2002 Honda Odyssey EX review from North America

Transmission needed replaced, front engine mount needed replacing.

At 60k miles the transmission D light flashed. The vehicle never left me stranded luckily. I took it into the dealer who informed me the tranny needed replacing. They told me to call Honda Motor Corp. to complain about having to replace the transmission to see what they would do. I did and Honda Corp. took care of the total cost.

Now at 101k I have the car in for the normal timing belt/water pump tensioner & plug replacement as required per normal maintenance, and of course while in there the dealer finds (give you one guess!),... front motor mount cracked - $450 to fix. ouch. So in addition to spending over $1k on timing belt & plugs, add $450 to it. Could I have waited or not done it - yes, but what would be the ramifications? I didn't want to find out the hard way, so I said to go ahead.

I haven't had anything else done to the car other than oil changes, new brakes at 70k and tires when needed, so I can't complain I guess. But one person on a forum claims Honda Corp paid for their motor mounts to be replaced for their car which had 3 broken. This sounds like a deficiency since so many people have them breaking, but if I don't have to get it done for another 100k miles, then I won't complain. We'll see.

But just wanted people to know that the transmission problem should be covered by Honda, because transmissions don't go out under 100k miles if they are a Honda. I'm sorry, but they are expected to last at least that without needing much, and that is my history with Honda's (I've owned 4 over the last 22 years).

Please, everyone, if you are having issues with the vehicle - complain to Honda in writing and call them as I did, so they can take care of reoccurring issues. We need the Co. to step up and keep the name good. If they don't, that's their failing and we will buy other brands in the future.

Thanks for telling your experiences for our good, I appreciate it. I didn't buy a Toyota in 02 because of what I read online about engine sludge problems that Toyota wouldn't back. They stuck it to their customers.