Odyssey Transmission

Purchased in May 1999. (one owner)

 In January of 2005, transmission was recalled. (No problems for 6 years with transmission) Local Honda Dealer replaced transmission.

  On July 29th traveling on vacation with 3 of my young children, lost the trans again. Was towed to a Honda Dealer in Pittsburgh. Unfortunetly I went 6 months over the 3 yr., 36,000 mile warrenty. Therefore, I had to pay $5000.00 dollars for a new transmission.  I also had to rent a car and continue with my vacation. What I great time that was visiting with family in Ohio and my vehicle is in Pittsburgh.  It was horrible. Not to mention the added expense of a rental and an additional hotel stay because my vehicle was not ready when I returned to pick it up.

  As of yesterday, December 1st. I took my van back to the local dealer to have the transmission checked, as it has begun to slip and search for gears. Of course, as yet again, I was told the transmission needs to be replaced and that it is no longer covered under warranty because I have put 40,000 miles on since the last transmission. I put 4,000 more than the 36,000 allowed by warranty. As you may know at this point I am so overwhelmed by all this, that as I am paying for my diagnosis, I'm standing there crying, as the 4 customer service men just stand there like I don't even exist. The only thing the customer service agent said to me was "We are the bearer of bad news sometimes".  I was so upset that I couldn't even speak.

Before I returned to work on my lunch break, I called American Honda. I was told a supervisor would call me back within 24 hours.

 Today December 2nd, I called back to American Honda as I hadn't gotten the phone call back yet.  I spoke for a long time with the supervisor who told me to hold while she went and spoke with a manager. After 1 minute she returned to tell me that Honda could not assist me. I told her she was kidding, right? After 1 minute you can speak with a manager and read the history of all my problems with this van and decide that quick. I told her Honda needs to fix my transmission right this time. I should not have to put a 3rd transmission in my van in a matter of 5 years. Or that a vehicle 11 years old should be having a 4th transmission put in. I went on to tell her that they were insulting me because they would not help me since my van is a 99 instead of a newer model. I only want them to fix what they have yet to fix right from the beginning. She just kept saying the same thing, we cannot assist you as you put 4,000 miles over the warranty.

Now, I explainded to her that I am a single mom with 4 children and will not let Honda put me and my kids on the street. I have no choice but to drive my van, as I have to work. I do not have family or the funds or credit at this time (due to a divorce in 06) to even consider another car, let alone paying to have my van fixed. I did tell her that I will be calling her everyday, 10 times a day until herself and other managers look at the history with my van, and step up, and fix it right, for the 1st time.

 I am beside myself and don't know what to do. I would greatly appreciate any advise. Thank you in advance for your time.  

Here's what I did ... call Honda America.  Give the representative your information, then as sweetly as you can, ask the representative for the name of the CEO of Honda America.  (Tetsuo Iwamora) Then ask them to please spell it for you.  At this point, they begin wondering why you want the information.  Explain that you had hoped for some financial assistance from Honda America, but  you have now decided to "pursue other avenues".  Thank the representative as nicely as possible and then hang up.  Don't explain to this representative -- cut the phone call VERY short. 

Within 10 minutes, the supervisor called me because "Honda really wanted to help me in my unfortunate situation".  I explained that I didn't know if he could help me and I was considering pursuing other avenues. He never let on that he knew I had called. He told me a new caseworker would call me back within a few hours with a offer of financial help.  Within a few hours, I was told I only needed to pay $1500 to replace the transmission AND the PCM (Powertrain Contol Module -- this computer brain HAS to be replaced at the same time).  I have a 2003.  We bought the 100,000 mile extended warranty and our transmission failed at 102,XXX.  I don't know if this will work for you, but it is certainly worth a try.  This week, I am also going to write a letter to Mr. Iwamora to try and get my $1500 back.  I have the car back now, but it has been making clunking sounds.  The dealership checked it and said, "Can't duplicate the problem".  My local mechanic thinks it is the stabilizer link and has ordered a new one for me.  On my transmission receipt, it states that they replaced one stabilizer link that broke during the transmission installation.  Usually, they are replaced in pairs.  I sincerely hope that this information helps -- Don't cry anymore --- get mad.  I cried too and I was treated like a nothing. BE MAD -- Honda put your family's lives in danger!!!  For your records, you might even want to tape the conversation because they will lie to you.  It happened 4 times to me.  It is legal in my state, but I would double check in yours.  I am not a lawyer, but they clearly state at the beginning of EVERY call that "this call may be monitored or recorded".  Remember -- You are not retreating -- you are reloading --- YOU CAN DO IT!!!!  :)

This is going to sound nuts, but call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against them. It doesn't mean they have to do anything, but if they don't, the BBB can bring a case against them and it can go to arbitration. Make sure you have all your paperwork and all your ducks in a row, so to speak.

If enough people file complaints against American Honda with the BBB, people will take notice - including the state and local governments if necessary. But you have to file the complaint first. Don't think it won't do anything - in the end it will accomplish something.

