly intermittent with variations in engine rpm and an engine lugging sound (and associated vibration). Also, the best way of reproducing the problem seemed to be to get it into the sweet spot (40-45mph/1300-1500rpm) and come to a slight incline in the road requiring almost a breath of increase in the accelerator. On my initial complaint to the dealer I got the "normal condition" line. Doesn't work with me, I test aircraft for a living and know the difference between normal and "interesting". After the first visit I did my internet research, worked on defining the problem and developed my strategy for the next visit. 1st, I needed a dealer who could hook up a computer to take a snapshot during the shudder behavior. 2nd I needed a dealership technician who had seen the problem before (very important). I found both at Scholfield East Honda in Wichita, KS. The technician, who had experienced two Odyssey's with the same condition in the past, was able to reproduce the problem, take the snapshot and send it to Honda. The solution was to replace the torque converter. The repair took two days, the torque converter was replaced, the engine computer was updated, they cleaned out the transmission cooler lines (I have a towing package) and performed an alignment all on warranty. I picked up the van this evening and it drives "properly" again. Hope this helps. I would definitely shop for a Honda dealer that has seen this problem before. Search out a technician who knows how to reproduce the problem. Thanks again,
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After having been through 2 trannies on my ody 2005, I with the help of my Honda dealer switched to Amsoil over 3 oil changes (drain-and-fill) each time. Before the switch on my third tranny, shifts were quite harsh with the honda fluid. After the switch to Amsoil synthetic ATF shift quality has improved greatly. My Honda dealer has a great service manager who I deal with directly and he told me after the second drain and fill that the drained fluid looked superb unlike normally with the Honda fluid the drained fluid looked dark and brown. Also hetold me the drain plug magnet was clear and had virtually no filings. I also switched to the same fluid in my Acura TL again with the help of my Acura dealership with identical results. Also my Acura dealer actually thanked me for recommending the fluid as they actually used it to solve a torque converter issue in an Acura MDX. This saved them having to replace the torque converter since the shudder had just started. A few things that I wanted to note here are: 1. If one can find good and honest dealerships who are willing to help you then it makes it worth it to try out better products without fearing warranty issues and there indeed are dealerships out there that are good. 2. Sometimes it is just worth taking the risk to try out a new and better product. I was also discouraged by both the dealerships from using Amsoil ATF instead of the Honda Z1 ATF, but eventually I managed to convince them both to the point that they are believers. It is quite important to note that yelling at the dealerships for Honda's fault never advances your case - they won't help you, however patience and sweet talk will. Disclaimer: I do not have anything to do with Amsoil (I am not an Amsoil dealer nor do I recoomend any) nor Honda (which is why I am not naming the dealerships here). I am basing my personal experience with my Ody 2005 and the horrors of going through with the repairs (I had many issues with my ody 2005 - tranny, motor mount, a pipe, power steering pump). Hope that helps folks with tranny issues on the ody. |
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1. When do your Odysseys switch from 4th to 5th gear? Mine usually does it y at around 50mph/2100rpm, resulting in driving at 5th gear at 1500rpm at most of the time, engine moaning. 2. 5th Gear easily slips when I slightly rav to pass or the cruise at 80mph meets a regular medium length slope, where I think the car can easily maintain the required speed w/o switching back to 4th gear for more torque... Is it a problem? |
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| does the 1995-1998 ody generation have the infamous tranny problems? How is the overall reliability of this early generation odyssy? | |
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| I have a question. If engine mounts are cracked and I don't replace them, what will happen? As of yet I do not see any symptoms. I just had tranny, timing belt and spark plugs replaced. Am planning to keep it for 2 years and then trade it in. Will it last that long with cracked engine mounts? | |
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| Oops. Posted in the wrong forum. Sorry | |
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Replying to: billybudd (Apr 20, 2009 10:19 pm) |
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 I purchased the 02 Odyssey new and have faithfully followed the maintenance scheduled as outlined in the manual. But guess what, with only 41200 miles, the check engine light came up. I had it diagnosed at two repair shops and both had the code P0730 "incorrect gear ratio". The auto technicians explain to me that this code involves the transmission. For the years 1999-2004, the technicians informed to me that they have seen quite a few problems involving the transmissions of Honda Odysseys. I called up American Honda and they informed me that there is no such extended warranty on the transmissions for 2002-2004 Odyssey The extended warranty applies to only 1999-2001 Odyssey. I question why this is the case since the transmission used is basically the same for this generation of Odysseys. Their response to me was that there was a recall for 2002 Transmissions and that an oil jet fuel kit would be installed to fix the transmission problems. I did have the oil jet fuel kit installed back in 2004 and the transmission today is having problems. Dealer told me that it will cost me $5000 to $6000 for another transmission. I chose to go to AAMCO and have it fix and it will cost me $3100 with a 1yr/12000 miles warranty. For a known defect as posted by so many people, Honda should take care of their loyal fan base. Just google Honda Transmission problems for 1999-2004 Odysseys and you'll see there are many owners in my dilemma. Also, Consumer Reports also showed many owners complaining about tranny problems for this generation of Odyssey. I will never buy HONDA again and will jump ship to Toyota. The Toyota Sienna is beginning to look quite attractive. To all Odyssey owners with transmission problems, is there a lawsuit out there that covers 2002-2004? I am aware of one for 1999-2001 odysseys. Also, what are other Odyssey owners doing about this problem? The thought of having only 41200 miles and having the transmission fixed out of pocket just infuriates me!! Hope to hear back from you all. Thanks...
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I too just suffered the all too painful experience of replacing the transmission on my 2003 Honda Odyssey which broke down on the highway while we were out of town. It cost $4100 to replace. So frustrating to find out this problem is widespread. I have owned three Hondas and this will be my last. I do hope there is some sort of class action lawsuit.
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