1999 Honda Odyssey from North America

Summary:

Safety problems

Faults:

I too was sold on having the "Honda quality factor". I needed a Minivan and always wanted a Honda, perfect!

Being in the sound business, hauling equipment, I was sold on the magic seat. I looked on the Internet for info and I was sold. When I went to the dealer to ask about it, they laughed at me thinking I could get one. Then I got a call the next morning to come down, they had two. There were actual fist fights from other people the other dealers their called. I guess I wasn't supposed to be called. Anyway, after staking my spot all day, I got one. After paying "above" sticker with all the extras they could put on it, for the privilege. Now the fun part.

THE @%$#&*^ SLIDING DOORS!!! Nothing but trouble. I can't even count how many times I've had them "fixed"! They even had the nerve to tell me I might have to pay for the repairs and I told them that would not be happening! Last time, about two months ago and a couple of days later, they still don't work right. On top of it, they broke the boot around the steering column - I think the government should get in on this one. For a car that cost me this much, this is unacceptable. Also the stereo has actually $3.00 speakers. I am not kidding, check it out.

The noise factor really bothers me. Between the rattles, road noise and gas tank. Who were they kidding with those speakers? To make matters worse, every time I have taken my car in for service, they break something else. Sometimes nothing to do with what they are supposed to fix! One time they blew up my stereo. When he told me I laughed thinking he was kidding. Joke on me! I agree the fit and finish of this minivan leaves much to be desired. Other than the problems, the engine is great.

General Comments:

This van has a lot of problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th May, 2003

1999 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5 gas from North America

Summary:

If it was not for the transmission and door problems the van is a good vehicle

Faults:

The transmission is to be replaced after 120000 km.

The rear sliding doors on both sides have had to be fixed multiple times.

Clock light has burnt out.

General Comments:

The engine is flawless.

The van is roomy with lots of cargo space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th February, 2003

9th Jan 2005, 18:53

Amen-

I have a 99 Odyssey. The van rides great, good power, tons of room, flexible interior. However- power sliding doors and tranny have been a problem.

11th Jan 2005, 14:44

Double Amen. I've have the 2001 Odyssey EX and have the same exact problems (transmission, door, and clock). Wish those idiots at the dealer don't act dumb when I tell them about the problems.

1999 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

A great family vehicle

Faults:

Transmission problems have surfaced at 73,000 miles.

Driver-side manual sliding door handle broke off somewhere on the inside of the door.

General Comments:

This van has the best acceleration in its class.

There is a great amount of cargo space with the third seat folded down and the middle seats removed. I can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th November, 2002

1999 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5 liter from North America

Summary:

Could have been a great van if Honda had addressed design and operating problems

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 5,000 miles due to slippage.

Transmission replaced at 36,000 miles due to loud clunking noise when driving in reverse.

Alarms on sliding doors sound when turning corners.

Sliding doors will not open or open by themselves when driving.

Sliding door opened over fuel nozzle when refueling.

Passenger side sliding door control arm broke.

General Comments:

This could have been a good van.

Honda pretends that there are no serious problems with the fleet or individual vehicles.

Current transmission slips at speeds of 40 to 60 mph.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th November, 2002

1999 Honda Odyssey from North America

Summary:

I would not buy this car again!

Faults:

This minivan has some strengths, but our particular car has had a serious unresolved problem with the power sliding doors. Both sliding doors (but especially the passenger side) have malfunctioned on numerous occasions. They have jammed in both the opened and closed positions, failing to respond to the handle pulls or the control switches on the dashboard. The dealership service department has tried at least five times to correct the problem with the power door. It works for a few months and then fails again.

Honda Corporate so far unwilling to help in any meaningful way.

In addition, the automatic transmission behaves erratically. There are weird jerky shifts that the dealer has said are "normal" for this model.

General Comments:

Poor ergonomics, especially for the driver. For normal height drivers it is almost impossible to enter/exit vehicle without disturbing power seat controls, there should be a way to lock in settings. Poor maintainability. Rotten radio. Noisy interior. Handling characteristics require driver to pay more attention to corners & camber than the competition. Power door, latch, & transmission problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th February, 2002