As one poster said - don't cry - GET MAD!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your problems. We all have pretty much the same story. I have a 2002 that needs a new transmission. I am the original owner. I was planning on driving this van "forever" and "scrimped and saved" to get it originally. I can not afford a new transmission. The van is worth next to nothing now, as the resale prices have dropped through the floor. I also cannotin good conscience unload it on someone else.

I too called Honda America. I was eventually offered a "reduced price" on my transmission replacement of $3200. About $600 off of what the dealer quoted me originally. And interestingly, the same price I can get anywhere else with NO "discount".

We are pretty much out of luck, I am affraid, and Honda knows it. I wrote a letter to the CEO and got no response. Not even a form letter back. So much for treating your customers right.

About the only thing we can do is file a complaint with the NHTSA. I'm not sure if it will ever amount to anything, but at least it will give Honda a black mark. Also, let everyone know how we are being treated. I have already talked several people out of buying Hondas. Probably not going to "bankrupt" Honda in the end, but everything I can do, I will.

I too am a single mom with a 2001 - 150,000 miles - transmission goes.  Honda wouldn't give me the time of day of course because even though my van VIN is one that was covered in the original class action, suit it is way out of extended warranty.  My dependable and faithful mechanic who has been taking care of my van for years got me a Jasper "Honda" transmission installed for $2100.  Jasper apparently takes the Honda transmissions and remakes them as they should have been in the first place.  Plus they give you a warranty.  I know you will still have to be out some money for it, but it is less than $5,000.  It's just another option from one desperate mom to another.  Good luck!  And I agree with all of the above suggestions too!  I will never buy another Honda and I hope all of the people who have posted on this site who feel the same will make a dent in their pocket books.

After my transmission went out for the second time, I opted to not fix it and get a used Kia Sedona. In your case, have you considered leasing a mini van instead of buying one? The Honda Odyssey design is flawed and the transmission is not getting enough cooling - I wouldn't buy or lease another one. The Kia Sedona is very similar in drive and amenities without the history of transmission problems.

I want to thank everyone for their advise and comments. It means a great deal to me.

 I did file a complaint with the NHTSA. I will also be submitting a complaint to the BBB.  I am going to tell my story to the local Philadelphia News Station that has reporters, who do investigating for the local viewers and try to help them with their problems.  I know that this is a long shot, they may not be interested, but I'm going to give it a try.  I am also going to make an appointment to see the owner of my local dealer who has preformed all of the many, many recalls on my van since 1999. I have paid them so much money all these years because everything that has been recalled and replaced has gone bad, with the warranty always expired, and I have had to pay myself. I am going to ask for my local dealer to help me with American Honda.  I have been a customer of theirs since 1992.

  I can't give up. I am going to try everything I can.  I will also be taking the advise that you all gave me. Thank you and be safe.  Still driving my van. No other choice.

LAO31,

We are all pulling for you!!  =) 

If you do get in contact with the Philadelphia news station and they are interested, let me know... I'm in the Lehigh Valley and I'd be happy to share my story as well.

twillia 1, I will post it here, if the news station is interested. Thank you.

As an aside, dealing with Honda today was great. Their main headquarters called me due to my BBB complaint. The woman on the other end (Marion or Marian) didn't want to hear anything about my case - she just wanted to badger me about the dealer not having any record of my being there on a certain day. She said she spoke with the service manager and he had no record of me visiting the dealer for a test drive.

I called the dealer 5 minutes later and confirmed that they did, indeed, have a record of my appointment.

That's been Honda's tactic from the get-go with this... Smoke and mirrors, lies, and technicalities. So on to arbitration we go... Wait until the arbitrator sees the history of this vehicle!

twillia1,

Maybe you have already posted elsewhere, but what is the history on your van?  Perhaps your information and story will help someone else in their situation.  Thank you.  =) 

Yup... I posted in item #513 on this site.

I added more detailed history today, in case it's useful to anyone!

Just wanted to let everyone know, that I got a call from Honda on Friday due to my complaint I submitted to the BBB on Wednesday. They have reopened my case. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I'm not going to get excited that they will do the right thing, but it's one setp closer.

Let us know the outcome with the BBB. I also filed a complaint, only to have Honda call and leave a nasty message - gave my wife and I a chuckle at least. 2 days later BBB called and said they couldn't do anything for me.

BBB is completely worthless.

It needs a joint fight with Honda USA to extend life time warranty for defective transmission of Honda Odessey , the garbage car of the century. It is a manufacturing defect and Honda has to accept the responsibility. Honda Odessey oweners deserve compensation or life time warranty.

Thanks

Rafiq

our van died a week ago at 168,000 miles. transmission blown. we ant afford to do anything with it right now, but leave it in the driveway with the parking brake on. at the end of the month were going to bring it in to the dealer where its been serviced all its life and see what the deal is and if hondas gonna give us a reasonable price for it. if not, well have our regional manager to to bat for us. if that fails, we can either stick a jasper in it, or sell it as is, which is probably whats gonna happen.