10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,478 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Honda Odyssey:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #186

Apr 012008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
I bought the van in Jan 2007 when the mileage was 46000 miles. I had the transmission fluid flushed twice since. I started having issues with my van not going into 3rd gear in Jan 08. I took the van to the dealer a couple of times but their service reps could not reproduce the problem. They asked me to come back when it became worse. On April 1st, the same thing happened and this time the engine light came on. The mileage was 61,000. I drove straight to the dealer and after running diagnostics, they said the transmission needed to be replaced. They said they called Honda on my behalf and that Honda offered to pay 50% of the costs. I called Honda and opened a case file. The case manager said he'll get back to me in 2 days but called me after a week. In the meantime, I asked the dealer to perform the repairs.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #185

May 042008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 53,500 miles
Automatic transmission failed 2nd to 3rd gear in traffic jam with my children and wife on interstate 95 Washington DC only 53500 miles on my 2002 Honda Odyssey mini van.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #184

Sep 212006

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 61,211 miles
Total transmission failure at 61,211 miles. Complete transmission rebuild required.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #183

Mar 222008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,900 miles
Hard shifting / slipping transmission.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #182

Apr 192008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Purchased a 02 Odyssey on 5/06 two years later transmission fails will not shift from 2nd to 3rd problems started about one month earlier but then just stopped altogether towed it to nalley Honda in union city ga told me that it would be 4,500 told them that this is ridiculous that Honda knows there is a problem with their transmissions with on 78,000 mile it should not fail that there are 100's if not thousand of complaints online about the 99-03 Odyssey transmission that they're lucky I did not get into a crash, they said the would talk to the regional manager to see if they can assist, still waiting for their response also filed complaint with Honda usa case is being reviewed by them as well to see if they will help there should be a class action law suit again Honda knowing there is a defective device in their cars I'm surprised how they just let people drive knowing that they can lose power at any time causing an accident or death will be buying a Toyota as soon as this matter is resolved you would thin nhsa would have done something by now!!!

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #181

Aug 292007

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
My 2002 Honda Odyssey started showing signs of transmission problem around 83,000 miles. It would go through its cycle ie; 1st, 2nd, then it will start slipping. Slow the van down below 20 mph to get it engage back into 2nd then hope that it would engage into 3rd. American Honda would only cover parts but we would have to cover labor. This is a insane offer. With so many Odyssey's out there with the exact same problems as the '99-'01 transmission recall they had for those years. Very appalling. Disgusted with Honda customer relation teams. Case manager is even worst. They just don`T care. Honda needs to do a major recall on the vehicles.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #180

Mar 142008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,500 miles
My 02 Honda Odyssey transmission fails to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear occasionally. When taken to the dealership, they can't get it to replicate it's poor shifting performance. I hope that a recall is mandated before anyone is rear ended and killed or severely injured do to the malfunction of this transmission.

- Booneville, MS, USA

problem #179

Apr 082008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,500 miles
I had the oil jet kit replacement for issue 04V176000 done previously. However, at about 63,500 miles, my transmission failed. Although the dealer immediately offered that Honda would pay half as a "goodwill" gesture, I think that this failure was premature and preventable. From past experience with Honda vehicles, I expected at least 100,000 miles without such a major problem. I suspect that the course of action to resolve issue 04V176000, namely inspect the transmission and replace if damage was found, allowed too much leeway for Honda to merely install the oil jet kit and hope that the warranty would expire before the transmission failed completely. Although having Honda pay half was better than paying nothing, I'm extremely disappointed that I had to pay anything for something that, from all research that I've done, appears to be a design defect that was known by Honda.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #178

Mar 262008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Transmission on my Honda Odyssey began to slip at about 45,000 miles. Took the van to the dealer for servicing and they said they could not tell what the problem was and sent us back out on the road after they told us the warranty on the drive train had been extended to 100,000 miles. Went back in at 60,000 miles with the same problem, engine revving between gears, losing power etc. Told us a valve needed to be replaced and serviced the transmission. They also told us the warranty had not been extended on the 2002 but only on the 1999-2001's. at 70,000 miles the problem became worse and engine light and tcs light started popping on. Took it in again and they said the transmission would have to be replaced. After calling Honda usa they agreed to provide the necessary parts if we paid $1000+ for labor. I found out later that there is a defect in the transmission. That thousands of people have had the same problem with the 2002 model and that the NHTSA had issued a recall on the 2002 transmission. Yet Honda did not inform me of this the two times I came in and told them I was having transmission problems. Both times they sent me and my family back out on the road in a defective vehicle.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #177

Mar 212008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,500 miles
My 2002 Honda Odyssey frequently gets stuck in 2nd gear while changing to 3rd gear, occasionally shifts into a neutral state, and randomly shifts back into 2nd gear. Two dealers and american Honda have all refused to repair this problem which was identified as a recalled mechanical failure in the transmission on the 2002 Honda Odyssey's. the dealers want to charge approximately $5K to repair it with a replacement transmission. This is unacceptable and both dealers and american Honda should accept responsibility and be accountable for this apparent defect. They claim that the "oil jet kit" was to prevent the potential problem before it happen, but as a result that measure of preventable maintenance was unsuccessful. I would like my vehicle repaired as soon as possible at no charge.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #176

