2001 Honda Odyssey EX from North America - Comments

So sorry to hear about these transmission problems with the odyssey, but foa '99, the powertrain warranty should cover the replacement. For 4500, I'd sell it for parts.

The 2001 Odyssey has a recall on transmissions up to 100,000 miles. Go to www.honda.com and look for recall info on your vehicle.

I have a 2002 Odyssey. The transmission started slipping between D2 and D3 at about 15-20K miles. The problem is intermittent and I can't reproduce it a the dealership so they won't replace it. I will be driving 20-25 miles and accelerating when the slip occurs and the RPMs rapidly go up. I have to step on the brake and then accelerate again, sometimes more than once, to get the transmission to shift. I just filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)(www.nhtsa.dot.gov) and I encourage others having these problems to so the same. I understand that on certain years Honda has admitted the problem and extended the warranty of the transmission to 100K miles, but not on the 2002 model yet.

I also have other annoying problems:

1) sliding doors sticking,

2) loud clunking or clicking noise when hitting the brakes when going slow in reverse.

I have a 2003 Odyssey with about 10K miles. My transmission light has begun blinking on two occasions, and there was odor evidence of hot transmission fluid. The first time I was driving on back country roads at low speeds, the second time, just after stepping on the gas and passing on a highway. The light would stay blinking untilI stopped for a while then restarted the car. Anyone confronted this same problem? Is it a serious symptom?

I own a 1999 Honda Odyssey, the transmission failed at 122,000 kl. 80,000 miles. Honda Canada has offered to pay 1/2 of the cost (total cost $4,000 Canadian or $5,500 American) I have been very happy with this van until now and it may be time to down grade this vehicle in such books as Lemon Aid. Has any one been able to get a better deal out of Honda for this replacement.

I have a 2001 Honda van, the transmission went at 22,500 miles. Honda Carland in Atlanta did a great job getting the vehicle in and out quickly. The replacement unit had a

"whine" noise, it lasted for 12,000 miles. At cold temps,

there was a metal clicking sound. They have replaced the trans again at 34,500. Now, a week later, it has the same

clicking noise. Honda will not allow a tech to rebuild the unit, but the factory reman transmission seem to have the same problems.

R.West, Atlanta.

We have a 1999 Odyssey that was fine until about 80,000 miles, when the transmission began slipping. It was diagnosed as a burned O-ring; requiring replacement of the whole transmission for $5600 and about two weeks waiting. This left a very bad taste, for we drive it gently. 8 months later Honda came through and decided to acknowledge their Odyssey transmission problems. They reimbursed the replacement cost. Yea, Honda! Then, 2 months later the panel lights indicated a problem and we paid $900 to replace a solenoid valve in the 'new' transmission, which was 1,000 miles over the 36,000 mile warranty. After the replacement, the computer does not indicate a problem, but it is downshifting roughly, and we took it back. The transmission experts say it needs a new transmission. It is only 11 months old! Now we're ready to sell out Honda, and buy something else, although we love the vehicle otherwise.

2001 Odyssey with 54,000 miles. I bought this used in April 2002 when there was only some minor anecdotal stories on the transmissions. Now, I'm waiting for my dealer to replace it. Occasionally, there was some strange shifting, but that is the norm for most modern transmissions that use computer signals to determine the correct gear. The programmers and engineers don't successfully plan for every possible input to the system. Other than the occasional odd shifting, there was no physical indication of a failure. The check engine light came on, I took it in, and the dealer calls me later to tell me they have to replace the transmission because of slipping. I've put about 30,000 of my own miles on this van and have been very happy with it. Now, I see the van devaluing madly after the transmission recall and I worry that I will be upside down for my next trade. What do we do about that? Purchasing a Honda was supposed to lead to a good resale value.

The clucking or clicking noise if I hitting the break is my major problem on this van! Does anyone know why it makes a noise if I hit the brakes? Please help.

I have the clunking or clicking sounds in my 1998 odyssey.

It has done that since it was new. It has 51000 miles on it and is almost 7 years old. It just does this when moving very slowly though parking lots. Also if I am going very slowly and then punch the gas especially while going uphill it slams into low gear.

The timing belt service just cost me 600 dollars. Since it is nearly 7 years old it had to be done.

