CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2014 and 2015 Honda Odyssey shows an early trend of transmission problems with clunking/jerking when shifting gears.

Most of these Odyssey transmissions are still under warranty, but so far Toyota generally hasn't been able to diagnose or fix the clunking problem — that's the reason for our low rating. Some owners have reported it was a stuck solenoid, & in a few cases Honda has replaced the entire transmission.

As more of these Odysseys start exceeding the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty limit, buyer beware.

3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,389 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.

2015 Honda Odyssey drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Apr 172023

Odyssey

  • 61,030 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM gauge was fluctuating. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering while shifting between gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PGM-FI software had failed and needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 61,030.

- Maple Falls, WA, USA

problem #35

Oct 262022

Odyssey

  • miles
Transmission shudder driving up hills at low speed 15 to 25 mph.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #34

Oct 122022

Odyssey

  • miles
This is copy of email I sent to Honda I am the original owner of a 2015 Honda Odyssey. I recently had the engine light come on and the diagnosis was "oil is coming through the piston rings into firing chamber and causing oil burning symptoms. Recommend replacing piston rings1-3". I had the work done at the Honda of Coeur d Alene, ID dealership for a total of $4040.66. This is a major repair for a van with low miles on it and Honda service technicians agreed. Researching online I discovered this is a problem with other Honda models and there have been recalls to fix the issue. I believe Honda should step up and cover the cost of this repair. This is my second Odyssey and the quality- lots of repairs to this van- has been very poor. I will be shopping for a car in the near future and at this point Honda will not be on my list. There are many online forums reporting this issue and past models have been recalled.

- Hayden, ID, USA

problem #33

Dec 272021

Odyssey

  • miles

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

car has always hesitated, then jarred or jumped while trying to accelerate. after a second or so it will 'kick in' and go. but the larger issue is at just 70K miles i am paying for a new/used transmission that may have been due to a faulty torque converter. with little warning (and no check engine light warning) the car began to shake violently when i put it in drive. had to call flatbed tow truck and am suck with a large (over $3000 for used parts) repair... right after the holidays no less. this is unacceptable for such a reputable car company.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #32

Nov 262021

Odyssey

  • miles
Very dangerous drivetrain issue. Transmission shifting issues led the transmission to total failure even after a recommended transmission flush and fill by a reputable Honda dealer. Issue was confirmed by an independent local repair shop. The vehicle itself has low mileage, (@69,600 mi.) No warning lamps prior to the transmission malfunction and failure.

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #31

Oct 052021

Odyssey

  • miles
Violent shifting, jarring during normal operation

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #30

May 012020

Odyssey

  • miles

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

The van shifts very odd when going forward. It doesn-€™t shift smooth from 2-3 gear and it-€™s not just our van my parents have the exact same year and model and it does it in theirs as well! I have read many complaints online about this but I don-€™t know if it-€™s the motor or the transmission but something is wrong with it. Being that we have literally 2 of the same year and model vans I can-€™t see where this is a one off deal. I think there has to be something to it.

- Orangeburg , SC, USA

problem #29

Nov 292020

Odyssey

  • 65,000 miles
Transmission power has started to fail to engage fully at highway speeds or low speed sudden acceleration. The third party shop showed me a Honda service bulletin 17-043 stating the transmission fluid deteriorates faster than normal. Somehow a software fix is going to address this problem.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #28

Oct 242019

Odyssey

  • 92,000 miles
On the freeway, driving 65mph but it feels like the RPM is a little high, we approached traffic possible gear went to a lower gear, when the speed tries to speed up again I felt a jolt, we felt it the entire van multiple time when accelerated speed or from lower gear to higher gear auto. Then we reached the streets of stop and go, from lower gear switching to high gear we eel the big jolt, like we hit a very big dip when ever it switch gear. I completely stop the engine and start the car again, the problem went away for now, brought it to the dealer and they can't find any issue.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 012019

Odyssey

  • 69,000 miles
This car had an issue when we purchased it with the transmission feeling 'jumpy' or like it didn't shift gears correctly. It bounced my family across an intersection in a totally out of control jolt. We had it towed to the nearest Honda dealership and they did a 'software' update. The problem, like others have stated is that the issue is not consistent but it is scary and unsafe. I wish Honda would do a recall and fix this issue. We were accelerating from a stopped position to cross an intersection when this occurred the second time. It seems like it's always in a low gear. It happens mildly every time I turn into my own street. It does not shift smoothly and feels like the transmission is not working properly. We have had his vehicle for 4 years and have always had this problem.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 292019

Odyssey

  • 68,000 miles

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

Occasionally when driving at slow speeds the car struggles and lurches forward and loses power. It is very scary when it happens. It feels like it is stuck in neutral and you lose power. Problem is it doesn't happen consistently, and have not been able to take it directly to the dealer while it happens. I think it is dangerous, because I believe it could cause an accident one day. I've googled it and have found many other people with my age Honda Odyssey have the same problem, and many say that Honda cannot fix it. I think it usually happens when the weather is cold.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #25

Jun 302018

Odyssey

  • 32,000 miles
I purchased my 2015 Honda Odyssey brand new and have done all the maintenance on time with Honda. My sliding doors do not stop if something is in the way. I have had multiple times where a child has tried to go in/out while the door is shutting and it has not stopped, this is a safety issue! then in 2018 with only 32K miles or so I started to hear a squeal type noise at 2K RPM and about 60mph. It only happened a few times on the road trip then again on my next road trip. Honda looked at it and said they didn't know but the transmission fluid should be changed. It was changed at 29000 miles with the 30,000 mile maintenance. When it happened again on the freeway I took it in again, now at 47,000 miles. Honda says the transmission fluid is dirty and needs to have work done. 4 weeks later I am still waiting for local Honda to get ok from head Honda for fix of throttle control whine. Honda tech was able to hear the whine/squeal while driving it.

