Comments: 1-15, 16-18
The transmission failed at approximately 30,000 miles. Honda failed to correct the problem on earlier requests. The second transmission is failing now, but they have failed to fix the problem after several visits.
The vehicle has excessive road noise entering the passenger compartment. It is difficult to hold a conversation at 65 MPH on the freeway.
You are not alone with this situation. I too am disappointed with Honda.
I own a 2000 Odyssey, first transmission replaced at 38K. At 58K it is going out again. Both times difficult to convince dealer since problem is intermittent. I'm an engineer. After reading Honda's schematics, I see a small filter buried deep inside the transmission. Based on symptoms, I'm pretty sure this is the cause and the reason why the transmission needs to be replaced (rebuilt) versus serviced. They should have put the filter on the outside where you could easily change it, like a fuel or engine oil filter. I'd like to hear Honda respond to this. Running out of 7 year extended warranty.
I have a 2002 Odyssey with 71K mileage. It has been having a transmission problem for 2 years. It finally slips so badly that it is being replaced via Honda no charge. Actually for $50. The Honda dealership said that if they didn't charge me something they could not give me a warranty (3/36). I probably got suckered out of $50. Please use this to try to get the free replacement. I hear that it cost around $5000.
High Point, NC.
I have a Honda 2002 Odyssey with Leather, I have 69K miles on it. The Malfuction Light came on, the Dealer told me the Transmission is out, need a replacement. Do any one have any idea how to get Honda to replace it for free.
Thanks.
Goaes@yahoo.com.
I own a 2002 Odyssey and the transmission went out two years ago at 40K miles. The dealer I bought it from had to see it FOUR TIMES before agreeing to replace it. I was so upset I called HONDA USA and sent a certified letter, threatening to call our State Attorney General. That got their attention. The extended my warranty to 7 yrs/100K for no cost. I'm still not sure if I'll buy another Honda, though. It is disillusioning...
I own a 2002 Odyssey with 140,000 km and the transmission is now slipping into neutral as I'm driving. I feel very unsafe and fear it will do this as I'm pulling out into traffic or passing on the highway! Honda Canada has offered $1,000 off of the $3,700 repair bill which seems totally unfair since this problem is widespread and obviously a design error. A friend had his replaced at 115,000 km for $500. Why such a discrepancy? Honda Canada says I didn't spend enough on regular maintenance at the dealers. How does that have anything to do with the fact that they manufacture a faulty transmission? I'm now sending a letter to them to politely let them know how the Honda reputation that they have earned over the years is disappearing quickly in the eyes of many. Especially when they refuse to fix the problem.
I live in MD and have an '02 Odyssey that has just started to have tranny problems at 63,300 miles, slipping out of gear while driving and otherwise not feeling as smooth as it did when it was new.
When driving the car to the night drop at the dealer to have it checked, the check engine light came on. I called American Honda about this on the morning of August 2nd, after finding numerous complaints about similar problems on the Internet with other '02 Ody's.
American Honda issued a case number for me and told me to call them with the dealer's results of the check. Dealer told me the check engine light was from a code P0730, indicating internal transmission failure, but he would not elaborate more. He only said that this happens a lot, and when it does, all they do is replace the transmission, which would cost $3,550 plus tax.
I reported the findings to American Honda, and they told me a case manager would review the case and my reasons as to why I felt Honda should participate in the repair, and would be back to me on August 6th.
NHTSA recall repair was performed without my knowing it or being told of a recall (still have never received that recall notice or the other recall about the belt tensioner, both issued in 2004). Honda records indicate the recall work was performed on my car in '05 while I had the car at the dealer for some other service. The dealer did not perform the recall work for the belt tensioner at that time, but it was done at my request during the transmission check that cost me $97. I never received either recall notice, and never was told that the recall service was performed while my car was in for service in '05 at about 21K miles.
I have changed the trans fluid at the recommended intervals and the last change revealed a dark grayish-black sludge on the tranny drain plug that had stuck to the magnet on the drain plug. It's obviously gear grindings, now that I know the transmission is failing.
We have filed a complaint about this issue with NHTSA, and found we are one of 148 complaints about '02 Ody's on record so far. They stated if they get enough complaints, they will investigate this and pursue another recall. I urge everyone having this problem to file a complaint with NHTSA. It takes about 10 minutes over the phone, and it will serve us all much better.
I think Honda is avoiding the problem they know they may ultimately be forced to remedy. Especially since there seems to be mixed responses to this problem, with Honda paying for the replacement of the '02 Ody tranny's in some cases, while others are being told they need to pay for part of it. NHTSA can force them to do this, but they need enough justification. File away.
I got the same problem. 2002 odyssey lx. trans slip at 70K.
Almost got into an accident. Wife was driving and making a turn when the trans slipped and almost lost control. Too dangerous if it happens while turning. We used to love honda, but not anymore. Hope everyone is in to file a class suit.
I have a 2002 Odyssey EX-L. I also purchased an extended warranty - 6 years or 100,000 miles. At 109,200 the transmission failed. The dealer spoke with HONDA Region Manager and managed to get the cost $4,000 (??? I doubt) down to $1,800 - he calls it a Good Will on Honda's part!
I have researched this issue on the web in the past several days. It is more widespread than I thought.
