CarComplaints.com Notes: The entire 2nd generation Odyssey (1999-2004) is just one giant transmission problem waiting to happen.

8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,120
Average Mileage:
98,750 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (13 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. stay away from the Honda Odyssey (3 reports)
  4. rebuild the transimission (1 reports)
2002 Honda Odyssey transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

May 012014

Odyssey EX 3.5L Vtech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,430 miles

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

Hondas are supposed to last forever!! 113k and already having transmission problems. UNBELIEVBLE!!

- Chere G., Willis, TX, US

problem #21

Dec 252011

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Engine revs high, but gear disengages LCD indicator would smear and become illegible TCS indicator would go on Dive indicator would blink When it does shift, it jerks

Honda dealer said a new transmission and a new computer needed at $7500 go to hell, Honda! You failed a customer who owned 3 Hondas in the past

- Hequn Y., Basking Ridge, NJ, US

problem #20

Aug 252011

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

We had saved and looked and looked for a good van to carry our grandchildren and elderly parents all in one van. We found this van at what we thought was a good price all the dealer said the transmission slip between 2 & 3 gear and it did when we drove it a little we have put about 125 miles on the piece of sh--t.We have got to have it fix we have to save the money to have it fix.Word of mouth is the best way to let people know that Honda does not care about who support them cause they do not care about your family.DO NOT BUY HONDA ODYSSEY or any HONDA why help someone who do not care about you and if you breakdown on the side of the road Greed!!!!

- bettylynn, Albertville, ALA, US

problem #19

Mar 192011

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

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

Took this car to 2 Honda Dealers. One Wants an unbelievable $4,800 to fix, the other Said $6,448.00 I am just beside myself. I don't have the money to fix this at this cost.

The Cars Blue Book Value in working condition is only $5,000.00

Can I say We all are getting screwed.

I am so mad I can,t think straight.

Whats next??? I guess I will have to trash the car. I don't think I can get a thing for a trade in on it.

I'm Very Pissed. Why won't Honda Return our calls or Help??

- Justin B., Mundelein, IL, US

problem #18

Mar 012010

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Honda dealer service since I bought the car. Well maintained and yet transmission died after 89,000 miles. The van was never used for towing. Most of mileage is freeway.

- dondang, Gig Harbor, WA, US

problem #17

Feb 152007

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

At 83,000 miles my 2002 Honda Odyssey's transmission went out. The Honda dealer "graciously" only charged me "half" the cost which was $2200. As soon as the 2nd transmission was installed we started to call the van "The Jerk". It jerked between 1st and 2nd or 2nd to 3rd gears. Since 123,000 miles it started to "bog" down and not want to go. You have to let off the accelerator and let it do it's own thing....then you can accelerate again to go. Unfortunately, this problem only showed itself when all 3 of the drivers of the household drove it. It never duplicated itself with a mechanic. Just last week I was blessed to have an "old school" mechanic meet me at my house to drive it with me. Thank God it duplicated itself. He said that it's the transmission. How about that!!! Honda will never get our $ again. The other bad thing is that I cannot consciously sell this to another "sucker"!!!! I will trade it in. Please no one buy a Honda Odyssey, new or used!!

- Stacey S., Fayetteville, NC, US

problem #16

Jun 012009

Odyssey EX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

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

We are very upset with Honda!!! They are supposed to better than this this is why we bought a Honda minivan in the first place. Chrysler was having a lot of problems with the transmissions. A recall is a recall right. So what if it was "fixed" they really did not fix it if I am having the same problem correct??? I mean really!!! If they do not make this right I am taking both of them down to dealer and making a huge protest!!!!

- Gabriel N., Lakeview, OH, US

problem #15

Jan 012010

Odyssey EXL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Same old issue with Honda Odyssey! Only owner of vehicle since new. Transmission began shifting with clunk around second gear. Within a month the transmission began slipping out of gear. Honda granted a 50% settlement but still had to pay $2200 for our half of repair. I had copies of the transmission service through an independent mechanic. It is clear that the 2002 Odyssey still has severe problems with the Transmission!!!!!

