We bought a 1999 Honda Odyssey from carmax and the first week that we got the car the check engine light came on and we took it to carmax. According to them they fixed the problem and everything was fine the engine light went off. Then when it came back on for the same problem they apparently fixed it again. This happened a few times. Now we didn't have warranty and our van was acting up. The transmission would give a jerk when going from 1st to 2nd gear. The egr ports were clogged and the catalytic converter was messed up from day 1. we took it to our Honda dealership and they said it wasn't the transmission, but it was. About a 4 months later it got really bad and we had to get our transmission rebuilt, the ignition switch problem started also (the car engine would stall randomly and it we would have to stop the car on the shoulder of the freeway and restart the car going at 60 mph+), now we spent 2500 bucks to get everything fixed. But now our electrical system is bad. The in dash lights don't work and the back lights don't work. The doors just died for some reason. One second the handles would work and the next second the handles are dead from inside. Our alarm system doesn't work either because of the electric problem. All we want is our car to be fixed. We've been lied to by carmax and the Honda dealership over and over. Can you guys just help us fix our car?

- Magnolia, TX, USA

Transmission failure preceded by warning lights, improper shifting, failure to properly diagnose problem until after warranty period expiration

- Rockport, ME, USA

Transmission failure at 100K miles. Gradually got worse and worse, until recently (137K miles) the shuddering was so bad, we had to finally bite the bullet and get the transmission replaced by Honda for a whopping $3700 ($300 of that is 2 broken engine mounts). For a $32,000 vehicle, the transmission should last a minimum of 150K miles. I take meticulous care of my vehicles--imagine if I had neglected it! Honda should seriously consider extending all 2nd generation Odyssey transmission warranties out to 150K.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

My 1999 Honda Odyssey broke down when the transmission failed. It was towed to a Honda dealer, who told us there was a "warranty extension". I checked online and apparently many people have had this problem. I seems like by calling it a warranty extension they know it is a problem but they refuse to recall it and fix it proactively, instead waiting for you to break down, risk an accident and then covering the cost.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

This is in concern to a 1999 Honda odssyey minivan. Honda has voluntarily issued an extended warranty for a transmission defect problem for 7yrs/100K miles. I took my minivan in around 95K to have them check on it as I already noticed some minor symptoms as described in the warranty extension. The dealer could not duplicate the problem at that time and declined to fixed any transmission parts. My transmission continued to degrade very slowly over the next 20K miles and the dealer now told me that the diagnostic code returned an internal transmission failure at 120K. I believed that the transmission built at that time needs to be recalled as the dealer now said it has deterioated to such a state that it may become inoperable while driving.

- Richardson, TX, USA

Beginning in 2000, when the car was less than one year old, we have experienced major equipment failures. First, the egr valve malfunctioned; it was eventually repaired at Honda's expense. Next, one of the motors for the side power doors failed. That cost approximately $800 to repair. Then, the transmission failed, and Honda eventually covered the full costs under an extended warranty. For at least four years, we were plagued with an erratic "check engine" light, and sometimes the computer code was inadequate to direct a repair. In 2003 the radiator rotted out, and the replacement/repair cost us $800. In 2004 the catalytic convertor failed, and that replacement/repair cost us $1400. On July 22, 2005, the rear A/C vents failed to cool, and I called for an appointment at our local dealer to have that checked and repaired. The repair was scheduled for July 25, 2005. When I was driving the car on July 23 with the A/C turned on (the front vents continued to cool), the engine died while I was driving at a speed of 45 mph on a local highway. I managed to pull off into a nearby parking lot, and I was able to restart the car after turning off the A/C. it is now at the dealer's shop, and the labor costs alone to determine the cause of the A/C failure will cost more than $350. After inspecting the system for more than three hours July 25, the dealer's mechanic still could not locate the source of the problem. Needless to say, I hate this car! I have had many more problems than I ever expected, and the responses from american Honda and from the local dealer have been disappointing. Neither establishment knows how to relate successfully to customers. This car has been a real lemon, and I am struggling with my decision about what to buy to replace it. Although Honda has a good reputation, I have not found this car to be reliable. In fact, it is a major source of stress in my life, causing me to gnash my teeth when I am driving it, for I have no confidence in it at all.

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

Consumer complained about transmission. Problems. This vehicle transmission was replaced four times. While driving up a driveway transmission failed. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer, who told him that they were going to file a complaint with the case manager. Vehicle was towed to the dealer.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Vehicle drove normally in the morning then in the afternoon made a huge grinding, banging noise in reverse. Transmission failure identified by the dealer. This is 2nd failure of transmission since we purchased the vehicle new from Honda. Transmission was replaced at Honda's cost just 18 months ago. Clearly refurbished transmissions are just as defective as the originals. In fact this one didn't last as long as the original. The transmission is a lemon!!

