2001 Honda Odyssey Reviews - Page 7 of 15

We have found our Honda Odyssey 2001 to be an excellent car until now. We recently paid $1100 (!) gasp because the check engine light came on at about 85,000 miles. They said it needed a whole new catalytic converter and valve. Later a mechanic informed us that this part was warrantied to 80,000 miles... hmmmm I'm not happy that a mere 5,000 past the warranty point cost me over a grand to repair vs. free.

Now the same dealership says they "hear something" under the back of the car that sounds like problems with the transmission. I'm VERY concerned after reading all the problems people have had with the transmission. We have only pulled a small pop up camper, very light (I can push it myself), 2 times with the car, so it did not put that much stress on it. I warn anyone who sees that check engine light to check out the dealer warranty on it!

We love the design of this car and the automotive doors so far have been a dream.

The fold down seating in the back is wonderful.

1) Transmission has been failed at 67000 miles. (Check Engine + Traction control light come on)

2) Catalytic Converter failed at 68000 miles.

2) Drive belts make noise at 53000 miles

3) Gas mileage per galone is around 15-16 mpg in city, 19 mpg in highway. (Not same as advertised)

4) Audio speakers are not in good quality.

5) When running, it is kind of noisy. (From the front)

Transmission and catalytic converter were covered by Honda extended warranty. (6 years or 100Kmiles)

Except transmission and catalytic converter problems, it is a good mini-van.

We purchased this Honda Odyssey brand new in 2001. Thank God for the 100,000 mile transmission warranty because right now it has 94K miles and it's at the dealer getting a new transmission for the 3rd time! Dealer has been fantastic each and every time.

Both front power window motors have been replaced and both are slipping very badly again.

Extremely poor quality. We purchased this van because it has the Honda namplate. We were wrong.

Honda repaired transmission on a recall. I don`t remember how many miles ago. Always change the oil at 3-4000 miles, timing belt, water pump, and all other belts at least every 80,000 miles and have not had any other problems.

I would buy another one in a minute. Had a 1990 civic and put 306,000 miles on it, was still getting 32 mpg when I sold it. Maintain, maintain, maintain!!!

-at 1,000 miles I had front left strut replaced. It was broken and leaking when vehicle was brand new, and found out 1,000 miles later it was broken and making a rattling sound on the front end.

-brakes replaced through dealership for free "goodwill" program since they wore out prematurely and rotors were trashed at approximately 12 - 15,000 miles.

-for the first 3 or 4 years the van had constant rattles and the dealership was unable to do anything about it. In extremely cold temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the front bottom left corner of the windshield and dash rattled and rubbed until the interior of the van heated up, about 15 minutes into the ride. The van is 7 years old and rattles have minimized over time, but are still present.

-transmission started going out around 85,000 - fortunately dealership replaced it free of charge.

-lots of door rattles, ride sliding door lock rattles, driver seat belt occasionally clicks where it snaps it, when temperature is below freezing.

-initially for several years on humid days when accelerating the engine had a dieseling sound, like liquid. In 7 years this is rarely occurring. It does not affect driving or performance, but is not a sound you want to hear when accelerating.

-van is very cargo like. Doors have a hollow sound, so I added insulation in them, to try to minimize rattles and keep out road noise, which is moderately high in these vehicles.

-door seals had to be regularly greased with silicone, and if squeaking clean seemed to rattle more than when they had grime on the seals.

-OEM tires lasted 28,000 miles. When I replaced them with BF Goodrich M80's ($380) the tire company was unable to get them balanced on the first rotation at 33,000 miles. They replaced the 2 they said were out of round and still could not get them balanced. This was evident in the steering, in which a constant wobbly vibration could be felt. They traded this set of tires out for Michelin's $600 and have had no problems with balancing and rotations.

-Heater control fan 1st and 2nd speed stopped working around 50,000 miles, had it replaced.

-Light on the clock burnt out around 60,000, had it replaced.

-Front seats not the most supportive for long trips, no side support or lumbar. Legs and back and rear end start to ache, and you have to shift around in your seat.

-air conditioning motor/compressor makes a noisy squeaking sound when running. This noise is under the hood, not in the cabin.

-front end/struts have always and continue, to make a lot of noise over bumps and cracks in the road. My older 1993 Honda Accord has none of this rattle noise and loose wobbly sound going on.

-the cost at the dealership to maintain the van's routine checkups every 7,500 miles or 15,000 can add up to quite a bit of cash.

This van has never let me down. I am somewhat anal and any unusual sounds or unusual functions I get checked out. I have always had it dealership serviced, and thus they are aware of its faults and know its history. They have been great in handling the bigger issues; struts, brakes and transmission while under warranty. I trust this vehicle in general for its reliability with the engine, and other components, and with the new transmission. It is a real workhorse, whether its loaded to capacity with band equipment and gear, or loaded with mulch and plants and trees for landscaping, or on vacation loaded with 5 people and tons of luggage.