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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,126 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments

problem #8

Oct 162016

Odyssey

  • 5 miles

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

The steering wheel on our vehicle pulls to the right or the left, and stayed. When we accelerate or the transmission up-shifts, suddent steering wheel on our vehicle pulls to the right or the left the vehicle continues to go straight when this happens but turning the wheel left has no effect until the vehicle speed evens out. There is also something in the front end that is loose and is very noticeable on rough roads or entering/exiting parking lots.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #7

Apr 222015

Odyssey

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving at 70 mph, the engine stalled and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Diamond, IL, USA

problem #6

Oct 012011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The steering wheel on our vehicle pulls to the right when we accelerate or the transmission up-shifts. The vehicle continues to go straight when this happens but turning the wheel left has no effect until the vehicle speed evens out. There is also something in the front end that is loose and is very noticeable on rough roads or entering/exiting parking lots. You can hear something jiggling or moving around that should'nt be doing so. We have taken it to 3 Honda dealerships and have spent over $3,000 replacing parts but the problem persists. The local dealership seems to think this is normal but I disagree, especially when your heart skips a beat whenever it happens. It is very unnerving and seemingly dangerous.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 282011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 124,000 miles

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

Failed on interstate @ 50mph.

- Osceola, IN, USA

problem #4

Oct 042005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
About 20+ times, while driving and then applying the brakes at low speed, all of the dashboard/instruments panel lights flashes on briefly, then turns off. The Honda dealer could not fix this problem because they could not reproduce this intermittent problem. Then on 10/14/2011, the same thing occurred again but in addition to all of the dashboard/instruments panel lights flashing, the steering wheel locked up where it could not be turned and almost caused an accident (almost ran over a pedestrian). Luckily the brakes still worked. After turning off the engine, pulling out the key, and then restarting it, the problem went away. Many owners have reported the same problem on the Honda Odyssey owner's forum at: www.odyclub.com/forums/9-problems-concerns/1365-2002-dashboard-lights-flash.html this is a known Honda problem where they issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) #03-902, which can be seen at: www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/Odyssey/X03-902E.pdf this tsb shows that replacing the alternator fixes this problem. My wife does not want to drive it anymore because she fears that this vehicle is unsafe to drive.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #3

Nov 272009

Odyssey

  • 102,000 miles
I was on 128 N in mass. At 5:15pm in heavy traffic on the 2nd lane from the right near exit 35. A sedan on the right-hand lane came too close to my 2002 Honda Odyssey and I swerved slightly to avoid it, while still staying on my lane. After that, the wheel would not straighten and the car started weaving. I signaled and went over to the break down lane and tried to stop the car, but it went totally out of control, rolled over on the passenger side and came to a stop after hitting the guardrail. Thankfully, my two passengers and I were unhurt, but the van was totaled. The cars behind me had seen the van weaving and slowed down and it was a miracle that the Odyssey did not hit any other car. We spoke to our local Honda dealership who could give no satisfactory explanation about the car's sudden failure. The van had 102,000 miles on it at the time of the failure, had recently passed inspection, had new tires and had an up-to-date service record. While we were fortunate to be physically unharmed, the shock and trauma stayed for a long time and I can only bring myself to talk about it after many months. I was very disappointed with the lack of response from our dealership in burlington, MA, where I had regularly taken the car since it was bought in 2002.

- Winchester, MA, USA

problem #2

Sep 102008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The independent dealer stated that the vehicle was in very good condition at the time of purchase. The contact stated that the vehicle began pulling to the left. The tires were replaced and an alignment was performed. She also observed a massive oil leak coming from the vehicle. The dealer stated that nothing could be done because she was outside of the 30-day used car warranty. An independent mechanic discovered that the vehicle was involved in a previous crash, in which the crankshaft was sealed as well as the origin of the massive oil leak. The mechanic found that the sealant previously used on the crankshaft and the tires were beginning to loosen. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 105,000. Updated 12/15/08 the vehicle needed a new crank seal, water pump and timing belt. Updated 12/16/08.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #1

Aug 102002

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with radio volume button, indicator light, and vehicle pulls to the left. Vehicle pulled to the left when the consumer test drove it on 08/10/2002. Dealer assured her it would be repaired. After about one week of driving the vehicle, it continued to pull to the left unless she held the steering wheel to the right and forced it to go straight 08/20/2002. On 09/24/2002 vehicle was taken to the dealership for problems with the door and SRS light coming on and off while driving. On 10/24/2002 consumer drove the vehicle to the dealership again. They stated the problem was fixed. On 12/18/2002 the consumer insisted that the technician test drive the vehicle to experience the defect. Technician did experience it and stated it needed to be fixed. The next day they informed the consumer an alignment was done to fix the "pulling to the left". as far as the SRS light, there were no repairs at that time. Consumer would be contacted to make an appointment for repairs. On 04/10/2003, consumer returned for routine maintenance and a total fix for the pulling to the left. Consumer wanted a replacement vehicle.

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

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