Automatic Transmission (three times)
Brakes (every 20,000 miles)
For the first 12,000 miles, we referred to this car as a "dream car". It had exceptional performance for a minivan.
At slightly under 12,000 miles, the brakes started to produce a squeal and felt as though they were grinding. The dealership that we bought the car from told us that they needed to be de-glazed. The grinding noise never went away, and 4,000 miles later, we took it in for the same problem. At that time, we were told that we needed a $500 brake job and that it was out of warranty now that we were beyond 12,000 miles.
At 26,000 miles, the first transmission died. To their credit, the dealership loaned us a car, and had the problem fixed within four days. At 60,000 miles, we were informed by the cheerful service manager that we were going to be the lucky recipients of yet another "new" transmission.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, Honda has had so much trouble with the powertrain on these cars that they have extended the warranty to 100,000 miles. There was no charge, but the prospect of having to replace the transmission every 30,000 miles is not a very pleasant one.
The good news is that Honda is doing so many of these now, that they had the remanufactured transmission in stock and fixed the car in three days. The really bad news is that the "new" remanufactured transmission sounds and slips worse than either of the first two and the car will be going in again.
One other interesting trick we ran into involved a recall for a faulty EGR valve. The symptom is that the check engine light comes on. A service notice has been sent to all Odyssey owners telling them to take the car in to their Honda dealers if the light comes on, and they will install a new EGR valve if this is found to be the problem. In our case, we did this only to be told that the problem was just a faulty fuel cap. We were then presented with a $95 bill for connecting the diagnostic equipment and a $9 fuel cap. I have so little confidence in their honesty now that I sincerely believe that they submitted the claim for a new EGR valve to Honda for credit, and then tried to charge us for a fuel cap which very likely wasn't faulty at all. They were unable to produce the faulty cap when we picked up the car. After arm-wrestling with the service manager, he dropped the $80 diagnostic fee.
Next time we'll take it to the local auto parts place that will do some very abbreviated diagnostics for free before taking it to Honda.
The car has also developed a shudder in the steering wheel. Even with an alignment, new tires, and several rebalances, no one can tell us what is wrong. The dealership told us that the CV joint boots needed replacement and that it could be the joints themselves. Due to the cost, we had another car dealer check it out to find that the boots were fine.
It's a great car performance-wise. It has undersized brakes and a poorly matched transmission. On top of it, Honda's sales and service philosophy before, during, and after the sale of the car is terrible. I not an attorney, but would be very open to participating in a class action suit against this company based on the number of people who seem to be experiencing the same problems I have had with our Odyssey and multiple Honda dealerships.
I agree with MR Steven, i previously owned 4 Honda cars 2 accords, a Prelude and a Civic, but this is the very first times that I have a vehicle made by Honda that is not reliable. I own a 2001 Odyssey ex, at 12000 miles the dealer
has replaced the transmission, 18000 miles the replacement
transmission failed, tow the lemon to the dealer, they kept 3 days
they replaced the transmission again, i was backing up from the dealer garage, I've a very loud noise, i talk to the service
manager he had it on the lift, but cannot find anything wrong with the transmission, but the noise is getting louder, finally they replaced the transmission, the noise is gone, but I wouldn't recommend that vehicle to my mother in law.
Couldn't agree more. The Odyssey was great design from a features standpoint, but the transmission is a lemon. Our 1999 Odyssey has just burned out it's fourth transmission at 56,000 miles. Hard to believe this is a Honda product. I have another Honda with 125,000 miles and never a single mechanical failure.
The transmission of my 2000 Odyssey was just replaced at 84,000 miles. Though the replacement is a rebuilt transmission, the defect is supposed to be corrected with modified components. Still, I'm a little nervous since I'm so close to the 100,000 mile extended warranty.
I also experienced the ERG valve defect that Honda will correct up to 80,000 miles. Unfortunately I will have to pay for this repair. They won't meet me half way on the cost even though I'm only 4k miles over the extended warranty (And I'm pretty persistent). Given the amount of extra work they are doing to make the fix permanent, and the fact that the diagnosts cost is included, I think the overall cost of just under $400 is not extremely high. Estimates I received for replacing the ERG valve alone were around $160. Given the other work being done, I'm guessing that I'll be paying about $100-150 more at the dealership. I wish I had known about the extended ERG warranty earlier. It first clogged up two years ago. That time my regular mechanic cleaned the valve for about $100. A year later, and still under 80,000 miles, I paid another $100 to have it cleaned.
Lesson learned: I will pay better attention to any mail from Honda. Overall, however, it's been a very good vehicle. Other than regular maintenance, I've only spent about $700 in repairs.
I, too, have wondered what has happened to Honda. This used to be a company that gained its strong reputation by building reliable, high-quality vehicles.
I was a satisfied Honda owner for many years, too... until I bought my 2000 Honda Odyssey Van. From the get-go the van had badly sticking (manual) sliding doors. Annoying? Yes. Worth leaving Honda? No, although I really expected a better-working product from them.
Lately, however, the van has been having more major problems: The "Check Engine" Light came on (a $1,000 repair) and the transmission had to be replaced (at 93K). Apparently these are both increasingly common problems in this model. It's hard to believe that my van carries the Honda name!
