Odyssey Transmission

We have a 2002 Odyssey.  At around 80,000 miles my wife told me she would be driving the minivan and it would slip out of gear (around 2nd or 3rd) and she would have to coast to the side of the road and let off the gas waiting for it to re-engage.  Sometimes this happened on busy streets in traffic with 3 little children in the car.  This happened 3 or 4 times to her, so we it took it into the dealership.  They informed us that it needed a new transmission and the cost would be around $4000.  They said sometimes Honda will pay for it, and that they would contact Honda.
 
They contacted Honda and I was offered 25%.  I had to pay $3000.  I then start reading about all the other people that are having problems, and so I opened a case with Honda.  My Honda case manger Ron informs me that there is no known problem with the 2002 other than the recall, which had been applied to my minivan.  He could not tell me where the recall work had been done though.  They just said that it has been done and we cannot offer you any more that 25% because I was a 2nd owner.  I told him I have read about this happening to lots of people with a 2002, and that they covered more than 25%.  He assured me that there was no problem with the 2002, and that he can't make a decision based on what I read on the internet.
 
After several frustrating calls with my case manger, I didn't have much choice and my wife needed the car I paid the $3000.  A month or so later we were on the highway and the D (Drive) green light was blinking off and on.  Then we take it on a family vacation, and the new transmission starts slipping on the highway.  After I return from vacation I take it back to the dealership and they inform me that the pressure switch went bad, and that would be covered under warranty.  The solenoid was also bad and I had to pay for that (another $250).  I re-opened my case with Honda.  The case manager then contacts the dealership to see if there is anything they can do on the $250 solenoid replacement.  He then calls me back and says that there is nothing they can do for that, and they will not reimburse me for the $3000 (I tried again).  He then told me the service rep at the dealership told him that my vehicle had sludge in the oil and fluids.  I immediately hung up from him and called the dealership.  The service rep said she did NOT say that, she told him that the solenoid failure can be caused by sludge.  She didn’t say that MY minivan had sludge.  I knew it didn't because I always change the fluids on schedule (but not at the dealership).  So the case mangers are very dishonest at Honda.

All of this took place about 9 months ago.  My wife just told me a few days ago the transmission down shifted making a strange noise.  So we may be in for another round.  They did give me a 3 year/36K warranty on the transmission.  As soon as that warranty is up, I am selling it.  No more Honda’s for me…

Hi I have the same issue too. I owned a 2002 Odyssey and I'm at 78,000. Honda agrees to pay 50% of the cost. 

I know how frustating that is. I am the only owner for this car and had service all the require miles

My 2002 Odyssey did the same thing at 105,000 miles and I'm the original owner. I had ALL servicing done at Honda dealerships. I'm pissed off, broke, and stuck with a car I no longer believe will safely get my family from A to B. I've had it. I got the same BS treatment from Honda as you did and I informed my service rep of the class-action lawsuit on the 1999-2001 models. My next car, so help me will NOT be a Honda!

Anyone want to start another class action lawsuit?

I think we need to start one.  I called the attorney in New York that was supposed to start one, they said some of the other attorney's with another firm backed out.  And they were not going to proceed alone.  So we need to find a new attorney.  There is already 100 postings on this site since April.  No telling how many people have had their's replaced...

I too have a 2002 Odyssey with the same transmission issues. Not only do I have the van I've owned a civic, and 2 preludes. I worked for a honda dealership for 4 yrs and have always stood by the product. I replaced my 1st transmission at 76,077 miles and now at 127k they're telling me I need a new transmission. I have the best technicians at my former place of employment who always take care of my hondas. I am very upset and questioning my loyalty to a product that has repeatedly failed me.

OH    $%#@   I just purchased a used 2002 odyssey from a used car lot 2/10/10 I WISH I had googled the 2002 honda odyssey on the net first, well my van has 68,000 miles only-  I found out on hondas website that mine had the oil jet kit (AKA THE TEMPORARY BANDAID!!) installed back in 2004 for the recall but its hardly been driven since 04 so now whatever happens I guess im on my own. So far it's running great! dam im afraid to drive it now - now that iv'e read the horror storries honda is going to loose alot of future customers over this I think I will just sell it take a loss pay off the balance and get something else but not another honda of course I dont even care if it's rated high in consumer reports FORGET IT!!  they put so many people through so much anguish!! %^$#@%#@ they dont deserve loyal customers!! or mabey they are some kind of freakish hybird race that does not understand how loyalty works!!   im screwed..   ; )    good luck .........

