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.
7.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,970
Average Mileage:
75,450 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replaced spark plug (1 reports)
replaced spark plugs and installed a vcm muzzler (1 reports)
This is a common problem with the Honda Odyssey van and it along with the solution are well-documented in the VCM Mega thread posted in the OdyClub forum at https://www.odyclub.com/threads/the-vcm-mega-thread.367894/.
These vans will turn off some of the cylinders at high speed in order to improve fuel economy. This feature is known as Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). However, there is a design flaw in the piston rings which allows oil to bypass them and enter the cylinders. This leads to fouling of the spark plugs which in turn leads to misfires in the affected cylinders. The dealership will want to replace the spark plugs and install new high tension piston rings to fix this charging thousands of dollars for this repair. However, it can be fixed cheaply and easily by replacing the spark plugs and installing a device (VCM muzzler) which disables VCM.
Ironically, after I installed the VCM muzzler and replaced all my spark plugs with NGK Ruthenium HX spark plugs (purchased from Rock Auto), my MPG actually improved which I attribute to the spark plugs which are supposed to be more efficient. On the old spark plugs with VCM enabled we were getting 21.3 mpg over ~8000 miles and with VCM disabled on the new spark plugs we're now getting 23.1 mpg also measured over ~8000 miles.
Received error code P0302 for an engine misfire on cylinder 2. Called dealer, and they said it was most likely spark plug and not covered under powertrain warranty. Replaced spark plug and issue went away (for the time being). Issue recurred one year later.
- Juan A.,
Perkasie, PA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is a common problem with the Honda Odyssey van and it along with the solution are well-documented in the VCM Mega thread posted in the OdyClub forum at https://www.odyclub.com/threads/the-vcm-mega-thread.367894/.
These vans will turn off some of the cylinders at high speed in order to improve fuel economy. This feature is known as Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). However, there is a design flaw in the piston rings which allows oil to bypass them and enter the cylinders. This leads to fouling of the spark plugs which in turn leads to misfires in the affected cylinders. The dealership will want to replace the spark plugs and install new high tension piston rings to fix this charging thousands of dollars for this repair. However, it can be fixed cheaply and easily by replacing the spark plugs and installing a device (VCM muzzler) which disables VCM.
Ironically, after I installed the VCM muzzler and replaced all my spark plugs with NGK Ruthenium HX spark plugs (purchased from Rock Auto), my MPG actually improved which I attribute to the spark plugs which are supposed to be more efficient. On the old spark plugs with VCM enabled we were getting 21.3 mpg over ~8000 miles and with VCM disabled on the new spark plugs we're now getting 23.1 mpg also measured over ~8000 miles.
- Andy Z., Wichita, US