- Jon H., Castle Rock, CO, US

problem #14

Oct 012009

Odyssey EXL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Just over 10k use a year, serviced and looked after. Now a new transmission is needed. Dealer and Honda America response- "too bad it wasnt a year earlier model" (09-01 were part of a $350 million recall) even though they admit nothing really changed with the 02-05 models.

Honda used to mean reliability and quality. Consider this before you buy any Honda! You know I wont be!!

- Chris W., Overland Park, KS, US

problem #13

Nov 012009

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

We started noticing a problem when our "D" light went out, we never thought anything of it. Months later our transmission light went on, we were told it was code bO 420. We are having a problem with getting a new transmission with our car warranty that we purchased. We are currently having way to many problems with our 2002 Honda odyssey. Our passenger sliding door sticks and half the time doesn't close. It stopped locking automatically on that door only. The back windshield wiper stopped working. We have to manually open our trunk door. Aghhh I'm really starting to hate Honda odyssey. The only reason why I traded in my 2003 Honda Civic Lx is because we were expecting our second child, boy what a mistake. Good luck all with your complaints. To all researching this van DO NOT BUY ONE, STAY AWAY!

- Jessica G., Burlington, MA, US

problem #12

May 182009

Odyssey 3.5V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

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

The original owner was an evil genius! At first symptoms, he went to a Toyota dealer, and traded in his pristine looking Odyssey.Toyota dealer experienced no problems, and either did I when I test drove it. Two days later, it started slipping intermittently. Toyota dealer-no codes. Local transmission shop-no codes, "could not replicate". They finally sent it to local Honda dealer, who immediately condemned the tranny.Honda of N.A. "generously" paid half. Toyota dealer and I split the rest. OH!- and the Honda dealer said the lower control arm was " worn out", and "fell apart" on them, (fat chance!!). (Honda of Ft. Myers---Beware of them!) Well, if the tranny lasts another 87k, I guess it will be o.k. I was totally shocked when I researched the internet and found Hondas had this congenital defect! I bought this because of their reputation for durability.How could they be rated #1or #2?? Are the other minivans that bad?

- Jim C., Bonita Springs, FL, US

problem #11

Mar 192009

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Seriously? $4000 to replace the transmission on a van that's only 6 years old and only 70,000 miles! I had an even worse problem with a 89/90 Accord, but at least that one was under warranty! At least this site reassured me that it really DOES cost this much to replace the transmission. Next time, I'll take the Sienna.

- tracyca, Corona, CA, US

problem #10

Feb 052009

Odyssey EX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

We bought the 100K mileage warranty but not helpful at all, dealer just willing to offer the 10% discount from a $4000 replacement quote. We love this van because it has our family's many memory in the past 7 years.... Thought made by Honda is really money worthy ($33000 out the door at that time) but we paid the tuition eventually. One coworker of mine still driving his Toyota Previa van over 200K without a power tran related problem. Why is it that Toyota can but Honda can't? It hurt our trust-which nothing can make up for.

- John C., Dublin, CA, US

problem #9

Feb 242009

Odyssey EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

I bought this van from a friend after his end of lease with 60,000 miles. The van has been doing well, except one time overheating. But last week, the van started jerking, and appears like gear slipping, just going uphill or going over 40 MPH, with check engine light on. I have 104000 miles on it. Brought to dealer, diagnosed with bad tranny, with estimated cost of $4800, including ECU. However, I changed the transmission fluid and it appeared to be doing better with no incidence of jerking and slipping going uphill and at about 60 mph, at least when I was test driving it. Is it possible that the fluid is just old? Or it is just a teaser? Will Honda contribute more than 50% of the cost? My 4Runner has 170000 miles and no major problem, just routine maintenance and wear and tear (water pump, timing belt); had a Toyota Celica with over 2000000 miles on it, no problem. I think I'll go back to Toyota (Sienna) for peace of mind.

