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 7 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #346

Feb 122010

Odyssey

  • 89,000 miles

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

2002 Honda Odyssey. No problems until about 89,000 miles. Then while accelerating on an on-ramp, the transmission slipped and engine revved and I lost speed; fortunately there wasn't much traffic at the time and I was able to slow way down on the shoulder and get it back in gear, but this could have been serious if it had happened at a slightly different time or place. Over the next week or two the transmission slipped several times, at unpredictable times, but fortunately usually on uncrowded neighborhood streets. I went to the Honda dealer who said the transmission would have to be replaced at a cost of about $3500, but after I argued a bit, they went to the district service manager and came back saying they could do it for about $2500. I then contacted american Honda, but they wouldn't do anything else. I paid over $30,000 for this van in late 2001, have taken perfect care of it every step of the way, and have never towed anything. I bought a Honda because of the good reputation, but a transmission failure at 89K miles is ridiculous. After having the problem and checking the internet, I now find out that this is par for the course on these 2002 Odyssey, but Honda won't admit to a problem. Apparently their solution is that they have found if they reduce the price to about $2000 or $2500, then people will grin and bear it (because they need their car!), and thus the problem goes away for Honda. This needs to be either a recall or a class action lawsuit, as happened with the transmissions on the 2001 Odyssey.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

problem #345

Feb 022010

Odyssey

  • 90,000 miles
We bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey two years ago in 2008 with 70K miles on it for my mother. We bought it for the reliability of the Honda name. Aprox. Three weeks ago the transmission started slipping in drive. The van now has 90K miles on it. I have changed the tranny fluid and the exterior tranny filter (that Honda doesn't even acknowledge). Took it for a drive and the D light, tcs light, and the engine light came on. The vehicle wouldn't move. I shut it off and started it back up and it got me back home. I unplugged the battery and then hooked to back up. I've babied it around town for three days and the problem is back. I wouldn't be complaining if I hadn't found out about the hundreds and hundreds of people that have experienced the very same thing. Now I can pay at least $3000 for a new junk tranny. I'm very disappointed to say the least.

- Fredonia, KS, USA

problem #344

Feb 102010

Odyssey

  • 155,000 miles
Honda Odyssey 2002 transmissions started to slip and drag while shifting from second to third gear every time. To correct deficiency I had the transmission fixed by an outside source (other than Honda) and paid around $2200.

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #343

Feb 172010

Odyssey

  • 126,000 miles

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

Transmission fails to switch gear it occurs when driving in the city seems to be fine when going over 45 mph. Bought Honda Odyssey a year ago because I have three small children and its a huge safety concern. I had it looked at by commonwealth Honda they said it has transmission failure and sd it would cost $4700 to fix. I called american Honda said they are not willing to help pay to fix. There is millions of complaints I found on the internet, people who have Honda Odyssey having same problems also a recall from years back but american Honda claims my van was fixed. Im a single mother who is disabled with 3 children pd $8,000 for the van 1 year ago. Can't afford to pay for a transmission and I feel Honda is responsible knowing there selling there cars with transmission failures. I did my research and Honda helped some customers fix there Odyssey that have the same malfunction mine does. Please help me and let me know what my options are thank you.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #342

Feb 012010

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,300 miles
Automatic transmission shifted 1st gear to neutral on its own immediately after I pulled into the parkway from where I live.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #341

Feb 052010

Odyssey

  • 64,824 miles
No events leading up to the failure. The failure is the total loss of power to the drivetrain wheels due to automatic transmission torque converter failure. The automatic transmission is being replaced with a remanufactured automatic transmission. The onboard computer, an oxygen sensor and the ignition switch are also being replaced. These items were probably damaged when the automatic transmission failed.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #340

Jun 102009

Odyssey

  • 73,000 miles

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

2002 Honda Odyssey transmission failure,73,000 miles. Vehicle has never been towed.

- Keene, NH, USA

problem #339

Sep 172009

Odyssey

  • 61,230 miles
My vehicle suffers intermittent transmission failure resulting in loss of power while driving.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #338

Jan 032010

Odyssey

  • 101,500 miles
1 - 2002 Honda Odyssey - transmission burned out at 101,500 miles 2 - happened all of a sudden - was driving on a highway, get off the exit and had a problem. I knew the transmission was shot. 3 - transmission was rebuilt - and still trying to get fully fixed.