I think, Honda knows of this issue and is avoiding a major RECALL. As a result, on a case by case basis, Honda is exercising "good will."
This problem needs to be investigated. A company such as Honda (Quality Products?) should take care of it out of its own hide.
We need a recall Honda Odyssey transmissions are unsafe. Let's pressure Honda into finally being held accountable for their lousy quality and workmanship.
We own a 2002 Odyssey, with just under 38000 miles. Always driven normal, (family, kids, that kind of lifestyle), no towing or heavy loads.
Our transmission seems to be slipping the last couple of weeks during speeds between 30ish and 40ish mph. Called the local Honda dealer, and asked if there was any known problems with these transmissions. They said no, that my case was unusual for the low mileage. The service guy on the phone told me that it was most likely an EGR valve, and that is 300 dollars. Well, I did some checking, and discovered through this forum and others that the problem is widespread.
I called American Honda, and the customer service person (who was very polite and as helpful as could be) told me that the EGR valve warranty was extended to 7 years or 84000 miles, so that should be taken care of. She gave me a case number, and did not comment on if the problem is widespread. I am filing a complaint with the NTSB like the previous comment suggested. The 99 thru 01 vans were given class action status and taken care of, but not the 02 and 03 models. If I have to spend up to 5000 to replace a transmission on a vehicle that is not even through half its life span, I will never buy a Honda again.
I have a 02 Honda Odyssey and in the past 5yrs while driving sometimes all of the red lights on the dash board would come on. I mentioned it to the dealer, and they said that there is nothing wrong. Did anyone else have this problem?
I purchased an 02 Odyssey 2 years ago used; it had 137,000km on it. I drove it for almost a year when the transmission started to slip at around 190,000 km. I did my research and found out that they were known for this issue. Being a Honda, I thought I would invest the 4000.00 and drive it for another 190,000 km. The next one lasted 1 month that Honda covered under warranty. Thinking that was the last of it, I had it serviced at the 10,000 km warranty period and they said all was well.
Today after it was sitting in the driveway for 5 hours, it decided to take a trip on its own, so with no keys in it and in park, it rolled down my driveway across the road, down a 30' bank and stopped against a big tree. Never again will I buy a Honda van.
On my 2002 Odyssey EX the transmission began slipping intermittently between 2nd and 3rd gears at around the 107,500 mile mark. Shortly afterward the Check Engine light came on and stayed on, and the TCS light would turn on sporadically. Two error codes were registering when I brought the vehicle in for diagnosis: PO740 - TC Clutch Failure, and PO730 - Incorrect Gear Ratio.
This model year has an April 15th, 2004 recall in effect for the transmission which requires either a transmission oil cooler return line to be installed OR transmission replacement if there is discoloration present in the case of gears overheating, so the technician would need to discern which condition applies - hence there appears to be a level of subjectivity involved whether you get a replacement transmission or not. The safety issue is caused by gear tooth chipping or gear breakage that could cause the transmission to lock up.
On another vehicle I owned the car stopped accelerating once the transmission died and I could pull off to the side of the road, but the thought of a transmission lock-up while speeding at 65-70 mph with a family in back is not a pleasant one, which is what makes this particular even more critical.
Based on Honda Owner Link records for my VIN this issue had been marked "fixed" either by maintenance work done for the previous owner or fixed without my knowledge during one of my scheduled maintenance visits since I did not receive a recall letter and I don't have a full log of the service records. All the major work on this vehicle on prior visits had always been performed at the dealership, including replacing of the rear gasket and engine mounts.
American Honda had me bring the vehicle in to the local dealer for diagnosis ($100) only to deny an attempt to file a claim for a replacement transmission since according to them the issue had been "fixed" for free, and the dealer quoted me $4,500 for the repairs and no assistance/discounts to speak of, which I of course declined.
The main reason for purchasing a Honda was the touted quality of their brand, and I politely but forcefully told both levels of the organization how disappointed I was with the quality of this vehicle. My other foreign vehicles from competitors were well beyond their 250K odometer mile mark when I sold them, with no major engine/transmission problems to speak of. I've since filed a complaint with NHTSA in an attempt to revisit/expand this recall. I hope others reading this forum will do the same. Manufacturers need to realize that quality is critical to brand loyalty, and will have a major impact on future sales. Case in point - we were actually thinking of upgrading to a 2009 model before this service issue came up. Now that thought has vaporized.
2002 Odyssey at slightly over 51,000 miles, purchased last year with 22,000 miles. Tranny started slipping at appx. 55mph on the highway. It would jump into neutral and then back into gear, over and over again, for the entire 20 minute trip it took me to get home. That's something I definitely consider a safety issue!
Then, on local streets, there was a harsh jerking when downshifting, right before stopping, and another harsher jerk when taking off from a stop. Seems like the tranny doesn't want to shift smoothly. The check engine and TCS light came on along with the Tranny green D light that began flashing rapidly. Tranny fluid looks discolored and thick, so I'm sure my clutch bands are toast.
I'll be contacting that lawyer in NYC that handled the last 99-01 Odyssey recall lawsuit, and also calling the NHTSA regarding this obviously needed recall issue.
Always thought Hondas were very reliable, but I'll probably never buy another one. I'll stick with the proven Nissan and Toyota minivans from here on.