9.8
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$2,920.00
Average Mileage:
85,592 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (7 reports)
- honda is replacing the transmission (2 reports)
- have it rebuilt (1 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
- valve replacement to circulate fluid (1 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Honda Odyssey transmission failed
2009Jun 20
Odyssey EXL 3.5
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
This is our second transmission failure with this vehicle.
While en route to South Carolina for vacation ., we were traveling at highway speeds. We were in a long line of vehicles in the left lane. Traffic slowed, I slowed as I accelerated with traffic the transmission seemed to hesitate/slip. then all seemed well. after a few miles my daughter said, "dad something smells like it's burning" No indicator lights, then came the smoke and I noticed all the traffic behind me falling back, Ah the dreaded oil on the windshield. I pulled to the berm and coasted to the next exit. To my delight i discovered the car had blown out all the transmission fluid and my engine was coated and smoking.
No car for the rest of vacation, $3200.00 rebuild for the second time in 2 years.
The Transmission Doctors, were able to provide a tow, and have it rebuilt by the weekend,,,,no specific diagnosis for what caused the failure, but I asked and have most of the parts. All clutch rings are burned and the overhaet caused the fluid to blow out the front of the bell housing. Round two with HONDA here I go.....
Update from Jun 29, 2009: second time the transmission failed, this was an overheat do to unknown reason, transmission fluid blew out the front of transmission causing tranny to overheat and burn out several items inside.
Update from Jun 29, 2009:
2009Jun 20
Odyssey EXL3.2 3.5
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
second time the transmission failed, this was an overheat do to unknown reason, transmission fluid blew out the front of transmission causing tranny to overheat and burn out several items inside.
Update from Jun 29, 2009: This is our second transmission failure with this vehicle.
While en route to South Carolina for vacation ., we were traveling at highway speeds. We were in a long line of vehicles in the left lane. Traffic slowed, I slowed as I accelerated with traffic the transmission seemed to hesitate/slip. then all seemed well. after a few miles my daughter said, "dad something smells like it's burning" No indicator lights, then came the smoke and I noticed all the traffic behind me falling back, Ah the dreaded oil on the windshield. I pulled to the berm and coasted to the next exit. To my delight i discovered the car had blown out all the transmission fluid and my engine was coated and smoking.
No car for the rest of vacation, $3200.00 rebuild for the second time in 2 years.
The Transmission Doctors, were able to provide a tow, and have it rebuilt by the weekend,,,,no specific diagnosis for what caused the failure, but I asked and have most of the parts. All clutch rings are burned and the overhaet caused the fluid to blow out the front of the bell housing. Round two with HONDA here I go.....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008May 05
Odyssey EX 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 67,847 miles
I was very surprised when the transmission on our 2003 Odyssey failed last spring, but it did explain all the phone calls offering an extended warranty. Silly me, I didn't think I would need one for a Honda. The only good thing was that since I had the vehicle serviced regularly at my local dealer where I bought it Honda offered to pay for the transmission and I only had to pay for the labor. The dealer even payed for my rental car when they could not get the job done on schedule. My only concern now is how long the replacement transmission will last. Does the replacement have a fix or is it a design floor that could not easily be fixed by Honda? If somebody knows the answer to that question I would love to hear about it.
2008Aug 01
Odyssey
- Automatic transmission
- 79,500 miles
Traveling to SC to pick up a U-haul trailer to bring furniture back to FL. Picked up the U-haul trailer got it within one block of my SC home and the transmission went out. AAA hauled the van to the Honda dealer. It was determined the cost to fix the van would be $4,800.00. Since it was Saturday the service representative said the transmission failed was not due to driver error and could not have been avoided. The rep said that Honda may replace the part but would have to wait until Monday to contact them and that I would have to pay the labor $1,150.00. I had to rent a car that would not allow one way to FL and with no transportation to get to another rental dealer; so we were stuck in SC. Rental car does not allow towing of any kind and was unable to get U-haul to pick up the trailer. Expensive and a lot of stress that I did not need.
2008Mar 24
Odyssey EX 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,967 miles
Honda Dealer in 2004 does a recall and scopes transmission and then installs recall fix which is an injector to cool 2nd gear. Dealer refused to change oil and replace with my purchased Mobil 1 synthetic trans oil. The flushed with Honda Trans. fluid. Honda Corp. now tells me now they do not recommend the flush. Flush at 34,000 miles granted I went to 81,000 miles of easy driving never towing. Transmission failed. If they would have done the fluid change with the synthetic I would not be here with a failed transmission. Bottom line transmissions of marginal design increase maintenance schedule to 25,000 miles on easy driving. Very poor for a Honda. Looks like a GM, Chrysler for me next time. Good news for the US Automakers.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Feb 01
Odyssey LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 109,028 miles
This is the third repair on this transmission so far. Honda will not replace it at there expense, I believe I will need to take them to court.
