CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007-2009 was, at one point, the best selling minivan in the United States. But 2007 owners got the short end of that deal.
Peeling paint, a whining steering pump and an easily breakable A/C condenser are all top complaints about the 2007 model year. And anyone who doesn't think a busted minivan A/C is a big deal has never taken a summer road trip with kids.
About 2-1/2 years into owning our Ody I started experiencing rough transmission shifting and eventually shudder. In taking the van to our local Honda dealer it took some convincing before they would agree to replace the torque converter. The mechanic that rode with me admitted that the dealership owner was reluctant to foot the bill for the repair, so they had to do their 'due diligence' to get Honda to cover the replacement cost.
The dealership did eventually replace the torque converter under warranty. This was accompanied by at least 3 updates to the PCM (onboard computer) to adjust the shifting points, which appears to adversely affected our mileage (I've seen this same complaint posted by others).
Our Ody now has 80k and no issues with the torque converter since. However, I've felt the shifting on the van has never been smooth, particularly when it's down shifting. At the time of the torque converter replacement I had the transmission fluid exchanged with Amsoil trans fluid.
Date and mileage listed are to the best of my memory as this issue occurred several years ago.
The torque converter was replaced due to a rhythmic variation in engine speed (rpm) at 42-47mph. This was a very annoying condition made worse by four or five trips to the dealer and several failed attempts to correct the condition. The need for a torque converter was identified only after driving the vehicle while a mechanic had a laptop connected to the vehicle followed by Honda corporate taking 1.5 weeks to analyze the data. Prior to the torque converter replacement the dealer replaced the front engine mount and was in the process of tearing apart the EGR system.
My favorite part of the entire experience was Honda Customer Service support telling me that "if there are no warning lights on the dashboard then the vehicle is perfectly fine" and that "no one else has ever reported this problem". After the vehicle was finally repaired I wrote Honda a letter requesting a complimentary extended warranty due to the number of trips to the dealer and time the vehicle was out of service. I received a call a week later stating that Honda was not "able" to provide me the extended warranty. I then explained to the Honda representative the difference between "able" and "chosen" using the example that I am "able" to buy another Honda someday, but that I have "chosen" not to.
I bought my Honda Odyssey 2 weeks ago and was so excited cause I wanted one for 7 yrs now and FINALLY got one. A week ago I noticed the rpms would drop around 45 mph and the van would make a low sound like it should shift up. Also at 70 mph it would jump. I made an appt to take it in to Honda and in the meantime googled Honda Transmission problems and saw ALOT of people with a 2007 were describing the same problems I had and I was getting MAD!!!
Well I took it in and yes they are going to replace the torque converter. I hope to god it fixes it and I do not have to take it back like alot of people have had to do. Also the front suspension sounded horrible when going over bumps and they tried to tell me that was cause it was cold. lol They are replacing the stabilizer links.
Took it in for a oil change and told it need an software update. Thought nothing of it.The van was running great. A couple of weeks later the vans starts running different. Shuddering at 40 - 45 mph and the rpm would drop. Took it in and had the torque converter replaced. The shuddering stopped but still the rpm drops and was told that's normal. But the new problem is when I would decelerate the rpm's would jump up and down when shifting gears, causing the car to shake.
Took it to a dealer and he said that Honda did not have a solution for the torque converter problem yet but they would call me. The local guy said the torque converter is shot and it is also affected the transmission because there are metal shavings occuring from it being broken and they were in the transmission and I would have to replace both. ($3,500.00). I should be under warrenty at 40,000 miles. I feel a fight coming on.
- Rob T.,
Nashville, TN, US
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my 2007 honda odyssey touring was running fine and then i got a letter in the mail about some kind of vibration between 40 and 72 kilometers an hour but i never exsperienced that with mine so when i took it in for service they did a software update and after that then is when it started shifting funny especially in 3rd gear. now i took it back and the say the torque converter is bad makes me wonder if like the old saying says, leave well enough alone. waiting for them to order a new one. very disapointed customer
Honda finally acknowledged a transmisson problem with torque converter being the issue. Vehicle in shop for three days. Mommy not happy ! Van had 25000mi at time of repair.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
About 2-1/2 years into owning our Ody I started experiencing rough transmission shifting and eventually shudder. In taking the van to our local Honda dealer it took some convincing before they would agree to replace the torque converter. The mechanic that rode with me admitted that the dealership owner was reluctant to foot the bill for the repair, so they had to do their 'due diligence' to get Honda to cover the replacement cost.
The dealership did eventually replace the torque converter under warranty. This was accompanied by at least 3 updates to the PCM (onboard computer) to adjust the shifting points, which appears to adversely affected our mileage (I've seen this same complaint posted by others).
Our Ody now has 80k and no issues with the torque converter since. However, I've felt the shifting on the van has never been smooth, particularly when it's down shifting. At the time of the torque converter replacement I had the transmission fluid exchanged with Amsoil trans fluid.
- Eric B., Vancouver, WA, US