10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,691 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.

2004 Honda Odyssey drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #107

Jul 032014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 79,951 miles

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

I was driving on highway state route 22 between altoona pa and ebensburg pa when I experienced transmission failure and the inability to continue to move forward. I had to coast to the shoulder with my family in the vehicle while heavy traffic and semi-truck traffic was continuous on the highway.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #106

Jun 292014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
Check engine light and tcs light came on while driving the van at highway speeds. The transmission shifts smoothly and sounds fine, but the repair shop pulled a code of P0740--tc clutch failure. The transmission is failing, and this is apparently a common problem with Honda Odyssey. While our transmission lasted longer than many Odyssey' do, I think that transmission failure at 119K is unacceptable.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #105

Jun 022014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Honda Odyssey. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission problems. The consumer stated the transmission went out for the second time, in less than three years.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #104

May 012014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

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

It was Thursday, early evening, and I was driving on a country road, approaching a stop sign, when the 2004 Honda Odyssey van's power cut out. The engine went dead in the middle of the road. It just suddenly cut off for no reason. I was able with difficulty to steer it to the side of the road. I turned the ignition "off" and called my husband thinking I might need aaa to come tow the car. After the van sat for a few minutes, I was able to get it to start again, but it sounded terrible and the engine's engagement felt weak. I was a few miles from an auto repair shop and decided to slowly drive it there and leave it overnight. I was told the next day that the transmission had failed and the mechanic mentioned that there had been a recall on my van of which I was unaware. I looked up the recalls on the NHTSA site that Honda and issued and noticed that my van's VIN number was in the range that had been recalled for transmission problems. I called local Honda dealers about this as well as the Honda corporate number. Each said that even though my van's VIN was in the batch that was recalled and even though the exact problem that I had experienced was the reason for the recall, they did not feel obliged to assist with the van's repair. Neither the local Honda dealer nor Honda corporate would give an explanation as to why they felt they did not need to shoulder any of the transmission replacement costs. I believe this is against the law. Can corporations like Honda really get away with ignoring the law? after paying for a $4,600 transmission replacement, I do not have the money to fight them.

- Harleysville, PA, USA

problem #103

May 192014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
The day after coming home from an 800 mile road trip my wife was driving the van locally when the transmission started to act up. The van was not shifting smoothly from 2nd to 3rd gear, engine revving to over 4000 RPM. Van was having problems engaging and had to pull over to side of road. Had car towed to local Honda dealer and we were told we needed a new transmission at a cost of $4,800. We bought Honda for reliability and were very surprised transmission would need replacing at 148,000 miles. Also had both electronic side doors replaced in 2012, both doors stopped working within the same month.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

problem #102

Jul 042012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 137,000 miles
Transmission wants to shift but doesn't and it does it while driving down the highway at higher speeds to. I think it is bs that they know there is a problem with their transmissions and they tell me mine doesn't qualify because the VIN doesn't match. I feel like they should fix it hasn't gone out yet but it will one day then I'm supposed to cover it.

- Sussex, WI, USA

problem #101

May 122014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 141,000 miles

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

5/6/14 took my vehicle into the local service station for diagnosis of clunking engine noise. Had to pay $1400 to replace both motor mounts that were completely worn out. Also has to replace the outer tie rods that were worn out creating a completely unsafe vehicle. Less than a week later, the D light went black. Suddenly it came back on along with the check engine light. Took vehicle back to the service station and they now diagnosed it with the P0740 code tcc lockup solenoid. Called several transmission shops that told me the only way to fix this is to get a new transmission at a cost of $3500 and up. This is very discerning that the transmission didn't last longer and this is a known problem with this model vehicle and Honda refuses to issue the recall on all 2004 transmissions. There are service bulletins out there referring to this specific issue. I called american Honda and they refused to assist stating the vehicle is way out of warranty to assist financially. I have had all the service done at the dealer until there was an issue last year with the heating/air conditioner that the dealer was unable to successfully fix after 6 visits and numerous coolant flushes. I have no faith in that local dealership to help. Now I'm stuck with a money pit and can't afford to replace it. Never again Honda. They have certainly lost my loyalty after all this. We dealt with the same issue with the 2003 Acura tls transmissions that were bad, 3 transmissions later and no help from Honda who knowingly covered up their faulty transmission problems and left consumers footing the bill.

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #100

Apr 252014

Odyssey

  • 110,000 miles
While driving on the highway noticed the gear slipping with check engine and traction control lights on. The dealer said its a problem with the torque control clutch malfunction and the whole transmission needs to be replaced. Apparently there was a known problem with the Honda Odyssey built in 2002 to 2004. But according to Honda my VIN is not in that recall. It appears like the problem that is supposed to be fixed with the later 2004 models is not really fixed. Honda doesnt want to pay for any of these fixes.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #99

Sep 302011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 98,866 miles
The automatic transmission failed completely on the interstate highway while traveling at 60 mph. The vehicle was stranded and had to be towed to the nearest dealership, royal Honda in metairie, la. Royal Honda advised that the entire transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $5,500. We received estimates from other transmission repair shops and decided to have the vehicle towed from royal Honda to precision transmission exchange, in kenner, la. Precision transmission installed a rebuilt transmission on October 3, 2011 for $2,537.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #98

