2001 Honda Odyssey from North America - Comments

Defective EGR valve.

Car revs loudly while idling.

Automatic car doors get stuck open.

TCS light and check engine light came on at 80,000 miles despite pampering. Dealer says it needs a new transmission.

This car handles very well. The interior is very well designed and comfortable.

However, I have had some problems that warranty action from Honda. I feel that I have not been treated like a valuable customer despite my loyalty to Hondas.

For example, at about 60,000 miles, I had a problem with the engine revving while the car was idling, so I went in to the dealer and had work done. They told me it was not the defective EGR valve that was under an extended warranty I was recently informed about. After the repair, the problem returned in a few days. I returned the van and had work done again, and was also told that it was "not the EGR valve." The problem returned again. This time I insisted that they do the work on the EGV valve, which they did. Consequently, the problem went away and did not return.

Recently however (at about 80,000 miles) the TCS and check engine light came on. The dealer told me that the transmission needs to be replaced. Coincidentally, the TCS light only comes on when I am driving over 60MPH with a cruise control (I have checked this theory for several months). The van is not performing any differently so I am reluctant to spend $5,000 on a new transmission.

In disbelief, I called the Honda corporation and asked them about the problem. The person I spoke to admitted that the 2001 Honda Odysseys have had some transmission problems. Today, on this website, I am reading about a class action lawsuit resulting in an extended warranty with the transmission of 2001 Honda Odysseys. Why have I not been informed? Would the dealer have made me pay $5,000 to have work done even though it should be free? If I replace the transmission, will the problem come back like other people say? Honda owes me an answer.

You have had a misfortune. Always Google it first! Search for an answer. Today my Honda Odyssey had the same symptoms as yours. At first I was baffled. When I started it to warm up - it's winter - it started revving up/down by itself. I thought it would stop after it warmed up. Then the TCS light came on and then the engine light followed. Ut oh... I had filled up - maybe it was bad fuel...? I called for a check up -- $67.00 just to diagnose. I had been a mechanic for years on big equipment. I decided to first Google it and call a local parts store for a code reader. So, I went to the parts store and the reader said something was up with the idle sensor. Maybe a vacuum leak. After some part store feedback I learned the TCS (Traction control system which I had been using in the snow and ice) is a vacuum engage system. This means every time the TSC system button is pressed and then engaged a vacuum throws the mechanism in and out of engagement. I realized mine was stuck half way open or closed. This open mechanism was allowing a vacuum leak which affects the entire vacuum system - including the car's idle. I went out of the shop and burned rubber out of the parking lot. Doing that put enough tork on the TCS mechanism to throw it 'out' of its stuck position. The TSC light went out and the car immediately began to idle correctly. I fixed it. It operates normal now - TSC system does as well. Don't get a new transmission!

Little quirks like this give a car character.

Hope this helps someone!

Marc in WV.

Learn something new every day. We've had some really lousy roads in the Seattle area due to the unusual cold weather with snow and ice. Our TCS has always worked well, never heard or felt anything unusual until today. When just starting out with TCS and starting to get the RPMs up a bit to get started on a slick road, there is a lot of clicking and one tire spins and the other is still.

If what you say is true, then a vacuum leak may be a possible issue I have, as it would not allow the TCS to engage completely.

The above comment about it coming on at 60 miles an hour, sounds familiar, as I've had a van in which the air conditioner will all of a sudden change over to the defroster when under a load on a hill. Turned out to be a vacuum issue and defective part. Sounds like a similar issue with vacuum and the TCS.

Thanks for the info on the TCS and vacuum relationship.

To all 2000 Honda Odyssey Owners do not listen to dealers or mechanics!! I've received the following codes:

P0420

P1739

P0740

P730

The total cost was around $2500. I thought about it and decided to research and come to the conclusion to flush out my transmission fluid. Now the car runs like a champ. My wife commented on how it accelerates just like new. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND START REPLACING PARTS.

God Bless Everyone.