The resale value is not what I expected it to be. I may just buy american next time. At least the transmissions can be replaced for around 2000 dollars with a new one and you know they will normally last for 120,000 miles or so.

I have no faith in honda anymore.

I've had no problems with my 2001 Odyssey until last week when I was having problems starting the car. The dealer determined that my fuel pump is failing. The car has only 57K miles. The dealer said that they have seen this problem before on one other 2001 Odyssey. Has anyone else had or heard of this?

Thanks!

My 01 Odyssey is in for its 3rd transmission at 50K miles. I can't believe how many Odyssey owners are in this boat.

I am taping a string of plastic lemons to the back of my Odyssey with a huge yellow sign that reads "HONDA MAKES BAD TRANSMISSIONS" and chalking my windows to read "Thousands agree - google it before you buy it!"

Maybe if a few more of us do our own "advertising" it will occur to HONDA to fix their problem. Minivan sales are already down 30% from this time last year due to gas crunch. Make your own signs and let people know NOT to buy HONDA.

I'm currently in the market for a minivan and it's too bad that all of you have had problems with your Hondas.

There are a couple of things I was wondering about amidst all your stories. One, for those of you who are having transmission problems: Are you using your Honda for towing on a regular basis? If so, what is the payload that you are towing? Two, how often are you changing the transmission oil on your vehicle?

Sorry if these sound like dumb questions, but I owned a 1990 Honda CRX for about ten years before passing it on to my sister. Trust me when I tell you that she does not keep the car well maintained, but she's still driving it around town running errands. So I'm just finding difficult to believe that Honda is capable of creating such lemon.

I would appreciate your honest opinions as I am trying to narrow my choices for a minivan. After reading your reviews, I'm leaning more towards either the Dodge Caravan or Toyota Sienna.

I have a 1991 Honda Odyssey. I had the engine replaced at 79,000km and now I need a new transmission and Honda will not even discuss this issue with me. To date they have replaced the struts, rotors three times, wheel bearings. I have had problems with the doors, numerous electrical problems from burnt out lights that cost $200. Almost every sensor needed replacement. Heater fan needed replacement because leaves got in the compartment and they tried to blame me for it, but I did not buy their argument for one minute and they did repair it under warranty. The driver seat I am told has bearing problems and will need to be replaced at a cost of $1200. out of my pocket. I consider this a safety issue and yet they refuse to acknowledge that it is. This vehicle has serious problems and is not worth the money. I am beginning to think MTO should consider it an unsafe vehicle because of the poor workmanship and engineering. Without doubt Honda realizes that it put out a van this is poorly designed and are desperately trying to tell the consumers that each problem is very unique, but the more I speak to owners I am quickly coming to the conclusion these problems are inherent to the whole fleet of Honda Odysseys. I am actually thinking of asking a lawyer to determine if a class action against Honda is possible. Maybe the owners of these vehicles should form an association and challenge Honda.

I will also take the advice of another writer and park my van in front of the Dealer with a string of plastic lemons attached to the back of my Odyssey with a huge yellow sign that reads "HONDA MAKES BAD VANS".

I own a 2001 Honda Odyssey with 32,000 miles on it when the Check engine light came on. I took it my mechanic to have new brakes (and rotors) and he pulled the code for the ck. engine as a P0740 torque converter bad. Also the traction Control System light (TCS) would come on and off as well. He said to go to honda it was covered under warranty. I had to wait a month and a half for the appointment. Now with 38,000 (went on vacation with it) I take it to the dealer that says I need a new tranmission (Which is really only rebuilt) and has a 1 year 12,000 warranty. I asked how can that be when the original one had a 80,000 mile and I think 5 year warranty? What I'm worried about is they replace the bad part with the same defective part and after 12,000 miles or 1 year I'm stuck with buying a new transmission. Ohh and the TCS light coming on was caused by a knock sensor harness gone bad? What I said the knock sensor controls knocking in the engine not the Traction Control system. They want $375 to replace it since its not covered under warranty. I'm going to call Honda's headquarters tomorrow to see what they will do. I paid list price for this car and waited 8 months to get it. Has navigation system (I love it) But I don't know if I should dump the car and get what? Another Honda with the same problems? It's funny I asked a service guy taking my car if he has seen many Odysseys with transmissions problems he said to me lets be just tell you if I was to buy a mini van I would get the Toyota Sienna. I think that about summons up Honda's mini van problems.