2002 Honda Odyssey LX review from North America

Pull to right. Tire rotation did not correct this.

Severe torque steer. Steering wheel would sometimes turn 50 degrees right or more upon acceleration. Any acceleration, even moderate, would induce enough torque steer to require diver correction to avoid changing lanes.

Horrible paint quality. Silver paint excessively blotchy in one area, appearing to have been repainted at factory.

Incompetent dealer service and arrogant attitude by American Honda. Unwilling to admit to any of above problems until forced by the BBB, and even then they only admitted to torque steer problem. Honda field engineer "fixed" by setting alignment outside factory specs!!

VTEC mechanism has started making loud noise at 4200rpm and higher.

Drivers seat does not latch in fore/aft adjustment position on both sides unless driver forces seat forward or back to get both sides to click in. Dealer says its normal!

Sliding doors (non-electric) stick shut, the gasket must be occasionally greased.

Bought van due to past experience with Honda cars. Pulled to right when new, but I trusted a repair would be simple and bought it anyway. A year later, and now Honda has been forced to buy it back, but only after being cornered by my pointing out to the Better Business Bureau that their "fix" was to misalign the vehicle. I am stilled completely stunned by their attitude toward a loyal Honda customer.

Engine provides unmatched combination of power, fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Logical, useful interior layout, especially the fold-flat third row seat.

Cheap, hard plastic dashboard. It's molded in black plastic and painted to match interior color. Paint is easily scratched, showing black in scratched area. Very very cheap, especially for purchase price.

Paint on the silver is unacceptably uneven and blotchy. It is easily visible in direct sunlight where the color coat had been touched up before the clear coat was applied, just behind the sliding doors. Paint is also easily permanently damaged by bird droppings. Orange peel is a bit excessive on mine, but I've seen much worse on other Odysseys in the showroom.

Transmission on mine has been perfect, but the reputation is growing for transmission problems, and this will hurt resale value.