CarComplaints.com Notes: The entire 2nd generation Odyssey (1999-2004) is just one giant transmission problem waiting to happen.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,342 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
On-going slipping transmission. Tranny shop and a Honda salesperson both guessed I had an Odyssey when I prefaced our conversation by saying I have a 2002 minivan with a bad tranny. Clearly Honda Odyssey' have a problem. Too bad Honda did not get the memo.
Vehicle started emitting large amount of smoke from engine compartment, coincident with abrupt loss of speed and failure of transmission. It behaved as if it initiated downshift autonomously (without driver initiation). I was just able to move out of traffic lanes on interstate highway, avoiding serious injury or death from speeding vehicles. Car cel displays "P0740", transmission continues to malfunction: Flares between shifts from gears 2-3, 3-4; occasionally fails to shift from 3-4 until engine revolutions exceed 4000 RPM, then by removing pressure on accelerator, will then usually perform shift. Extreme transmission smoking, expulsion of transmission fluid, lack of transmission capability has now occurred a total of three times.
Vehicle lost power...would not shift into higher gear. Vehicle continues to have problems. I have been told needs new transmission. Have read many posts regarding issues with Honda Odyssey having transmission problems.
At right around 80K miles the van started severely slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. Took it to dealership and they told me I needed a whole new transmission for $5K. Do not have money for new transmission. Stuck to driving it below 35mph for the last two years, that leaves me in a 6 mile radius. Can not even drive it to the dealership. I and the original owner. This car was babied and always serviced at Honda. Feel this is a known issue by Honda and they are refusing to acknowledge a faulty transmission in these vehicles.
Honda Odyssey vehicles apparently have a well known transmission problem. Models from multiple years (including mine: 2002) have short lives compared to any other vehicle I've seen before. Worse yet, Honda refuses to admit that this is a problem, nor will Honda offer any help paying for the very costly repairs. And worst of all, even if the transmission is replaced (ultimately, the only fix that Honda recommends), the new transmission will also fail prematurely! besides causing outrageous repair and maintenance costs, it's really a dangerous problem for the public besides. The transmission can fail unexpectedly leading to an accident.
- Fairview Heights, IL, USA
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2002 Honda minivan Odyssey transmission started slipping while vehicle on motion at around 40 mph. I took 2002 Honda minivan to dealership; they suggested a transmission replacement cost around $ 4500! called american Honda and enquired about any recall, Honda mentioned about the second gear recall, but I think the second gear automatic transmission recall not solved the transmission problem. Requested some help to sole this manufacturing defect. American Honda turned down my request and I spend around 4000 for transmission repair.
On 12/12/12 Honda announced a recall on 2003-2004 Odyssey's, Pilot's and Acura MDX's for being able to remove the key from the ignition with the vehicle in drive (with the vehicle turned off). This may allow the vehicle to roll forward or backwards. I have a 2002 Odyssey and have this same issue. I reported it to rousch Honda in westerville, oh around 11/12/12. They stated that they could not touch the ignition cylinder. They made it sound like there was a law against it. I stated that my van could roll away if left in drive (which I have done) and they did not change their stance. My van is not included in this recall but it has the same issue and potential danger and needs fixed.
Car was recalled in 2004 for installation of a supplemental cooling kit (following successful class action lawsuit for prior model years). Transmission is now snatching when cold and obvious slippage in 2nd gear. Research shows that this is a known and recurring defect in this model year. American Honda refuses any assistance. I am the original owner and the vehicle has had all service done at the dealer.
I have been having problems with my car starting after several tries it will start, but a couple months age I was having slipping problems, then now I went to get my car smoged and it didn't pass inspection. I have read about all the recalls, and I bought my car as a used car and was unaware of the recall for the transmission at that time. It cost a lot of money for Honda to fix all these transmissions, and they are refusing to help their people, this is my second Honda, I am a single mom of three and work 12 hours a day. I take care of our dying elderly and I need a dependable car if not we all loose, I do believe there should be another class action law suit after all I read, everyone is unhappy with their Honda cars, it's a shame. Someone please help us.
Transmission hanging up between 2nd and 3rd gear. When put in reverse, takes several second for transmission to engage. Honda dealer advised transmission needs to be replaced as it failed at the cost of over $4000. For a vehicle that was purchased brand new and maintained by the dealer, seems to be a engineering failure of the transmission.
Transmission went out suddenly in the middle of traffic. Car rolled to a stop and had to be towed. Mechanic recommended complete rebuild. Honda needs to deal with this. These cars have had nothing but persistent transmission problems and complaints. This is an engineering flaw.
Driving under normal conditions, the transmission started jerking and slipping losing traction. The warning light came on. I took it to my mechanic the next day. He ran a diagnostic check and replaced the two solenoids that controlled the automatic transmission shifting. I drove it 25 miles and it started jerking again and slipping.
Transmission failed suddenly while traveling with family. Apparently it is a well know issue for 2002 Odyssey. I had every service & preventive maintenance done at authorized Honda dealer since I bought it in 2002. It was out of warranty and I paid $3,600 for replacement transmission. This is a manufacturing defect and american Honda should recall/replace for free.
Automatic transmission on my 2002 Honda Odyssey failed at 111000 miles (specific failure is the torque converter). Symptom was gear slippage. I contacted Honda requesting a "good faith" repair since this is clearly a problem with their transmissions and Honda declined. Hundreds of Honda Odyssey owners, model years 1998-2004, report the same transmission failure. I'm requesting this issue be investigated by NHTSA to encourage Honda to take remedial action on behalf of Odyssey owners affected.
2002 Honda Odyssey transmission NHTSA recall. Dealer repaired at 80K miles. The transmission has failed again at 80K miles after the fix. The Honda factory fix appears to not actually work in the long haul. Called a transmission repair shop and the 2002 Honda Odyssey transmissions are failing again - not just mine.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the transmission failed while traveling 70 mph. The contact stated that there was a smell of transmission fluid burning prior to the transmission overheating. The vehicle was repaired October 2004 under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train: Automatic transmission) for the transmission oil jet. The vehicle was recently taken to the dealer who advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure and the current mileages was 90,045.
While driving on the interstate with the cruise control on I noticed RPM's were increasing. Stopped the cruise control and used the gas pedal. RPM went back to normal then slowly increased. I noticed I was loosing power and pulled to the side of the interstate. The transmission had 'blown'. there was transmission fluid everywhere. No warning lights came on and there was no indication of a problem. Loss of power at the wrong time could cause a serious problem. Apparently Honda transmissions have a history of going out like this.
I was driving on a road trip and having neared my destination city, I had taken off the cruise control and exited the highway. After slowing down at the intersection, the car would not engage into second gear as I tried to accelerate. It continued doing this until I was able to stop and call aaa and have my car towed to the local Honda dealership. After running the diagnostics, the service advisor told me that the transmission is shot and needs to be replaced. Since it is a long holiday weekend my car is still sitting while they are closed and waiting to hear back on the estimate to replace the transmission.
Transmission slip and couldn't change to proper gear which caused dangerous in driving. Traction and mil indicator on. After diagnosed the code, it is confirmed transmission issue. This car is well maintained. The 60,000 miles and 90,000 miles service were done.
Transmission fails to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear (slips and sometimes wont shift to 3rd gear) with check engine lights on (code P0730 gear ratio incorrect).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Plymouth, MN, USA