10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,422 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Honda Odyssey engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jan 042012

Odyssey

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my 2003 Odyssey for ac compressor relay replacement when I was informed the front engine mount needed replacing. I was surprised to hear this and I found out through my web search that it is a very common problem with Odyssey model. This is a design flaw and a safety issue for me and my family. Honda should look into this serious problem and read the complaints Odyssey owners have been complaining about and posting on the web community.cartalk.com/discussion/1560611/Honda-Odyssey-motor-mount-problem I am very disappointed that Honda has been aware of the design flaw in the engine mounts and have not taken responsibility.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #22

Mar 162012

Odyssey

  • 133,242 miles
Failed front and side engine mounts replaced. Costly repair appears to be common Odyssey maintenance issue.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #21

Feb 082012

Odyssey

  • 153,000 miles
As original owner of 2003 Honda Odyssey engine buying car from weir canyon Honda in anaheim hills California. My engine block light, tcs, lit up at 153,000 miles. I have been experiencing a major transmission problem between 2nd and 3rd gear as car seem stuck and I am unable to accelerate. This is not safe at all since my van can be rear ended when it's stuck in this mode. My mechanic advises everyone from not to buy any Honda as his shop rebuilds Honda transmission all the time and makes a fortune from the poor victims of Honda owners like me. Go to www.odysseytransmission.com/home/whattodo consider yourself forewarned! if you're looking for a reliable and safe mini van, do not look at Honda Odyssey.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 132012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my car told the dealership my car jerk he told I need a fuel injection. I paid for a that service. Was driving my kids home from school when the car jerk 3 time repeatly so bad we all got scared. My husband drove the car to the dealership. They did a diagnostic test and told me it was the torque chamber in the transmission would cost $4500 dollars to fix. As a hard working american I feel duped and stupid. I feel they sold me a lemon. I think consumer should be told if their is a problem with the vechile before purchasing it.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 042011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 48,464 miles
Front and passenger engine mounts are broken at 48K mileages during a maintain checking at a Honda dealer shop.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #18

Dec 172011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Odyssey approximately 67K miles developed fluid leak in past week. Vehicle had been serviced regularly. While driving with family coolant leaked onto exhaust system causing smoke and had to pull off interstate. Engine had operated normally and there were no warning indicators or abnormal temperature gage readings. Had vehicle towed to local Honda dealer. Diagnosed as leaking head gasket. Upon removal of the cylinder head, the head bolts pull from the block ports with the bolt threads. Apparently head bolts had become loose given the thread failure in the block and allowed leakage of fluids in the cylinder head. Honda stated that the engine will need to be replaced at a cost of 3K++. apparently this same issue has occurred to several other 2003 Odyssey owners according to on-line search. The dealer was at a loss to explain the failure of the bolts at the given mileage. It appears that this could be a defect in the block design or manufacture and could lead to premature engine failure. Honda should address this issue as well as automatic transmission and egr valve defects which have also been a continual problem with the 2003 Odyssey. Very disappointed in the reliability of this van

- Fort Thomas, KY, USA

problem #17

May 012011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failed egr valve failed.

- River Forest, IL, USA

problem #16

Dec 192011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 246,000 miles
Complete transmission failure while vehicle was operating at highway speeds.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #15

Nov 022011

Odyssey

  • 164,400 miles
While driving my daughter to school, accelerating from 35 to 40+, transmission locked up! extremely dangerous!!! could have been in a serious accident since we were merging onto a busy highway. Next day, another lock up + slipping between 25 & 35 mph and @ 50 pm. Transmission slips and gear shift will get stuck in park, reverse & drive. RPM revs high. Honda dealer diagnosed today as "internal transmission failure" 164,000 highway miles, serviced @ dealer, babied with oil changes, etc. Now $4,000 quote for transmission 3 yrs/36,000 mile warranty. I have been a loyal Honda owner since 1990, but will not consider buying any future Honda.