Today I went in to have the struts checked, and sure enough they were bad.  I noticed they were leaking.  The two front motor mounts were broke as well.  Another hefty bill...

My turn.  I purchased my in-laws 2002 Odyssey in 2006.  It was serviced for the transmission in 2004 and now at 113,000 miles the transmission is going.  It's in the shop and based on what I read I have some decisions to make as this will be costly.  Will most likely not buy another Honda if they don't take care of it.

As I type my 2002 is in the shop. No job No money No car= No more Honda's. This one was my 6th one and will be my last if Honda does nothing. It has 111000 miles on it.

I have a 2000 odyssey (first owner with 89000 miles) and it is leaking transmission fluid. I took it to a Honda dealer this morning and it is still in the shop. I got a call said it needs replacement of the transmission for $3300+. They are going to charge me $130 for the diagonoses. This was why I  started to search the Internet. I am shock to find so many similar cases.

Anyone, any suggestions? Please help.

Our transmission problems started 4 weeks ago. At first it was the occasional "thumping" between the 2nd and 3rd gear (I think). Then one day on acceleration the transmission did not engage at all. We pulled over, waited and it engaged. The thumping between gears is getting worse. It is an '04 with about 70k on it.

i'm writing this right now while my van is in the shop. i've read so many comments and was surprised to find out a lot of people are having same problems like the one i have. anyway, took my car to the honda dealership yesterday, left it there and of course i have to pay the dianosis fee of $98. i told them about the jerking of the gears between 2nd & 3rd. when i came home, i called the Honda America 800-999-1009 and spoke to Kia - very nice lady. she gave me ref# and told me to call them back once i hear something again from the dealership. so today, i called the dealership and told me we have 2 problems, transmission and motor mounts. i called Honda America again and tried to update them. they told me to wait for the Case Manager to call me back. i again called the dealership and gave them the Honda America # with my ref#. few hours later, i called them back and they said that they are just waiting for the Factory Rep to call them back - i guess to let them know if they will cover the damage. i'm still waiting for someone to call me. once i get an answer i will definitely go back to this site and update this...

Let us know what happens.  Good luck!

You can comment here, also put your info in a new case by clicking "Share Your Case" that way the counts will be reflected.  Hopefully one of these days we will get a new class action lawsuit for 2002's and newer.  What year is yours?

Honda dealer told me it was a devise which was related to the transmission, which they replaced as well as transmission fluid.  I was hopeful but next day the tranny slipped twice.  Brought it back and based on conversation, dealer now says it has to be replaced.  He is calling the company to see what they will do.  I let him know that I want the money back for the recent fix :) and he said he would take care of me.  We will see.  It's only slipping once in a while but can't trust it as can go any time.  I have given my wife my car and am taking the chance going to work for now.

Offer was for $2600 to replace tranny and another $400+ for mount.  Since the work done before did not work, was offered discount on the $400.  I called back and basically received agreement to refund most of the $326 for the work already done.  Any suggestions on whether I should have tranny done?  The one they put in is a rebuild of the same junk they had in it.  Guess that answers my own question, time to buy a new car.  Shame on Honda.  I expected this to last at least 10 years or 150,000 miles.

I guess it could be worse...  We could have one of these Toyota Recalls - Gas Pedal Sticking vehicles.

Oh wait, I have one of those too...  ;-)

Yep....add another one.  2002 Odyssey.  Driving to work Saturday morning...no warning.  First time ever slipping and slipped and there I was on the side of the road.  I can still drive it.  Had it towed to the shop.  They said I need a new trans.  $44XX and change for a Jasper trans.  Out the door.  Oh....probably need to change the ECM too.  Whatever.  Are you kidding me?  I am more than pissed.  This is on the heels of a car purchase to replace our old Chrysler that had finally worn itself out.  Now our "reliable" honda which we needed to last another 4-5 years is a piece of SH!T.  C'mon.  I have to fix the thing.  Took money against the car a year ago and owe.  I haven't even called Honda.  Not after reading all this.  I am the second owner.  Bought the car from Carmax a few  years ago.  Checking with the local Aamco to see what they cost.  This definitely sucks.

