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Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems

2392 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 11:03 AM

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Messages Page 28 of 240

#270 of 2392 good post by stickguy

Jan 04, 2008 (7:34 am)

I believe the Ridgeline (and I assume the pilot?) have a different (ie stronger) tranny design, that was finally adopted for the Odyssey (2007?) So you are right that eventually the '05-'06 models will start failing.
 
At least Honda has set a precedent, and would have trouble arguing that if the older models were bad, and they kept using the same design, that it is now the customers fault when it fails!
 
I assumed when I got out 2005 that they must have fixed the design flaws (plus the failure rate wasn't quite so bad in 2004 when we bought!) but now I am starting to expect the worst. I just hope if it goes, it goes early! If not, wait until I trade it in..
 
For this reason, I make sure to get my oil changes, etc. at the dealer, and had them do a tranny fluid change at 30K (even though they said it wasn't required yet). If the trans in this van goes, it is a defect, since we drive it carefully, and over maintain.
 
of course, my SIL has a 1999 that has led a hard life, and now has about 130k, and as far as I know, the tranny is working fine (I know it never failed on her).
 
I can't seem to get more than 5-6 years out of a car before the desire for a new one becomes too strong (and the squeaks and rattles that vans develop become too annoying), so I will probably trade at 5/60 or 6/75, so I should be safe.

#271 of 2392 Re: Transmission Question [o3ody] by autowrite

Jan 04, 2008 (9:07 am)

Replying to: o3ody (Jan 03, 2008 10:48 pm)
The 4 cyclinder Odyssey is still produced in Japan. The big Odyssey that came out in 1999 was really a Japanese LAGREAT. Also, currently in Japan there is still a vehicle called Elysion similar insize to the NA Odyssey.
See http://www.batfa.com/
My Odyssey transmission went at 180,000 kms (Canadian). I currently have 185,000 kms. I have a dealer warranty on the rebuilt of 20,000kms.

#272 of 2392 Re: Transmission Question [o3ody] by autowrite by autowrite

Jan 04, 2008 (10:38 am)

The Pilot is NOT 4-wheel driive, per say. It's front wheel drive and changes to 4-wheel drive when conditions warrent it. The same as the Acura MDX. Conditions being if you lose transaction in snow, etc.

#273 of 2392 Re: Transmission Question [o3ody] by autowrite [autowrite] by msane

Jan 04, 2008 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: autowrite (Jan 04, 2008 10:38 am)
I found this thread a few days ago, after experiencing the same issues with our newly purchased 2000 Ody LX with 116,000 miles. The CEL came on while we were in SD for Christmas. Took it to the dealer and they pulled two transmission codes and a P0420 catalytic converter code. The tech told us our transmission was going out, and needed to be replaced.
 
Brought it back home to MN, found this thread, took it to a dealer 2 days ago and said I wanted to do a parts/labor split for payment (Honda pays for the parts, we pay labor) and told the service guy I was very informed about the transmission issues the Ody's have had for this year and know that Honda has done many out of warranty "goodwill" repairs for other people.
 
Got a call from the dealer today and Honda agreed to do the parts/labor split on both the transmission AND the catalytic converter! So we'll pay just the labor to put them in. So finding this thread and being firm but polite with Honda saved us probably $3000. Thanks everyone!
 
And if you are having similar issues, be informed and find a good dealer, because you can save yourself some serious cash and stress.

#274 of 2392 Failed Transmission 2003 Odyssey - $5200 bill by junko3653

Jan 04, 2008 (9:43 pm)

We have an 03 Odyssey with 60K miles that had a complete transmission failure on Christmas day. (nice) Anyway, we took it back to the dealer we bought it from and they kept it for two days and then told us we would have to replace the entire transmission at a cost of $5200.00. I have owned many Hondas (we had the first Accord that came in '79) and have had only good experiences with reliability. I regret not doing more research on the transmission issues before buying but here I am. I have read lots of the posts about help from National Honda, and we opened a case with them today. We got a quote on a rebuilt one for $1900.00, but I don't know what is best. Of course, as a female, I wonder if I am getting strung along a little too, but I couldn't believe the price. The service manager said there was nothing he could do to help, but would "support" my case with Honda, whatever that means. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Thanks

#275 of 2392 Re: Transmission Question [o3ody] by tgrapent

Jan 05, 2008 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: o3ody (Jan 03, 2008 10:48 pm)
My 2003 Honda Odyssy transmission just went out...100,000, but had it into the dealer 4-weeks ago for the 95-100K service...$1,000! I am awaiting to hear from Honda if they will fix it. Do you have any information on how often this is happening, and what percent of the time Honda picks up the bill, and under what conditions? Are there any class action cases pending on the 2003? Please respond to my personal email because these bulliten boards are hard to navigate: tgrapentinegmail.com
 
Thank you.

