The transmission downshifts unnecessarily when traveling below 45 mph. It has always done this since new, but seams to be much worse and more noticeable as of late. It seams that any time while driving in 35 or 45 mph speed zones, and you lift your foot off the accelerator you can feel a downshift and see the tach. rpms increase. Also when approaching a stop it downshifts into first gear long before coming to stop. The Honda service department claims there is nothing wrong, that the transmission is designed to operate in this manner.

If that is the case then it is a poor excuse for design. It seams to me that this could be overcome by a simple chip up grade. Has anyone else encountered this circumstance? If so, would you please verify? I have long been a Honda fan but this thing has turned me off. I'm ready to turn this thing in for a different brand. It seams to me that all this unnecessary shifting will cause the transmission to wear prematurely in addition to being extremely annoying.

The transmission downshifts at inappropriate times when decelerating, whether to come to a stop, going through a turn, or just slowing down a bit. I often have to let off the brake or even give it some gas while slowing down because the car slows down too much, causing me to stop short, or just go slower than desired. The transmission seems way too eager to downshift and cause engine braking. This makes coasting either non-existent or short-lived. I've taken it to the dealer once only for them to say they couldn't duplicate the problem.