I have a 2003 Honday Odyssey with 135,000 miles that I purchased from the original owner (with all receipts) in 2006.  I began having trouble with slipping gears (2nd and 3rd) a few weeks ago, and jerky shifting when going into reverse, drive, etc.  I've had to release the accelerator and reapply it to engage the gears several times a day.  (About 6 months ago, the Drive indicator light was flashing on the dashboard...but my repair shop could not find any problem.  They did warn me, though, that the flashing light COULD be linked to transmission issues!)  It sounds like I should cut my losses and trade in the van rather than risk replacing the transmission...Any suggestions?

Definately sounds like the transmission is going out.  You will probably spend around $3K to fix it, unless you can talk Honda out of more money.  They will give you a 3 yr / 36K warranty, so that is somethine to consider.  We got our fixed, and I am going to trade it in as soon as the warranty is expired.

My 2000 Odyssey started having problems with shifting gears, lurching going from 1st to 2nd geer,at about 30,000 miles (I am the original owner).  At first, dealer charged me to fix sticky gas pedal, then charged me to fix carbon build up, then evaporative thing. Then finally at 130,000 miles they said it was transmission after all, and sine it is past 100,000 mile warranty, they wanted $5,000 to fix the ORIGINAL problem.  Few weeks later van stops shifting gears completely. Stuck in 2nd.  I was charged $5000 to have a new transmission put in.  No help from Honda.  A year later same thing. Going slow, the car would lurch as if I was rear-ended, when changing gears from 1st to 2nd.  Dealear start replacting all kinds of crap again (like engine mounts, shock absorbers, catalytic converter), $1000s of dollars later, boom.  The van will not shift gears when cold, and has a high pitch whine.  Van is not drivable. Dealer wants another $5000 to put a third transmission in; because it is out of 36,000 mile waranty on the second one!!!  I said, but I reported the same problem at 10,000 miles. They say, so what? We are now at 38,000.  Is it me? Or is it dealer? Or is dealer acting under "guidance" from corporate?  Oddly enough, the service manager suggested that this van is crap, and I should not put any more money into it, that they have much better (used) cars on the lot. Yeah right. Like I would ever buy Honda again.

Bought a used Toyota this week.  While cleaning up the Odyssey today someone driving by made an offer for it and I accepted just to get rid of it quick and easy.  Called Honda and let them know how I feel and that I will not buy another Honda.  If you have not done so, call Honda and let them know you won't buy another and that "your spreading the news". 

By the way, I never did fix the tranny and took a big loss on the sale.

Some one posted this on another thread:

There is a law firm that you can register your complaint for a possible new class action lawsuit. Email: hsettlement@knlh.com

I haven't contacted them yet, I plan on doing it today or tomorrow.  I think we all need to spread the word.  Let's get a new lawsuite going!

i too have 2002 honda van. transmission went out at 113000 miles called honda tthey offered to pay 15% but my share would be 2500. instead of recall they extended the warranty to 109000 miles most fall apart after 110000 miles.

I have always loved Honda, but not so sure anymore.  My 2004 Odyssey now has a blinking "D" indicator light.  It started last fall and then stopped and now started up again.  It is paid for, but I do not know whether to trade now or chance with another transmission.  It is only worth about $8,000 but I really do not want another vehicle note.  Advise please?

My 2002 Honda Odissey has the D blinking light and i just bought it, what are my options because i just spent $3400 for services?

I have a 2002 Odyssey with 80k miles and noticed the trans slipping from Park to Drive . I brought it to the dealer and I was told that I needed a new trans.  I called Honda HQ and  was assigned to Ron Robbins (case mgr) who rejected my cry for help.