- Ridgewood, NY, USA

problem #337

Jan 132010

Odyssey

  • 150 miles
Transmission in 2002 Honda Odyssey failed for a 2nd time, and Honda won't correct the exact same failure now that the car is out of warranty.

- Fishkill, NY, USA

problem #336

Dec 282009

Odyssey

  • 85,000 miles

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

My car started revving very high and within 30 seconds, came to a complete standstill on the highway. The dealer said there were major transmission problems and that it had to be replaced. I had taken the car to the dealership for routine maintenance and with complaints that often it would not start. (the dealer said nothing was wrong with it and told me to use the "emergency key" to start it).

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #335

Dec 272009

Odyssey

  • 99,890 miles
Transmission failed on my 2002 Honda Odyssey van with 99,000 miles on it. Cost was about $5000 to fix.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #334

Dec 232009

Odyssey

  • 111,950 miles
We have a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 112K miles on it and the Honda dealer told us the transmission needs to be replaced. It is slipping in 2nd and 3rd gears and the check engine code is P0730 (internal transmission failure). We have had the transmission serviced every 30K miles and had the factory recall (2nd gear inspection/installation of oil jet kit) performed and have not done any towing and has been driven easily by my wife. This seems to be a common problem with this make/model and we should not have to pay the $3,500 quoted for a replacement since the van does not have many miles, has been serviced correctly and has not been abused. This could be very hazardous to a driver pulling out in front of oncoming traffic and is especially disappointing since Honda is supposed to represent quality.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #333

Nov 302009

Odyssey

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The transmission will not properly shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in reference to NHTSA recall# 04V176000 ( power train:automatic transmission). He was advised that his VIN number was invalid and that they could not locate the number in their system. He purchased the vehicle from germany and imported it to the usa. He has made a claim with the Honda manufacture case#N012009-12-0100051 ron 800-999-1009 X 117749. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

problem #332

Oct 052008

Odyssey

  • 74,000 miles
Transmission slips, won't shift out of first gear, shifts erratically. When transmission won't shift out of first gear the car cannot get up to highway speeds and becomes an obstacle for traffic which begins honking and passing. Merging safely is extremely difficult as the car will not go over approximately 40 miles per hour. Cannot meet minimum speed requirement on some highways. This has been happening intermittently for about 14 months.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #331

Sep 042009

Odyssey

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving between 30-40 mph, the RPM's began to rapidly increase, but the vehicle did not accelerate. On one occasion when the failure occurred the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technician stated that the transmission was the cause of the failure. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

- New City, NY, USA

problem #330

Nov 242009

Odyssey

  • 119,000 miles
O2 Honda Odyssey, transmission problems, already replaced the tranny once back at 78K and now the tranny needs replacing again 119K. This is a serious problem and Honda won't do a dame thing about it. Somebody is going to die as a result of these trany failures. Class action suit only covered up to 2001. I could go on but look at all the forums and see the consistent problems.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #329

Nov 012009

Odyssey

  • 88,000 miles
Transmission slips/disengages leaving the vehicle at random times with no means of motored control.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #328

Jul 092009

Odyssey

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately between 25-30 mph on normal road conditions; the transmission began to slip. The transmission exhibited a rough shift between 1st and 2nd gear. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician recommended replacement of the transmission. The vehicle identification number was excluded from recall campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction at this time. The failure mileage was 92,000. The current mileage was 93,000.

- Trinity, AL, USA

problem #327

Oct 192009

Odyssey

  • 63,500 miles
Own a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 63500 miles on it that had a transmission problem. Transmission began slipping in 2nd and 3rd gear. Took to Honda dealer and told transmission needed to be replaced. Transmission would slip under light or hard acceleration while in traffic. While transmission was slipping, car would not move forward causing traffic hazard and possibility of being struck in the rear. I had the same problem with the transmission at 13000 mile and took it to the dealer. They added a transmission 2nd gear oil jet to lubricate the gear and said it was fixed. After checking online I found that this is a problem with this transmission reported by many other owners and that there war a recall on the Honda transmissions for the years 1998-2001. I had the transmission replaced by the dealer but have read online that many others that have had there transmission replaced continue to have the same problems with the replacement transmission. I feel this is a traffic hazard while the transmission is slipping and Honda has added this oil jet to allow the transmission to get past the 3 year/36000 mile warranty so that it doesn't need to be replaced while under warranty.

- Fort Wright, KY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?