May 092002

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. When appyling pressure to the brake pedal, the contact heard and felt a loud grinding noise. The dealer changed the brake shoes, but the problem still persists. The vehicle was inspected by two additional professional technicains and they advised her that nothing was wrong with the brake system. On two occasions, the sliding door would spontaneously open, allowing her children to exit the vehicle while in motion. The dealer could not duplicate the failure; however, they greased the rollers on the sliding door, which remedied the failure. Several months later, the vehicle was rear ended directly in the center of the vehicle by another vehicle traveling 35 mph. None of the air bags deployed. There were no warning lights prior to the crash. The dealer was not notified. The cotnact took her vehicle to the dealer for NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train: Automatic transmission). Because there was no discoloration in the transmission fluid, the dealer informed her that the vehicle could not be repaired until it showed signs of failure. The contact called the dealer when she began experiencing failures shifting gears, and they advised her that they would not repair the vehicle under the free remdey outlined in the recall. The dealer refused to provide an explanation. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and current mileaege was 80,000. *updated 10/20/08 updated 10/21/08.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #175

Apr 012008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that it is extremely difficult to physically shift the gears in the vehicle. She also hears a loud banging noise whenever she shifts gears. While driving approximately 40 mph, the RPM's dramatically increased and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and a technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would only cover fifty percent of the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

- Sewell , NJ, USA

problem #174

Feb 012007

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Honda Odyssey with transmission problems. Consumer states that the vehicle will act like it is in a neutral gear when on the highway. Dealer stated that the problems she encountered was not mentioned in the recall.

- Alexandria, KY, USA

problem #173

Mar 202008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
I have Honda Odyssey 2002 with mileage about 86,000. When I dive on the road, the transmission is now slipping into neutral as I'm driving. I feel very dangerous on this case.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #172

Mar 162008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,387 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that his transmission failed. There was no recall available for the 2002 model. The current and failure mileages were 89,387.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #171

Jun 302004

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,735 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission) and noticed that her second gear malfunctioned. There were no failures prior to the repair work. She stated that the vehicle was very difficult to shift. Each time she had the vehicle serviced, she would ask about the transmission failure. The contact was informed each time that the vehicle would perform in that manner after the oil kit was installed. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle's second gear failed. The dealer attempted to charge $3,200 for the repair. Her local dealer stated that they would pay 75% of the repair work, if she paid the other 25 percent. The contact believed that she should not have to pay anything because there was a recall. The current mileage was 61,288 and failure mileage was 25,735. Updated 04-09-08

- Winchester, IN, USA

problem #170

Feb 182008

Odyssey 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,100 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle randomly downshifts into second gear. The contact is required to shift; however, there is a delay before the vehicle begins operating normally. The dealer stated that the transmission must be replaced. The vehicle is currently at the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 38,100 and current mileage was 38,750.

- Charleston , SC, USA

problem #169

Sep 292007

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
Transmission failure. After second gear it will slip. Already had a recall performed on it with an oil jet cooler.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #168

Oct 012005

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Honda Odyssey recall on automatic transmission. Consumer states that the dealer stated that her vehicle was not involved in the recall. And not to bring it in to be looked at. Consumer stated the transmission failed on several occasions. The consumer stated she received a recall letter in the mail regarding the transmission, but when she provided her VIN she was told her vehicle was not included in the recall. The transmission failed in October 2005. After the transmission failed, the consumer was then informed her vehicle was indeed included in the recall. The consumer was told to fax over all the necessary paperwork for a full refund. The consumer then received a call stating her vehicle was not included in the recall. Honda stated they had spoken with the mechanic, and the work that was performed wasn't included in the recall. The transmission failed again on August 11, 2007.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #167

Mar 162007

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,203 miles
With only 1500 characters, there is not enough room to complete the details. I bought the Honda Odyssey used, with 76,000 miles on it. I have owned it for 2 years/3 months. Since that time, I have had intermittent 2nd to 3rd gear slippage that happened once every 2 months. I was told by a Honda dealer to watch it over the next few months, not the one I usually go to. I then brought it in recently and explained the slipping was occurring once a week, the every couple of days. The vehicle now has 132,000 miles. He told me it was the transmission, especially when 1 day before scheduled maintenance, the check engine light came on. The code was P0730 (incorrect gear ratio). I was told it needed a new transmission. Since the 2nd to 3rd gear slips and rev's the engine, without engaging for up to 30 seconds now, and based on over 10 websites with many customer complaints, this seems to be the issue. I cannot add all the content from these websites, but Honda has a secret warranty (as do many manufacturers) on this issue. I have been offered warranty pricing of $2700/2 = $1300 for the transmission, and told I would have to pay the labor of $750, totaling $2154, by the regional rep. Unacceptable. I have documented proof, even with this mileage that others have received this secret warranty transmission for free, including labor. I can submit the links and details of these cases at Honda's/BBB's request. Resolution sought: I want american Honda to back their defective product. I want them to replace the transmission for free (parts and labor), and provide a 100K warranty with it. 36,000 is poor, since most other companies offer 100K warranty. If I buy a rebuilt transmission from other transmission or Goodyear, etc. Stores, they give a lifetime warranty or 100K.

- Reedsville, WI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »