2000 Honda Odyssey EX review from North America

Rear window's wiper fell off at 5500 miles.

Left side power sliding door has been an ongoing problem since I bought it. It has been stuck open many times and would not respond when I used the button on the dash. On two occasions, the door would not fully close and I had to drive home that way. The service tech suggested that I was doing something wrong rather than acknowledge that the power sliding door is a problem for many owners.

Replaced keyless entry remote at 10.000 miles.

The right front door moulding was deformed and pulled out from behind the pillar. Replaced it at 18,000 miles. The weatherstripping around the back hatch slipped out around the same time and the service tech kept gluing it back in.

Transmission was replaced at 34,000 miles after I reported an intermittent noise and grabbing that occurred only in reverse.

CD Radio replaced at 34,000 miles after I reported an error that would occur when I inserted a CD. The player would skip repeatedly, but not get to the first track.

Since I don't know what's normal wear and tear for brakes, I didn't list the replacement of the front disk brake pads at 30,000 miles as a problem. The brakes did start squeaking at around 7500 miles, but the techs said this was normal.

I had to get a new set of tires earlier than I expected (at 38,000 miles). I purchased Michelin X-Radial Plus with an 80,000 mile warranty from a warehouse store rather than buying them through Honda.

I have followed the Severe Conditions maintenance schedule since purchasing my Odyssey brand new in October of 1999, even though I don't drive under severe conditions as defined in the manual. I keep accurate records so I am quite sure of the mileage figures that I have provided in this review. I am glad that the transmission and CD radio were replaced under warranty, but I purchased a 7-year/100,000 mile Honda Care extended warranty at 35,550 miles because it looks like I may need it.

I have kept this vehicle because it is a good people-mover and it has get-up-and-go. It is definitely NOT the vehicle for a person who is not willing to keep up with the maintenance. I would tell anyone who was buying a Honda Odyssey to purchase extended protection as well and to shop around when doing so. A lot of people don't realize that the price of these warranties is negotiable.