10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,006 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 10 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #152

Nov 202009

Odyssey

  • 66,000 miles

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

I am the owner of a 2003 Honda Odyssey, which I purchased used in 9/08. I paid extra for the vehicle because of the "certified" guarantee from Honda. The car is very unsafe, I have my 3yr old and 5 yr old with me at all times; since I got the car, I am unable to drive beyond 52mph because the car shakes violently; steering wheel and the car. I am forced to drive below the speed limit, where cars aggressively drive up behind me to try and get me to drive faster. I have difficulty on long trips because it is difficult to keep the vehicle stable. I am a single mom and only have use of this vehicle and I have had no resolutions from the dealership nor an independent mechanic. Please help me and my children as I am very concerned for our safety. Thank you

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #151

Nov 092009

Odyssey

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The emergency maintenance light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and he was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. He was advised by a representative that he would only have to pay a percentage of the repair. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Poland, OH, USA

problem #150

Nov 062009

Odyssey

  • 80,125 miles
Codes P0740, P0730and P0780 on 2003 Honda Odyssey - all relating to erratic behavior of transmission - sudden downshifts/gearchanges between 2nd and 3rd gears. Engine check light on. Tcs light on intermittently. It appears that defects of a similar and/or identical nature occur in many Honda Odyssey models before and after the model year 2003. Unpredictable transmission behavior is very distracting and may contribute to driver errors which in turn may lead to vehicular accidents on the road.

- Upper Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #149

Nov 012009

Odyssey

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving 40 mph the vehicle stalled without any prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the technician concluded that there was an internal transmission failure. The current and failure mileages were 100000.

- Frankford, KY, USA

problem #148

Oct 192009

Odyssey

  • 74,000 miles
2003 Honda Odyssey with approx. 74,000 miles - purchased new in late 2002. Within three days and a total of 15 miles after noticing a slight difference in smoothness of transmission shifting, my wife's Odyssey will now lockup the seatbelts while repeatedly slamming the driver and all passengers forward when driving below 20 mph during both up-shifting and down-shifting, or attempting to hold a constant speed around 40 mph. There were no warning lights during any of this, until the drive into the dealership. The transmission was so erratic in shifting that I'm surprised we didn't hydroplane on wet roads due to the abrupt and very harsh shifts/lockups. We were very lucky the harshest shifts occurred on straight-aways and not while rounding wet curves. Apparently, the dealership inspected and installed the "oil jet kit", per the recall, in June of 2004. I state apparently only because I do not recall the service work. In any case, after only 74,000 miles it is very obvious by the number of other Odyssey transmission failures that this "oil jet kit" was only a patch to get vehicles out of their warranty period before the transmissions completely failed. Who produces vehicles with transmission failures at 74,000 miles"?" the dealership states I have used 75% of the life of the transmission, so I must pay 75% of the replacement cost (approximately $3600 of my own money to replace a known manufacturing defect). I was "warned" by Honda's help line that if I tell the dealership service center manager I'll never purchase another Honda again, the dealership service manager would probably pull their 25% replacement cost assistance offer. Sounds like a threat and straight from corporate Honda. Then, the corporate help person stated that many of the problems sound similar, but my problem "may' not the same. Call Honda's help line only is you want talked down to and threatened. My Odyssey is currently sitting at gerald jones Honda in martinez, ga (augusta area).

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #147

Oct 092009

Odyssey

  • 140,739 miles
Total transmission failure on 2003 Honda Odyssey van www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm?searchtype=quicksearch&rcl_id=04V176000&summary=true.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #146

Oct 052009

Odyssey

  • 90,000 miles

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

Purchase 03 Honda Odyssey new and has been well maintained. In 4/04 took vehicle in for the automatic transmission recall...under 14K miles. It is my understanding if it was over 15K miles that the transmission would be replaced if the inspection deemed necessary but under 15K miles then the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line. At 89,000 miles check engine light came on as well as the tcs light, then the "D' was blinking. Took into dealer and was advised that a new transmission was needed as well as the power control module---the PCM is required whether it needs it or not because that is what Honda requires. Price quoted $4961. The car only has a blue book value of $5K-7K +/-. this was my first Honda and was purchased for the safety and reliability factors---I am amazed that the transmission needs replacing already. Honda needs to step up and admit an issue with the 03' Odyssey transmissions like they did for the 99-01'.

