2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L w/DVD from North America - Comments

I took the kids snow tubing today at Snow Valley near Barrie. Came home, and noticed an odd smell from the front of the 2006 Honda Odyssey. On closer inspection, I can hear some gas hissing out of the Condenser, just below the front license plate. For non-Odyssey owners: this delicate Condenser is behind the front license plate, reaches very close to the ground, and appears completely unprotected. I couldn't actually see the hole or the actual gas being sprayed, but I can see a viscous white liquid accumulating where the spray hits the front grid, as well as see the foaming liquid on the Condenser itself. The entire Condenser is pitted with dents. Our Honda Dealership said that it was rock damage, not covered by the warranty, and the total repair bill would cost approximately $Cdn860. I'll try calling Honda Canada Head Office tomorrow, and try to get reimbursement. Something similiar happened to my last Honda - a 1995 Honda Accord EXR - when it was just 8 months new. The dealership charged me to replace aluminum pipes & new Freon several times, before finally deciding to use the gaseous dye and scanner. Turned out to be Condenser leak at that time also, which Honda ended up replacing at no charge. I was so peeved by that time, I already decided to sell the car before it's 1st birthday (and did so, after the repairs). It's taken me about 10yrs to buy another Honda, and this has to happen again! I don't think I can convince my wife to replace her Toyota with a Honda now. Too bad - I like the new Accord - but I'm not willing to put with this type of problem again.

My 2006 Honda Odyssey had air conditioning problem in its first summer (8 months old). Same story from Honda dealership (rock hit condenser - not covered by warranty) and Honda Canada denied any responsibility with the design problem. It was very frustration speaking to the Honda Canada customer service rep. We paid to have the A/C fixed. However, in January of 2008, when it was time to trade in our second family car for a brand new sedan, I went with Honda's competitor instead. Honda's poor customer service had cost them this sale. We used to be loyal Honda owners. This is only one of many similar stories. Collectively, we can send Honda a message. They should learn a lesson.

My husband and I purchased a brand new Odyssey Van in June 2006. Absolutely love the van. We have had no problems until we realized our air conditioner wasn’t working recently in May 2008. Our van only has 24,000 miles on it. I called a Honda dealer service and was told if it is a rock that damaged the condenser, it is not covered. I said a rock and she replied yes, rocks can damage the condenser. My husband and I never heard such thing. Without Honda even looking at my van, they already knew exactly what was wrong. So that day I got a phone call from service, and sure enough they said a rock has damaged your condenser and it would not be covered because that is consider road debris, and it will cost you 800.00. The service person said they see this every week, and then he said I mean once a month, so I was curious and got on the Internet to see if anybody else have had the same problem, and sure enough hundreds complaints with the same problem.

I contacted Honda America Corp and they said sorry it is not covered because it is road debris damage. It’s not my fault, and thousands of other consumers fault that they poorly designed the Honda Odysseys and Honda Accords. I noticed on the new 2008 Vans and cars they have a protection on the front now. But that’s not fair for all the people who have purchased a van or car 2007 or earlier.

I think that they should have a recall on this matter and fix the problem. I didn’t pay $30,000.00 for a van to have this problem. They need to put some kind of protection on the van so it doesn’t happen again.

I just want to let all other consumers beware of this, so they don’t make the same mistake we did.

I am contacting the Consumer report, Better Business Bureau all news media and papers until this problem is taking care of.

If anybody else is going through the same problem right now, please contact me marcummarketing@fuse.net

Thanks,

Lisa.

I have a 2005 Odyssey with 100,000 kms on it (60,000 miles).

Have no problem with the AC unit. My problem with the van is the snow traction. I live on the hill in Vancouver, BC and I have snow tires on every winter. I always have problem going up the hill if the snow is more than a couple inches thick. I bought a snow chain this year and today, we had a big snow fall and the snow chain is useless. It can't even beat a regular Hyundai Santa Fe with all season tires!!

The van is too front heavy and I really wish that Honda is giving us the option for having a 4wd.

I don't want an SUV (like the pilot), I want to haul my family comfortably.

I believe if Honda recognizes a engineering flaw by correcting it in the next models, they should give some kind of consideration for the public, the attitude of "not our responsibility" is unacceptable for such a company as Honda, at least offer a option for an additional product to be installed into the 06 Ody and Accord so they do not have to go through this again.

D Miller.