Transmission began to slip gears on the day before failure. I was skeptical that there was really an issue as it was a new fan and only 14K miles. I chalked it up to me have ECO turned on which always makes vehicles feel sluggish to me. But still, I know what a slipped gears feel like and have gone through other failed transmissions... so was concerned.

Next day, wife attempts to back up. Van will not move. Backup camera monitor displays message: Cross Traffic Monitor System Problem. Dash info screen displays two messages: 1) Blind Spot Info Systems Problem and 2) Transmission System Problem.

Able to drive forward while error messages continue to display and gear slippage is very prominent accompanied now with the very familiar jolts and shutters of a vehicle with transmission failure.

Dealer runs test. New transmission required. No explanation yet for why the other strange messages are occurring at the same time.

When our 2008 Honda Odyssey was finally dying with the large amount of mileage we put on it (and never had to do any repairs), we didn’t even think twice of buying another one. This time we got a used 2018 Elite. We quickly discovered why someone had turned in a year old car. Along with many other electrical problems, it wouldn’t go into gear sometimes. I would be in my garage stuck because when I would go into reverse the engine would just rev like I was in neutral. It would happen sometimes when I would try to put it on drive. Usually, I could turn it off, lock the door, unlock it, turn it back on and sometimes it would work. Sometimes I would have to do it several times. Sometimes it would take 15 minutes. There was one time however when I was trying to park in a busy parking lot and had to reverse some to get into the spot. You guessed it, I got stuck and was blocking traffic with everyone honking at me for several minutes.

After taking it to the dealership several times (but it never doing that for them) they finally just replaced the transmission for us under warranty after showing them our video. We appreciated that they did that, but I was mad about the 45 minute each way trips to the dealership, sitting around for hours because they don’t offer a loaner car, and all the pain that it caused. Since then we’ve had so many other electrical problems (separate post) that we are trading it in after only a little over a year.

Purchased our 2018 Odyssey Touring at 50,500 miles. I have loved the vehicle and have no regrets in purchasing. At the initial service I called Honda who told me that the vehicle was no longer under any type of warranty, so we chose to have the service done locally and not at a certified Honda dealer... big mistake. I've driven the vehicle for 8 months and rarely noticed any shifting issues.

Earlier this month I had a day where all dash lights came on upon startup randomly. It was due for normal service anyway so we scheduled to get a full service and check out the lights. Mechanic serviced van and checked all lights, he stated that it was giving a misfire code. He checked the cylinder for the misfire and replaced a wire connecter which made all the problems go away. Picked up the car and it drove fine that day. The next morning when i started the vehicle, all dash lights were on and engine light was blinking.

I was driving out of state so I started turned off the vehicle and restarted to see if it was an intermittent problem. Initially it looked like it was acting fine. Not long into my trip i saw that I couldn't' accelerate over 50mph and trying to do so would raise the rpms to 3-4k. Other times it would drive fine and be cruising at 70mph only to suddenly downshift without warning which would slow me down considerably instantly. I continued to drive at a slower pace hoping I could make it to a Honda dealer. Unfortunately around 5 miles from the dealership the transmission overheated and I had to pull over and sit until it cooled. Dealer ran the codes and looked into repairs, full transmission failure. Replacement estimate is $7,000. Previously I drove a high mileage older vehicle which I decided to sell to buy into the Honda name and promise of reliability. Now I have to laugh to keep from crying.

I knew this was going to happen; Honda decided to "re-engineer" the transmission for the 2018 Honda Odyssey, and it's going to be a HUGE HEADACHE for the company!

I have owned a 2007, 2011,2014, and now, a 2018 Honda Odyssey. I drive an average of 400 miles per day, 90% Highway, in the North Carolina Piedmont area. Love my 2014 for the most part. Put over 300k miles on it before trading, and never had any major mechanical issue.

From the very beginning, I was not happy with the 2018. The transmission acted like it never new what gear to go into, and I was getting worse fuel mileage than the 2014 model. I started noticing noise from the drive train early on. If I eased off the gas, while slowing down in traffic, or approaching a stop light, and then re-accelerated, many times the transmission would hesitate, and then "bang" into gear, making a metal-on-metal noise.

At first, it was not very loud, and just slightly noticeable, but as time went by and I put more mile on the car, it became louder and much more noticeable! I took it to Autopark Honda in Cary several times with this complaint.. and I would always get the "We can't replicate the problem" response.

The last time I took it in, the car had about 58,000 miles on it and the drive train warranty soon to expire. That time, the mechanic acknowledged that the was definitely an issue, and had communicated with Honda Tech, but no resolution offered! I was told that they would "stand behind the car", should something happen.

Well, something happened.. the transmission failed. The first call from a Service Advisor told me the repair would cost almost $6,200 ! But then added that they would submit a claim to Honda Goodwill. The next day, I was informed that Honda would pay all but $1261 (which must be their actual hardware cost), of the repair.

I find this unacceptable! While I appreciate that they are willing to pay a large part of the cost; a Honda transmission should not fail at 75,000 miles.. period! Honda stupidly decided to re-engineer a perfectly good transmission, and came up with a dud.

I am also sure that my situation will not be an isolated one. During my 58,000 mile visit, I was given a 2019 Odyssey as a loaner for a few days. It made the very same noise!

So if you own a 2018 or newer Odyssey... beware! And make certain that you are having the transmission fluid serviced every 30k miles, or you will no doubt be denied any help when (no if), your transmission fails.