#276 of 2392 Re: Failed Transmission 2003 Odyssey - $5200 bill [junko3653] by jchan2

Jan 05, 2008 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: junko3653 (Jan 04, 2008 9:43 pm)
I would go to another dealer. Any decent dealership service department would at least call up Honda and try to pry some assistance out of them- this is an extremely well documented problem and Honda knows it has to pay up, since it is a design defect.
 
Before my transmission went, I had visited the dealer where I had it replaced maybe twice. When it went, I limped the car into the dealership, and they called up Honda and got them to do a parts/labor split, where I paid labor and they paid parts. I also got a free rental car for the time period.
 
So try a different dealer. Getting the money takes some legwork, and it sounds like your dealer is too lazy to get the money from Honda and not you.

#277 of 2392 Re: Failed Transmission 2003 Odyssey - $5200 bill [jchan2] by junko3653

Jan 05, 2008 (9:48 pm)

Replying to: jchan2 (Jan 05, 2008 7:01 pm)
Thanks for the advice. I will wait to hear from Honda National next week and then try a different dealer. We have four kids still in car seats so you can imagine what it like moving from one car to the next to get anywhere, I have had it.

#278 of 2392 Re: 2003 Odyssey transmission problem [nrm1] by nrm1

Jan 06, 2008 (7:16 am)

Replying to: nrm1 (Dec 17, 2007 4:38 pm)
Finally I was able to get a rebuilt transmission for my van. Note, both Honda and the dealer shared the cost of parts of labor and I did not had to pay anything. The only major reason I did not had to pay anythig was my service history witht the dealer and probably my previous ownership of honda cars . I had all my oil changes, brake services, 30K, 60K at the dealer. I also owned a honda civic before my odyssey. The sequence of events is listed below.
1. Check Engine light on with TCS on and off.
2. Brought car to dealership for code check. Paid 99 dollars.
3. Dealer finds two codes PO730 indicating transmission problems and P1491 indicating EGR problem.
4. Dealer says transmission fix will cost 3500 dollars. EGR is a recall so it is free.
5. Refused repair at dealership. Brought the car back home. Parked it in the garage.
6. Called Honda. Fisrt response was the car was out of waranty and nothing can be done. Try to be persistent, polite, provide info that you are a loyal customer of honda. A case was the opened and I was told that someone will contact me in 48 hours.
7. I was contacted after about 36 hours and told that the cost of repairs will be shared. Inform the case manager about your loyalty and the service history at the dealer. Next day the Case manger called me and said that the dealer will contact me. Dealer calls me in another later in the evening and tells me that given the service history at the dealership, they will replace the transmission for free.
8. It took about 3 days for the dealer to fix the car. I would think that they fix it over multiple days as they do not want an expert car mechanic to spent all day fixing one car.
9. I was told there is 36 month 36k warranty on the remanufactured transmission.
 
Tips:
I did not drive my van for almost a week from the day the problem was found and until I brought it back into dealership.
Be persistent and polite with Honda.
Do not blame or curse honda or dealership for the failure.
Do not even think of bringing your van outside of Honda dealer service shop.
Read as many posts about your problem on this forum and the internet
 
Although I am not happy with the episode, but I am satisfied with the fact that Honda took care of this. Although I do wonder that what would be the scenario if I had not done all my service at Honda dealership. From the first time the case manager contacted me, I knew that Honda will give me the remnaufactured transmission for free. The question was of labor then. In my case the dealer had told me it would be 1200 dollars. I had started calling other Honda dealership for the labor on putting the transmission back in again. It ranged from 850 to 1200 dollars. At one time I was planning to bring the van to the dealership with lowest labor and have Honda ship the remanufactured transmission to that dealership.
 
I wish best of luck to people who are dealing with this and want to thank this forum for helping me save the money.

#279 of 2392 Re: 2003 Odyssey transmission problem [nrm1] by blackexv6

Jan 06, 2008 (9:18 am)

Replying to: nrm1 (Jan 06, 2008 7:16 am)
Congrats on your success story.
 
Not to be a killjoy but you do realize the original design defect(s) was not corrected. You were simply issued a refurbished transmission with the same inherent Honda V6 transmission problems (bad torque converter design, gear slipping, etc). Some of these problems are still in the '05 & '06's.
 
Keep this in mind when determining the life cycle of your '03.

Messages Page 28 of 240

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