Odyssey Transmission

We have a 2000 Odyssey with 89000 miles. Up to about a month ago, we did not know Odyssey has a transmission problem at all. They never sent us any notice about it!  Long before November 2009 we realized the van had a little "oil leak" and it  hesitated to accelerate in the morning. It was slowly deteoriating. While having the engine oil changed in Nov. 2009, we asked the (non-Honda-dealer) shop to check on the problem. We were suggested to replace the transmission axial and we did. For the hesitation, we were  told it  was more complicated and we might need to go somewhere else to check. The problem continued, which would now be expected. We went back to the shop a couple times and eventually was told the transmission might have a problem. We went to a Honda dealer to check it out about a month ago while telling them what  had happened. The dealership did the usual thing: $130 for checking and found out the problem was indeed the transmission and it needed to be replaced. The price was about $3200 for the replacement of a rebuilt transmission. I started to check the web that same afternoon and found out the obvious and also found out that my van was one of those covered by the Honda Transmission Settlement. It was myself that was in the dark all thes years! I was very mad and returned to the dealship and asked them what was going on. They decided not to charge the $130 fee!

I got a card from the salesman. Afterwards I called him a few times. Ocassionally he would pick up his phone and then say I will call you back in 15 minutes or I will call you back after talking with my parts manager who happened to be intown tomorrow and I promised you I would call you back. I never got a call back!

I went back to the dealership in person and insisted talking with the manager. The answer, "if you want to win any case, get prepared, like have your service records ready." etc... By the way, we conveniently erased all records if you don't have services with us in 18 months, so we do not have any record of your service as of now. I went back searching for whatever records I could find. I found we had one replacement of the transmission fluid with the dealership at 40000 miles. I contacted Hond America following the information I got here. After a few exchanges of telephone, telling them the dealer would replace the transmission for about $3200, and faxing over my service records, I got reply saying Honda will contribute about $600 to the cost.

This morning I called the dealership and left a message. I got a return of the call. The salesman told me that Honda will contribute 20% to my cost. I asked how much was the cost. He said he would get back to me in an hour. Eventually I got the call back. The quote was $4292. After 20% discount from Honda America, it would be $3434. Knowing what happened to other people here, I asked what would be the warrantee. He said 5y/50000miles. I asked what happened to the quote of $3200, he said he was not familiar with the trasmission and he thought it was a Honda Accord EX which had the same trasmission problem. An Odyssey trasmission is much more expensive. It was rebuilt with many of the previous problems solved. He said he had never seen a replaced transmission failed. I asked "Are you sure about the warrantee? Can you double check on that." He said I will ask around and get back to you in 5 minutes. Sure enough, this time he called back indeed in 5 minutes. He told me that after checking on the Honda Web site, the warrantee is actually 3y/36000miles. I said I called an independent trasmission shop and was quote $3200 for the replacement with a transmission rebuilt by Honda with a 3y/36000 miles warrantee. The salesman said according to the web site, the warrantee applys only if you replace it from a Honda dealer. He also said just bring you van in and while it is repaired, I may be able to get you some more discount. I asked how much. He saild it's not going to be a whole lot probably around a couple hundred less.

So after over a month's fight and getting a 20% good-will help from Honda America, I actually have to pay $3434, more than before!

Anyone, please provide suggestions on what I should do next. Thank you.

Honda knows they have a problem.  I'm on my third transmission! I'm having the transmission rebuilt at a local shop that is familiar with Honda odysseys, approximately $2,000.  Needless to say as soon as I have it fixed, I will be selling the lemon!  I'm so pissed-off with the Honda Dealership that I've emailed my local news station to let them know that the Honda transmission failure is not a rare occurance like the Toyota fuel pedal and to investigate.  I sympathize with you. Best of luck! 

Honda dealerships do not egage in any of the rebuilding. They have it farmed out to local shops in your area. I was told the reason is because it would tie up their mechanics who are focused on service, fluids, oils, tune-ups. These are quick and expensive it's how they make most of their money. A transmission is too time consuming, hence would cut too much into their profits. Those dirty bloody suckers!

We finally had the van fixed at the dealership. Honda America had a 20/80 split on the transmission with us. While fixing the AT, we were asked if we want to replace the timing belt, engine/motor mount, and front breakpads, because they were due... After negociated a bit, we had them all replaced, just to get a piece of mind! The total bill was $3600. I do not know if this was a good or bad deal but we needed the van and could not afford a new one at this time. Hope it could last a good 3 years or more without further trouble. It looks like we do have a 3yr/36000miles waranttee on the transmission. Any comments on the deal? 

By the way, before fixing the AT, I added a total of 4 full quarter of AT fluid in multiple checks before seeing the stick touching the fluid while the engine was warm. We were planning to drive it while it lasted but kept filling in the AT fluid... But then figured that it would probably be too dangerous.