Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-115
I have a 2000 Odyssey. Seemed fine (except for road noise, sticking doors, sliding doors that do not open or close reliably, bad alternator needing replacement, poor gas mileage) until 32,000 miles when the transmission started slipping on a trip out of town. Was replaced. Now the second transmission is slipping at 70,000. I know some honda fans will accuse me of not pampering the van. But it is a van, not a family dog. It should not need pampering. I do maintenance listed in the owners manual. I even changed the trans fluid every 30,000 miles and do not tow ever. I have no trailer hitch. I will vote with my feet. No Honda or Acura.
I have a 2002 Odyssey and my wife and I have had problems with this van from day one. We returned it to the dealer 6 times and complained about the transmission. Just two weeks ago we had it back and they charge me $424 to fix it only to have more problem. STAY AWAY FROM THE HONDA ODYSSEY VAN.
Count me in as another owner of an Odyssey with a transmission problem. The reports of problems with Odyssey transmissions are no joke. I have a 2001 Odyssey that I was just told today will need a new transmission. The van is only five years old. If Honda will replace the transmission, I'll be happy. I love the van, and I can forgive Honda for using defective transmissions "IF" they will replace them without fuss. How they handle this problem for me will help me determine whether I buy another Honda or not.
I own a 2001 Honda Odyssey which I bought new March01. It now has 69455 miles and I have never towed with it and all rout maint done as Honda recommended. The traction control light and engine light illuminated as well as slipping noticed with gear changes (engine rev with 2-3 sec delay with very hard gear change etc...). No problems with Van until now. I called my local Honda dealer and was told they wanted to evaluate my problem ASAP. At 1500 on a Friday I asked!? One I arrived my service rep had the mechanic check the codes by plugging in under driver side dash and then he stated the "code" is a definite match that tells us your transmission needs replaced now and also advised the warranty covers 7 year/100,00 miles for numerous such problems with accords, passports, and odysseys over the last few years. Within one hour I left the dealership with my wife and two young kids in a rental Nissan Pathfinder. The repairs and rental car at no cost to me and my van should be ready by Tuesday (that's four days to completion!!!). This is my second Honda purchase since 1988. My first Honda (87 Civic) lasted ten years and 192,000 miles with no problems and now Honda has just satisfied me with seamless customer care and honoring their commitment back (warranty coverage with no cost). The new transmission will have a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty to start at delivery date 09May06. I believe that would be a total of 8 years/105,455 mile complete transmission coverage AT NO COST TO ME-THE CUSTOMER! I have to admit that I am concerned the transmission will leave us stranded in the future based on all the horror stories that I've read online. Being in the military and away from home A lot and the possibility of my wife and kids being stranded with no family support has me considering trading the van for a new 2007 Odyssey which I trust Honda has "worked the kinks" out of. I'll stay committed to Honda as long as they keep their end of the bargain (honoring their warranty commitment with excellent customer care). I will keep up with comments posted and re-post to answer any questions regarding my story. Semper FI.
I purchased a 2001 Odyssey and 3 yrs 2 months to the date, started having transmission problems. First I was told it was a leak, then the gasket repaired twice. 2 months later, the same TCS light and engine light came on, and returned to repair shop! This time it needed a $1500 dollar repair. As I am with the military in Germany and bought it on the base, they were offering only a 3 yr/36000 mile warranty, so all of these repairs were out of pocket. Now 11,000 miles later (15 months) and the TCS and engine lights are on and I will need a whole new transmission, this time for $4000-5000 dollars. We are awaiting to see if Honda USA will at least give some credit as Honda Germany said take a hike! I will not be buying another Honda ever again.
Own a 1999 Honda Odyssey EX that has gone through numerous issues with power doors, numerous rotors and brake pads, numerous TCS lights, check engine lights, etc. Now, with 88,000 miles I am spending 3000 dollars for a new transmission. It was manufactured in Canada, but I bought from reseller with about 75 miles on van in the US. Honda U.S. and Honda Canada both say they cannot help. Both dealerships I have worked with over the years have treated me poorly and disdainfully. After four Honda's, I just bought a Sienna.
