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:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,478 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Honda Odyssey:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 20 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #86

Sep 122005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

(1) transmission failed to engage 2nd to 3rd gears while driving. (2) transmission failed and unable to drive the van (3) took the van to Honda dealer. They said the transmission needs to be replaced. Premature transmission failure. It is a known problem for Honda transmission. Some car/van does have extended warranty, but they do not have extended factory warranty for my van. My co-worker's 1999 Honda Odyssey's transmission was replaced with extended factory warranty after the transmission failed. Why is my van does not have extended warranty? thank you.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #85

Sep 012005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles
2002 Honda Odyssey van 1. transmission recall issued Oct 2004, vehicle brought into dealer (Honda house, St. Cloud mn) 60,000 miles. Dealer certified that transmission was ok, no work done. 2. at 65,000 miles transmission made banging noise when put into reverse and when cold. Transmission also shifted fast. 3. at 93,000 miles, transmission slipped from drive to neutral when driving down road, check engine light appeared. 4. vehicle was brought in for checking and transmission fluid change. 5. dealer indicated transmission was failing. 6. dealer said previous model years 2000 and 2001 had similar transmission problems.

- Rice, MN, USA

problem #84

Aug 102005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Transmission will fluctuate between gears. Have replaced egr under warranty. Problem persists. Little or no acceleration at times. Body feels loose over chassis. Vehicle from stop hesitates during initial acceleration. 25K miles.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #83

Aug 072005

Odyssey

  • 86,000 miles

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

I was not notified about the recall of the vehicle for transmission failures. When I found out my transmission had to be replaced, I was told by Honda customer line employee at 800 999 1009 that a repair was made to my vehicle without telling me it was done. The recall was April 2004. The alleged repair was in May 2004. The alleged notice mailed to me was July 2004. I smell deception by Honda. They may be covering up a bigger problem with the Odyssey than NHTSA is aware. I have heard that several owners of 2002 Odyssey have had transmission failures that could lead to locking up of the vans and could lead to crashes. My van recently did not accelerate while entering the interstate in dayton Ohio. This nearly lead to a serious accident involving my wife and two kids. I learned of this recall from consumer reports. The so called repair in 2004 failed to correct the problem.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #82

Jul 242005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
My '02 Honda Odyssey is now on its third transmission in 86000 miles the first was replaced at 3000. Last failure occurred on interstate while going through hills of chattanooga, tn. Traction control came on and brakes started to fail due to the large amount of transmission fluid ejected from vehicle. Luckily was able to control van and move off of roadway. Honda replaced entire transmission but has not reimbursed for other expenses. This vehicle has a significant overheating problem in the transmission causing failure.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #81

Jul 152005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,550 miles
My 2002 Honda Odyssey was shipped to us illegally by the Honda Canada(according to us Honda). There was a recall on the transmission us Honda refusing to do the recall order bec. The van was manufactured in Canada. The van originally purchase in bremerton wa.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #80

Aug 052005

Odyssey

  • miles

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

We have a 2002 Honda Odyssey ex. While driving, with foot on accelerator, the engine tries to shift into another gear, but just revs without engaging into gear. This has been happening regularly (every few miles) for the last two weeks. It had occurred previously several months ago, but could not be diagnosed by Honda. It has become worse and more frequent in recent weeks, and Honda was again unable to diagnose. Honda customer service could only advise taking it to another dealer for service. We know that there is a transmission recall on this vehicle. We are unaware of the step the Honda service department took to try to diagnose or correct the problem.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #79

Mar 012005

Odyssey

  • miles
Transmission slips between gear 2 and 3. dealer could not duplicate the problem, and said could do nothing. Considering the number of similar complaints on Odyssey discussion forums, and at this NHTSA website, it is impossible Honda does not know the root cause of this issue. I believe they are outright lying and deceiving the customers and putting them through this mess. As of today the vehicle is exhibiting the problem in various gears and jerking. Will take to dealer Friday. Probably the last Honda/Acura I will ever buy. The NHTSA needs to make Honda recall mission asap.