Oct 012008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
While making a turn from a stop light, I noticed the green "D" drive light flashing. I contacted dealer who stated the transmission was about to fail and needed to be replaced. The mechanic stated that the transmission was noted to be "shifting heavy" into second gear and making a "clunk" sound when shifting. Despite being outside of the transmission recall, Honda agreed to pay for 1/2 of the repair cost after multiple complaints to corporate. The new transmission came with a 3 yr/36,000 warranty. About 12,000 miles later, the "D" light again began flashing. I took it back to the dealer who replaced the second transmission with a third. I find it interesting that the mechanic noted the problem in second gear, the same gear affected by the recall that I was not a part of. I believe the problem probably affected many more cars than were included in the recall and I was forced to pay thousands of dollars to repair a known problem. I do not have a hitch and have never towed anything with this vehicle.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #97

Apr 162012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

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

Van started shuttering at low speeds, 30-40 mph and bucking violently at 40 mph, seems the transmission is shifting between gears. I checked for a recall, but unfortunately, mine was not covered.

- St. Joseph, MO, USA

problem #96

Feb 122014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
When parked I tried to start it and it did not start. The mechanic stated that transmission was damaged by particles in it or over heating. Needs a replacement at $4400. Honda was contacted but they offered no help. My VIN is just slightly outside the transmission defect group 5fnrl18..4B000001 to 5frnl18..4B051620 (Honda recall service bulletin 04-021). "D" light either flashing or off...even after trans flush. Same symptoms as recalled Honda. I believe that the recall should have been a larger group...ie including my van and maybe it would still be working today if it was recalled!

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #95

Jan 092014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 173,195 miles
Driving on the freeway and the internal brake system light come on indicating that was any back brake lights, then while driving the vehicle stop going forward light the transmission went into neutral and then the tcs indicator and the engine light come on and then the 2004 Odyssey stopped moving without any indication at all as I was driving in high traffic on a California freeway at approximately 7:30am on my way to work. I am told that there was a recall on these models and that I would cost me over $3,200 out of picket to fix and then, (I was told to take the vehicle to Honda for recall repairs, because it is still under the recall static and Honda has never fixed this problem. At the time I bought this vehicle from the dealer I wasn't told that there was a recall on these Odyssey's and there wasn't any defeats reported on the vehicle fix sheets.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #94

May 052012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 136,000 miles
When I put the gear into drive it accelerate pretty good then all of a sudden the power is gone then I will have to stop and turn off the engine, again I will restart and then it will accelerate for couple of hundred yards then again does the same thing, I tried it several times and same result..I had the transmission fluid flush in norm reeves Honda in West covina California on 7/23/ 2012 but does the same thing..the service consultant diagnosed the problem to be transmission and gave an estimate of $4064.18. I did not know that there was a recall in 2004 regarding transmission gear failure, I was not notified this recall and only found out now when I received a notice for another recall in ignition switch then I checked all recalls in the internet. I placed the vehicle in plan non operation since 01/17/ 2013 until now.can I still have it fixed by the dealer?

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #93

Jan 162014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 179,800 miles
Returning from short road trip (less than 30 miles from home), check engine light and tcs light came on. Drove vehicle straight to Honda dealership where it has been serviced for the last 8 yrs since we bought it. Code P0740 internal transmission failure. Attempted to drive vehicle to work the next day (5 miles from home), vehicle began shuddering, RPM gauge revved to 4,000rpm's yet vehicle was slowing. Could put pressure on gas pedal but car would not go. Couldn't reach any speed over 40mph. Vehicle violently downshifted and couldn't exceed 20mph on busy interstate. Barely reached work where vehicle rested. After resting, attempted to drive vehicle back home - had the same experience. Vehicle unable to move from driveway, transmission is not in working condition.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #92

Dec 252013

Odyssey

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph. The vehicle made a loud noise that was coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose or repair the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #91

Aug 222013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 135,543 miles
I was driving my 2004 Honda Odyssey on the highway when all transmission gears stopped working. I am the original owner and the Odyssey was very well maintained. It costs $4000 to rebuild the transmission and $500 for a rental vehicle. Honda Odyssey stinks!!!

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #90

Nov 012013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 131,500 miles
As my husband accelerated, the steering lost power. He could give the engine gas but could not manage the car. Somehow he was able to turn the car around and get the car back to our mechanic. He checked it out and determined that indeed the transmission had failed.

- Armada, MI, USA

problem #89

Oct 142013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 91,160 miles
We have a 2004 Honda Odyssey, bought it used in the summer of 2009 with 79,766 mile. Now at 91,160 mile, it's having major issues. On October 12, 2013, we drove the van to the store and back home just fine. On Monday, October 14th when we tried to drive the van again, it would not reverse or drive at all. The engines starts up just fine in parking and in neutral gear. As soon as the gear was shifted to D or R, the engines stalled. Plus the D drive light was flashing prior to the failure. Searching online I found that owners of 2004 Honda Odyssey was having the same issue with the transmission failing. On October 22, I called to Honda America to see if I can get some assistance for helping with the repair. I was given a case number. That same morning, I had our Odyssey van towed to a Honda dealer to be diagnosis of the problem. I have never drove a car that transmission would fail. If Honda doesn't assist me with the repair, this will be the last Honda I will ever buy!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #88

Jul 252013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 133,000 miles
Received news from a local Honda dealership that all 4 engine mounts were broken for a cost of $925. When looking for parts happen to see the amount of chatter regarding engine mounts on several model years of the Odyssey. Lesson learned... perhaps check this site before buying any vehicle. Seems Honda should cover some of the cost at least.

- Madison, WI, USA

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