10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
116,140 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.

2003 Honda Odyssey drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #203

Aug 292019

Odyssey

  • 89,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission hesitated to shift into third gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter, clutch, and hydraulic control system were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #202

Sep 302021

Odyssey

  • miles
While exceeding 60 mph on the highway with my two young children. The vehicle began to loose power. I tried accelerating the van would regain then bog down again. This happens suddenly. This could of been a horrible accident. The van just loosng all power without warning.

- Abilene , TX, USA

problem #201

Jan 022020

Odyssey

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and lost power with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road waited for about 30 minutes, where the vehicle resumed back to normal. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that an abnormal noise appeared while shifting gears. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to germain Honda of beavercreek (2300 heller dr, beavercreek, oh 45434, (855) 798-3158) to be repaired under an unknown air bag recall. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Bevercreek, OH, USA

problem #200

Jun 012019

Odyssey

  • 250,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving various speeds, the gears would erroneously slip causing the speed to suddenly reduce, and the vehicle would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to phil hughes Honda (3200 atlantic hwy, athens, ga) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #199

May 292019

Odyssey

  • 133,000 miles
This Odyssey has previous transmission recall in 2005, the same transmission problem is coming back to my car

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #198

Mar 012015

Odyssey

  • 193,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to increase in speed. Also, the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lindsay Honda (5959 scarborough blvd, columbus, oh 43232, (614) 864-5250) where it was diagnosed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to roush Honda (100 w schrock rd, westerville, oh 43081, (614) 882-1535) who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also recommended replacing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the transmission was repaired in 2005. The manufacturer also provided case number: 05972285 and referred the contact to the local dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 193,000

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #197

Jan 082019

Odyssey

  • 245,000 miles

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

Takata recall, transmission problems

- Silver Creek, MS, USA

problem #196

Apr 132004

Odyssey

  • 202,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train) since April 13, 2004. The contact had not been notified. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The dealer (crown Honda, 7671 us hwy 19 N, pinellas park, fl 33781, (888) 701-8645) stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall and there was no warranty. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #195

Apr 142018

Odyssey

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed that the RPM needle fluctuated back and forth as the vehicle started to lose power. The contact had to pull the vehicle over to the shoulder and turn off the engine. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a burning odor under the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle, but it failed to shift from park. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and independent mechanic were not contacted for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #194

Jun 162017

Odyssey

  • 240,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving 70 mph, the transmission began to slip and independently shifted into a lower gear extremely abruptly. The failure caused the vehicle to unintentionally decelerate to approximately 30 mph and the check engine and traction control warning indicators illuminated. Also, the gear indicator blinked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The contact spoke to the dealer (troy Honda 1835 maplelawn dr, troy, mi 48084) who stated that based on the code the independent mechanic pulled, the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #193

May 082017

Odyssey

  • 249,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated into second gear and the speed decreased to 35 mph. The vehicle jerked violently and abruptly. The rpms increased to eight thousand rpms and the vehicle failed to shift out of second gear. The contact was forced to shift into neutral gear at 25 mph in order to coast. The contact managed to shift into drive from neutral gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

problem #192

Jun 092015

Odyssey

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the second gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #191

Mar 192017

Odyssey

  • 0 miles
Torque converter and transmission went out on vehicle. Everyday as driving main streets or highways while accelerating the car would feel like its gone into neutral for 5-15 min varying. And will pick back up on acceleration. Took vehicle in for inspection I was told the transmission is going out. When I took it in for repair was told the transmission went out due to torque converter over heating melting a part to the coolant system and also damaging the transmission. I tried to pull recalls completed on vehicle but nothing show for the at particular part but I U dersrand there was I need.what will be the protocall for possible reimbursement on repairs.

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

problem #190

Dec 092016

Odyssey

  • miles
While in motion, my vehicle will sporadically not shift into a higher gear. This results in lack of acceleration and has caused problems when trying to merge into traffic, crossing highways and intersections which cause the need for other drivers to swerve around me. No matter how much gas I give the thing, it will not speed up or shift into gear until something happens that causes a sudden jolt, and then it will jump into gear. On the contrary, it also gears down on its own while in motion or does not shift into a gear at all after stopping at a stop sign or red light. This has happened several times while trying to cross the highway near my home. When this happens, I must shift into park or reverse and then back into drive until it goes into gear. I cross many highways daily which put my children and I at an unnecessary risk. I have researched this, and I am not the only owner experiencing these issues. It continues to happen without a permanent resolution. There was a recall on the transmission "power train:automatic transmission-recall for 2003 Honda Odyssey" and my particular VIN shows as being repaired. However, it seems that it is still causing hazardous issues for my family. The recall on the tranny states that a defect causes the gears to "chip". that sounds like what I am experiencing. I will say that during these instances, the tcs light will come on. Sometimes I have to manually turn it off, and sometimes it goes off on its own after it finally goes into gear. I am at a loss for what to do. Did Honda fix the problem with the tranny or did they simple put in another defected component? other examples of owners with same issues: www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2003/transmission/transmission_failed.shtml www.odysseytransmission.com/ forums.edmunds.com/discussion/6155/Honda/Odyssey/Honda-Odyssey-transmission-problems

- Strawberry Plains, TN, USA

problem #189

Oct 062016

Odyssey

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. After the check engine indicator illuminated, the dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #188

Sep 142016

Odyssey

  • 130,370 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The rpms increased while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch was slippery and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,370.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #187

Jun 062016

Odyssey

  • 195,000 miles
Honda refusing to address the following recalls on my vehicle Jan 16, 2003 - NHTSA# 03V014000 - fuel system April 15, 2004 - NHTSA#04V176000 - power train December 11, 2012 - NHTSA# 12V573000 - electrical system vehicle was towed to braman Honda of manhattan located at 627 11th ave New York NY on June 6, 2016. They have had my vehicle for 93 days. On September 8, 2016 they call me to tell me to pick up my vehicle and they are not completing any repairs because there are no current outstanding recalls for my vehicle. The above mentioned recalls for my vehicle were never addressed by any Honda service location.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #186

Jul 102016

Odyssey

  • miles
Can't accelerate from 20 mph to 30 mph. Only has 104,000 miles on the vehicle. Took the car to the dealer who said transmission failed and it would cost over $4,000 to fix it. This is totally wrong from the manufacturer. Honda should pay for it. See attached diagnostic invoice from the dealer.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #185

Mar 012016

Odyssey

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine service check, the technician noticed that the transmission and motor mount failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #184

Jul 072016

Odyssey

  • 253,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While the vehicle was parked with the key removed from the ignition and the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle rolled away in reverse and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed, diagnosed, or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 12V573000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 253,000.

- New Melford, CT, USA

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