- Muncie, IN, USA

problem #78

Apr 062005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
While driving at 45 mph transmission failed suddenly, making vehicle hard to drive.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #77

Mar 142005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission. After having the repairs to the oil cooler return line performed the problem recurred. While driving 40 mph driver was unable to shift gears, and the transmission locked up.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #76

Mar 132005

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

While driving one day (it came on suddenly, no prior problems), our 2002 Odyssey would buck and stall. We could mantain speed over 60mph, but under that the RPM indicator would surge as the car slowed and refused to accelerate. It was like trying to drive in nuetral. At lights or slowing to turn the car would continue to jerk violently. We took it to our Honda dealer who took almost a week to give us a response: Something in the transmission that wasn't supposed to fail at 50K miles had failed. They agreed to replace the transmission.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #75

Mar 162005

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
When accelerating between 20-30 mph from a stop position vehicle would lurch and commence to accelerate. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the problem was due to automatic transmission.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #74

Nov 012004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At 45,000 miles transmission failed completely. Consumer contacted the dealer. However, the dealer will not assist the consumer with any repairs. Recall 04V176000 was issued on automatic transmission.

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #73

Dec 012004

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer heard noises coming from the vehicle's transmission. The vehicle pulled to the right, the electronic equipment light would go on and off for no reason, the air bag light had come on, transmission failed, the gears would not shift easily, the RPM arrow would erratically swing from different levels while the transmission was struggling to shift gears, the tcs light was intermittent along with the engine light and the heater exhilarated a loud sound when in use.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

problem #72

Jul 242004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 04V176000 concerning transmission failure. After having the revision to the oil cooler return line performed, and while driving 50 mph the vehicle stalled. Driver was not able to restart the vehicle. It was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

problem #71

Dec 062004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission was slipping out of gear at various speeds, preventing the vehicle from moving. Took vehicle for checkup twice, but the cause was undetermined.

- Point Pleasant, NJ, USA

problem #70

Jan 212005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,300 miles
2002 Honda Odyssey with approx 55K miles is experiencing intermittent automatic transmission slippage. I'm not sure the exact conditions that brings this about, and cannot reproduce it at will. But every now and then, when I step on the gas pedal to accelerate, the RPM shoots up really high but no acceleration occurs. I would have to let go of the gas and slow down until the transmission engages again. This is similar to what others are reporting on this website. I took my vehicle to a Honda service center today and they could not recreate the problem and wanted me to take it back and drive it until the problem occurs again. I explained to the service rep. That this is not a good idea because I'm putting my family in danger and who knows if they will ever be able to recreate the problem as it is so intermittent at this stage. The service rep. Escalated me to his manager and he will test my van further tonight and will call me tomorrow. The fact that Honda has not recalled this problem and the way the problem is being handled by Honda may lead to serious public safety issues not only for Honda drivers but others on the road as well.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #69

Jan 122005

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,589 miles
At first I thought it was a one-time deal (first occurrence happened early in 2004)because it would happen in different areas. The problem seems to be more consistent now at the same spot. Traveling on the highway (for about 7 miles at @65-70 mph) and then getting off at the exit, turning onto the main road (there is a yield sign so one does not have to come to a complete stop when exiting off ramp to main road). Approximately 20 mph (on a flat straight road) and slow acceleration the RPM will rapidly rise to @4000 and the vehicle slips out of gear for about 5-10 seconds. We have to either let off the gas pedal and wait for the gears to re-engage or leave the RPM at 4000 and the gear will eventually engage again.

- Fairlee, VT, USA

problem #68

Dec 092004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
While driving 35 mph vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The dealer found that they needed to replace the transmission. The transmission was rebuilt and installed. One day after picking up the vehicle, the catalytic converter failed and had to be replaced.

- Waterford, VA, USA

problem #67

Oct 142004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles
Vehicle came to abrupt stop while traveling at a speed around 40mph, in some instances, it downshifted and won't accelerate at the same rate of speed that almost cause an accident (transmission was causing the vehicle to act like that). 2nd, sliding door on both side of the vehicle won't open in so many occassion, winter or summer.

- Sterling, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?