Odyssey Transmission

We purchased our 2001 Honda Odyssey EX new in December of 2000.  We currently have 150,000 miles on the car.  About 2 years ago we started to notice some significant clunks when shifting from park to 1st and from park to reverse.  Also, the transmission started slipping from 1st to 2nd with an audible clunk.  Shortly there after I received a CEL on the dash.  I pulled the code and it was p0740 and I called our local Honda dealer.  They said the transmission was going and would need to be replace.  Estimated cost, somewhere between $4500 and $5500 with parts, labor and tax etc.  I did the 3x drain and fill with Honda ATF-Z1 and cleared the CEL.  It has not come back yet.  It has been about 4 months.

I have maintained the vehicle on schedule sometimes at the Honda dealer and other times at a ASE certified mechanic along with regular maintenance done by myself per the service manual.  Transmission fluid has been changed on schedule with only Honda ATF-Z1 fluid.

We have not yet replaced the transmission, but we can't drive the car as we normally would.  We baby it and are careful not to accelerate quickly so as not to put any extra strain on the transmission.  It really feels like it has very little time left until it just gives out.

Don't know if Honda will ever see this, but this is my families 8th Honda!  In my family we have owned 4 Accords, 2 Civics and 2 Odysseys.  This one has left a very sour taste in my mouth.  I think the Odyssey was Honda's first venture into larger and heavier vehicles and they just under built the transmission.

We are trying to figure out what to do for our next vehicle.  I am not sure whether to continue to trust Honda.

I had mine replaced around a year ago, and now it shifts hard already sometimes like you described - no engine revs yet.

Is it hard to change the tranmission fluid?  Do you have to jack the car up?  How many miles did you go between tranmission fluid changes?

Thanks.

In regards to the frequency of ATF fluid changes, I am doing mine every 15k miles with only Honda ATF-Z1 fluid.  When you change the fluid, it is recommended that you change it 3 times letting about a week go by in between changes to ensure a complete fluid change.  Most important thing in between changes is to make sure you have driven the vehicle at highway speeds.  I guess there is a portion of the transmission system that gets fluid moving through it at highway speeds. 

For more info, search the threads at odyclub.com

Haven't tried it without the vehicle raised up, but I imagine it might be possible.  You just have to get access to the transmission drain plug.  Using wheel ramps is the easiest way.

Good luck.