2001 Honda Odyssey EX from North America - Comments

Transmission slipping at 69,455 miles.

I own a 2001 Honda Odyssey which I bought new March01. It now has 69455 miles and I have never towed with it and all rout maint done as Honda recommended. The traction control light and engine light illuminated as well as slipping noticed with gear changes (engine rev with 2-3 sec delay with very hard gear change etc...). No problems with Van until now. I called my local Honda dealer and was told they wanted to evaluate my problem ASAP. At 1500 on a Friday I asked!? One I arrived my service rep had the mechanic check the codes by plugging in under driver side dash and then he stated the "code" is a definite match that tells us your transmission needs replaced now and also advised the warranty covers 7 year/100,00 miles for numerous such problems with accords, passports, and odysseys over the last few years. Within one hour I left the dealership with my wife and two young kids in a rental Nissan Pathfinder. The repairs and rental car at no cost to me and my van should be ready by Tuesday (that's four days to completion!!!). This is my second Honda purchase since 1988. My first Honda (87 Civic) lasted ten years and 192,000 miles with no problems and now Honda has just satisfied me with seamless customer care and honoring their commitment back (warranty coverage with no cost). The new transmission will have a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty to start at delivery date 09May06. I believe that would be a total of 8 years/105,455 mile complete transmission coverage AT NO COST TO ME-THE CUSTOMER! I have to admit that I am concerned the transmission will leave us stranded in the future based on all the horror stories that I've read online. Being in the military and away from home alot and the possibility of my wife and kids being stranded with no family support has me considering trading the van for a new 2007 Odyssey which I trust Honda has "worked the kinks" out of. I'll stay committed to Honda as long as they keep their end of the bargain (honoring their warranty commitment with excellent customer care). I will keep up with comments posted and re-post to answer any questions regarding my story. Semper FI.

I'm back. I just picked up my van from the Honda dealer and everything went as planned. My Odyssey was fixed and ready when promised (FIXED on time?!?!?!). I was really shocked that the repairs were completed on time. I've only put 10 miles on the new transmission so far, but I will keep you updated as things progress-Good or Bad. So far looks like the Honda folks are batting a thousand.

5,100 miles on the new transmission and no problems. I'll update again at 10,000 miles or sooner if problems arise.

Current mileage 81456 miles and the transmission is holding up without any problems. I've recently PCS'd to Elmendorf AFB, so this fall I'll see how good the van goes in the snow. Semper FI.

02Nov07-89,580 miles (20,125 miles on new transmission). The tranny is holding up like a champ and has done well in the one small snow storm (6 inches) so far. I put on studded hankook tires and it has driven as good as my FJ Cruiser on the ice packed roads. We decided to ship the Oddy to Anchorage and drive the new FJ to our LAST assignment. I'll keep the Oddy for a little while longer. I can't seem to wean the wife off the minivan to a big ol honkin gas sippin 4x4 Chevy Suburban yet. Maybe when the kids get bigger or a bear breaks in and demolishes the interior for a midnight snack. Semper Fi.

15Nov08--The Odyssey has 98,125 miles and we've survived an Alaska winter and beginning a second. It's hard to believe I've only driven 8,545 miles in the last year. The tranny has held up without any problems and drives well in some pretty bad and deep snow conditions in subzero temps (-20 to -30's). I'm using Hankook winter I-pike tires and they stick to icy surfaces like glue. I had all of the belts, water pump, transmission/brake/antifreeze fluids replaced for fear of 7 yr old belts may break. As a southerner up here I didn't realize just how cold -20's felt like. I've completed USMC survival trng yrs ago---I guess I'm getting old! We've had no other problems with this van over the last 7 plus yrs and have decided to keep it since the economy has taken a nose dive and we've completed the Dave Ramsey program and are debt freeeee! Hope you have an outstanding day in your Oddysey too. Semper Fi.

26 Sept09 -- 105,098 miles since the last report and the van is holding up fine. I've done routine maintenance and replaced the rubber stopper on the drivers sliding door stop. Also, just switched to the studded tires (Hankook winter I-pike) again. The snow line is down to 1500 ft on the mountains surrounding the house and should be a few inches on the ground in 2-3 weeks although we now have ice on the roads in the early am. I'm glad this will be my last winter up here cause the darkness messes with my head. It still hard to believe we've only driven 7-8 thousand miles since Nov 08. Semper Fi.