I will give our local Honda dealership a lot of credit for good customer service. They replaced the transmission at no cost and also gave us a loaner car for the 2 days that it took to fix the van. However, the "Check Engine" light just came on again today...
I purchased a used 2000 Odyssey this summer (2005), if I had reviewed all this comments prior to purchasing this vehicle I would have not done so. At 80,000 the transmission went out. The local dealer is replacing the transmission at no charge. The sliding doors that is another problem I am having they won't closed they make funny noises they jump size to size when closing and I have read over 30 comments that several owners are having or have had with this doors, can something be done? Why isn't doing some type of recall on this problem.
I have the exact same problems!!! I have taken my van more times than I care to mention to the dealer and to local auto repair with no luck. I have brake, transmission, and alignment issues. I have tried everything.
Now the transmission is completely gone. The brakes I have no clue what to do - I have had them replaced several times, and my alignment problem they can't fix.
I am female and was starting to wonder if this was all because of my gender. I am glad to see/not glad of your issues, however it's not me.
The same day my transmission went out and I dropped it off I received a letter in the mail pertaining to a lawsuit. It's on the transmission, funny how it keeps happening. The number to Honda was on there and I called. They had "No Comment" and referred me to another number which is an attorney. I have yet to call; however as soon as I get through typing this I will. Thank you for helping me out!!
J.Leirer.
2000 Honda Odyssey right power door replaced motor and guide wheels,$1000.00 about a year ago. Now the transmission is out. The dealership says its around $3000.00 to repair.
The van has about 130k miles on it and is out of warranty. I expected it to run like the Accords up to around 200k miles with out multi-thousand dollar repairs.
What do I do with this Van? Sell it or keep pouring money into it.
Help.
I am scheduled for my third re-manufactured transmission on my 2000 Honda Odyssey. I took the van into the dealership in mid March for slipping and extended gear shifting time. I was told this was normal for a vehicle this age. I stated my transmission was just replaced less than two years ago so age should not be a factor. I was then told I need motor mounts and a transmission mount which they promised to solve the problem at a cost of 500+dollars. Problem was not resolved. Finally they installed a re-manufactured transmission at the end of March. The transmission started slipping again and leaking fluid and the dealership checked and stated their Technican, Advisor, assistant Service Manager found no problems. I asked one of them to take a ride with me to verfiy what is normal. The first extended shift the SM stated was normal by his standards. (NOT BY MINE) By the second, third, forth, and fifth, jerk he stated I had a bad transmission. I am waiting to hear from Honda on the repairs.
2007 Honda Odessey Safety Information.
My 2000 Odyssey is in the shop waiting for a 3rd transmission at 84k miles. The last two both were replaced in the same year (2003) at 38k miles. Fortunately, it's still under warranty due to a court settlement to extend it another 9 month. Mine is supposed to end next month (07/07).
Funny, the service manager also mentioned that I might have to replace engine mounts. They must have been told to get money back from me anyway possible.
Wow, what a coincidence! Just got off the phone with the Honda service rep who informed me I had a bad tranmission and needed a new motor mount. Then I started googling and found this board. At first I was happy that Honda was taking care of the transmission problem at no charge, then after reading the horror stories here I realized that the new transmission may be a lemon as well, and I was told to spend $400 (a discount) to replace the motor mount while they were at it... Man, this is getting really worrisome! My car is at 96k miles, what if the remanufactured trans goes bad in three months after it hits 100k. This makes think whether I should get rid off the Odyssey after its repair.
I have just brought a 2000 Honda EX van with 105,000 miles on it. The problems started within 100 miles of leaving the car lot. First problem was there was a loud noise coming from the back of the van. Turned out to a bad wheel bearing. (Cost $300) Second problem the torque converter went out. I made the car dealership pay for this. They tried to convince me that all Honda's with automatics shifted hard. We even test drove a Honda civic with a automatic to see if it shifted hard. But no such luck, it shifted nice and smooth. I hope this will solve the problem. Maybe next time I will read the reports on cars and vans.
Wow.
I am looking at a 2000 odyssey right now and have changed my mind based on all the negative feedabck on this website. Thanks for keeping me away from a potentionally costly endeavor!
I too was looking at a used 2000 Honda Odyssey and have changed my mind based on the comments here. Thanks So much.
Anyone who is having problems with their Odyssey should just sell it. There are still plenty of people who buy into the fallacy that Honda's are perfect, and purchasing one will be the answer to all their automotive problems for the rest of their life.
I realize it is a terrible thing to unload such a piece of junk on someone, but although this does not make it right, Honda did it to you. They fully understand and skillfully capitalize on the gullibility of the American consumer.
Honda knows that they can put out whatever garbage they want, and people will buy it. Do not think for one second that there will not be a line of people chomping at the bit to take your Odyssey off your hands, thinking it is the greatest vehicle on the road, even though it is one of the worst.
I find that unbelievable, given that there are sites like this available where people can read the truth, instead of just allowing themselves to programmed by whatever the biased automotive and regular medias are purporting at the moment.
I was just getting ready to go pick up a 2000 Odessey with 97000 miles on it and I am having serious second thoughts.