2001 Honda Odyssey EX from North America - Comments

We bought a certified used 2001 Honda Odyssey and had little trouble with it except occasional "jump"... I didn't know this could be a transmission problem or would have had it checked out sooner.

At 117,000 miles on a trip to Parris Island, SC to pick up my son from U.S.Marine boot camp, the TCS and check engine light came on. We found a Honda dealer in Beaufort and they said the transmission was gone. We checked with American Honda and was told there was no recall on the transmission, however they would only "let" the dealer charge us about $1200 for a new transmission. Five months later the lights are coming on randomly again... they come on, go off, come on. The transmission seems to be doing OK. After reading all the other problems people are having, I don't know what to do... see the dealer and spend a pile of money or add some additive and keep going??? Too bad I planned on keeping this van till the wheels fell off and just bought new Michelin tires (good for 80,000 miles)... sounds like the tires will outlast the van??? Any suggestions...

To 21:55: I sympathize with you. Actually, you are luckier than we were. Our Honda never even MADE 100,000 miles. It was sold to a junk dealer at 99,000 miles.

I'd trade it, new tires or not. You will only be out thousands more very soon for Heaven knows what. We switched to Ford and GM and have never had a single problem with any of them before 100,000+ miles. One of our Fords was traded at 325,000+ miles, and our Buick LeSabre was sold at 277,000 miles. The Ford had cost less than $500 in total repairs, while the Buick had had absolutely NOTHING beyond routine maintenance. We currently own 2 GM vehicles and 2 Ford vehicles. The oldest is 9 years old and has had nothing but front brake pads and one light bulb. The others have had nothing at all done to them. We'll never waste our hard-earned money on another Japanese car.

I purchased my Odyssey in 2001 and have 103,000 miles now and the tranny went out at 69,000 miles. Honda dealer replaced and I've not had any problems since. I drove from GA to Alaska 3 years ago and no issues with three very cold and icy winters. I forgot to mention the symmetry tires only lasted 40,000 and badyear comfort tread tires lasted about the same. I'm trying BFG traction t/a's now (22,000 so far and going strong). I'm shocked you're recommending GM. I prefer American made Toyota or Honda due to their actual reliability ratings versus GM and Ford poor quality ratings and inflated pricing. Semper Fi!

I'm shocked that you're STILL recommending Honda when your transmission died with only 69,000 miles! Since your second transmission only has 34,000 miles on it, I would HOPE that you haven't had any trouble. But let us know if you still recommend the car when you get to Transmission No. 3. Also, it seems that being "overpriced" is generally a criticism leveled at Japanese cars, rather than domestics.

I hope this posting would help who has CEL and TCS lights!!

Honda Odyssey 1999 with 118k miles.

Symptoms: NONE, same pickup, same fuel consumption

Lights : CEL and TCS (some times)

In one of my long journey 500 miles... CEL and TCS started showing up... stopped the car and restarted.. TCS gone.. but CEL stayed... drove about 200 miles without any problem but the CEL was on... did resetting of CEL... drove another 400 miles CEL came back again.. P0420 and P0401 codes... showing up.. some times only P0420 and some times only P0401...so confusing.

Changed PCV valve, gas cap.. no use.

(tried home remedies :) )

After resetting the codes, they were coming back when I just take off my foot from gas pedal after attaining speed of 40 to 50mph.

Firestone said O2 sensors... but I doubt this diagnosis.. if the sensor is bad... CEL should come back immediately after I reset the OBD code.. CEL was coming intermittently.. So did not change the O2 sensor.

Drove another 1000 miles... with CEL on.. and intermittent TCS light...

After reading this forum's posts... suspected EGR valve... tried to replace the same.. but could not loosen the bolts... also don't know how to clean intake manifold so had to go to dealer.. as they could install the whole EGR kit.

Honda Dealer said EGR valve problem and 'Cat failing' problem. Both together 1200$ after 95$ diagnosis fee.

Took a chance and asked to change only EGR valve kit.

Problem solved.. drove another 1000 miles so far... no sign of CEL nor TCS light.

Flashing CEL is danger to drive any further...

Could be transmission, ignition coils etc...

Steady CEL .. one could drive with out problem... it can be a gas cap, OXyzen sensor, Cat or the EGR valve.

Hope this would help someone one day...

I have a 99 Odyssey and the trans went out at 40K miles the first time and went out again at 90K miles. I used to be a big fan of Honda, but this really disappoints me. I wrote a letter to Honda Corp and they finally agreed to replace my trans with no cost. I hope this trans will run over 40K mile. Good luck to me. I don't think I want to buy Honda anymore.

We have a 2001 Honda Odyssey with 212,000 miles. It has been one thing after another with it.

We first had problems with the transmission going out at 105,000 miles. Honda paid for half and we paid for half; we paid $500.

At about 150,000 or 160,000 miles got a check engine light and the catalytic converter went out. We put a after market catalytic converter and that only lasted 6 months. I recommend not buying after market products, especially the catalytic converter.

After that, the 02 sensors went out and then since then the catalytic converter and 02 sensors have gone out again. We replaced 1 of the catalytic converters with a Honda brand. Now, the catalytic converter has burned up again. We've put 2 catalytic converters on and 2 02 sensors on it. We have had it with Honda and will never buy another Honda again.

I have 2001 Odyssey, transmission was replaced under warranty in 2004. Now at 170,000 miles it broke again.

Dealer says $3600 and Aamco 2000 to 2500. This van isn't being fixed as there are better $4000 vehicles on Craigslist. Wikipedia now has a entry on this problem under 'Honda Odyssey'.

Had this 2001 Honda Odyssey since new. Engine and TCS lights popped on the other day. Honda checked it (138,925 miles) and said it is a code P0740 -- needs a new transmission. We performed all require maintenance on this vehicle, both at Honda and with outside mechanics specializing in Hondas. Of course the extended warranty has expired and Honda treated the problem no differently than needing an oil change. Makes it hard to ever consider another Honda or Acura -- both of which we have had in the past.

I have a 2001 Odyssey. I had the EGR and transmission codes pop up at the same time around 144k miles. I pulled the intake and cleaned out the plugged port on the bottom. This eliminated the EGR code without replacing the EGR valve which tested fine on the bench. The transmission shifted fine for another 2,000 miles, but the lockup clutch in the torque converter totally stopped working. Today I had the transmission changed at my local Honda dealer along with 2 motor mounts for $3200. We really need the car to be reliable, so fingers are crossed!

I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey and my check engine and TCS lights came on. I was told that I have a bad catalic converter and that I need an alignment on my back tires, does that make any sense? Oh by the way, my van has 139,xxx miles on it.

I have a 2001 Odyssey. 4 days ago, my wife was driving it to work when it stalled with the check engine light coming on. She turned off and the turned on the ignition and it drove fine. I nevertheless knew something was not right and took it to the nearest dealer. He said the EGR valve needed to be replaced. Then he said, his mechanic noticed a transmission fluid leak and said it should be fixed sooner than later. I hesitated, but was offered a loaner car while they worked on it.

It's 3 days later and now they say I need a new transmission!!! It's got 120K miles on it. But it was running fine and my guess is the EGR valve replacement would have been enough. I have no leakage marks on my garage floor so the leak could not have been that bad. I am going to fight this and not pay a penny more than to fix the leak and replace EGR valve. Let's hope it's a just world out there for a change? I think Honda gets an overhyped good rep while Ford is honest about its issues and gets a bad one... now Ford is turning around while Honda has gotten complacent. What do others think?