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 23 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Feb 182004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

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

My 2002 Honda Odyssey has 42,000 miles. The engine began accelerating and the traction control light illimuniated. We drove the car straight to the dealership the day this happened and were told we need a new transmission at over $4000. I don't find this acceptable for a $33,000 vehicle. It was serviced less than a month ago for routine maintenance and checked out perfectly.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #25

Jan 202004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,500 miles
The automatic transmission on a 2002 Honda Odyssey van with 50,000 miles began shifting sluggishly. The van was inspected at the dealer (montgomery Honda in louisville, ky) and I was told it needed a new transmission.

- Schoolcraft, MI, USA

problem #24

Dec 252003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
While coasting from highway speed to"in-town (from 55 to 35mph)" speed the transmission made a very pronounced "slam" into a lower gear. We have noticed that the transmission goes into gear very hard when your foot is released from the break. We have also noticed that the ride is rough. Our dealer has said that the fluid was dis colored and that it is now running fine. They have also told us that they could not re-produce the problem but said that they would "fatal" the transmission if I was not happy.

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #23

Jan 152003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

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

Early transmission failure seems to be a problem with this car. 48000 miles and transmission started making loud noises under load. Dealer knew immediately what was wrong. Have since found out that this is a huge problem and Honda is quietly replacing the units even out of warranty in some cases to avoid a recall. They replace the unit with a re manufactured unit with the identical problem. We are now stuck with a van that is like a ticking time bomb- it will fail again. Honda should be required to address this publicly. If I had know the car had a flaw in the transmission design, I would not have purchased.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #22

Jan 102004

Odyssey

  • miles
Transmission failure 2002 Honda Odyssey 55000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #21

Nov 152003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
Transmission slips and engine revs intermittently while shifting. At times it is so bad that you have to shift to neutral and reengage drive to proceed. This is extremely hazrdous while in traffic. The van was pruchsed new in Jan 2002. It now has 33K miles. Dealer was obviously familiar with this problem as he ordered a new transmission based on a telephone description of the problem. Based on the number of defects in Odyssey transmissions, NHTSA should initiate a mandatory recall.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #20

Jan 122002

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

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

My Honda Odyssey 2002 has a frequent problem with the automatic transmission not shifting gears or jerking. It happens frequently at low speeds or at a stop and trying to speed up. It has also happened multiple times while trying to get up-to-speed on a highway on-ramp and when trying to pass on a highway. I have been in several dangerous situations where I have almost been hit because my car would not "engage" and "go". I have addressed this issue at the dealership with no help because they could not "reproduce" the problem. Please don't wait for someone to be killed before issuing a recall!!!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #19

Oct 202003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
I am in the military and the owner of a 2002 Honda Odyssey ex. It's two years old now, but it was new when I purchased it. While on deployment, my wife started experiencing erratic driving conditions. The vehicle started pulsing, some transmission slippage and hard up and down shifting of gears, then the check engine light come on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they reported that there was an emission's problem and the gas cap wasn't seating correctly. The gas cap was replaced and transmission serviced and service light reset. Well, at 40,000 miles and less than twenty days later, the same problems showed up this time with the tcs light. I went back to the dealer hopefully for some answers. I was told there is a transmission code from the computer, and the only thing they can do is replace it with a new one. Well, not happy with the response from the dealer, I went to a nation wide transmission repair shop, again searching for answers. I was told that, this was a common problem with Honda Odyssey transmission. After doing some researched I found this to be true. Honda has extended the warranty on the older model Odyssey and while at the dealer another customer was having the same problems. According to my owners manual, the manufacturer suggest servicing the transmission at 30,000 miles. I had that same dealer service my transmission at 25,000 miles and 40,000 miles and failed to mentioned any thing about defective transmission. I was told by the service advisor lately Honda recommends every 15,000 miles to service transmission. This is not in my owners manual and don't understand after waiting for my Odyssey for thirty days, Honda has chose to ignore that they are sold potentially a defective vehicle in the 2002 Honda Odyssey.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #18

Sep 142003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The automatic transmission does not work properly. It disengages between second and third gear and runs as if it is in neutral.

- Antigo, WI, USA

problem #17

Oct 052003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,700 miles
Automatic transmission problem with a 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan where transmission malfunctions intermittently at various speeds. This has created an unsafe driving situation as it has occurred when merging into freeway traffic and at intersections in heavy traffic. Vehicle is unsafe to drive in my opinion as it is vulnerable to a crash since it cannot respond and maneuver to avoid incoming traffic or to merge safely into freeway traffic. Honda has been contacted and it has rejected the repair of this transmission.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #16

Oct 232001

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,900 miles

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

I am the owner of a 2002 Honda Odyssey ex, which I purchased new. Only two years old at approximately 33,000 miles, the transmission endured pronounced slippage; the engine would rev at high rpms without accelerating (at highway speeds and from starting from a stop). Unexpected deceleration was also noted at times. Being under warranty (barely), Honda replaced the transmission with a remanufactured one at no cost. Upon further inquiry, I discovered hundreds (literally) of other complaints, identical to mine, in the 1999-2003 Odyssey. The problem is two-fold: 1) if the problem is mechanical failure due to a design flaw, why are the transmissions being replaced with the same re-manufactured transmission (replaced as oppossed to repaired) and 2) due to the excessive number of complaintants (many of whom claim to have endured costs) about acute transmission failure it would appear that a serious safety issue is involved that should be proactively addressed by Honda. It seems as though they are willing to replace with a remanufactured tranny and a 12month/12K mile warranty knowing that these trannies are malfunctioning more in the 30K-60K mile range (cost over safety?).

