I've heard tons of horror stories regarding different model Odysseys needing transmission replacement - what years are most affected? Our 2003 has about 70k miles and if it's going to start having issues, I'd rather get rid of it now than strand my family on the road sometime in the near future.

So far we've had zero issues, but I'd rather not wait until it's too late to make a move...

With an '03 model you might be okay, but from around '98 or '99 through '01 or '02, there were major issues with the Odyssey's trannys. The best thing to do is ask someone at your local Honda dealer that you can trust.

I want to echo what Weatherman said. You are probably ok with a 2003.
My wife's 1999 Odyssey had it's first transmission replaced at 39K miles (though out of warranty, Honda payed for the tranny and labor).
This past Christmas we had to have the transmission replaced again at 123K miles. With the help of our dealer (where I have bought 3 Hondas including a 2007 Ridgeline), Honda agreed to pay for this transmission as well, though I payed the labor costs ($800).
I have owned 5 Hondas and have never replaced another transmission, though I drove my 2 Accords for nearly 200K miles. I will say that with the 3rd transmission my wife's Odyssey, though 9 years old, still drives very well.:)

The first major trans upgrade was not until 2007. Like the other fellas say & per the complaints you see, ~2000-2003 seem to be the worst, 2004-2006 better. Honestly I think it's just because the years/miles are not high enough yet on the 2004-2006.:mad: Don't sweat it though. Do your regular maintenance and Honda will help out in the event of trans issues. Look at the bright side, Chrysler and Fords MV ATs fail at equal frequency.

Joel

I know that Honda has a problem with some years trannys.....

BUT, complaints are sort of like spilled oil.......doesn't take a lot to look like a real big mess....

I remember seeing a poll on the other site of the people that actually had experienced a tranny failure and the amount was very low.

What I am trying to say is, don't spend all your time worrying about something that hasn't happened yet........do you maintenance and enjoy your van.....but keep in mind that everything mechanical breaks....even Hondas!!!!!!

BUT, complaints are sort of like spilled oil.......doesn't take a lot to look like a real big mess....

Very true, plus the vast majority just post online to complain and you never hear from them again. I have heard rumor that the failure rate on the earlier Ody ATs was 25%. :(

Joel

I know that Honda has a problem with some years trannys.....

BUT, complaints are sort of like spilled oil.......doesn't take a lot to look like a real big mess....

I remember seeing a poll on the other site of the people that actually had experienced a tranny failure and the amount was very low.

What I am trying to say is, don't spend all your time worrying about something that hasn't happened yet........do you maintenance and enjoy your van.....but keep in mind that everything mechanical breaks....even Hondas!!!!!!

Well, almost... '99 through '02 Odys and Accords are affected by the tranny problem. I got my tranny replaced after 8 years and 85k miles at no cost to me, but after a class action lawsuit prevailed. (I was not part of the action but benefited from it.) It was explained to me as springs in the control valve body that break and do not close the orifice anymore creating multiple gear engagement conditions. The error code would read 'Wrong Gear' or something to that effect. My symptoms were delayed up-shift 1st to 2nd and hard down shifts 2nd to 1st. I have currently 89 k miles and the tranny as smooth as silk.
I love the Ody as a 'High Speed Transport' for easy long distance runs. I cannot imagine easier and more comfortable traveling than 4 people in an Ody. I once set the cruise control at 125 mph between Scotty's Castle and Las Vegas for a few miles, and none of the passengers even noticed the speed we were traveling at. I do run Michelin HydroEdges and like their over all performance... I love all my Hondas (...see my sig...) and hope to soon add another one to the 'collection'... :-)

Very true, plus the vast majority just post online to complain and you never hear from them again. I have heard rumor that the failure rate on the earlier Ody ATs was 25%. :(

Joel


The figure that I've heard is more like 12%.

herrhaus (fingers, toes & eyes crossed)

I remember seeing a poll on the other site of the people that actually had experienced a tranny failure and the amount was very low.At that other site a poll on '99-'01 says 41.3% failed. '02-'03 36.52% failed. Sounds like a lot failed, a real mess.

