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

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2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 22 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Jul 242004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,400 miles

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

During acceleration onto I-65 South, the transmission began slipping resulting in no power being applied to the drive wheels. This incident repeated itself numerous times with the most serious being after accelerating from a stop light, no power being transmitted to the drive wheels for almost a two minute period of time. Manual engagement using the shift lever was tried without success. During this two minute period of time, the engine ran to 5,000 RPM without gas pedal input and the check engine light and the tcs light illuminated and stayed lighted until the vehicle was turned off. After starting the next morning, the check engine light stayed illuminated but the tcs light was extinguished. During the ensuing drive back to our home (5 hours) the transmission would slip at every stop made. Use of downshift for passing vehicles was not possible as when a downshift was attempted, the transmission immediately began slipping with resulting power loss. During a stop where use of reverse gears was required, the transmission wouldn't engage for almost 4 minutes. This problem has been a long-standing problem. The transmission since the vehicle was purchased seemed slow to shift and would jolt when shifting was accomplished. The dealership termed this "hesitation" and repeatedly could not find a defect or isolate the problem during inspection and road tests. The vehicle is currently at gary smith Honda in fort walton beach, fl. It was presented for service on Monday, Jul 26. They are attempting to isolate the malfunction and determine corrective action.

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #45

Jul 232004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While shifting into reverse vehicle failed to move. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #44

May 062004

Odyssey

  • 78,000 miles
When shifting to second gear transmission failed and lost power.consumer pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #43

May 012004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,145 miles

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

Received recall notice for possible transmission damage to second gear. At about the same time, transmission in the vehicle began slipping on shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear - while accelerating, transmission would slip, RPM would rise and vehicle would slow down - than, transmission would "catch" and accelerate rather quickly. Transmission needed replacement - Honda claims unrelated to recall and initially would not pay for repair since vehicle out of warranty. Compromise reached wherein Honda paid for part and customer paid installation.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #42

Jun 262004

Odyssey

  • miles
Problems with transmission failure on 2002 Honda Odyssey. The consumer stated the engine light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the nearest dealer. After the inspection that was when the consumer was told the vehicle needed a new transmission. There was a recall on the Honda Odyssey for the transmission, however the reason why the consumers vehicle needed a transmission did not fall under the recall criteria

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #41

Jul 162004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 35 mph automatic transmission slipped while shifting from drive to neutral. Also, there was hesitation, and the rpms went way up. Dealership was notified.

- Sylvan Lake, MI, USA

problem #40

Jul 142004

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

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

Consumer received a recall for transmission needing a second gear inspection. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the transmission problem did not exist as the manufacturer stated. However they would service the transmission at a charge to the consumer.. vehicle is at the dealer. However, consumer has not agreed to pay for the service.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #39

Feb 022002

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions for inspection, but mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #38

Jun 182004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 35 mph automatic transmission failed. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and replaced automatic transmission at dealer expense.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #37

Jun 152004

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 45 mph, the overdrive light illuminated, transmission slipped while shifting from second to third and from third to fourth gear. There is also hesitation and the engine revved way up. Dealer replaced transmission with a rebuilt one. Dealer notified.

- Butler, NJ, USA

problem #36

Jun 142004

Odyssey

  • miles

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

Dealership is unable to perform automatic transmission recall 04V176000 repairs within a reasonable time frame. They are booked up.

- Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #35

May 102004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
My 2-year old, 50,000 mile, Honda Odyssey was brought into the shop for engine light came on, intermittent tcs light on, 'd' light blinking, shifting problems between second and third gear, wherein rpms run high. The 2002 Honda Odyssey was recalled at the same time. The dealer performed recall and determined that the vehicle had transmission problems unrelated to the recall, and still requires a transmission replacement. Although I have a 75,000 mile extended warranty with automotive warranty services, Inc. (1-800-621-2130) that covers transmission replacement, they refuse to pay for any replacement because the vehicle has been recalled. They refuse to listen to the actual details of the recall associated with a heat buildup and 'bluing'. the warranty service just sees the word 'transmission', and believes that it is Honda's responsibility to replace the transmission. Meanwhile, the dealer has determined that our vehicle does not suffer from the heat buildup problem, and Honda will not pay for the replacement. So, our car sits at landmark Honda, Virginia with neither party wanting to claim responsibility. What recourse does the consumer have?

