7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,880
Average Mileage:
97,600 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace torque converter (7 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. not torque converter, it was the front axels (1 reports)
  4. replaced the transmission (1 reports)
2005 Honda Odyssey transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 202013

Odyssey 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 195,765 miles

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

I would like to state that this has been a huge inconvenience for me considering this van is my only way of transportation and now it is not road worthy.. I have to rely on my brother taking me to work and my kids back and forth to school everyday of the week which has been frustrating because I don't always get to work on time because I'm not independent because I no longer have my own transportation....So hopefully my van will fall under the recall and I can have my own freedom of transportation.

- Ashley W., Gibsonville, NC, US

problem #11

Aug 242013

Odyssey EX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,850 miles

I had gone for my annual inspection at my local station, the mechanic said I had a leak and that the transmission fluid needed to be changed. I was annoyed because I have always followed the manufacturers maintenance schedule. I had just been at my Honda dealership for serving the month before. I immediately got in my car and went to my regular Honda dealership and asked that they verify and check this problem. The Honda mechanic said it was the power steering pump. I had it replaced and thought I was good. Fast forward, barely a month later ,I am on the highway in the passing lane when I hear a strange noise and all of a sudden when I put my foot on accelerator pedal ,the car engine races and the RPM needle goes up to 4 or 5 but there is no pull. Thankfully ,I coast over to extreme right and shift down to second gear. The car does not stop and I proceed to the closest Honda Dealership. After a couple of hours, they tell me there were no codes when they attach car to diagnostic machine. They recommend that it could be the serpentine belt. I replace belt and get back on the highway. About 20 miles out as I accelerate the same symptoms that made me stop at Honda reoccur. This time I barely make it to the shoulder of the road. This time the car shuts down. No lights or other indications on the dash of engine or other problem. I call a tow truck. He takes me to a local mechanic. They listen to my story. When they test the car, there are no diagnostic indications of problems. When they open up the transmission cap, there is this terrible smell and the transmission fluid is black. They change fluid and tell me this should at least get me up the road. Again I experience the same problem. I shift into the lower gear and try another Honda Dealership. I explain the exact symptoms as before. This time I am told that it is a switch ( retrieve code P1739) 3rd gear clutch pressure switch. When I pick up car after 23 miles exactly same problem occurs. I park car. I eventually drive car to my Honda dealership (Oh... and finally the check engine light comes on) where I am informed I will need over $6k+ of work, one to replace transmission plus two engine mounts .

This is crazy, the resale says it is only worth $6k. Why are these parts failing all of a sudden? Even though it is worth far more to me. I pick up my car and park it in the driveway. I get on the internet and start investigating. I am out of a least $4k just in hotel bills and rental cost. I ask friends and relatives for their advise. A wise old man tells me to get quotes from the local AAmco transmission specialist. Guess what ,they looked inside the transmission and the fluid was black like the first time they told me. Mechanic told me the transmission was not being cooled. He replaced torque convertor plus external cooler.

Result: Car is driving without problems. Thank Goodness for now. End result: No word from Honda or its dealerships. Worst part: all the extraneous bills because it was not diagnosed correctly the first time, the second time or third time. Warning: If you own one get ,a good mechanic who recognizes problems and doesn't just hook it up to the diagnostic machine and ignore owners concerns or experiences. If your looking to buy.......just be aware

Good luck

- S K., Mt Vernon, NY`, US

problem #10

Feb 032012

Odyssey Touring 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

After having the rear motor mount replaced, as you have to every 45k miles, there was still a hum in the system, as if the old mount was still there. I had taken the van back for this to be checked and they suggested a software update which is known to fix the problem on 2007-09 models. This was done free of charge for me. The hum from the mount went away, however, a new violent vibration appeared which I am assuming that will be the Torque Converter, which the Dealer feels will be the case. I have read about others having this issue and saw another person who stated that in Canada this is a recall.... interesing... Outside of the Pax Tires, Motor Mounts and now this I would say that Honda needs to get this right or they will start to have real problems keeping customers.

I can only hope that this issue has not caused other internal problems in my transmission and that eventually Honda will come up with a real solution for this and do a recall to protect the long term value of these 40k vans.......

Update from Mar 16, 2012: OK, Luckily for me, it ended up not being the torque converter. In my case this feeling was due to both front axels spraying grease when under load, luckily it was a slow day at the honda dealership so 4 techs rode in the car together to solve my pandora's box of a problem. Still, I am surprised that these parts were bad, so I will be adding a complaint for the suspension.

- genewoh, Blacklick, OH, US

problem #9

Feb 012011

Odyssey LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

This problem started early in the life of this van; Honda replaced three (3) motor mounts, because the vibration kept breaking them. Finally the transmission went and honda agreed to pay for the parts and I got stuck with the labor cost, which in this case was a little less than the part. Ever since I bought this vehicle I have had nothing but problems, just about everything has failed at one point or another. I bought this vehicle because it was a Honda and it is supposed to be a good car, but I tell you this van has not live up to the claim. I greatly doubt that I will buy another Honda, and will tell all my friends about the problems I have had with the most expensive vehicle I have purchased.

