10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,691 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.

2004 Honda Odyssey drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 6 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #47

Aug 012012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 127,000 miles

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

I was driving on the interstate using cruise control set at 70 mph the posted speed limit when there was a subtle clunk like I hit a small bump and then the engine sounded like it was out of gear, it was revving and slowing down. I made sure it was in gear, it was and I turned the cruise control off and attempted to accelerate and the RPM surged but the speed continued to slow. There was smoke coming from under the front of the vehicle and when I looked in the rear view mirror there was a long trail of smoke behind me. I was able to get over to the shoulder safely.this is Missouri highway 70, heavily traveled by semis. We had traveled 70 miles on the highway when this happened in 95 degree weather. I had it towed to the Honda dealership and it was indeed the transmission and it had to be replaced at approximately $4,000. I had no prior warning signs, no slipping of gears, no dash lights lit, just a slight clunk and no ability to accelerate.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #46

Jul 042012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
Sudden loss of acceleration on the interstate mechanic looked underneath and mentioned the rear main seal on the transmission was leaking and it lost the transmission fluid only option now is an approximate $5,000 replacement with re-manufactured transmission!!!!

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #45

Jul 042011

Odyssey

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the transmission seized. The vehicle could be driven but could not be shifted into any gears. The contact also stated that the transmission would slip through first and second gear. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was ongoing for a year. The contact believed that the transmission failure was related to NHTSA campaign id number:04V176000 (power train: Automatic transmission), but the contact was told by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 57,000.

- Great Neck, NY, USA

problem #44

Dec 222008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

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

Check engine light on and tcs light flashing. Diagnosis code P0740 indicates: Torque converter lockup malfunction.vehicle will not shift into the highest gear at freeway speed, shudders when accelerating at approx 20 mph and gas mileage has decreased significantly. Determined that there is internal slipping requiring a new transmission. Seatbelts do not retract and get caught in doors. Several areas of body have midnight blue paint peeling.

- Seabrook, TX, USA

problem #43

Jul 012012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Had noticed recently that when switching gears the van "jumped" and at highway speeds seemed to vibrate/shake. Then the engine light came on. After much investigation, the diagnosis was the transmission needed to be replaced. When the transmission was being worked on it was also discovered that all of the mounts had to be replaced as well. The maintenance schedule had been followed completely so this was a complete shock -- at least until I started doing some research, saw the recall notice of over 1-million Honda Odyssey transmissions (however my VIN # didn't come up!) and saw just how many transmission complaints there were from other owners also not part of the recall. Because the dealership was way too expensive, I chose my recommended local aamco shop to do the repairs. Called Honda and was told there would be no "goodwill" claim because (a) the dealership did not do the repair and (B) the transmission is only warrantied by Honda for 36/36,000 (no wonder!!). however, the dealership had told me that Honda rarely provides "goodwill" claims and if they do, I'd be lucky to receive $400, so considering the dealership was over $2000 more for just the transmission work, I couldn't risk having the dealership do the repair to later find out that Honda would reject a "goodwill" claim.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #42

Jun 072012

Odyssey

  • 112,560 miles
At around 80,000 complained to Honda dealer that my van was roughly downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gears. They just recommended a transmission flush and never mentioned previous recall and tranny problems. I bought this vehicle as a certified pre-owned with 39,000 miles. Was unaware of the recall and problems with prior model years. My extended warranty expired at 100,000 miles and my transmission died at 112,560. I backed out of the garage and when I shifted from reverse to drive my van kept rolling backward. I thought it was a fluke until it died while driving it with my two small children in the van in the middle of our town. It managed to shift to 2nd gear and drive to a local mechanic at around 45 mph (I was able to drive since I was in town and the speed limit where it failed was 40mph. I had to have it towed to Honda as the transmission was not drivable once it was shut off at mechanic. This is very dangerous. It is wrong for Honda to not have to replace these faulty transmissions. I paid Honda over $3,000 for this replacement.

- Okeechobee, FL, USA

problem #41

Jul 062012

Odyssey

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 35 mph, the gears began to slip and shift violently. The transmission then seized without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and towed to a transmission shop. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission) however the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Deep Run, NC, USA

problem #40

Jul 012012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 85,105 miles
While driving for 2 hrs, the transmission started to rattle and begin to lose power almost driving me in to a fatal accident while driving on a freeway. After opening the hood there was transmission fluids all over the transmission. Honda refused to acknowledge the on going problem with transmission failure.

