This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Odyssey. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph and trying to accelerate, the vehicle would not respond. The contact was able to coast to the side of the highway and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer advised that the transmission would need replacing. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced at 70,000 miles. Less than 31,000 miles later, the vehicle would need a second transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Odyssey. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the vehicle jumped out of gear and decelerated until coming to a stop. The contact was unable to shift into any gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they advised the contact that the transmission failed. The vehicle was previously been repaired under a manufacturer's safety recall for the transmission. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 143,000.
While driving down the road the transmission went out. Without any warning besides that morning it had a problem shifting into 2 gear. The vehicle had a new transmission put in 70,000 miles prior to this happening. But, it was very dangerous, just driving down the highway and it jerking down to 0mph and not even being able to get it to move off the highway, wouldn't go into any gear.
- Dyer, TN, USA
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Before my transmission overhaul, my Odyssey would slip gears and make a thump sound upon initial acceleration and subsequent increases in speed. The check engine and tcs lights would come on and stay lit. After the overhaul, I found out there were bulletins out on parts that were defective and with replacement transmissions additional cooling and filters had to be replaced, as well as additional changes. A year after the overhaul, started having the same slippage and sounds from the transmission again. This time, while on the highway traveling at 70mph, my back window gets covered up by an oily discolored substance. It was to the point I could not see out the rear window. The smell of burned rubber or tar was coming through the vent and the A/C or heat was not on. My RPM needle started shifting up from 3 to 5 and bouncing back between them, then down to 2 and then finally back to 3....with no change in speed. The check engine light and tcs lights come on and stay lit. My brakes tended to be a little soft then a little hard. Called a mechanic that I knew was available and worked on transmissions and asked him what to do and he said get off the road fast and check your fluid levels. My Odyssey had spit out all the transmission fluid and some oil throughout the engine, underneath and back on the driver's side rear tire area. If it had not been for the fact that I was extremely familiar with my van (single owner) and paid attention to the last problems I had, I might have locked up in the middle of a busy highway with my children in the car and may not have lived to see another day.
Vehicle is currently in need of its 3rd replacement transmission. 1st failure at 81668 miles in December of 2004, 2nd failure at 125840 miles in July of 2006, 3rd failure at 181000 miles in November of 2011. All replacement transmissions were from Honda and replaced at a Honda dealer. Last transmission failed at only 54,000. Was assured by dealer service tech and Honda that with the last transmission all problems were corrected before I purchased the vehicle used with 154,000 miles in June of 2010. Now Honda customer service claims 54,000 miles is good amount to get out of a transmission and can offer no warranty beyond the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty with a replacement part.
While driving up a narrow, twisty mountain road, transmission failed, rendering car unable to move forward and, despite application of power, car started rolling backward down slope. Was able to find a crossroad to back into to get car out of the flow of traffic. This is the fifth transmission failure in this car in 150,000 miles. All of the failures have occurred in traffic, creating a safety hazard.
Transmission has failed 3 times while vehicle was in use. Failures occurred at 83,000 miles (2007), 117,000 miles (2010) and 135,000 miles (2011). Accidents were avoided in all three cases, but could easily have occurred as car was in highway use surrounded by other cars/ trucks when transmission locked up. Honda has not reimbursed any of these failures and in the first instance told vehicle owner that car was outside of warranty period, even though (we recently discovered) there had been an extension on the transmission warranty period to 109,000 miles and car was only at 83,000 miles at that time. Transmission is currently only 7,000 miles from last transmission replacement and is exhibiting gear changing problems currently. Vehicle owner is reluctant to sell vehicle along to another owner, knowing of the potential safety issue should the transmission fail for a fourth time. Honda should recall these 2001 vehicles, as they did for 2002-2004 models. There is no rationale for having excluded the 2001 year. They are not safe to drive.
2001--only 63000 miles. Driving down a city street early October when I notice the tcs light and D3 indicator light flashing and the check engine light on. Could no longer accelerate, van would move only very very slowly. Had it towed to local Honda dealer. They diagnosed it as a tranny failure, replacement would cost $5300. Did the dance with service rep, etc. Got american Honda involved, had to ask, offered replacement for $4320. Told them no thanks, will never buy a Honda again (unless they own this) and will discourage anyone else from doing so. They were actually going to charge me $80 for giving me the diagnosis that I now owned an $8200 paper weight! when I objected, they relented. About the only good thing I can say about the service reps effort and keeping me as a happy Honda consumer. Took it to an approved jasper transmission installer and had them put in the recommended jasper replacement (why in the world would I want the same product from Honda again?) total bill just under $4K. We obviously don't drive our van much, but so far it is running perfectly. Jasper comes with 3yr/100,000mi warranty. I just discovered tonight that there is now a class-action lawsuit filed. Unfortunately it seems to cover only 2005/06 model years. You can bet I will be contacting them to see if the suit can be expanded to additional years. There is also an occupy Honda facebook page! it is simply reprehensible that Honda is acting this way and they ought to be held accountable.
