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.

2002 Honda Odyssey drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #126

Jul 022021

Odyssey

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The transmission How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When I was on the highway the car lost power and I was almost rear-ended by a car when I was stopped on the freeway on my way to the doctor. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, I am a recent buyer and do not have much information about previous problems with this vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, when it broke down, I just called the tow truck and they transported it to a mechanic and the mechanic put the machine in to find out what the fault was, and he told me and showed me that the fault was in the transmission and the cost would be $1800 to $2000 dollars or so to fix it. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" Yes, before the breakdown the car turned on a light that I didn't recognize but I kept going because I was on the freeway and a few meters ahead the accelerator didn't respond, so I had to pull off the road to call the tow truck. Personal, I don't have any documents to prove this because logically I don't have $2000 dollars to fix the transmission. When I was with the mechanic and he checked the car he just showed me and said what it meant. the light that came on the dashboard. Also, yesterday I received this paper and it said that if the car shows up with more faults to come in with the code that comes on the document. I found it strange to receive it because according to me when I bought the car, everything was in good condition and now the transmission is not working, apart from the air bag. For these reasons I would like to know how I can take the car to them, if it does not walk and to get it to them, I have to take the tow truck.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #125

May 282021

Odyssey

  • 165,555 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated along with a warning message which stated that the driver-€™s and passenger-€™s side air bags need to be repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) as the cause for the failure. The Vin was not included in the recall. The contact also stated that the manual transmission would jump out of gear and would not accelerate out of second gear until she manually shifted the vehicle to park and then back to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump and fluids needing to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,555.

- Kingston, WA, USA

problem #124

Jun 022016

Odyssey

  • miles
Unknown

- Park Forest, IL, USA

problem #123

Nov 092019

Odyssey

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate above 50 mph without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall and slow down when the accelerator pedal was depressed with maximum pressure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for inspection and was provided a repair estimate for the transmission. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #122

Apr 112019

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
Good afternoon. My wife has a 2002 Honda Odyssey with a recall notice for a PCM. Manufacturer recall number is P48, NHTSA recall number is 04V-176. The vehicle VIN is [xxx]. the issue is regarding a PCM recall for 2002 Odyssey with a rebuilt transmission, which my wife"S car does not have. Her car has the original transmission. The dealership where it was taken is West broad Honda in richmond Virginia. The dealership told me that it is not a recall, it is a service bulletin, so there is nothing they can do. The case manager at Honda agreed as well that it is a service bulletin and does not pertain to my car. I talked to the case manager last on Monday April 29, and despite leaving messages since then for her to call me with a status update, I have heard nothing to rectify this situation. The dealership told me that they submitted a ?fixed by inspection" report to Honda on Monday, but there is still a recall on this vehicle. This is the problem: I am in the military, and I have to drop this car off next week for shipment to my next duty station in Alaska. However, they will not accept a vehicle with an open recall. It is required that I provide proof that there is no open recall, and I cannot do that because of this. I truly have no other recourse, and there is nothing I can do on my end to fix this. Furthermore, it really should not be my responsibility to continually call about getting this problem fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #121

Dec 012018

Odyssey

  • 144,000 miles
3rd gear has completely worn out, it slips when trying to shift into 3rd gear. Transmission has been opened and 3rd gear clutch pack is completely worn out and spring is warped and was stuck in 3rd clutch drum. Transmission failure

- Boardman, OR, USA

problem #120

Dec 302016

Odyssey

  • 112,756 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission torque converter clutch circuit P0740 and P0430 - needs new transmission. Check engine light is on traction control light is on and diagnosed error codes P0740. Transmission fails to engage, slips with no drive power. Progressively getting worst. Requires replacement of transmission as per dealer at cost of $5,900. This same problem has affected several 100,000S of 2002 to 2004 Honda Odyssey vans and other Honda models with same transmission. Honda knows about this problem with these models and still has done nothing to repair them. Honda Odyssey transmission problem is widely known and discussed at length on online Honda forums and at dealerships, to a point where nobody is willing to buy these used vehicles at bluebook market value. The cost associated with a transmission replacement is $5900, in excess of current vehicle market value. On further investigation, Honda has an active recall for Odyssey transmissions up to model year 2001. This has been in place since year 2003, when the 2002 Honda Odyssey was relatively new, hence not included in this recall, even though the transmission in 2001 and 2002 model year are same. To make matters worse Honda knew of this transmission design problem which continues past model year 2001. They used the same transmission till model year 2004. I would like Honda to recall Odyssey transmissions from 2002 to 2004 as well and repair them under warranty. Several other Honda vehicles models are also impacted by this poor transmission design. Then why has Honda not done anything to help its customers. I would like NHTSA investigate further leveraging on the 2001 Honda Odyssey recall to expedite a resolution forcing Honda to recall for repairs. Thank you.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #119

