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Honda Odyssey Oil Consumption Problem

121 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 6:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Odyssey, Auto Repair, Van

Messages Page 7 of 13

#59 of 121 Re: follow up [myodyeatsoil] by myodyeatsoil

Apr 28, 2010 (8:37 am)

Replying to: myodyeatsoil (Mar 28, 2010 2:43 pm)
Consumer Complaint, Honda Complaint, Odyssey Complaint, American Honda Complaint, 2008, 2009 , 2010 Odyssey
 
Well i met with the Honda Rep yesterday, an elderly man by the name of David Carthcart.
 
 Well to start off, he was somewhat nice, but he turned into a suit wearing arrogant "doubting thomas" He proudly stated that honda's had a few of these lemon cases but we have not lost one yet. What a jerk huh?
 
 needless to say, i was convinced that he would do whatever it took to dismiss my claim. He acted as though I was bothering him while sarcastically reading through my complaints.
 
He was adamant about the 1000 miles per Quart is normal, but when i explained to him, that I the customer, am supposed to go by the maintenance minder system to know when my vehicle requires attention, it states so in the owners manual. The maintenance minder shows oil change time around 6000 to 7000 miles, If this is the case and the engine holds 4.7 quarts, we should be bone dry or negative 1.5 quarts or so... He added sarcastically, our engines dont even need oil, sometimes the techs drain the oil and dont add any back in and the motors still run fine. customers get down the road and see a light then come back.... I say well what affect do you think that does to the engine's internals? he responded, "but you are supposed to check the oil" , well what good is the freaking maintenance minder system to us then!?!?!!? You know what they say about assuming Mr Cathcart!
 
His response to my van using oil is that "Some do and some dont" "these engines are designed this way, there are pockets in the motor for oil to stay" I told him, well I was under the impression that I was paying for one that did not use oil..
 
He Behaved like "A real know it all" and did not respond well to criticism, after he realized that he was crossing lines with me, he's commented " im a consumer too and i want to help you..." "im on your side here" whatever!!
 
One of the concerns, minor compared to the oil consumption was the rattle in the windows. Well not to be biased, If you send a Senior citizen to check for noises, you are not going to find much...
 
After the test drive with Mr Cathcart and the Service Manager they check the oil level once more. They checked it 4 times to sure, it was barely registering on the bottom of the dipstick, as they were putting it back together, i asked them " do you see a lot of odysseys with this symptom? " they said " no" Im thinking , then why the hell wont you give me another van!!!
 
I believe Losing/ admitting there was a problem or replacing the van was never an option for him
 
           Anyhow Honda wants us to believe that we are all stuck with Odysseys that are burning oil, I Refuse to!!! I know it is not normal.
 
two different service managers admitted that it is abnormal to add oil in-between oil changes OR they've never seen anything like that.....
 
 not to mention their shocked looks on their faces when they see no oil on the dipstick at 50% maintenance minder (31xx) miles..
 
I really wish i knew or was notified at the time of purchase that this van would require oil in between oil changes and it would have DEFINITELY made me drop the idea of even buying a Honda.....
 
This is a very worrying issue and I think that an injustice was done here not notifying customer's prior to purchase that this would happen....
 
I guess the biggest pill to swallow here is the fact that our 06 odyssey was perfect.. I didnt want my money back i just wanted a proper working replacement van and I would have been happy.
 
please do research before you purchase a Honda Vehicle. The Honda big wigs will tell you its normal for the engine to use oil.... but i Bet you that they wouldn't want to own one of these oil hogs for the long-run themselves!
 
I now will seek legal representation and i'll keep you posted, I will not roll over and play dead on this.
 
I hope American Honda will read this

#60 of 121 Re: follow up [myodyeatsoil] by dendro

Apr 29, 2010 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: myodyeatsoil (Apr 28, 2010 8:37 am)
hang in there and don't give up, too much money, my engine is going so mr. cathcart is wrong the vcm engine doesn't do well with no oil, i had 1 quart so my engine, in his opinion must be ok. i am going to have to disagree with the rep. they do not do well with no oil. i will use his quote if nothing else for a good laugh, check my earlier posts.
 
 this is just too much to comprehend a company like honda would treat it's customers like this. the blame game is a fine art with honda and their dealers. obviously they have a lot of practice. honda has trained their dealers well. almost all of the complaints i've had with this van were answered with, that is normal, there is nothing wrong, except of course the brake recall a few months after my first complaint.
 
i have to wonder if all makes treat their customers like this, i've purchased 10 new vans, cars, suvs and i have never ever been treated bad by any of the other brands.
 
I will be busy the next few weeks but i sent a note to edmunds to see how i can contact others with the same problem i am having. in reality honda doesn't want to admit they have a design problem with the vcm and or the assembly of the engine. where was you van assembled, mine was down south, not japan not in canada. could that make a difference with the vans having this problem????
 
I am not a mechanic but i have talked with several, they all say 1000 miles to 1 quart is not normal. even for the type of engine we have. i wonder how many of us are having the same issue, and what do our vans have in common? keep it up don't stop contacting as many federal and state agencies as possible.
 
when i bought mine now that i think back there were numerous new vans on their lot, I wonder why, when this is supposed to be one of top selling mini vans.
 
i smell a rat and a cover-up, the only way to put the blame where it belongs is with numerous complaints backed up by facts. i am being told by my dealer they never heard of this oil problem before. are they telling the truth? or is honda not sharing their information with their dealers. i am very thankful for edmunds and odyclub forums, i maybe would have thought i was the only one. several posts were on this oil consumption problem before i found this forum. i will keep checking my email is set to forward new posts on this forum.
 
I have a sick feeling honda is afraid this vcm engine is going to be the same as GM's in the i think 1980's. that was a disaster for GM and I hope it isn't for honda, i just hope honda honors their warranty and will put an oil pressure gauge in their autos or at least tell the consumer watch your oil, our vcm engines use oil like gas, or at least write a clear owners manual. but then again how are they going to sell parts and keep the dealers repairing them so they all can make more money.

#61 of 121 Re: follow up [myodyeatsoil] by kingfans1

Apr 30, 2010 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: myodyeatsoil (Mar 28, 2010 2:43 pm)
hi I read on ROC forum on how to check engine oil for the honda ridgeline.. So honda pilot, and odyssey may be the same way to check engine oil.
 
1st. start the engine.
2nd. wait for the fan to turn on.
3rd. turn off the engine. wait 20 minutes.
4th. check the engine oil..

#62 of 121 Honda References for Oil Consumption by ee4life

May 01, 2010 (12:29 pm)

See Honda TSB 82-003: Oil Consumption Test
 
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A82-003.PDF
 
Oil consumption of more than 1 quart in 1000 miles is deemed excessive.
 
This TSB may appear to be outdated (based on the date it was issued), but it is not and is still referenced by Honda on TSB lists for late model vehicles.
 
See article from Honda Service News July 1996 (page 4): Tips for Checking Oil Consumption
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/A960700.PDF
 
See article from Honda Service News March 2001 (page 3): Engine Oil Consumption: '00-01 S2000
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/A010300.PDF

#63 of 121 Re: 2009 Honda Odyssey Engine Knock [flyboy4nd] by 4odysseyex

Jul 02, 2010 (6:22 am)

Replying to: flyboy4nd (Dec 29, 2009 9:30 am)
I just bought a 2010 Odyssey EX on June 22 2010. I too noticed the engine knock when driving on a slight up-hill slope. I am a very careful driver, try to acclerate slowly without putting a lot of strain on he engine, but that does not seem to matter. I also get some jerks when the car is slowing down. Now that you folks are talking about similar issues, I'll keep my eye on the oil and see if the level changes. I only drive about 100 miles per week so it will be a while before I confirm my oil level, but I will provide that information soon. I never had any such problems with my Dodge Caravan SXT. The only reason I bought Odyssey is because the seats are very comfortable, my SXT seats were a bit smaller for me and thus not comfortable during a long drive. Now I am wondering if I made a mistake. Only time will tell.

