2003 Honda Odyssey EX from North America - Comments

We have had an ongoing problem with the front end pulling, drifting and vibrating problem with the steering wheel at any speed, more so at hgwy speeds. The van has been in to the dealer for its sixth scheduled oil change as well as three to four other times specifically for the front end pulling. The dealer has balanced and rotated all four tires on five separate occasions. The dealer even went to an outside michelin tire dealer to do a tire balance, rotation and front end check, both of which stated the front end and tires were well within the factory specifications. Yet the problem has never been corrected. If the van pulls to the left, they balanced and rotated the tires, which now cause the van to pull to the right. I have received information from a honda website that shows a diagram and describes how to adjust the front subframe or unibody plate under the front end. This is necessary for every honda odyssey van that is shipped from the factory. in canada and alabama. they chain the front end down to the railway car and tractor trailer truck. this pulls the front end out of alignment and can't be adjusted with normal alignment rack equipment. there is a special tool that is explained in this two page service bulletin, numbered 00-067. I have relayed this information to the dealer and they stated they had no record of any bulletin nor a tool and this proceedure. Obviously they are not willing to accomodate nor repair the problem. I am in the process of going through the state for lemon law proceedings. I have read a multitude of similar complaints via multiple web sites. I will keep everyone posted of my progress. I am just so angry at honda and the dealers. This is such a simple repair, yet they won't acknowledge this to the public.

Change dealers, but with the mention that if they repair the problem they will get you as a new future buying customer, and that all the repairs will be done here.

It did worked for me.

I had the same pulling that you mention. Dealer will not bother to do anything. Dealer says they all do that. Will be changing dealers. Next new car, changing brands.

I just purchased an 04 model, thank god I live in Canada and close to the plant, mine will not be shipped via rail to the dealership. But thanks for posting if some how I do get one that a dealer swap from another region. I'll at least know how to set them straight. BTW this will be my 2nd new Honda car, our 01 Civic just keeps putting along.

I just bought a EX-L 2003 Odyssey and the first thing that I noticed was that it was out of alignment. I have now been in twice for this and although it does not pull now it definitely drifts, but I expect that the pull will come back (it did last time within a week). Thank you so much for posting this information! I will certainly bring the bulletin number with me my next time in. Please keep us posted on whether you have success or not.

Laura in NJ.

My Honda Odyssey 2004 ran great till I got tire rotated. Now drifts and seems to be getting worse. I will try reversing the tire rotation then approach the dealer if it still occurs.

Purchased 2003 Odyssey that exhibited drifting problem which was particularly noticeable on the highway. At 70 mph the van changed lanes by itself (hands off the wheel) in 5 seconds. On first trip to the dealer they checked alignment, even replaced front tires (saying the tires were defective) and the problem went away. At next tire rotation, the problem returned and dealer unable to solve. I'll have to try introducing the dealer to the service bulletin 00-067. Thanks for the postings!!

Yup, my wife and I picked up a "Certified" 2003 Odyssey EX-L December 30th... Happy New Year to us! However, since then we have had it back to the dealer 3 times for alignment and tire-rotation, then we bought brand new tires as we were told the older ones were failing. Since then the car has been to the Belle Tire shop 3 times for the exact same thing. No mechanics are aware of how to fix the problem. Thank you for posting this, we are now researching article 00-067. I've driven Honda for years, this is just a shame!

I have a 2003 LX and experienced the same drifting problem when I accelerated aggressively. I swapped the left and right tires and it drifted to the other direction. I then moved the questionable tire to the rear of the car. The drifting remained during acceleration. I then decided to clean the traction control sensors on the front wheels. The Van has been driving straight ever since. Now, if I could only get rid of the steering wheel vibration???