- Rocky Point, NY, USA

problem #39

Jul 012012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
2004 Honda Odyssey with 135,000 miles being driven on interstate when transmission failed completely with no warning. Was able to drift off interstate and roll to a safe spot. I understand transmission issues/complaints are high on these years of Odyssey's. currently being told the transmission will have to be replaced at an approximate cost of $3500.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #38

Jun 182012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
With 130,000 miles our 2004 Honda Odyssey has been diagnosed with internal transmission failure. Complete maintenance to date. In reading we have found websites devoted to this problem, a class action suit is filed, yet no recall has been made by Honda. Odysseytransmission.com suggested submitting this form to add to the total count.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #37

Jun 182012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 59,852 miles

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

Side and front motor mounts discovered to have failed at 59852 miles on 2/19/09 and had to be replaced. Now, 6/18/12, rear (transmission) mount discovered to have failed at 88000 miles and has to be replaced. Normal family driving for vacations and around town only. No extreme conditions or roads.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #36

May 252012

Odyssey

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the transmission failed, the rpms began to increase abnormally and the vehicle decelerated independently. There was smoke coming from the vehicle but he contact was unable to tell where the smoke was coming from. The smoking ceased after several minutes. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #35

May 222012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 109,950 miles
While on a sales trip 180 miles from home--experienced chugging betweens gear shifts 1-2, and strong slipping between 3 and 4. drove directly to the nearest Honda dealer. Transmission diagnosed as clutch failure from codes by Honda dealership mechanic, after test driving and reading codes. Indicated it is still drive-able, if one is careful. Limped home with extreme care during acceleration. Drove approx. 50 miles to oh turnpike. While driving on the Ohio turnpike, experienced quickly deteriorating power during slight prolonged incline-- which led to complete, 100% failure within 2-3 miles. Was left stranded on the berm to be towed home.

- Willoughby Hills, OH, USA

problem #34

Apr 242012

Odyssey

  • 115,000 miles
Transmission needs to be replaced on this vehicle. Bought the van used in 2006 with 25,000 miles. The van is not used for towing. Driven mostly around town and on long trips. Now with just 115000 miles the mechanic is saying the transmission is shot. Today the van revved awkwardly high during gear shifts and then the gear selector became non-effective once the vehicle stopped. Apparently this is typical for this vehicle of this age which unacceptable in my mind for a Honda. The estimate is for $4,500 to repair.

- Honeoye Falls, NY, USA

problem #33

Mar 182012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
I bought my 2004 Honda Odyssey with less than 79K miles. Now with 107K miles the transmission fluid is leaking.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #32

Feb 272012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 78,500 miles
Backing out of my driveway in reverse then shifting into drive the Odyssey would continue in reverse. Shifted into drive and the car wouldn't move. Shifted into 2nd gear and the car stated to move, shifted again into drive. Stopped at a traffic light and when I put my foot on the gas the RPM's went flying and the car wouldn't move forward.

- Oakdale, NY, USA

problem #31

Jan 052012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • miles
The transmission start working wrong, when the ac compressor stops shouts down, I don't know what could be the problem, now the engine light is on as well the tcs light. The van accelerate by it self and stops really hard, and sometimes stays in 2nd gear or 3th gear. Please I need help!!!!

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #30

Feb 152012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
Drove the car in the morning and parked it...got back in the car and drove it and noticed the shifter was loose. I change the atf every 30,000 miles as recommended by Honda and used Honda atf. Drained and replaced; not flushed. Took the car to an atra certified shop to diagnose the problem with the shifter. The shop said that either the spring on the detent ball or the pin holding the rooster comb onto the manual shaft is broken. Recommended that I stop driving the car because of safety concern. Recommended replacement with rebuilt transmission.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #29

Feb 062012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 134,000 miles
My 2004 Honda Odyssey experienced an automatic transmission failure in 2007 where the transmission would downshift while driving down the street at speed which would cause a dangerous situation if vehicle were behind you or if you were driving down a slick or snow covered roadway. The transmission was replaced at no cost to me by Honda. On Feb 6th the transmission failed again while driving down the road at 35mph. The transmission downshifted to first gear and would not up shift. The van was not able to go above 20 mph and there were vehicles behind our vehicle which created a dangerous situation due to the vehicle rapidly decelerating.

- South Elgin, IL, USA

problem #28

May 102011

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 73,400 miles
At low speeds, approx. 20 to 40 mph, the vehicle has a shudder/rumble sensation thru the steering wheel and you can feel it whether you are driving or a passenger. This is an intermittent problem and does not do it all the time. I have never had the problem at speeds over 45 to 50 mph. I took it to a local Honda dealer and of course they could not duplicate the problem and told me a transmission fluid change was needed. I paid $225. For an oil change and tranny fluid change and a 'diagnostic test drive' it didn't fix the problem. Since that time of that repair, I have just lived with the problem and hoped for the best. It wasn't until I started reading online about how many other people are having the same problem with Odyssey minivans. I hope you can help me get this problem satisfactorily repaired from Honda. They are very well aware of this problem and apparently there was a recall on these minivans to fix this problem. I bought this minivan used from van's Honda in green bay, wi in April of 2007 and I am unaware if my van was recalled. It wasn't recalled as long as I have owned it.

- Marquette, MI, USA

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