ATF Cooler Thread - Odyssey owners share experiences, and advice on how to prolong the live of the transmission on the vehicle. ATF transmission thread has been very informative, and helpful with this matter.
It's a terrible situation to experience. I took my family to a restaurant to have lunch together when my van starts to slow down, and I did not know what happened. Fortunately, I was able to get home at a slow speed. The next day, I took my van to the mechanic, and I was notified that the transmission's diagnostic gave up and needed to be changed.
I was raised by a career mechanic. When I was a kid stuff from Japan was considered crap (yeah, I'm pretty old). As time went on my dad would mention how much better Japanese cars were getting. Thirty years ago they were good enough that pops quit using profane words to describe them. Considering that he was a Navy veteran and fought the Japanese in the South Pacific in WW2 that's high praise coming from him.
We got this van for my niece to use and it seemed to hold up well. For a year. Right after changing out the transmission fluid it started slipping badly and then just refused to move. I find it hard to believe that doing maintenance was the cause, but what a lousy coincidence. Putting a new trans in would cost far more than the vehicle is worth.
After reading numerous websites describing what is an obvious disaster of a transmission, I wished I had done more research before buying this van. Now I'm going to list the van for sale as a parts vehicle and see if I can get a little back. I had been considering buying a new Honda Civic for myself, but now I think I will look elsewhere. Honda's general lack of support for an issue that spanned years is hardly a good look for them.
Sometimes things come around full circle and my dad (who is still kicking in his 90s) got a laugh out of this and said that maybe stuff from Japan is junk again.
We fixed the timing belt problem. In the morning I had to warm it up, otherwise I would get a THUD when putting it into reverse/forward. Air bag problems after it was replaced. Light stayed on. Front wheel well plastic bent down scraping on the road. I would have to get out and tuck it back under the fender. Sliding side door malfunction. Had to make right sliding door a manual. That is about it.
Continuous transmission slips and loss of acceleration. Quick remedy is to place the shifter into PARK, shutoff the vehicle, and continue driving. Occurs at random times, such as at a stop light or even traveling down the highway.
I was heading home from work, and I was on the highway. I'm doing about 50 MPH, and listening to my favorite song "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & the Waves. The transmission in our car has been slipping for the past few days, and I had an appointment scheduled for 3/2/07 with my local mechanic. Suddenly, out of the blue, the car breaks down! And the worst part, I have a bus behind me, and a semi truck to my left! Luckily, I am in the right-hand lane, right next to the breakdown lane, so I can escape without being harmed. I have the car towed to my local mechanic, and he said it was catastrophic transmission failure! And I say "The car is only five years old! What do you mean transmission failure?!?" So he explains to me the defect that select Honda and Acura models have, and it lasted from 1998 - 2004. In fact, he had a 1998 Honda Accord with 104,000 with the same problem! So I get the transmission replaced for $1,600! When my brother-in-law hears about it, he recommended Nissan, because he had a 2001 Nissan Quest that was still going strong. So, we go to Nissan, and purchase a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder on 2/26/2007. Then the transmission in THAT car failed! THESE CARS ARE LEMONS! IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS ONE, TELL THEM TO GET RID OF IT! DON"T SELL IT AND PUT OTHER PEOPLE AT RISK - JUST DESTROY IT!!!!!!!!
- Ron A.,
West Berlin, NJ, NJ, US
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First vehicle w/ auto transmission that I have ever had that had total failure. At highway speed we lost all but 1st gear. That was exciting! And loud. Glad there was no accident.
Bought the vehicle used with 140K miles. After having the problem, I read up on all the transmission problems Honda Odyssey have had -- clearly a design fault. Our prior Honda Odyssey (2000 model year) died due to rear-end collision at 188K miles. Never had any transmission issues with it.
Given the widespread reports of continuing transmission problems and Honda's refusal to stand by their products if you purchased a used Honda, it give me great concern about purchasing another Honda. We had been a Honda family -- mother-in-law had a Civic and an Accord prior to her death, my mother has an Accord, I had a Civic, the prior Odyssey, and this Odyssey -- but since Honda refuses to acknowledge their design fault, the trust I had in their product's dependability and quality, the two reasons we paid the Honda premium, is deeply shaken. Pity. They are making the same mistake Detroit's Big Three made in the '60s by ignoring quality problems and denying responsibility.
Same as many others, transmission went bad and now must replace with after market. Our green light, on the D symbol did begin flashing on and off over the past year. Honda checked the code and told us unless we notice anything with the transmission, disregard the flashing light...
I am just so disappointed in my 2002 Honda Odyssey. Never had a problem until 105,000 and now it needs a new transmission. The van is not worth what it will cost to repair it.
p1740- p0740- p0730 also slipping disassembled found burned clutches bad to rqul convertor
Had to rebuild transmission
torque convertor
atf
master kit
pressure solenoid control
Update from Oct 17, 2013: Driving on the freeway when car just stop .. cant get into grid ... lucky one one die or got hurt... found out the transmission was wear and tear! OMG!!!
