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Posted: 11/12/2009
Bought 2002 used Honda Odyssey in January 2009. I am second owner. In May, noticed lack of gear engagement running at around 45 miles per hour.
For the next couple months, experienced intermittent gear non-engagement when accelerating to between 25 and 40 mph. Also noticed transmission revving when down-shifting from 45 mph to approx. 25 mph. Van must be stopped to re-engage transmission in roughly 99% of cases. These are all under normal driving conditions.
Around July 2009, started conducting online research and contacted Honda Corporate about transmission problem through their corporate site. Was assigned regional case manager who advised to take van to dealer. Dealer evaluated through test drive only. Could not replicate transmission slipping and dismissed safety issues submitted through thousands of filed complaints.
Contacted regional case manager again. He advised to monitor the situation and mark when the issues arose again, to make specific note of weather conditions and driving scenarios. No urgency to have van fixed beyond the absolute minimum cost on their part, even though would be best for van to be fixed before maximum damage to van and personal life is realized.
Oct. 2009 van shifts hard and transmission light comes on. Take van to dealer and vehicle needs new transmission costing $4,700. Was told after labor and parts, rebuilt transmission was not in my best interest and "new" transmission is best option. Service manager contacts their local corporate Honda rep. who offers $1,500 in assistance (even though I am being charged $2,870).
Recontact Honda regional rep through 800#. He says, “This is not a problem that is out of the ordinary.”
After reading other consumer accounts on same vehicle make and year, realize I am putting my wife and children's life in danger yet will be in severe financial hardship to get van fixed.
Sent letter to Honda president last week.
Got final word from Honda Corporate regional case manager today that their offer is final. I want in on the class action lawsuit if original transmission is found to be faulty. I have to get the work done so we’ll be making an appointment to have it done next week. At least it comes with a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. We’ll be selling before that runs out, to be sure. This will be our last Honda purchase.
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