Check engine light came on at 108,000 miles. Honda service says transmission problem and it needs to be replaced, as well as 2 engine mounts. I am original owner. Car has been serviced at Honda only, I have followed the service schedule.
Transmission failure 2 times @ $76000 miles dealer said they replaced transmission but @125000 miles it gave out again worst than last time shop that did work 2nd time said dealer only replaced converter ? do not understand not very happy.
5/28/05 first transmission replaced under warranty on 06/03/05 10/12/07 second transmission replaced under warranty 10/15/07 with 87,344 miles 11/14/11 third transmission not replaced with 166,230 miles all times incident occurred while driving. Two times while on highway and car stopped working and towed to Honda dealer. 1st incidence serviced at Maine mall motors S. portland, me. 2nd and 3rd incidences dealt with executive Honda wallingford, ct. American Honda refuses to take any responsibility with defective transmission. Four transmissions in a vehicle is excessive. Even with my 166K+ mileage, car has been maintained well. Believe defective and excessive replacement of my transmissions is unreasonable and is Honda's responsibility to replace my transmission. Never have had failure with transmission in previously owned vehicles even with high mileage. Honda is taking advantage of consumers who pay good $$$ for below average workmanship and quality. I believe this transmission problem is deeper.
I have had my Honda Odyssey and I had no complaints. But now all of a sudden tranny gone. I serviced it on the regular, fluid never changed colors( burnt color). I got 183K. On it.. just did timing belt and water pump. Now I will have a good minivan if I had a new tranny...any info would be helpful and gladly appreciated..
Transmission replaced at 67,000 miles in 2007. Transmission failed again at 107,000 2011. Honda needs to recall all Odyssey's and replace the transmissions with a properly designed one. I'm not the only one having these issues...there is a website dedicated to it www.odysseytransmission.com/.
While driving, the transmission suddenly failed. Instead of speeding up, the vehicle slowed. Luckily I was not in the middle of an intersection and no one was behind me. This is very dangerous situation and could have caused an accident.
Bought vehicle 2001. First transmission went summer of 2004. Honda paid to replace. Second transmission went summer 2009. We paid to replace. Transmission needs to be replaced again. Vehicle has 157,000 and is 10 years old.
Original transmission failed at 76,000 miles in October 2008. Honda replaced transmission but only provided 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. The replaced transmission failed after only 28,000 miles and 33 months. At 104,000 miles, began noticing shifting problems on or about July 8, 2011. Brought Odyssey to Honda dealership in white plains NY for evaluation. Honda dealership advised the transmission needed to be replaced again and it was not a covered repair. Clearly transmission should have a life span of more than 28,000 miles. Letter sent to Honda requesting replacement. Honda Motors refused to cover replacement of transmission.
We took our 2001 Honda Odyssey to the dealership this morning due to a "service engine" light. We were informed that the engine light and subsequent code meant that the transmission would need to be replaced - again. This will be the third transmission in the vehicle. The last transmission was replaced at 84K miles. The vehicle currently has 105K miles. We believe a transmission should last more than 21K miles, but the extended warranty on the powertrain has expired and the manufacturer and the dealership has indicated that it is now out of warranty. The transmission issues with the Honda Odyssey is widespread and well documented on the internet, by the manufacturer itself and by the thousands of dealers that have fixed the problems over the years. I believe this to be a major safety issue. It warrants another recall and permanent fix by the manufacturer. This style of vehicle is used to Transport families and is not used for towing or offroad purposes. Honda corporation of America should pay or reimburse consumers for this obvious manufacturing defect and safety issue on their product.
Honda dealership (hoen Honda/ poway Honda) knowingly installed defective rebuilt transmissions (3 times) on my Honda Odyssey 2001. The transmission failed all three times!! these transmissions are defective and it is not a matter of if it is a matter of when they fail. Recently, my wife was stranded in rush hour traffic with her elderly parents. Luckily, she got out of car and redirected traffic. Honda charged me $4700 to replace their defective rebuilt transmission. Honda and their dealerships are very aware of the defective transmissions they install and are not willing to stand-by their products. I would like NHTSA to kindly investigate the safety of the the defective rebuilt transmission that are being installed by Honda.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kaneohe, HI, USA