#64 of 121 Re: follow up [dendro] by burningoil

Jul 25, 2010 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: dendro (Apr 29, 2010 8:28 pm)
Just found this forum--we are having these exact issues with our 2008 odyssey. Problem started almost immediately after purchase. We have brought the van in 15 times in less than 2 years. This week the catalytic converter went out. What you said about smelling a rat is right! We also chose from a lineup of vans in July 2008, all reduced significantly. When we asked why, they said they were clearing the lot for 2009 so we better get 'em while we could. Have you made any progress with Honda? Do you have any tips? They have been telling us the same things you said, with the exception of last week: they told us this is under investigation now, that there have been some other "isolated" incidents of this problem and that we must now bring it in for an oil consumption test every 1000 miles as part of the investigation. But NO word on the stopping point of this investigation. Its such a bunch of bull! If anyone knows what button to push with Honda, please share.

#65 of 121 2010 EXL Noticed same issue by alumiu90

Jul 26, 2010 (8:39 pm)

Checked the oil on our new 2010 EXL this weekend before taking a trip of approximately 250 miles. The van only had 850 miles on it when I performed this check and I had to add 1/4 of a quart of oil. This does not seem normal as I traded in a Dodge Grand Caravan with 138,000 miles that never used a drop of oil in its life. Even changed it to synthetic at 50,000 miles and it never consumed or leaked oil from the day I bought it brand new.
Is this a normal problem with the Odyssey? If so I am going to have to watch it closely as I never was concerned with the Dodge as it never used any oil. I am taking it to the dealer to have some issues addressed that we have found wrong with the vehicle and I will be discussing this with them. At this rate it will be consuming 1.5 quarts every 5,000 miles. This is completely unacceptable in my opinion. I also own an Accord and it has never used a drop of oil so Honda can't say this is normal as I have another one of their vehicles and I do not have this problem with it.
 
What are my options here? Put up with it using oil or what?

#66 of 121 Alumiu by myodyeatsoil

Jul 27, 2010 (6:28 am)

Hey buddy, We got so irate at the way honda treated us.
 
we ditched the odyssey and bought a Jeep Cherokee. yes its a gas hog, yes it has a hemi, but NO it does not burn any oil!!!!!
 
the honda dealership after that checkup, left the van with less than 1 quart in it and told me it was fine to pickup..
 
that was the last straw for my wife and I....
 
I'm glad now that we do not own the odyssey, it was perhaps the worst car buying decision we've made yet... AND I USED TO SELL HONDAS!!
 
David Cathcart was the rep we dealt with, and what a piece of work. I demand he should be fired. Honda will not call me back, very poor customer service, Cathcart ignored my problem with the oil consumption... he coached the service team at Honda of Ocala to shut up and say nothing during the entire ordeal.... The Honda of Ocala team told me that there was something abnormal with the motor and that it was burning oil.....and to take it to American Honda.... then suddenly there's no more talk of it... Honda's methods are very crooked.
 
I will continue to preach that Honda's V6 does infact have an oil consumption problem and that honda will do nothing to resolve it. My van was down 3.6 quarts of oil and they told me it was normal after 3000 Miles!!!
 
Go buy a Toyota everyone... i will never again buy another Honda vehicle.
 
now the Proud owner of an American 4x4 gas guzzler.

#67 of 121 Re: 2010 EXL Noticed same issue [alumiu90] by doggrandma

Jul 27, 2010 (9:02 am)

Replying to: alumiu90 (Jul 26, 2010 8:39 pm)
We have a 2010 EX and thought we might have the same problem. Husband pulled the van out on the driveway, checked the oil, and it seemed low. When we took it to the dealer for an oil change, the service guy said that was normal if you have started the engine. I would call the local Honda service dept. and ask them about it. Hope this helps.
 
We have had our van since April and haven't had any problems. Every make has its lemons, but so far ours has been a great vehicle. I'm just sorry that some folks get bad ones.

#68 of 121 2010 EXL by drivenavan

Jul 29, 2010 (8:10 pm)

I have a 2010 8500 miles on it and have been amazed at how fast the oil disappears. I have not called the dealer about this yet. Could someone offer advice on how I should deal with them. Should I insist on an oil consumption test just to have a record?

Messages Page 7 of 13

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