- Orting, WA, USA

problem #24

Jun 292019

Odyssey

  • 45,700 miles
Purchased at 45,646 miles. Noticeable juttering at 15-40 mph, most notably from 25-30 mph and driving up hills faint whining noise. Dealer checking software update on transmission. Noticed on freeways and city streets.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #23

Jun 132019

Odyssey

  • 50,785 miles
While driving, the idle started to become rough and engine vibration increased. Check engine light and additional warning lights appeared in the dash. Error code P0302 was the primary error code for misfire cylinder 2 when the errors were scanned at home and confirmed by shop affiliated with car dealership. The spark plug in cylinder 2 was inspected and identified to be fouled and covered in oil. Additionally the ceramic was missing from the spark plug. This vehicle only has 50,785 miles, and this issue is similar to the class action lawsuit/service bulletin 13-081 issued to Honda vehicles (including Honda Odyssey 2011-2013). However, this time Honda is telling me that this issue is not a powertrain warranty issue and that I am responsible for the cost of repairs although the problem follows the exact decision matrix found in this service bulletin from the logged error code to the fouled spark plug in a young motor. This vehicle has been serviced by the same Honda dealership since I purchased the vehicle used at 16K miles.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #22

May 012019

Odyssey

  • 100,000 miles
When accelerating normally, a shaking, sluggish sensation begins in 2nd gear going through 3rd. If I settle out within one of the gears, it goes away. It only happens when I'm accelerating. The speeds when it occurs range from 20-40 mph. If I were to truly step on it, it doesn't seem to get worse, it actually almost disappears. If anyone else has this problem, please post it up. Dont want it getting worse and causing injuries but if it does, there needs to be a recall.

- Shaw Afb, SC, USA

problem #21

Mar 062019

Odyssey

  • 25,000 miles
In 2018 my 2015 Honda van had problems shifting gears. I was going about 25mph when there was a jolt and the car shook from the transmission shifting gears. I took the car in an was told the computer needed to be updated. The update occurred and the van ran fine. Today the van did the same thing. I see several a lot of similar complaints on the internet.

- Deforest, WI, USA

problem #20

Sep 112018

Odyssey

  • 43,000 miles
Some late model Honda 6 speed transmissions can not be downshifted! on a long downhill grade, the brakes were not adequate and are now burned and vibrate. I know not to 'ride' your brakes but there was no alternative, either travel at a crawl with traffic backing up behind me or having a runaway car. I learned to drive in Colorado and know the safety provided by downshifting the transmission to control your downhill speed as long (7 or 8 miles in places) downhill roads will ruin your brakes. Truck travel is restricted on many Colorado roads and there are numerous 'truck runaway ramps' in Colorado for this reason. I never would expect a manufacture to take away safety issues but Honda took away the ability to downshift their 6 speed transmission! they've added many other safety devices but I would never expect them to take away a safety device where the cost of development has been absorbed, the cost of production is now low and is so necessary for safety. Being able to slow or stop is the primary safety factor in driving! Honda's response to my complaint is that it is my fault for not studying the vehicle more before I purchased. It should be the producer of a product who is held tightly to consumer safety. Honda is not providing a safe vehicle. They maintain it is not their responsibility to inform buyers of changes they have made that might adversely affect safety. This is an issue the average citizen cannot handle and it needs government intervention. The only concern Honda had when they responded to my emailed complaint was a requirement to record the call and not allow me to record it or to give me a copy or transcript of the call. All of their concern was about protecting themselves legally, not providing a safe vehicle! maybe Honda should be required to build 'car runaway ramps' on long down grades.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #19

Jan 042019

Odyssey

  • 48,000 miles
Eco causes signifiant vibration at various RPM's/speeds and delayed shifting as the computer decides to go into eco or remain. Most notable at higher speeds above 65 mph. Current Odyssey has had torque converter replaced, transmission software updated, front axels replaced and tires road force balanced. None of the above fixes has effected the vibration felt during eco going in/out and especially vibration felt in the steering wheel and cabin. Honda shop has informed me that this is par for the course for Honda eco's and there is no current fix for the vibrations. This is unacceptable that no current fix is in place and should be addressed by Honda as numerous complaints online of others with similar issue.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #18

Dec 122018

Odyssey

  • 50,000 miles
The vehicle makes hard shifts in lower gears, causing a lack of acceleration and then a lurch with engine/transmission clunk. Occurs when accelerating from a slowed or stopped position, so vehicle can be stationary or in motion when this occurs. Has happened before but dealership could not replicate. Similar complaints with lack of resolution found in online forums as well. Presents a significant safety concern since acceleration is altered and shifting is slowed. Has occured on residential roads and highway and at varying outdoor temperatures.

- York, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 152018

Odyssey

  • 65,000 miles
Purchased car new in 2015, Honda Odyssey, have had shifting issues between gears jerking. Problem started within past year, seems to get a little worse and you can feel it shifting rough. I see various others with same issue, could this be a future recall I hope, I have 65K miles so that would be sad product to have this occur. This is my first Honda and thought they were reliable vehicles, don't have money to replace the transmission. Please help.

- Covington, LA, USA

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