My transmission never failed but for all you people who say yours did, do you think it might be because of your driving a minivan like a sports car because of that sporty Honda sound?
ITS A MINIVAN, NOT A FERRARI, now I want all of you people to think about that.
I was traveling with my husband and child 2 hours away. About 20 minutes from my destination the car started smoking, a kind driver drove up to my husband's driver side window and told us the car was overheating. I had a 10 month old baby in the car and got her ready to jump out when my husband stopped should the car catch fire. Luckily a highway worker came running to us with a fire extinguisher should we need it as the car was smoking bad. Turns out the transmission was blown on the car. Not a single sign of it before this happened.
I called Honda America at 800 999 1009 and spoke to Manny today. Even though this transmission issue is a known issue, since my car has @150,000 miles, they can not pay anything toward repairs of the transmission. He said I could take any other means I felt but he couldn't help me, then said, is there anything else I can help you with today. I bought a Honda because I thought it would be a great car with great service. I was sadly mistaken!! If anyone gets any information on the class action law suit or any other means of compensation, please let me know. I don't have the $4,900, to repair this and may as well just get a new car, but I am broke.
Very unhappy about transmission failure. I was told by Honda there is no recourse because the car has over 100,000 miles -- despite the fact that Honda settled a class action lawsuit in regards to transmission failures in their 2001-2004 Honda Odysseys.
I am disappointed that a Honda needed a new transmission at 133K miles. I thought it would have lasted longer.The service technician told me that if the car was regularly maintained, it would not have been an expected issue. I had that car maintained very regularly - all oil changes, all warranty and recommended checks at the various mileage thresholds... Now I see this is a pretty common issue for Honda Odysseys! GRRRRR
engine light came on. Took it to Honda dealer who charged me 100 bucks to tell me that I need a new transmission. They will charge me $5,000 more to replace it.
I was advised by the service department at Peter's Honda in Nashua, NH that a replacement transmission would cost about $4600. I have owned Hondas since 1983 and although some repairs were expensive, nothing approached this cost. In September, 2011 I had to replace the diver's seat because the seat bracket sheared
and the seat flopped around. That repair cost $875.In October 2011 I was advised that
the power steering package had to be replaced in order to pass state inspection. That
cost was $968. Now I face a $4600. cost for a new transmission. I can verify that others have informed me about identical problems with their Odysseys and, based on the information in this site, my experience and theirs, my conclusion is that this is a brand to avoid.
The transmission began to slip. The diagnosis from the transmission place said "Tested system and found transmission barely moves, no codes in system, fluid burnt, unable to road test. Recommend rebuild transmission due to internal failure."
I bought a Honda odyssey van 2002 and am very disappointed with the TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 59000MILES and TOTAL LACK OF CONCERN ON PART OF HONDA after reading all the forums and HAVING TO PAY $3500 FOR REPAIRS FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM HONDA. I AM DEFINITELY NEVER BUYING ANYTHING HONDA EVER AGAIN AND SO IS MY ENTIRE FAMILY. please check www.odysseytransmission.com for more detail...
Me: "You know what babe? I'm gonna get you a really good van that will last! HONDA is GREAT, they're EXPENSIVE, but hey! You get what you pay for, RIGHT?!"
Wife: "Whatever you think babe, you know what's best. I trust your judgement! <3 <3 <3 ;)"
Me: "You know that safety net of cash we've been saving, we're gonna use that and we can borrow the rest. Don't worry this vehicle will last and give us NO problems"
Wife: "I so excited, you're so smart! You always want the best for me and the kids! <3 <3 <3 ;)"
77,000 Miles Later
Wife: "Babe, the van did something funny today, I think you should look at it!"
Me: "I'm sure it's nothing, it's a Honda, they're Great!"
Wife: "You're so smart! <3 <3 <3 ;)"
Honda Mechanic: "Sorry sir, but your transmission is shot and needs to be replaced, oh and btw, that will be $3,300"
Me: WTF!! You F--cking A--Hole!! What do you mean!! This is a F--cking Honda!! I spent top dollar for this!! You Mother F--cker, I HATE you!!!
Wife: WTF!! You F--cking A--Hole!! What do you mean!! This is a F--cking Honda!! We spent top dollar for this!! You Mother F--cker, I HATE you!!!
33,000 Miles Later
Wife with the kids on I-95 two hours from home : "Hey dumb ass, remember that funny thing the van was doing 2 years ago! Your HONDA IS A PEICE OF SH*T!!!! I HATE you!!!
Me: "hmmmmmm - tall building - rope in tree - sleeping pills, decision decision..."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It's a terrible situation to experience. I took my family to a restaurant to have lunch together when my van starts to slow down, and I did not know what happened. Fortunately, I was able to get home at a slow speed. The next day, I took my van to the mechanic, and I was notified that the transmission's diagnostic gave up and needed to be changed.
- OJose O., Salinas, CA, US