Odyssey Transmission

2002 model - at 109,000 it started slipping (mostly between 1st and 2nd I believe)  I'm going to get with the dealer/Honda America and see what I can do.  Very disappointing.  This is what I'd expect from a Dodge Caravan, not a Honda!

It was funny (not) that you mentioned the Grand Caravan as that was the mini van we had before our 2004 Honda and we had to have that transmission replaced as well (but for under $2000). We decided not to use the dealer to replace our transmission and found a certified transmission shop that will guarantee their work for 100,000 miles/3 years. Our Honda dealer could only guarantee 36,000 miles/3 years. The dealer wanted to charge $6000 where as the shop will be under $3500. Still a chunck of money but almost half what the dealer would charge. Good luck with your vehicle and call around to find a good shop!

Here's an update...  I opened a case with Honda America and talked with Sergio Suarez.  I asked him if he knew of many other problems with Honda Odyssey transmissions.  He said that he really couldn't say as he just "receives all sorts of calls and deals with things on a case by case basis."  This of course is crap because anyone can Google his name with the word Honda and you will see that he specializes in powertrain related customer complaints.  I informed him that this was the case, let him know that he was full of crap, and told him that he more than anyone at Honda would know the level of problems that exist with these transmissions.  He was quite for a second before admitting that yes he did in fact specialize in powertrain related complaints. 

Speaking of Google, I also let Sergio know that when I Googled the words "Honda Odyssey" the Google Suggest feature suggests the phrase "Honda Odyssey transmission problems".  Of course this is an indicator of search popularity for this phrase.  So you aren't the only one searching for that phrase...

Sergio spent most of his time talking in circles as he does with everyone else that has related their experiences with him.  If I followed up with him I'd probably get about $1,000 discount, but I'll probably go with a Jasper.  I think Honda's really just practicing damage control here.  There are a flood of problems with this transmission, but Honda is just trying to squeak by for a few more years until the vehicles are falling apart for other reasons.  Pretty lame because a $4,000ish bill for your average family is a major issue.  I know it is for me.

Sergio did say that Honda would probably consider it a "problem" that was worth "formally addressing" (whatever that means) if there was 1% or greater rate of failure.  With about 300,000 2002 models on the road that would be about 3,000... I'm guessing that number is out there but I can't prove it.  I asked him what the current rate of failure was, and he said that was proprietary info. that he couldn't share.  So let me know if anyone out there has a list of 3,000+ cases on the 2002 model and we will give Sergio a call back.  ;>)