- Easton, MD, USA

problem #14

Oct 312011

Odyssey

  • 145,000 miles
Known transmission failure for 2003 Honda Odyssey. Noted and cascaded by american Honda. Repairs could be done under goodwill at Honda discretion. Coverage was extended to 7 years or 100,000 miles. It appears that internal damage could happen beyond the said years/mileage range for warranty repair or replacement. From a consumers perspective, it is a clause or language used to leverage Honda goodwill discretion. This issue has been made public by the NHTSA, while Honda settled out of court, yet did not take full accountability for the known and validated transmission deficiency. Gear slips between first and second gear in the range of 20-30mph. Engine light and tcs light turns on, as well as the drive light flashing (instead of being solid light). Accelerating after a complete stop is very difficult when crossing the intersections. Repairing the pressure switch on 11/2/11 did not rectify the situation.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #13

Aug 312011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car has a problem with the transmission and there was a test done which gave the diagnostic code PO743. The Honda Odyssey has known issues with the transmission and is not willing to help assist with the repair. I am the original owner and want to know if there is any recourse with Honda. Thank you for your help in this matter.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #12

Nov 232010

Odyssey

  • 175,000 miles
The top bracket holding the alternator to the engine block failed again for the third time while my wife was driving the van. As a result of the failure of the top bracket, the stress on the main serpentine belt caused the bolt holding the alternator in place to snap off at the engine block. This caused the alternator to become loose and caused a burning smell to come into the cabin of the vehicle. The alternator loose and un-attached poses a potential catastrophic failure with the pully system and the power steering which may cause an accident. I reported the previous incident of the same problem on October 25th, 2010. My concern is that this is a recurring problem that Honda is aware of and not correcting with a recall and addition of a re engineered and strengthened top alternator bracket. I am also very concerned that failure of this part/system while my wife and children are driving the van will cause an accident and injury or death to my family. I have called Honda and their solution or recommendation is to replace the part and use proper torque specifications. This has not worked 2 times so far and my mechanic tried to weld and additional piece of metal to the oem bracket to make the bracket stronger, and this did not work.

- Amawalk, NY, USA

problem #11

Oct 252010

Odyssey

  • 165,000 miles
Top alternator mounting bracket failed for the second time in one month. On first failure at night, headlights became very dim while vehicle was operating causing danger to occupants and other motorists. On second failure vehicle was close to home and no immediate hazard to driver or other motorists. Research shows this is a known component failure to Honda and nhtsb.

- Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

problem #10

Oct 092010

Odyssey

  • 107,000 miles
Own 2003 Honda Odyssey with 107,000 miles. Just had timing belt replaced at dealership, full inspection, changed transmission fluid. Only two weeks later transmission failed on I4 on way to orlando with family. A harrowing experience.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 242010

Odyssey

  • 61,711 miles
Honda of clear lake in webster, tx informed me that all the motor mounts were broken and needed to be replaced on my 2003 Honda Odyssey with 61,711 miles on the odometer. The dealership wrote $$$$$$$$$$$$ for their estimate. I've read online many other Honda Odyssey owners with the same complaints. The motor mount designs are defective to have failed so soon. There needs to be a recall. I replaced the motor mounts on my Toyota corolla at 180,000 miles for a comparison.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

Feb 202010

Odyssey

  • 104,150 miles
I have a 2003 Honda Odyssey. I was entering the highway from the on-ramp. The car failed to shift at around 38 mph. The engine revved to the red line but, the car didn't accelerate. I almost got into an accident. I took the car to the dealership recommended by the guy who has serviced my three previous Honda. The dealership fails to acknowledge there is an issue because they couldn't replicate it during a 30 min test drive. After reading the other complaints, I am convinced I have the same issue. I am hoping and praying that I am lucky enough to not get into an accident when this problem appears regularly. The problem started couple of weeks ago and it has continued to happen a couple of times each day. I just don't know the exact condition it recurs.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #7

May 252009

Odyssey

  • 93,000 miles
Hole in condenser.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #6

Feb 042009

Odyssey

  • 20,334 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving between 40-45 mph on normal road conditions, the automatic transmission slipped and began shifting erratically between gears. The engine revved extremely high and then the RPM's decreased to zero. Suddenly, the vehicle resumed to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but they could not duplicate the failure. On a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for an identical failure. Currently, the vehicle is being repaired. The transmission and engine control module were replaced. The failure mileage was 20,334 and current mileage was 110,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #5

Oct 072004

Odyssey

  • miles
Consumer stated that when starting vehicle in the morning, it made a loud sound. It got louder when he was traveling at a low speed. Took vehicle to the dealer, and they could not find what was causing the problem.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 052004

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
Engine light came on.V ehicle started to stall. Vehicle is at the dealer, and consumer has been told to change the gas he uses. A diagnostic test was run on the vehice which found codes P0301, P0304, P0305.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

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