- fnunez1210, Carl Junction, MO, US

problem #8

Aug 072008

Odyssey EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Our family purchased the vehicle in the US and exported it into Canada, (May 2008--36000 miles)shortly after acquiring it I noticed that the vehicle had a shudder from time to time at around 40 mp/h, I thought that it was because of the speed and being at a shift point. The problem has become increasingly noticeable over the past two years, to the point where it occurs every time the vehicle is at the 40mp/h speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership in our local town, and there is a recall on torque converters on Canadian models but nothing on US models; therefore, although there is an issue--there is plenty of evidence of that on these type of posts--Honda NA will not replace the converter under recall. The representative stated that until they deem the problem to be a recall issue that it will not be covered, they did say that if we had the issue fixed and a recall subsequently placed on the torque converter that we would be eligible for compensation. I'm not sure of the implications of the failure of a torque converter,, I do suspect that nothing good could come from it, even if it is the inconvenience of having it repaired to the stranding of a family with two small children somewhere in the wilderness of Nova Scotia,Canada. I would think that a corporation such a Honda would have the sensibility to see that the safety of their clients is the most important part of being a responsible company---we'll see

- Lee N., Tusket, Nova Scotia, Canada

problem #7

Sep 012010

Odyssey EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

frustrating that I have to have this fixed! At first I thought this was just a problem with my van until I started researching online and found this problem to very common with many Odyssey's.

- Angela G., Byron Center, MI, US

problem #6

Aug 022010

Odyssey EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

Looking for solutions for the torque converter/transmission vibration. It is very prevalent around 40-45 mph......especially going up hills.

- David D., Prattville, AL, US

problem #5

Mar 012010

Odyssey LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Having to replace a bad torque converter at my expense.

- Terry C., West Paducah, KY, US

problem #4

Mar 062010

Odyssey Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Same issue as others mention. When climbing a hill, the whole car violently shakes when around 40mph. And I mean it is violent...like going over the bumps on the side of the highway as others have said. I just bought this car from someone last week. Add this with the power steering noise and you've got quite a disappointed individual here. No idea what it'll all cost me in the end. (sigh) I have no idea what I'm going to do.

- Kent S., Lilburn, Ga, US

problem #3

Jan 012007

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

for 3 years now, my car has been described as "going over railroad tracks" at 1500 rpm. FINALLY in the 3rd year I've had a mechanic diagnose the problem, since it's all over the internet as to what the source is. My transmission fluid has been changed 3 times and is FILTHY every time, from my torque converter. Honda needs to FIX this problem as it's prevalent in MANY cars. I've spoken to the local dealer AND called Honda Corporation and told them if they don't fix this problem, this will be the FIRST and LAST Honda i ever purchase!!!!

I bought this car NEW April 30, 2005. It currently has 103,000. I've been advised by my mechanic that it'd be a wasted of $$ to put in a new torque converter because the transmission will probably go next!

From the first day I bought this car, I had it in the shop for brakes being recalled, power steering reservoir clogging up, a whistling in the windshield, my secondary mirror for watching the children falling open. I'd have to look at my maintenance to see all the other reasons....

this just TOPS it OFF!

BUT, i have to admit it's never left me on the side of the road........YET!

- alt_rph, Barboursville, WV, US

problem #2

Feb 182010

Odyssey EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Ok, Honda has built their reputation on quaility, well its time for them to step up to the plate. My 2005 Odyssey has the same problem that has plagued the odysseys. I get a vibration when cruising around 40 mph. It feels like I'm driving over the rumble strips on the highway. I was told by the dealership that their test confirms that my torque converter is bad and it will cost between $1200 - $2000 to fix. If I don't, than my transmission will eventually fail. This is a design flaw by honda. If the transmission fluid would have been changed on the regular schedule than maybe it would of lasted longer, however I bought the vehicle used with 60k mi so that was not an option. HONDA, MAKE THIS RIGHT!

- vins77, massillon, OH, US

problem #1

Mar 012007

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

My van started to have vibration issues around the time the warranty period was almost up. I took the van in and was told what i was feeling was the ECO turning off and on. I took the van back home and returned the van at around 50,000. The shuddering and vibration was getting worse. The dealer replaced broken engine mounts and sent me home. Now, the vibration is violent and happens more and more often. The dealer now tells me my van needs a new torque converter at my expense.

After doing much research, I'm convinced my van is not the only van having these issues. In fact, Honda has issued a service bulletin on the issue for other Odyssey years...leaving out the 2005. Even with the service bulletin issued, consumers are having to replace the torque converter at alarming rates. The vibration issue is chronic. I'm collecting information on how many vehicles have this issues. Please message me if you have/had these issues. I will be making a complaint in another area about the engine mount failure, but please reply to me on that issue as well. Even if you no longer own this vehicle, your input in appreciated. Thanks!

- lh53913, Spring Green, WI, US

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