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #15

Oct 142003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,500 miles
I own a 2002 Honda Odyssey which has had several problems. These are 1.windshield that was not seated prperly and would whistle when driving at 55mph. This took 4 visits to the dealer before resolution which was a new windshield. 2. the SRS light for the side restraint system comes on, the dealer states it is because of a sensor but it must be reset by the dealer. I am told not to put anything on the front passenger seat to cause the sensor to go on. I wonder if this includes passengers too? I have also been told tha tplugging my phone into the electrical outlet provided wii also mtrip the sensor. 3. the last and most major problem is the transmission. In July I experienced episodes where after applying pressure to the gas pedal, the rpms would go up but there was no acceleration. Itook the car to the dealer and they were "unable to duplicate the problem". of course the problem continued periodically when we drove the car. Yesterday after driving the car it was put in park. We could then not get the car to shift out of park. It was unmovable. After letting the car set for 1 hour, tryed again, was able to get it out of park and could drive it but could not put it back into park. I had to leave it in neutral with the emergency brake on. I understand that there have been numerous problems with the transmissions on the Honda Odyssey. I am very concerned about the safety of my vehicle especially while on the road. It seems as though there has been no acknowledgement by the company to share these issues with the consumer. We have to find out about on our own.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #14

Sep 122003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,500 miles
The vehicle suddenly quit while traveling on the interstate at 75 mph. All of the idiot lights turned on and we were able to safely pullover and stop in the breakdown lane. The lights went off and the vehicle started running by itself. This is the second incident in less than a year. The vehicle also has quit when approaching a stop sign on at least 6 other occasions. Finally, the vehicle periodically runs roughly and the tachometer fluctuates. It feels like the vehicle is losing power. I have taken it to the dealer for all of these problems on numerous occasions but they are unable to diagnose any problems!

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #13

Sep 132003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While starting and driving the transmission slips out of gear. There seems to be no pattern. Judging from the number of post on the internet this problem is quite widespread.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #12

Sep 072003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,490 miles
Early transmission failure on my 2002 ex Honda Odyssey (25K000 miles). Still under warranty but I'm concerned that problem will exist later on with no warranty coverage like in the 1999-2000 models.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 292003

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • miles
Engine light illuminated. Vehicle stalled and slipped gears without warning. Also, vehicle vibrated while driving at highway speeds. Dealer said vehicle would be okay to drive until it could be repaired.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #10

Mar 292003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,211 miles
Purchase vehicle 12/02, soon after purchase returned auto to dealer for pulsing / bumping in drive tran at speeds of 50-65 mph. Told could not duplicate and the they all do this. (some reply). At 46K miles vehicle continued pulsing but now was at times slipping into a nuetral gear, (auto RPM would red line when this happened) transmission would then rengage. Dealer than changed a soleniod vave and did another fluid flush (I had already did the flush). Dealer attempted to charge me for valve. We agreed with odyessey cronic transmission problems it should be warrenteed. At 48K miles transmission continued slipping / bucking. I would not allow my wife to drive it at this point for safety reasons in atlanta traffic. I drove it to work and at about 75 mph, it started loosing power (drive tran power). The lose of power was followed by and hard bump, bucking, tcr light on, check engine light on, brake light on. I pulled over and no fluid was leaking. Vehicle wa S able to continue on normally (??) although lights stayed on. I called dealer and brought back in that day. Transmission was changed. Now at 61K miles the vehicle continues to pulse / buck at 50-65 mph. There is a recall on earlier Odyssey's transmissions why no 2002's.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #9

Jun 032003

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Van started hesitating while driving at constant speed, felt like transmission didn't know what gear to be in. Also down shifts occur while decelerating, which are annoying at least, but can also cause the van passengers to be forced forward.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #8

Nov 012002

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Honda Odyssey 2002 has an intermittent problem with the automatic transmission slipping between D2 and D3. While traveling around 20-25 mph, occasionally the transmission is unable to shift to 3rd gear. When trying to accelerate, the slippage is witnessed by the RPM's rapid climb at which time I have to step on the brake and then try to accelerate again to get the vehicle to shift. This is very frustrating and especially hazardous when in traffic on a busy road. The problem occurs at least once per week, but is not reproducable at the dealership.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 132003

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
The transmission failed.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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