Mar 022017

Odyssey

  • 215,000 miles
Transmission slips on 2nd to 3rd gear or disengages altogether upon acceleration which is happening on a more frequent basis lately. Transmission fluid changes are made every 30K miles by dealer. Oil jet recall has been performed upon tsb notification, added oil cooler, cleaned and/or replaced filter and solenoids just to prolong the inevitable transmission failure.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #118

Jul 032017

Odyssey

  • 187,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the air bag and transmission warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle slipped out of gear while driving on more than one occasion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

- Quincy, FL, USA

problem #117

May 072017

Odyssey

  • 21,500 miles
Driving on highway pulled over a crystal like substance on back window (liquid) and in front of car pulled over it was coming out underneath my car had to get car towed dylan said it was the transmission and that there have been many problems with these vehicles with the transmission transmission has been worked on before first I.called dealer before getting it towed.got it towed to dealer approx 2 days after the incident once I got to my home that's when they came and towed it and end results was transmission.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #116

Aug 032016

Odyssey

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. After parking and exiting the vehicle, it rolled forward without warning and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The contact noticed that the vehicle was in the drive position. Since the contact was able to remove the starter key and exit the vehicle that the vehicle, she believed the vehicle was in park. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

- Crump, TN, USA

problem #115

Jun 172016

Odyssey

  • 93,000 miles
It happened before but I didn't pay much attention to it. The recent times it occurred were on last Friday. Pressing gas paddle won't speed up the vehicle, but just runs the engine like crazy when I drove after a stop sign and left the gas station. Both time I was manage to get my vehicle back to normal speed. After doing research online, found lots same cases, I am afraid that this is the sign the transmission is going to fail !!!

- Vestal, NY, USA

problem #114

May 222016

Odyssey

  • 143,622 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would switch into neutral. The contact had to turn the engine off and back on to resume driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). In addition, the contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,622.

- Toccoa, GA, USA

problem #113

Apr 232016

Odyssey

  • 159,000 miles
Van has 159000 miles on it. While driving, transmission slips while shifting. Shudders and jerks while shifting. A road hazard, concerned it may cause being rear ended by other vehicles.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #112

Apr 042016

Odyssey

  • miles
The 2nd and 3rd gear slips..... speedometer is off the clock

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #111

Apr 082016

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
I took my van to Honda and was advised that the transmission needs to be replaced. It will not shift into 2nd gear 99% of the time. My van only has 111,000 miles on it and I am concerned as to why it was not included in the recall of the transmission on this year/make/model. I am still making payments on it and was told a new transmission from Honda would be $4500. There is no reason a transmission should go out at 111,000 miles when it has been well maintained through Honda over the years. My car will not go above 20 miles an hour on most occasions. If I rev the engine high and get it over 30, then it will change to 2nd gear. It is a safety hazard when trying to merge onto interstates and I have been almost hit a few times. I cannot accelerate to a safe, merging speed. My drive light continuously flashes and my tcs will come on from having to rev the engine. I have 3 kids and I do not feel safe driving this with them in it. Can this be included in the recall? please let me know. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Minburn, IA, USA

problem #110

Apr 012006

Odyssey

  • 60,000 miles
Transmission shudders and slips. Check engine and SRS lights on all the time even after resets. "D" light flashes occasionally. Slips and sometimes just stays in neutral when cold. Has been ongoing for about 15,000 to 20,000 miles now steadily. I am 2nd owner and first occurred back in 2006 / 2007 when first obtained vehicle. Has fluid line recall done. Honda stated no problems found whenever I brought in and asked them to check out. I have driven car carefully since first occurrence but now warning lights always on. Rebuilt tranny about $3500 to $4000. Love the vehicle but deciding whether to keep or get something else. Honda has not been too good or upfront with support.

- Milford, OH, USA

problem #109

Apr 172014

Odyssey

  • 100,000 miles
The van jerks as I speed it up. It seems like a transmission problem.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #108

Sep 242015

Odyssey

  • 150,000 miles
Slipping in 2nd gear as im coming onto highway wont shift over 20mph has happened numerous times couldve got me and my children seriously hurt they need to fix all transmissions with this problem very dangerous when driving on the highway. Good thing my dad doesnt live far. I was too scared to drive all the way home. What if there is not a next time because the person behind me isnt paying attention when my tranny slips and theres a crash and maybe even a death. My kids were beyond scared. Mommy are we going to die? I shouldn't have to answer that question ever to my children.

- Laconia, NH, USA

problem #107

Jun 242015

Odyssey

  • 149,600 miles
My power trained messed up in the middle of driving in a bunch of traffic couldn't go over 20mph

- Laconia, NH, USA

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