I read all the complaints on here regarding the transmission failures in these vans. I guess I will be the lone dissenting voice on this matter.
We purchased our Odyssey in 2007 after a car accident sent my truck to the bone yard in the sky. When we bought it we were assured that the transmission had been replaced. Fast forward 6 months to 151,000 miles and the transmission slip shifting into 2nd and 3rd.
Called Honda, and received a "sorry, no help" reply. Transmission was warranted to 150k only. So, I changed the fluid and decided to see how far it would go. To my dismay, the van only made it another 110,000 miles, two trips fully loaded from Ohio to Colorado, 4 trips loaded from Ohio to N. Carolina and other trips hither and yon. We decided to go until it dropped, and decide at that time what to do. In December of 14 I drove it to the repair facility and decided to have it fixed.
Now, in 7 years, it only made it 110,000 miles with a hammered transmission. Every mount was gone, but by letting the mounts fail one by one, the added stress on the transmission during shifts was absorbed by the slack in the mounts. Needless to say, we had the transmission rebuilt, added a trans cooler, replaced every engine and transmission mount, sway bar links and bushings, timing belt and water pump, front suspension, rear suspension, installed a new set of tires and replaced the brakes on all four corners. $5800.00 in repairs after tax.
I ran the VIN through Honda's database and found out it was a company lease program vehicle originally sold through Marysville. The servicing was completed per Honda's recommendations, (Honda has their own schedule for company cars) and then either sold at auction or the associate purchased it. Either way, I ended up with it. Helluva set of wheels, and I'll add that the transmission I removed was the original, as the VIN tag is still on it, even now.
So I can complain to the moon and back, but I'd be lying my fool head off. As a former owner of a 96 accord with 420000 on it when I sold it (all new drivetrain in it when sold) I can't speak more highly of the van, problem areas or no. Common sense and regular maintenance will prevail more times than not. Now I have to go prepare to battle with the insurance company as it was rear ended tonight (minor damage) 263000 miles and climbing!
My1999 honda odyssey started jerking when it shifted and now it won't hardly shift. It reves-up when it is trying to shift. I am afraid to drive it because it almost got me hit when I pulled out in the street because it wouldn't go. I wanted another Honda until I heard about all the problems with the trans. I thought this one would last us the rest of our lives because we don't put that many miles on a car. We are on social security and can't afford another car.If anyone has a solution about our trans. please let us know'
We noticed the transmission began hesitating hard from 1st to 2nd gear about Feb. 2010. We had the transmission flushed with no change. We then took it to the local AAMCO who said we needed a new transmission at $4500 - No thanks!
We've lived with the problem since then and decided to start looking for another vehicle. I came across this site in Dec. 2010 and found out we were not the only 99 Odyssey owners with this problem and that we are lucky the van is still running. I also just found out about the extended recall to 100K for the transmission - of course it's too late as we are at 115K miles at this point.
We plan on driving it until the transmission goes and scrap it, or go ahead and get another vehicle and trade it in while it still runs. Either way, I'm very disappointed as we had planned on keeping it for another 5-7 years and thinking that it was a Honda, that would be no problem.
I'm also sorry to discover through this website that other Honda cars have serious transmission issues. Of course we also own a 01 Accord with the potential for the same problem.
To say that I am disappointed in Honda is an understatement. We bought namely for the so-called reliability. Toyota Sienna doesn't seem very reliable either, so I'm not sure what we will buy next - but no presumptions on reliability with any car company. =(
First tranny died at 90.000 miles....Honda replaced at no cost....Second one died at 195.000....had it rebuilt June 2009....begin to act up again..jerking at 206.000 miles......HONDA SHOULD RECALL ALL 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY...AND FIX THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM
They fixed the problem but the service rep said that Honda knew they had problems with the transmissions in the 99 and 2000 models in the the Odyssey and the Accord. Flushing the transmission fluid was a smoke screen.
1999 Honda Odyssey. Slips while changing gear (especially between 1st and 2nd). Changed trans oil but no difference at all. I am not sure what exactly is the problem but presume it is not trans as the oil always seems as new as anything. It kind of jerks while changing gear at times but is really smooth once in 3rd or 4th gear. If there is anyone with any ideas or solution/s, please help. Thanks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I read all the complaints on here regarding the transmission failures in these vans. I guess I will be the lone dissenting voice on this matter.
We purchased our Odyssey in 2007 after a car accident sent my truck to the bone yard in the sky. When we bought it we were assured that the transmission had been replaced. Fast forward 6 months to 151,000 miles and the transmission slip shifting into 2nd and 3rd.
Called Honda, and received a "sorry, no help" reply. Transmission was warranted to 150k only. So, I changed the fluid and decided to see how far it would go. To my dismay, the van only made it another 110,000 miles, two trips fully loaded from Ohio to Colorado, 4 trips loaded from Ohio to N. Carolina and other trips hither and yon. We decided to go until it dropped, and decide at that time what to do. In December of 14 I drove it to the repair facility and decided to have it fixed.
Now, in 7 years, it only made it 110,000 miles with a hammered transmission. Every mount was gone, but by letting the mounts fail one by one, the added stress on the transmission during shifts was absorbed by the slack in the mounts. Needless to say, we had the transmission rebuilt, added a trans cooler, replaced every engine and transmission mount, sway bar links and bushings, timing belt and water pump, front suspension, rear suspension, installed a new set of tires and replaced the brakes on all four corners. $5800.00 in repairs after tax.
I ran the VIN through Honda's database and found out it was a company lease program vehicle originally sold through Marysville. The servicing was completed per Honda's recommendations, (Honda has their own schedule for company cars) and then either sold at auction or the associate purchased it. Either way, I ended up with it. Helluva set of wheels, and I'll add that the transmission I removed was the original, as the VIN tag is still on it, even now.
So I can complain to the moon and back, but I'd be lying my fool head off. As a former owner of a 96 accord with 420000 on it when I sold it (all new drivetrain in it when sold) I can't speak more highly of the van, problem areas or no. Common sense and regular maintenance will prevail more times than not. Now I have to go prepare to battle with the insurance company as it was rear ended tonight (minor damage) 263000 miles and climbing!
- Jeremy B., sidney, OH, US