I am in the exact same boat. My 2001 Honda Odyssey has the check engine light on and they say it is the transmission. I bought my van in Washington State from a Honda dealer that bought this car from a Canadian dealer over the border, moved it to the US and then changed the dash and sold it to me. No one, but me has driven this van except certified Honda personal. So Honda Canada said they will not honor the warranty because I changed the dash. This product is defective and should be fixed and not push to the side by a technicality. Honda USA has said that they are not going to leave me high and dry, and I am currently waiting on a phone call back telling me what they can do for me. From what I have read, Honda USA extended the warranty on this van, but because of my Grey market purchase I might not be covered.
I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey EX, that we have owned for about 1 year. We purchased the van from the original owner. Within the last two weeks the check engine light came on. I took the Van to a Honda dealer and was informed that I needed to replace the catalytic converter. The cost would be about $500. The check engine light stayed off for about a week and then came back on along with the TCS light. I took the van to a local mechanic shop and was told the EGR valve had to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the valve, my wife drove the van home and when she went back to town later the check engine light came on again. We took the van back to the mechanic the next day, they replaced the EGR valve with a Honda replacement part this time. Picked the van up very late that evening and did not drive the van until the next day. Again the check engine light came on and after a few minutes the TCS light came. I reset the TCS light and it stayed off for a while. Took the van back to the mechanic again the next day, this time after consulting with the Honda dealer, he had to drill out the port and inserted a new replacement tube. That is where we stand at this time. My wife drove the van this evening to a community about 35 miles away, hopefully if the problem still persists this will cause the lights to reappear. At this time I am hoping that by contacting Honda Of America I will receive some type of financial compensation for the costs of these repairs, as they seem to be prevalent in their product.
Bought a new 2000 Honda Odyssey EX in July 2000. Never towed anything and kept it well maintained on a consistant maintenance schedule in accordance with dealer recommended schedule. Transmission fluid changed once. Within 3 years had noticeable noise and roughness at 50-60mph range. Since my wife drove it primarily I didn't act on it right away. I had it checked out in May 2006 (it only had 43,000 miles on it) during a routine oil change and my local Honda Service Center said they had to replace the transmission. They were quick and efficient on the change, however, I have noticed a recurring roughness at 50-60mph only two months later. I need to bring it back for another look.
Looks like I too may be in the same boat as all of you. I got the check engine light on (and the TCS turing on after driving a few miles each time). Just got the van back from the dealer after they found the on-board-diagnostics saying the EGR and 3rd gear presssure switch need to be replaced. Paid $650 (also included the 3-step fuel system clean-up). I guess I will have to expect that the light will come back (as with most you guys).
I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey, and like the other readers' comments, have had numerous problems with "check engine light" and TCS light. I have had the car into the dealership or mechanic at least 6 times for the check engine light. It has been everything from "no codes come up" to replacement of the EGR valve, to tightening the hoses to the gas cap is not fitting tight enough. Now they say it is my catalytic converter, even though 3 weeks ago it was loose hoses. I will never buy another van from Honda - I think this is an inferior car.
If you must not have the best van, then at least get a Toyota. I am tired of people here buying unsafe (Chevy Venture/Montana), unreliable (Ford Windstar-GM-Daimler) and touting them as something excellent. The Toyota does all the Honda does except drive like a Honda (meaning like a car and sports car handling together), which is the distinct thing the Ody does that no other van can touch.
"If you must not have the best van, then at least get a Toyota. I am tired of people here buying unsafe (Chevy Venture/Montana), unreliable (Ford Windstar-GM-Daimler) and touting them as something excellent." Gee, I guess everybody should get your permission before buying what they want. But all of these folks bought the precious Honda Odyssey that you love so much and have had nothing but problems with it! If there are four pages of people saying they've had problems with a car, then maybe this isn't the greatest car.
I like your fighting words. Buy the Ford and have reliability problems. Buy GM vans and have reliability and a dangerous ride. The Chrysler vans are pick and choose, but many have problems. I guess the only safe bet is to buy the Toyota. This is comparing 99-03 vans. The only shortcoming of the Ody is the tranny which is a widespread problem especially with newer ones that got the 5speed auto.
Maybe they do need my permission and how to drive their vehicle. You know, I have gotten 130,000 miles out of my Honda V6 tranny so far and it is supposed to go out every 40,000 miles. Maybe I only know how to drive it and others don't? Maybe I am just lucky. Well have fun selling your back stock of Ford Freestars or Caravans Sir.