2001 Honda Odyssey from North America - Comments

My 2001 Odyssey has only 38,000 miles on it and has been sitting at the dealer for the last 3 weeks with a broken transmission. UNFORTUNATELY, the part is BACKORDERED indefinitely and we have no idea how much longer it will take for the repair. We had to contact a lawyer to force the dealer to provide us with a minivan as the loaner rather than the Civic. I love my substitute Windstar. You can bet I will be trading in my Honda if I ever get it back. American Honda has been horrible to deal with. I will never purchase a Honda again.

This car has serious problems. It's not worth the money.

I now truly understand the significance of your post. Our 2000 Honda Odyssey went in for transmission difficulties at about 80,000 miles in mid 2003. They told us that there was a defective solenoid, and replaced the part. At around 84,000 miles the transmission failed again. The dealership replaced the entire transmission this time, and said we shouldn't have any more troubles. At 87.000 miles the new transmission failed. Honda warranted the replacement again, and told us at that time that the defect causing the problems had been remedied, and that the new transmission was an "upgraded" model. Now, at 110,000 miles, the upgraded transmission failed again. Thankfully Honda is replacing (not repairing!) it under warranty again since the last new transmission only had 23,000 miles on it. Every time this happens, my wife has to pull off the road and call me for a ride home. This is, in my opinion, a major mechanical failure that affects the safety of the vehicle, since the car becomes suddenly not under power. Honda is refusing to buy back the 2000 Odyssey, since at this point that is all we want, so we can get a 2005. But now I don't know if I would take the 2005, since they are not helping get away from this potentially unsafe car, no matter how many times they replace the transmission! They also will not provide us with the needed minivan replacement, so we have to pay for the upgraded rental every time.

Jonathan

jmarstonm@aol.com.

Honda is supposed to have corrected the transmission

problems as of the 2003 year models, or at least by

2004. If this was GM, like with the Venture & Montana

mini-vans, well, good luck on getting GM to do what

Honda does routinely. All of you with Honda problems,

try other dealerships or creative ways to get Honda to

do the "right thing". GM, forget about it, they are los-

ing tons of former happy customers, to Japanese competitors,

& they don't seem to give a damn about it.

We have a 2001 Odyssey LX. Within the last year, we had to replace the catalytic converter (about $800). Now at 117k miles, it needs a new transmission, 3 engine mounts, and oil pan. The dealer agreed to reduce their labor somewhat and Honda agreed to mostly pay for rebuilt transmission. The total bill for work will cost us $1900. The rebuilt transmission will come with new warranty of 3 yr / 36k miles. I don't know if we are getting ripped off or not.

I don't really have a comment, but more of a question. I hear a lot about 2000 models of Honda odysseys. But I was looking to buy a 1997 Honda odyssey and was wondering if this model had the same transmission problems? If any one knows for a 100% fact then please e-mail me back. I myself have two small kids and was looking for a SAFE car to drive.

Bluepeachprincess24@yahoo.com.

Thank you.

I have been the owner of a 2001 Odyssey LX after a nightmarish 3 years owning a 1995 Winstar. I have been looking at the many comments with utter shock. I'm not sure why but I have 144K for mileage with the original transmission!! My check engine light gave my some trouble a few years back but a new gas cap solved the problem. I have no real complaints on the reliability end at all but feel horrible for those of you who have. Yes, the doors stick (have since day 1) but not worth dumping the vehicle. I had 2 of the best service advisors (no longer there) and always felt well taken care of.

I will admit that currently experiencing steering wheel vibration AFTER 1st tire rotation on the new tires. Not sure what it is (I can usually figure it out) which is what bothers me the most. I know I had uneven wear on the last set of tires DESPITE proper rotation so that makes me say, hmmmmm. Waiting on what the service department finds to decide what to do. Economy sucks so I really don't want to add any debt like a vehicle without a valid reason.

Have read people dissatisfied with gas (1 on another site complained took premium gas!!) but I am quite happy with it. I have never put anything but regular in the tank and don't remember seeing anything stating use only premium gas.

The only reason I do not plan on replacing the van for another Honda is price! I strongly feel them to be over priced for what you get. Our 1st vehicle was a 1996 Civic (LOVED IT) that had to be replaced due to an accident. We could not get help from local dealer (no call backs) so we looked elsewhere. We purchased a Toyota Matrix with we loved equally as much as our Civic! That is what I am considering to replace the van when the time comes (hoping that time is not now).