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

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2002 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 19 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #106

Aug 082006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

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

: the contact stated at any speed, the transmission shifted hard. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04V176000, regarding the automatic transmission. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Farmington, CT, USA

problem #105

Jul 022006

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dangerous condition exists. The 2002 Honda Odyssey, after driving 40 to 50 miles and when the car is down shifting to go up a hill or to pass another vehicle, it will down shift very violently into I assume 1st gear. It will go from about 2000 RPM to about 7500 rpms in an instant when the gas pedal is pushed down, even gently, in order to maintain highway speeds. This occurred about 10 times the Friday prior to July 4, 200 6 and again on Friday July 28. 2006. After the first time we took the car to a Honda dealer in tulsa, Oklahoma. We told them the problem and they said the car's computer showed there was no problem. They drove the car for about 10 miles and could not make it do it again. I had told them they needed to drive it for 100 miles to make it do it again. After the second event, which was very much like the first, we took the vehicle to bob howard Honda in Oklahoma city and received almost exactly the same response. If they cannot drive the car and make it do what we are complaining about they say there is nothing they can do. What they do not realize is that it is a very serious condition with possible life threatening consequences. If you are driving down the interstate and come to a slight incline where the car, in order to maintain highway speeds, suddenly and without warning down shifts into first gear and the tachometer goes to 7500 rpms one could be rear ended by a vehicle following too close. I am a 63 year old white male who has been driving since I was 15 and I have never experienced this dangerous situation before.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #104

Mar 042006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
(product name: Honda Odyssey transmission) I took my Honda Odyssey to midas for normal servicing with a transmission flush, after getting the car back several (2-3) days later my transmission was down shifting form 5th gear to 3rd while accelerating to highway speeds. I took the car back and they said not enough transmission fluid was added at first and that they said they fixed the problem, after I had 2nd & 5th gear started to slip. The transmission is no longer working and the cost to repair it is over $2,000 dollars. Honda America said that since the car has 111,000 miles on it that they will do nothing, midas says they did everything correctly but Honda says they did not use Honda transmission fluid so they are to blame. I want this fixed. Help.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #103

Jun 202006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2002 Honda Odyssey, ex. Mileage 33600. While accelerating through 35 - 50 mph, transmission downshifts on it's own, the car jerks, shakes and then surges forward. The engine speed changes between 1000rpm to 1500rpm. It is scary, especially with the kids in the car. The problem first started occurring after about 15K miles. Have taken the car to dealer several times, dealer says everything is fine and that they cannot duplicate the problem. Everytime I take the van out for drive with my kids in it, I think that could be the day the car would stall on the road and this is causing me sleepless nights. Please investigate and issue a recall before something really bad happens and precious lives are lost.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #102

Mar 012006

Odyssey

  • 79,000 miles
2002 Honda Odyssey brakes make noise when backing up and stopping. Transmission shifts hard. Mechanic also determined there was a problem with the weld near transmission mount. The consumer was told that the noise created by the rear disc brakes was by design. When the brakes wore out the consumer replaced all four pads and had the rotor turned. After that the noise was no longer present. The consumer noticed that the transmission was shifting hard and occasionally the RPM's would jump between shifts. Around this time the consumer received a recall referencing the automatic transmission. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer and the problem was repaired. After repair the problem worsened with increasingly hard shifts and more frequent slips where the engine revved up the vehicle didn't move. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #101

May 112006

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer requesting reimbursement for failed transmission on 2002 Odyssey. ***** the transmission was recalled.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #100

Apr 252006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,720 miles

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

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, a diagnostic test was performed and displayed code P0740, torque converter. A NHTSA recall # 04V176000, was performed on the vehicle concerning the original automatic transmission. However the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership was not alerted.

- New Eagle, PA, USA

problem #99

Apr 142006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
Our 2002 Honda Odyssey ex is Canadian manufactured. We purchased it from a Oregon Honda dealer 12/2001 with only 38 mi. On it. We were not told about the "grey market" or it's implications, and have never received any recall /safety information on this vehicle. The dealership said they couldn't get it for me. I contacted the dealership owner and finally the service dept. Got information on a transmission problem recall, and performed the service in Sept. 2005. The Canadian Honda campaign number is K16; NHTSA bulletin number is 04V176000. The dealership service dept. Told me replacement of a lubricant part for second gear was needed. I never saw the bulletin itself until yesterday when I found it online. Now I know that the bulletins suggested replacing the part for vehicles with under 24000 km (15000 miles) and for vehicles with more kms/miles- ours had over 60000 miles -doing an inspection to see if there was discoloration on the gears from overheating, and if so, replacing the transmission. The explanation on both bulletins is that heat buildup occurs between the counter shaft and the secondary shaft second gears eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage. The service dept. Now says the transmission is "full of metal", in spite of the revision to the oil cooler return line. I found out there is a 7yr/70,000 mile warranty on 2002 Odyssey transmissions in Canada and America ; Honda Canada says our model doesn't qualify, but couldn't tell me why. American Honda says that the recall work was done and this new problem is not related to the recall problem. Yet 6 mo. Later we have a transmission full of metal, exactly what the recall work was meant to prevent. Neither manufacturer accepts responsibility. This is a definite safety factor - a transmission that is unreliable and unpredictable is hazardous, and renders the car undriveable.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #98