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #34

May 162004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Honda Odyssey minivan with approximately 40,000 miles is having a problem with the transmission. The car occasionally "revs" (like it is in neutral) as the automatic transmission shifts between gears. Dealer told us that this particular vehicle was not covered by the recent recall and that that recall was a "preventative" measure in any event. When we brought the car to the dealer, we were told that they could not replicate the problem in their tests.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #33

Aug 202002

Odyssey

  • 1,308 miles
Ongoing automatic transmission failure while driving at 40 mph. Vehicle slipped out of gear, hesitated before accelerating, and tachometer dropped to zero. Dealership was unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. Dealership replaced the ECM and the PCM in an attempt to correct the issue. But problem recurred.

- Tequesta, FL, USA

problem #32

Apr 192004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Transmission slipped out of gear (detected with high RPM and engine sound) while driving on busy street. Engine and tcs dashboard lights came on. Wife was driving with children in the van at the time. With great difficulty, she was able to coast the van into a parking lot. This happened one other time in a parking lot but no indicator lights came on and dealer couldn't replicate. Van currently at dealership to have transmission replaced. I consider this a severe safety concern and given the number of complaints in various forums regarding this model/year, I think a mandatory recall would be the prudent thing to do before injury or death occurs.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #31

Dec 012003

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Transmission problems - engine revs and doesn't get into gear, if driving 35-45 slips out of gear, traction control system light sometimes goes on as a result, malfunction light goes on. This is a serious hazard. You have to take your foot off the gas and pull off the road, then reenter. In December, dealer couldn't replicate claimed no prob. Subsequent to visit, local lube place said trans fluid was low, then replaced it. Still had same issues, took back to Honda dealer again and now they are blaming the lube place for not tightening the trans fluid screw. However, this issue was identified to them prior to this happening. We happened to pay for an extended warranty. Car has 45K miles. I have complained to Honda customer relations and after being referred to Honda care (warranty dept) and being told well they couldn't "validate" the issue in December so you have to go to the lube place. Regardless of whether or not they can duplicate it - it happens and it's happened to dozens if not hundreds of other 2002 Odyssey owners. I called back to Honda customer relations and they are "monitoring" it now with the dealer to see if new fluid helps. With the volume of complaints on mycarstats.com and various other web sites stating the same thing - I am even more aggravated. Honda can't pretend they don't know about this issue. What's taking them so long to recall?

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #30

Apr 162004

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,600 miles
Automatic transmission is not working correctly. Car is getting "stuck" in 2nd gear; up until today, releasing then depressing the gas pedal has fixed the problem. Today, car was stuck at 25 mph, in traffic, until I stopped the vehicle completely, put it into park, then back into drive. Honda dealer cannot recreate the problem, therefore says they cannot fix it. The van is not safe to drive.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #29

Mar 242004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,545 miles
Internal failure of automatic transmission due to inferior materials of construction.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #28

Oct 062002

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
Engine hesitates and then lurches between 35-60 particularly around corners, downhill, etc. Appears to be an issue with the transmission. Took to the dealer in 2002 to check it out and was told the van has a "spirited transmission". still does it today in 2004. From the looks of the complaints on this website there is a transmission defect with the Odyssey and now my van is out of warranty. The transmission needs to be investigated and a recall issued if its defective so the consumer is not the one out the money due to Honda's error.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #27

Feb 232004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles
While driving, the automatic transmission slipped out of gear. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who acknowledged that there was a problem with the transmission. The consumer was concerned that this was a manufacturing defect and did not want to pay for any repairs to be done.

- Trappe, MD, USA

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