2003 Honda Odyssey EX from North America - Comments

I have a 2004 Odyssey with 71k miles and surprisingly was told that the front engine mount is 'bad'. My other cars are or had been at least 10 or 13 years with significantly more miles than 71k and have absolutely no problems with engine mounts! I am feeling either my dealer is out to rip me off, or my Honda Odyssey is a lemon, after seeing so many complaints about engine mounts. Maybe it is time to break the perception that Odyssey is a reliable van?

I have a 2004 Honda Odyssey with 115,000 miles. It has been a great van except for an intermittent idle problem and intermittent shake on the passenger side. I had it to the dealer three times and each time was told there was nothing wrong. Just recently the shaking became worse, so I brought it to a small mechanic my friend recommended. Right away he said I had a bad motor mount. I do most of the work myself and just use mechanics to troubleshoot.

After I pulled the front center motor mount, it was obvious that it was shot. The hydraulic fluid leaked out when I turned it upside down. This mount is a vacuum controlled mount that activates when the engine is under 800 rpm. The vacuum opens the valving in the hydraulic mount allowing the fluid to flow less restricted and dampen vibration. It works just like a regular shock absorber when when the vacuum solenoid shuts it off over 800rpm. Changing this mount seems to have fixed my vibration problem and idle problem. I was very disappointed Honda could never figure this out. I bought the mount online for 114.00 free shipping and installed it in two hours. By the way, it is a pain to put in. Hope this helps.

Just replaced the transmission on our 2000 Honda Odyssey. I guess I am lucky I got 140k out of the originial transmission. Now the dealer says all 5 motor mounts need to be replaced. This is in addition to the EGR valve and the catalytic converter. What a great product Honda.

I am of the opinion that the Odyssey is not a reliable Honda product like the Civics and older Accords. It will be difficult to justify purchasing another Honda product.

Just today, I was told by my local Honda shop that I needed to replace the motor mounts on my 2003 Odyssey. They also indicated my timing belt needed replacement. If I do them both together, timing belt $795, motor mount $ 190. If I didn't do the timing belt, the motor mount would cost $ 500. Seems odd. 53,000 miles on the Odyssey. I have never changed a timing belt on a vehicle and I usually keep them for 10+ years. I replaced a motor mount once on a 1966 pickup truck, but have never had problems with them since then. Seems the motor mount is common problem from this site.

I took my car in yesterday because I wasn't able to get it out of park. I was told my brake shift was broken, 179.00. I was also told both of my motor mounts were broken. My car is a 2003 with only 69000 miles. I have no problems with any noise in my engine. I think that is unheard of in a car with that kind of mileage. From all the other comments, it seems this is a manufacturer defect. Of course I was told it wasn't covered and would be 850.00. I have not fixed it as of yet.

I own a 2004 Honda Odyssey EXl, and just came from the Honda dealer for an oil change and inspection. I was told that my van's front and side motor mounts need to be replaced. Also told it would cost about $550++ to have these done.

Got home to check the Internet and was surprised to find similar stories. My van has 77,000 miles on it. Maybe, indeed, there is a factory defect re motor mounts on all 2004 Honda Odysseys. Hope there is no serious accidents caused by these defect to current Honda Odyssey owners/users.

We too have a 2004 Honda Odyssey with a little more than 68,000 miles to date. We too have been advised that the front motor mount is failing (i.e., leaking) and that a 2nd motor should be replaced as well. Both of the mounts are hydraulic components. I was quoted $500.00 to replace both units, but advised that I could "probably" drive for another year (cost being a concern given that the van was receiving new rear brakes, a new fan switch, a new HEPA filter, a new battery, and other misc work). The car has not experienced any of the symptoms described (i.e., excessive vibration, difficulties shifting, etc.).

All said, I am disappointed that such an expensive repair is required for a component which was (apparently) designed to eliminate vibration at idle speeds. Motor mounts should not require replacement.

2003 Odyssey is junk! We have had continuous problems with this thing-faulting wiring in headlight system, problems with sliding doors, engine rod replacement, battery connection wires, steering wheel radio controls, heat shield falling off, braking system faulty, very noisy and clunky car. Not the Honda quality we are used to, definitely not buying another one!