Apr 102006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The transmission on our 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan began failing around 40,000 miles. The 2nd gear lubrication recall had been performed. One of the modes of failure was the inability of the transmission to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear during acceleration. The transmission would come out of 2nd but not engage 3rd gear and would act as if it were in neutral. Another mode of failure was the transmission would abruptly come out of 3rd gear during acceleration. For both of these failures the engine would no longer be under load, and rpms would dramatically increase. This loud revving and no acceleration startles the driver. Both of these modes of failure are particularly dangerous, because they would happen during acceleration. When it happened, you would typically be trying to cross a highway, or merge onto the interstate. The driver would find themselves in an accident situation because the vehicle would not be able to safely cross the highway, or merge with traffic. Additionally, a rear end accident was a potential danger because you would suddenly stop accelerating, catching the driver behind you off guard. When the transmission was in neutral during the failure, you could not get the transmission to come back into gear until the vehicle had slowed down considerably. Once the vehicle failed to shift but this time showed a fault light on the dash. The fault decoded to an "improper gear ratio" message. The dealer determined that the transmission needed replacement. On conversation with a Honda representative at their headquarters, she surprisingly acknowledged that there is a known defect in this transmission. My internet research has exposed many other cases of this exact same failure mode in this transmission (as well as some other failure modes). This transmission should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners as it causes a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

problem #97

Mar 202006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,972 miles
I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey, 70972 miles. The engine light came on and I brought it back to the hoffman Honda dealer. After charging me $93.28 diagnostic fee, the dealer told me that I need a transmission for about $5000. I contacting the Honda America, the dealer said Honda America would cover the parts and I would have to pay additional $600 for labor. Honda has extended warranties for the Odyssey transmission (1999-2001). The number of transmission failures on 2002 Odyssey is no less than 2001. But the company would not extend the warranty for 2002.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #96

Mar 242006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,560 miles

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

Transmission slips between 2nd and 3rd gears.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

problem #95

Mar 162006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
My 2002 Honda Odyssey, which I purchased brand new, has 50,000 miles now. Recently, I noticed a transmission problem and the 'tcs' and 'check engine' light came on. And the van will only move 20 miles per hour while the tach is at 4,000 RPM. Then, using an obd diagnostic tool, it showed 'gear ratio error'. to learn more about the problem I went online and found out from other Honda owners that they have exactly the same problem on this particular year model. So I called Honda headquarters and they were reluctant to help. In my opinion there should be a nationwide recall on this particular vehicle.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #94

Feb 222006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,195 miles
Transmission slipped gears and vehicle was unable to accelerate while climbing a hill. It happened several times afterwards. Dealers said the vehicle need a new transmission for ~$6000. I found cases like this have been widely reported at your and other websites. Please investigate if this is a product defect, but I am convinced it is. Thanks.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #93

Feb 082006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving on the interstate at 65 mph a loud thump was heard, and the driver thought a rodent had been run over. When the vehicle left the interstate the transmission began to hesitate. The contact noticed fluid on the underside of the vehicle. The dealership determined the number 2 gear flew out of the transmission through the housing. There is NHTSA recall, # 04V176000, regarding the automatic transmission. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Update 3/3/2006 - updated 03/14/06. Updated on 05/10/26.

- El Paso, IL, USA

problem #92

Dec 222005

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased a 2002 Odyssey from a dealership in fairfax, va. I have been told that the transmission needs to be replaced it is not covered under the NHTSA recall because it was made in Canada. Even the extended warranty they sold me won't cover it for the same reason. I was told that Canadian made vehicles sold in the us are not regulated by the NHTSA.

- South Riding, VA, USA

problem #91

Dec 162005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
The contact stated in 2004 vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall campaign 04V179000 concerning the automatic transmission. On December 16, 2005 the automatic transmission failed. It will not shift into any gear. The contact is currently waiting for the tow truck to arrive at the scene to tow the vehicle to the service dealer. He contacted the manufacturer, and was told they will offer no free remedy. Updated 1/23/2006 - the vehicle VIN was checked and Honda replaced the transmission for free under a 7yr/100000 mile extended warranty.

- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA

problem #90

Dec 062005

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • miles
2002 Honda Odyssey cd player, rear wiper motor, clock light and transmission stopped working few months after purchase. ** answer required***

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #89

Nov 182005

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
In July of 2004 I received the recall notice for the 2002 Honda Odyssey for the transmission. I had called to bring my van in and told them that I was concerned because my van was not shifting properly and it had been driving "rough". I was told that if there was a problem with the transmission it would be replaced as instructed in the recall. Of course, Honda said nothing was wrong and added to my transmission the oil jet kit. I was told that there was nothing wrong with my transmission. Intermittently over the next year and a half, my car would feel as though it was slipping or wouldn't shift smoothly. Finally, in Nov. 05 I backed out of my driveway, I put the car into drive and the car just sat there. It finally shifted to D after sitting for about a minute or so. While driving the car could not shift into 2nd the RPM would fly with no acceleration. I called Honda to bring in my car and was told I would have to bring it in the following week. I insisted on the next morning. The car almost didn't make it to the dealer there was no acceleration and it would not shift out of first. We were told that we needed a new transmission and it would cost$6820 to replace. The car is not drivable.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #88

Jun 152005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles
Transmission failure.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #87

Sep 052005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. He received a recall letter in may or June 2004 concerning the transmission. He took vehicle to dealer on 6-17-04, and they took pictures inside the transmission, and could not find any scorch marks. They hooked up a kit oil jet, part 106250-pgh-306 to the car to keep the gears from getting hot. At 37,000 miles, roughly two-three weeks ago the transmission went out. It started shifting poorly and jerking badly. He took vehicle back to the dealership, and they would not fix vehicle under warranty or under recall 04V176000. They said it was a salvaged vehicle. The contact stated that transmission was bad at the factory, and it should not matter that it was a salvaged vehicle.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

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