2002 Honda Odyssey LX from North America - Comments

Honda Dealership Paid 100% to get my 2002 van tranny replaced and gave me a rental car.

We bought our 2002 Honda Odyssey new. At 36,000 miles the transmission goes out (same old story). Honda replaces it for free. About five months later the recall notice came out. Seems that the tranny does not like to lubricate properly and trannys are going out all over the world. Honda replaced the tranny oil system. We have passed the 100,000 mile mark now, but I can't help but worry what the 5 months with the original transmission oil pump had already done to it. Doesn't give you much comfort on long trips or as a primary vehicle for your wife...

Electrical problems: where do I begin? I'd like to see the person who thinks that its inexpensive to change the clock light try it first. I have always done about 95% of all my car maintenance and this one has me stumped. The SRS light is on for the umpteen time - will have to take it back yet once again to the dealer. My wife has most of the trouble-shooting codes memorized because she has called the dealer enough times. Then two weeks ago the idle began hunting up and down as one other writer described. It goes uncontrollably from about 1100 to 2000 RPMs at rest. Seems to smooth out under load going down the road, but would you trust it?

I have always had at least one Toyota in my fleet, currently I have two, but I'm ready to unload the Honda lemon on some poor fool and replace it with a good used Sienna. I expect nothing less than 250k miles on any Toyota I've ever had. Engine sludge is only a problem when you don't change your oil...I've never missed a 3000 mile interval.

We have had our "02 EX-L since Jan of 2005. Bought it with 40k, and at 43k on the way to Orlando, lost the tranny. Thank god with a little persistence Honda paid to replace the tranny with 100k warranty and we were only billed for the labor. We have had minor issues with the van, and with the economy the way it is, we will be stuck with it a couple more years. Seems the dealership don't want any more gas guzzling mini vans. BTW we have 104k on it, and I am getting ready to do our own timing belt ETC.

We have a 2001 Odyssey lemon. We have had nothing but problems. Transmission blew at 130,000 miles- NOT replaced under warranty; cost us $4k! Just blew again at 167,000 miles. First, however, told we had a broken engine block, need transmission fluid to the tune of $500. 2 days later, car is slipping gears again-can barely make it into the dealer parking lot. Then they say our tranny is shot and it's our fault we didn't change the transmission fluid. But, they said they'd "do us a favor", and roll back the miles, so that we wouldn't have to pay for another transmission! So, $300 later for a car rental for a week (this all ocurring the evening before Thanksgiving and a family road trip), we get our car back. We'd also had a problem of the fuse blowing for the interior dashboard light and tail lights. Guy says couldn't find anything wrong. Now, 2 weeks later, brake, traction control and ABS lights coming on, and fuse blows again. Try to replace it, and repeatedly blows. Book says this means "a serious" electrical problem w/the car. Disappointed kids have plans cancelled yet again. Back to the dealer tomorrow for more b.s. I HATE this car. It should be covered by the Lemon Law. For a Honda, it is a disgrace. This is a family van that has been unreliable to say the least. And I'm not even mentioning the long ago blown stereo system and perpetually sticking sliding doors. Shame on you, Honda. Buyer Beware!!!

Well...I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey with manual sliding doors. The doors stick all the time in humid weather. I have put the grease on them the dealer recommended, still didn't help.

Our van just turned 100,000 miles with no tranny problems. The tranny seems to hang when taking off from a stop. Dash lights have gone out on the clock. Dash board will flicker going down the road at times. Dealer has no idea why. At times I have to shove my key down the steering column slot to unlock the gear shift. Found that trick in the manual.

It's a heavy car on third set of tires and second set of brakes. Gas mileage city has been 18 and highway 24. I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off. When should I replace the timing chain? Dealer says 100,000 miles.