- Mullica Hill, NJ, USA

problem #145

Oct 022009

Odyssey

  • 91,000 miles
In January 2005, according to the Honda dealer, the oil jet kit was placed in my Honda Odyssey as per the recall, NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000, for the heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission of my 2003 Honda Odyssey. However, 4 years later, the 2nd, 3rd and reverse gears of the transmission needed replacement. The dealer has agreed to replace the transmission at a cost of $2500. In speaking to the dealer and other transmission shops in my area, I'm being told many, many Honda Odyssey's are coming in for new transmissions regularly. Could the fix done in my car and others have not corrected the problem with the transmission? could you please reopen the case and investigate if an addition recall is necessary to fix the apparent problem and avert the consequences, as stated in the above reference recall, of gear failure resulting in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash and potential loss of life. Thank you.

- Westislip, NY, USA

problem #144

Sep 172009

Odyssey

  • 90,000 miles
Failure of automatic transmission in 2003 honday Odyssey - NHTSA campaign 04V176000.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #143

Sep 052009

Odyssey

  • 88,000 miles
2003 Honda Odyssey transmission failure at 88,000 miles. Car has been maintained with proper transmission fluid replacements. At 82,000 miles the transmission had a 4th clutch solenoid failure which was replaced at a Honda dealer in brunswick, ga. The transmission fluid had been replaced at 79,000 miles, but we had it replaced again at the time of the repair at 82,000. The check engine light came on with a code dtc P0740 at ~88,000. The Honda dealer in marietta, ga diagnosed this as complete transmission failure. I have discovered that this is a very common failure for Honda Odyssey's. there is an extended warranty offered by Honda for 2001 and older Odyssey's, but that does not extend to the 2003 model even though the transmissions are virtually identical. The repair has been quoted at $4,630 plus 7% sales tax which is an enormous amount. Honda continues to advertise how reliable their vehicles are which is completely false as it relates to transmissions in the Odyssey. 88,000 miles from a major drive train component is ridiculous. American Honda has offered a discount of 25% on the parts only (the dealer said this is about $900). The bulletin boards indicate 50% has been common and in many cases they have covered the entire amount, but not for me. Honda should be required to cover this failure in full.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #142

Sep 052009

Odyssey

  • 36,000 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 he was unable to shift gears in reverse and experienced resistance when shifting from one gear to another. NHTSA recall# 04V176000, component: Power train:automatic transmission repair was performed on the vehicle. The dealer advised the contact that they are willing to make the necessary repairs at the owner's expense. The recall was completed at 36,000 miles and the current mileage was 71,000.

- Riverton, UT, USA

problem #141

Aug 272009

Odyssey

  • 86,738 miles
1. vehicle started jerking very bad because automatic transmission would not go into third gear. 2. transmission failure discovered when taken to dealer. 3. dealer quoted a price of $5800 dollars to repair.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #140

May 222009

Odyssey

  • miles
We are the original owners of this car bought new in 2003 and it has been maintained very well. The car was subject to a recall for the transmission problems but when we called Honda they claim no recalls on the transmission. It was inspected for problems related to this defect at the time of the service and was passed as clean. At 107,000 miles, a blinking "D" illuminated on the dashboard gear display and it was taken in for service to Honda. It was determined that the 4th gear switch needed to be replaced and this was done. The transmission suddenly started slipping on shifts and downshifting at speed. Again, taken for service and the Honda garage determined that a new transmission was required at a cost of $5800 with tax. I contacted american Honda, opened a case and was denied my request for them to share the cost of fixing this. Researching this issue online has made it clear that it is unsafe to drive this car as is because the transmission could downshift into an incorrect gear at highway speed, causing loss of control and/or immediate transmission failure. That's funny several of our friends own Honda Odyssey around 2003 and they seem to have one major repair to replace the transmission but how come no recall"??" paid alot for Odyssey but would not have bought two transmission @ around 5,000 for each. How does Honda get away with this type of business. I have paid for a Honda but will not buy another Honda. Have learned my expensive lesson. Not happy Honda owner!