2003 Odyssey purchased Aug 2002 with added trans cooler (have never towed with the van)

Replaced my trans @ 38,000 due to discolored 2nd gear - done per recall
Replaced the 2nd trans in Feb 2007 w/ 70,700 miles as it was slamming in to gear with a big thud - worse when cold (especially below freezing). Trans was also slipping. The dealer was so smart they did not hook-up the trans cooler right when installing hte 3rd trans and the van dumped its fluid all over a parking lot about 15 miles later.

Have had back with lesser engagement noises when cold. Appears to shift ok right now. With it nearing 100k right now not sure now long it will make it past the 105k warranty.

Do you know that the odometer is off by 5% so the actual 100k warranty that was extended on the trans is 105k?

we haven't had any issues with our tranny in our 02 odyssey, and don't expect to have any, since we like to think on the positive side with things. i had the tranny flushed not too long ago at work, since i do have over 100k on the van. but i have also owned and continue to own ford vehicles along with my van, and have never had any tranny issues except for one of my trucks...it was severely abused by the previous owners. but i make sure to keep my vehicles properly maintained. we plan sometime in the future to trade the 02 in for a new one...maybe. it has been such an awesome investment!

We have a 2000. The first mission let go in the mountains in Maryland at just over 80,000 miles. It was replaced again at something like 90,000 miles. It was slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. The service centers response "Well, we have learned a lot since the last rebuild".

We now have over 111,000 miles. I'm holding me breath until my wife is ready to purchase a new van. Toyota this time???

I've heard tons of horror stories regarding different model Odysseys needing transmission replacement - what years are most affected? Our 2003 has about 70k miles and if it's going to start having issues, I'd rather get rid of it now than strand my family on the road sometime in the near future.

So far we've had zero issues, but I'd rather not wait until it's too late to make a move...


I bought 2002 Odyssey with 88,000 miles. After 1000 miles I've had three occasions where we noticed and acceleration of engine while accelerating away from stop. Occurred a couple time while cruising down road at 40-45 mph in high gear. Release from gas and reapplication appeared to rectify symptom. It was as if tranny slipped from drive mode. Transmission fluid level as suggested and fluid is very clean. Is transmission failing and does this have any connection to the recall that I saw mentioned on this site?

I own 2 Honda's a 2000 CR-V and a 2004 Odyssey.
The CR-v has 166k miles and still runs like new due to all maintence work
being done as scheduled and I use Synthetic Royal Purple oil Only and have it changed every 5000 miles. The Odyssey has just over 31k miles and i've had no issues. my sister also bought 2004 Odyssey because she loved the way it rides and manuvers easily in/out of tight parking areas. she has nearly 60k miles on her's and has had no issues either.
My cousin has an odyssey with over 100k miles and no issues either.

I would not own anything but a Honda after many problems with other brands. Nissan, VW, Mitsubishi and Chevrolet,Toyota's
i've had to replace the Tranny's or Clutches in every one of them prior to 50K Miles.
I LUV HONDA.

dear odyssey expert i am new in this forum
i have odyssey 2001, i am the 2nd owner ,now it reaches 136000 Km , i used the car for only 3000 Km since i bought it from the 1st owner.
the problem is that when the car is cold and during about 1/2 h of driving .it showes very good response and the gear shift is very smooth and normal, but after that it showes delay in downshift to the 1st gear when stop at the taffic signal as if it is in the nutral position even the car doesn't move when i remove my foot from the break pedal . when i press the accelarater the car move slowly with vibration as if it's clutch is loose , once it shift to the 2nd gear it behaves in a very normal condition with smooth upshift, and this condition repeated with every stop. i changed the transmission oil 3 times during the last month using genuine ATF Z1 from the dealer, after each change i noticed some improvment but it deteriorate after 2-3 days.
is it transmission end? is it solenoid probem or dirs? is it torque converter problem ? please advise me .
thank you with my appreciation.