Then I started checking the forums in particular ODYCLUB.com. I registered as a member and started searching for transmission problems.  There are a lot of postings regarding this issue and currently following a thread where they are suggesting doing a 3x drain and fill, changing the transmission filter, installing a trans cooler, installing external filter (magnefine) and cleaning the solenoid filters.

I will attempt the 3x drain and fill this weekend first then follow their other suggestions and hope that will fix my slipping problems.

Ray,

If you talk to Ron again tell him I said Hi, and ask him how he likes this site. :-) He now has two posts with his name on it.  He is quite a guy huh?

Good luck!

Yesterday my 2001 Odyssey (95K miles) got into similar issue. After traveling for 175 miles (50 miles uphill at the end), Check Engine light was On and Green Drive Light started flashing. Engine does not accelerate when starting from idle and even after wards does not accelerate beoynd certain speed. But once accelerates van can rive around 65MPH w/o any issues unless I need to go Uphill.

At problem spot, I took the van to Pontiac show room and the guy said it is a transmission issue, and need replacement. I saw this website/discussions and talking about the Tranmission issues with 2001 Odyssey. I will be going to Honda service center tomorrow, and will udpate my case later. But I am worried that I need to spend all money from my pocket since I bought an used car. Did used car owners succeded in getting discount from Honda company if we need to change transmission?

I am the original owner of a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 80,000 miles on it. My car has been impeccably maintained, & most of the maintenance was done by the dealer. On Friday some warning lights came on. I took it to the dealer. The service rep told me that the transmission needs to be replaced due to an internal defect. He told me that the transmission should not need to be replaced on a Honda with only 80,000 miles on it. American Honda offered to pay 50% of the repair bill.

It doesn't make sense to me. If Honda had no liability, why would they offer me anything? Their offer to pay 50% seems like an admission that they have liability, & if they have liability, they need to pay 100% of the repair bill.

I have a call in to American Honda to see if they can do better....We'll see what happens....

In the meantime..., does anyone know if there is a class action lawsuit for this problem? A quick internet search shows that it's a big problem with this car.

I am the original poster on this thread, and the founder of this website.  My parents just took the kids to Sea World in our 2002 minivan, and i just got a call that the transmission just slipped on the highway.  TCS and check engine light are on.  Hoping they make it home.

I just pulled my receipts, we still have about 10 months left on the 36 month warranty and we are within the 36K miles.  So I shouldn't have to pay a dime.  Taking it in tomorrow morning, will let you know the outcome.  I hope they don't pull the crap and tell me nothing is wrong with it, and make me wait till the warranty is up to fix it.

Ronnie

My 2001 Honda Doyssy transmission was dead last week, and Honda said they cant give any discount on repair since since my car exceeded the 7Yr 9 mos extended warranty they offered, even though I have only 95Kmiles (well with in 106K miles they extended warranty for).

I just checked for "naomirps" they agreed to offer 50% discount on 07/22/2010, can you pease clarify who is your service rep in Honda? Any specific extension to contact your service rep?

Honda is very addement to me and said they cant offer any discount to me, I am trying to see if I can get any discount from Honda for my situation. Please offer me any suggestions.

Honda show room in San Jose told me that it costs 4,600$ for Tranny for 1Yr/12K warranty, and 200$ more for 3Yrs/36K miles.

But spending more than $5K for $7K Van does not make sense for me, any suggestions?

Murty

My 02 Ody. just started having trans. issues.About 80,000 miles .Green "D" light does not come on and the only forward gear it will go into is "D".I fear for the future.Any advise on how to get Honda Canada to fix it for me.At there expense that is.

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I have a 2002 Honda Odysee with 89000 miles and I get "Check Engine Light On". I have taken the car to 2 service stations. One said that I need a new transmission and the other said he will replace new solenoids and do a transmission flush.

I noticed that this is a common problem and some posters have evn got Honda to cover for some of the costs  if not all of it, even though they did not purchase extended warranty.

I was told by both to not drive the car until the issue is resolved.

I am in the Chicago area and purchased mine through Honda of Lisle.

I am debating between getting it fixed or go to the dealer and check out what he is willing to do.

I also saw that there is a class action lawsuit against Honda regarding this issue.

What would be your advice ?

Thanks in advance,
Jay