10th Jul 2010, 18:37

We purchased our Odyssey in Spring 2001. We live in Canada. We are the first owners.

The transmission on our Odyssey failed for the fourth time yesterday. When it gets fixed, that essentially means it will be on its fifth transmission.

The first time it failed was at approximately 25,000 km. It was replaced under warranty.

It then failed again; I do not have the maintenance records in front of me, but it was replaced under warranty a second time.

It then failed a third time, and Honda refused to do anything about it, saying the warranty including any extensions had expired. We took it to a company called Mr. Transmission. It was totally rebuilt.

About 10,000 km later the engine light came on and I suspected transmission problems. Sure enough it appeared to be overheating. An external cooler was installed.

Two days ago, the transmission failed again; this time transmission oil was sprayed all over the bottom of the vehicle, and smoke poured from underneath while my family and I were in the vehicle on the highway. When Mr. Transmission first rebuilt it, I purchased a 5 year pro-rated warranty. Three years have past, so 60% of my costs will be covered, but I will have to pay 40%.

The problems with the Odyssey do not end with its transmission.

It has premature rusting.

Its A/C has been repaired numerous times.

Our alarm system has broken down on two occasions, with the result being that if you lock the vehicle, the alarm sporadically goes off for no reason.

We are stuck now with the 40% cost on this again, and were praying that the van would have lasted us until our other car was paid off. We will never buy Honda again.

2nd Oct 2010, 01:44

Hi, I am an Odyssey 01 (original) owner. My van is at just 72265 miles.

Last week, the check light is on and I noticed that it's slipped at the time I started at the stop signs or red lights (my wife has been the primary user). The code was read as P0740. I called the American Honda Motor to ask for assistance to replace the transmission. But the regional manager of San Diego (CA) area denied any help to me today, as the extended warranty is expired. Can someone kindly post the address of the Honda CEO in Japan, please. I will be able to send a letter to him to ask for help. Thanks. Any suggestions to deal with this problem are greatly appreciated.

7th Oct 2010, 20:25

Yes, please post address of CEO. Our 2001 has 108,000 miles on it and these lights came on yesterday. Thanks.

8th Oct 2010, 21:57

Yes, this is another same old story with an 01 Ody. Exactly same thing happens. 2001 Honda Odyssey, original owner, 170K miles, 3rd trans died.

Honda dealer asks for 5000 - 6000 to fix the trans. Honda USA customer service is helpless, fooling you, and just read the lines. Totally disappointed with Honda USA. IF HONDA JAPAN is proud of their product, do something.

P.S. Another Honda, HA.

24th Jan 2011, 18:31

http://world.honda.com/profile/overview/

The above URL contains Honda CEO's postal address.

18th Feb 2011, 17:44

I purchased a 2001 Odyssey EX in August of 2001. I ordered it and waited six weeks for it to arrive from Canada.

The Odyssey ran fine until it reached 65000 in 2008. The transmission died, but fortunately, Honda covered the repair and supplied me with a rental car for a week until it was fixed.

At 105,000 I had the big maintenance completed: timing belt, spark plugs, and water pump replaced per Honda's recommendation. Two weeks later, my alternator had to be replaced.

Two weeks after this, my catalytic converter is out (check engine light came on) along with the sliding driver's door that won't open unless it is opened manually.

This van has been maintenance-free until the 105,000 maintenance, and I had planned to keep the van until it died.

Now I'm not sure if I should do this, given that I have dumped $3000 into the van within the past two months.

22nd Mar 2011, 11:10

I just called Honda Canada regarding my failing tranny. Van has 145,000km but they told me they couldn't do anything since 7 years had passed. When did you send your van for trans replacement?

Thanks.

26th Mar 2011, 14:46

Question about your Honda problems. After you had your timing belt done, a little while later the engine lights came on and traction control light came on, correct? Then you needed your solenoid and your two way valve replaced? Transmission went out?

6th Apr 2011, 15:46

I am having the same problem with the check engine light staying on and the TCS light coming on after a couple miles. I have been told it's due to carbon build up. Not sure what to do?

11th Jul 2011, 14:11

Our 2001 Honda Odyssey has had 5 transmissions, 3 A/C compressors, the rear lock replaced, sliding doors reset numerous times due to malfunctioning (i.e. not opening), roller replaced on driver's side sliding door, alarm going off without break in i.e. for no reason, brake caliper seized in first few months of ownership, running light and high beam relay malfunctioned, rust bubbles starting at 7 years old. I will definitely never buy a Honda product again. Check this article out in the NY Times.

After the warranty expired, Honda did not help on the transmission at all.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/08/honda-transmission-problems-seem-to-persist/

Check this site out for comments on transmission problems.

http://www.odysseytransmission.com/