- nivle, Loma Linda, CA,, US

problem #8

Apr 022008

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Transmission problem - gears dis-engage when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Also an abrupt shift from 1st to 2nd gear.

- nawathe1, Santa Clara, CA, US

problem #7

May 072008

Odyssey EX 3.7V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I am another victim of the Honda reliability scheme. I thought i was doing the right thing putting my daughter and my wife in a Honda odyssey. She loves the car but is scared to drive it. I have only had the car for 4 months and have been trying to get this resolved ever since. I have had all of the issues described below with the hesitating and the shaking. the random thrashing of the engine and transmission. It has not broken yet or killed us so I guess we are going to go trade it before its all done and never ever buy a Honda again.

- prg73, epsom, nh, US

problem #6

Sep 112008

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

We took our Honda in today. Guess what? Bad transmission at 65K miles. They offered to pay parts and freight but want us to pay labor $700. I don't feel like I should pay a dime. What can be done to get them to pay? What is the best way to get rid of the van? Trade in? I am ready to go to Toyota.

- nickell, Kansas City, MO, US

problem #5

Jul 142008

Odyssey XLE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Well Honda says the leaking seal is because the output shaft itself is wobbling and causing the seal to fail prematurely. And why is this because this piece of sh*t tranny is coming apart at the seams again. I know I could force Honda to replace it again with a lot of screaming on my part. They are replacing them with up to 125000 miles on them with proof of service and prior problems nad you paying the labor 600 to 900 bucks what ever they can get out of you.

Honda even offer the grand sum of $2000 on a trade in on a new Odyessy (fat chance of that) They came back with what if we upped it to $7000. My question to them does that include a lifetime warranty on the transmission. Answer no way. So off to the Toyota dealer where we took a $8000. trade in offer and a $2000 promo discount on a 2008 Toyota sienna XLE. No more Honda's for us we are tired of being their test grounds and being expected pay for it.

- James H., Winnetka, CA, US

problem #4

Apr 152008

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

I currently operate 3 odyssey vans, having sold another. The two 1998 odysseys run great, with nothing but routine maintenance. One has been driven very hard and has over 350000km (210000mi), it runs like a Swiss clock and is very reliable although beaten up! The other 1998 has just reached 100000km (60000mi) and is really in mint condition. OUCH, the 2002 Odyssey with only 100000km (60000mi) is just like my previous 1999 in that it is giving intermittent transmission disengagement. Eventually the 2002 transmission will fail and need to be replaced. Given the $3000 (approx) cost to replace 'hurtin' tranny and related school, sport and life expenses raising four kids, I'll have to run the 2002 until transmission fails! Tranny shops have told me they've done a few of these 2002 transmissions, problem seems to be similar for almost all of them, looks like a design glitch, no guarantee that either a rebuild or new tranny will correct design deficiency.

Having been "twice bitten" you would think Honda would step up to the plate and help out, given low odometer numbers, oops no way. Their escape clause is the 2002 age of the vehical...5 year out for them and I get burned.

- Garrey G., Georgetown, Ontario, Canada

problem #3

May 182006

(reported on)

Odyssey EXL

  • 60,621 miles

I have always been a Toyota fan, Celicas and Camrys with 200000 miles plus with only wear and tear items to replace.. Honda is rated in the same class by CR, but losing a transmission at 60K smacks of domestic car quality that doesn't support the past reputation of Japanese imports.. a huge disappointment to say the least. The fact that the warranty is so short never concerned me due to the reputation for reliability.. but if you are a buyer you may wish to rethink that philosophy and protect yourself. Honda is not standing behind their product even though there is an obvious problem with this vehicle over several years from 99 on to 2003.

- jjmaj, Vancouver, WA, US

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