- Nanuet, NY, USA

problem #139

Aug 012009

Odyssey

  • 126,500 miles
While driving on the interstate my 2003 Honda Odyssey started to put out smoke from under the hood and the transmission would not engage. Luckily we were able to pull out of traffic without hitting any other cars. We were towed to a repair shop where they said the transmission overheated and due to the damage had to be rebuilt. There is a recall in place (NHTSA # 04V176000) for our vehicle for this issue. In speaking with Honda it appears recall work was done in 2004 (a revision to the oil cooler return line), but we still experienced the transmission defect. I just wanted to file the complaint in case others had found that Honda's repair solution had not been effective for them either.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #138

Aug 182009

Odyssey

  • 125,000 miles
2003 Honda Odyssey transmission issue please refer to townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F0falle/467 there are many complaints against Honda Odyssey's transmission problem whose owners are frustrated with the manufacturer and our government's lack of action to enforce the better quality and continued support for consumers. I have 2003 Honda Odyssey which needs new transmission at a quoted cost of over $4,000 at the dealer who denied for being able to cover it under warranty. What upsets me is that there is a "good-will repair" by the Honda Motors America, who has known about the issues involving all Honda Odyssey they made, numerous complaints and they are handling it on a case by case; no uniform regulations are being applied. Such unfair practices of customer services. At the moment, my car is still at the dealership until I have time to talk and complaint to the company. No action will be taken according to the company. However, 99-2001 models, they have extended the warranty to 109K mileage. Some of the customers with over 145K-189K have been reimbursed the cost by the company. And they are not willing to do it unless you have to be persistent and loud. Taking too many bureaucracy in resolving the problem when the problem with this model of car is wide spread.

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #137

Jun 122009

Odyssey

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving 70 mph the vehicle gradually decreased speed. The contact was able to drive safely to the emergency lane. There were no prior warning signs. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the transmission failed. The contact was given an estimate of $5,000 to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they would pay half of the cost to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer also advised the contact that NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission) was performed prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #136

Aug 112009

Odyssey

  • 128,000 miles
We own a 2003 Honda Odyssey and we are having repeated transmission failures. Short time line: 37K first transmission fails - replaced by dealer with Honda transmission 97K second transmission fails - replaced by dealer with after market transmission 128K third transmission fails - still negotiating replacement through warranty on transmission #2. a quick check on the internet will find volumes of information on transmission failures in the 2003 vans. There is clearly a design flaw that must be changed. All transmissions failed with the van was being driven.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #135

Jul 282009

Odyssey

  • 121,171 miles
We are the original owners of this car bought new in Dec 2002 and it has been maintained very well. The car was subject to a recall for the transmission for the addition of an oil jet to properly lubricate the 2nd gear and this was performed as soon as we received the notice in 2004 at 31,000 miles. It was inspected for problems related to this defect at the time of the service and was passed as clean. At 107,000 miles, a blinking "D" illuminated on the dashboard gear display and it was taken in for service to Honda. It was determined that the 4th gear switch needed to be replaced and this was done at my own cost of $300. At 121,000 miles the transmission suddenly started slipping on shifts and downshifting at speed. Again, taken for service and the Honda garage determined that a new transmission was required at a cost of $4800 with tax. I contacted american Honda, opened a case and was denied my request for them to share the cost of fixing this. Researching this issue online has made it clear that it is unsafe to drive this car as is because the transmission could downshift into an incorrect gear at highway speed, causing loss of control and/or immediate transmission failure.

- Rochester , NY, USA

problem #134

Jun 272009

Odyssey

  • 87,630 miles
Transmission failure for the second time.

- Honesale, PA, USA

problem #133

Jun 302009

Odyssey

  • 67,000 miles
I bought the 2003 Odyssey brand new and have had regular maintenance at the same Honda dealership. 2 weeks ago, around 67,000 miles, the transmission started showing problem that it would slip and go into neutral, the engine RPM flared and the car lost acceleration. Then the car shook when the transmission tried to engage the gears again. The dealer checkup indicated that the 2nd and 3rd gears failed and the transmission needed to be replaced at my own cost $3,400. I later found out there were many owners of 2003 Odyssey having the same problem.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

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