I am aware that another car maker with the same transmission is having a total recall on there cars, why can't Honda stand behind their cars?
I have had nothing but problems with this van, it totally sucks and I now tell all my friends about my van troubles, and I have a ton of friends.
Hate Honda For Ever.
2007Jul 17
Odyssey LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 96,028 miles
I took the car to Aamco to get the transmission fixed, they ended up rebuilding just about everything, then it broke down a month later, they replaced more parts that were put in bad. And now it failed again. Not even a year later.
I really hate Honda, they do not stand behind there cars. I contacted them and they say it is not there problem.
2008Jan 09
Odyssey ELX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I seem to have had the same trouble as a lot of other people... We bought this car new, drive it gently, have done all the recommended maintenance, yet the transmission now needs to be replaced to the tune of $4,000. I am working with our Honda dealer/repair people now to ask Honda to extend the warranty and cover the repair, since there is clearly a LEMON issue with this transmission -- well documented on many websites. Questions for other folks: what number did you call and who did you talk to at Honda corporate to get them to address the issue? Also, is it wise to get a rebuilt Honda transmission put in as a replacement if they totally stink and will break down again? Did Honda pay for a new, rather than a rebuilt transmission for anyone out there?
Interestingly, even though I asked a lot of questions, my dealership would not say "Yeah, these transmissions break all the time" until I brought up the idea of asking the factory rep to extend our warranty and replace it for free. Then and only then did the person helping me say "I'm so glad you said that. Because now that YOU have brought it up, because I am not allowed to, I can now tell you that we will try that possibility." The kid I was dealing with was only following orders -- but sheesh -- what a slimy way to do business. If you can keep a happy and loyal customer buy owning up to the repair, why do you have this secret policy?
I used to own a Civic that had more than 120,000 miles and virtually no repairs -- it was fabulous and that is what we expected when we dished out the dough for an Odyssey., which in 2003 was the most expensive minivan available just about. We were planning to replace our second vehicle with a new Honda later this year, but this is seriously making us reconsider.
2007Dec 24
Odyssey LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
A few years ago I received a recall notice from Honda regarding the transmission. At that time, they just checked the transmission for a particular type of wear, if there was evidence of wear - they were supposed to replace the transmission. On Christmas Eve, while going up a hill, my car started making a noise like it was dragging a tree and it just wasn't going. Eventually (what seemed like forever but was only a few seconds) the transmission caught. I drove right to Honda and left it with them (Merry Christmas to me). Anyhow, they called this morning and told me the clutch was gone and I needed a new transmission but Honda was going to pick up the tab. Merry Christmas to me again.
2007Nov 06
(reported on)Odyssey EX 3.5L Vtec
- Automatic transmission
- 63,734 miles
MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK AS SHE WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE TRANSMISSION JERKED. I TOLD HER TO TAKE IT AFTER WORK TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHILE SHE WAS EXITING THE PARKING LOT AT WORK SOME OF THE GEARS BROKE IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO NOT GO IN REVERSE, AND LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY. SHE LIMPED IT TO THE SHOP.
THIS MECHANIC HAS BEEN IN THE TRANSMISSION BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS AND KNOWS HIS JOB. HE EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER TO FIND OUT ANY INFORMATION AND WAS PROMPTLY TOLD SINCE MY MECHANIC TOOK IT APART IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED.....
THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA TRANSMISSIONS BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE.
2007Sep 15
(reported on)Odyssey EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 66,000 miles
don't buy a Honda, lost transmission driving down interstate, pieces flying out
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your transmission problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 15
Odyssey LX 3.2L V6
My transmission on my 2003 Odyssey failed at 140,000. The dealer (Tameron Honda in Birmingham, AL) is quoting a repair cost of $5,900!!! That is outrageous. That is probably equal to the value of the automobile at this point. The whole reason for spending extra money on a Honda is for automobile reliability - so that the repair costs in the long run do not add up or one does not have to purchase a new car so quickly. This was a low mileage vehicle without a lot of hard driving and I've repeatedly spent $300-500 to take the car into Honda for regular maintenance, including very recently a transmission check! Ha! This is just a disaster. One should expect a car like this to go at least 200,000 to 250,000 before such catastrophic failures. It is especially troublesome given that I'm now finding out that this is an endemic problem for 2003 Odyssey owners from hundreds of complaints. I am in the process of contacting Honda, but I doubt I'll get anywhere.
Honda has lost my business that's for certain.
Jeff Y.
Birmingham, AL, USA
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