- San Jose, CA, USA

Vehicle started when ignition turned on, but gear would not shift. After many failed attempts to shift the gear from park to reverse, we had to follow the Honda Odyssey user manual directions( pg 201) and unlock the gear to neutral using the car key- you then insert the key in the ignition and turn the van on.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

The 1999 Honda Odyssey transmission is unsafe for driving in the cities or highways.the transmission slips into diffent gear without warning goes from driving to not moving in any gear.I live in Maryland and can bring it to your office in Washington so you can see what I am talking about and you can ride or drive it to see how dangerous it really is for my wife and 3yr old son and 2 1/2 month old daugther.I pray that they are safe every day leave in that 5 star awarded death trap.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

I purchased a 1999 Honda Odyssey in Aug 1999. First account was in Mar 2000. By Nov 2000, vehicle was seen 3 times for the check engine light. Five years later, this vehicle has been serviced 12 times (working on number 13 now) for the check engine light. Egr kit has been replaced 5 times, remaining visits accounted for my cleaning egr ports, replacing the egr valve, and replacing the gas cap. I've had other vehicles for 7+ years and never replaced a gas cap! this vehicle has gone through 2? check engine light is tied to the emissions system. As a result, vehicle is now having problems passing inspection. During the last visit, local dealer replaced the egr kit in order to get the 05 inspection completed. Two weeks later the check engine light is on again. In addition, internal damage was found in the transmission in Aug 03. Dealer agreed to take care of this problem in good faith. This was prior to the official recall notice. At the time of service the mileage was clocked at 81823. Less than 1 year later (June 2004), it was discovered by an independent garage that the left axle seal going into the transmission was cracked and the transmission fluid was extremely gritty. When brought to the attention of the dealer, I was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty on the new transmission and I would have to pay for any service required (mileage was clocked at 102000). As a single mother of 3 young children, my main objective is to be able to Transport them in a safe, reliable manner. Given the extent of my emission and transmission issues that remain unresolved, I cannot depend on this vehicle. This situation was first documented to Honda in Nov 2000. At that time they extended the warranty to 6 years/75,000 miles. Another letter was sent certified mail (signed for on 6 Aug 2004). I've yet to hear back from Honda. I'm very disappointed with this Honda product and even more disappointed with their (lack of) customer service.

- Holland, PA, USA

Transmission is slipping. Dealership says transmission needs to be replaced, but since the car is 6K miles over warranty limit, I have to foot the $5000 bill for a new transmission that based on information gleemed from the web still has the same basic flaw...

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

While driving vehicle leaked transmission fluid. Vehicle was stuck between gears. Engine was smoking and burning fluid. Transmission then completely failed. Consumer stated that this was the fifth transmission.

- Mclean, VA, USA

Consumer complained about transmission slipping.. it would be in one gear then slip into a lower gear. The speed varied when this took place. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer, who told consumer that it may cost up to $5000 to replace it. Consumer found numerous complaints from two different websites in regards to automatic transmission.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

Well, of course, wouldn't you know...on Friday, June 11, 2004 at 5:00 pm and approximately one month later (from 05/10/04), my check engine light came on for the fifth time since 10/06/03. Dale at the dealership told me to call if it came on again and bring it in asap. The earliest the dealer could see me is Wednesday, June 16, 2004. My mileage is currently 99,383. Honda has extended their tranmission warranty for 7 years or 100,000 miles. Looks like 100,000 miles will be here before I know it. My husband and I are sharing a vehicle because I refuse to put anymore miles on this car. Can't something be done? it seems this transmission problem is wide spread.

- Monroe, LA, USA

It's been four months since my last check engine light came on. On 05/10/04, my check engine light came on again. This is the forth time since 10/06/03. I took it back to the dealer and the service person, dale, told me it could be numerous things (E-val, transmission, computer or shift solenoids). Wow! did someone say transmission? but he told me that in order for them to be completely sure, I would have to leave my car for approximately 5 hours to run the "thorough" test and they would charge me approximately $70. So, when they replaced my catalytic converter four months ago (and didn't do the 5 hour test), were they completely sure it was the catalytic converter? upset about this new discovery, I told them I just spent over $800 four months ago on something that they "thought" was wrong and now they are going to charge me to look at the same problem again. Dale later came back to me and said that they would reset the light today and if it happened again to come back right away and they would be able to "narrow it down."

- Monroe, LA, USA

Well, the check engine light did come back on less than one month later. This is the third time in three months. On 01/07/04, they checked the car again and said that it was the converter and that while they were in there I should also replace the O2 sensor. I agreed to it and my estimate (for parts) was now $742.83. After ten days, I called the dealer to see if the parts were in and they were, but no one bothered to call me. On 1/21/04 with check engine light still on and at 88,846 miles, my converter and sensor were replaced for a total of $857.81.

- Monroe, LA, USA

On 12/17/03, I brought my vehicle back to the Honda dealer because my check engine light came on again. This is the second time in 2 months that the check engine light has come on. I told them that I am still feeling some hard slippage on downshifts. With approximately 82,500 miles on my car, the technicians believed it was the catalytic converter. The estimate was $701.90. They said they would have to order the part and I would have to prepay. I was uneasy about this (and not to mention the amount of money), so they reset the indicator and said that "it wouldn't do any damage to the car if I didn't fix it now. All that would happen would be that the light would continue to come on.

- Monroe, LA, USA

There were numerous problems with 1999 Honda Odyssey which included transmission slippage but wasn't covered under the warranty extension. The problem was experienced before 100K miles. The technician found transmission fluid burned while the slipping was intermittent, but worsened and was more frequent than before. The transmission needed to be replaced.

- Southwest Ranches, FL, USA

At 5 years and 64,000K our 1999 Honda Odyssey has had to have its transmission remanufactured. It seems a bit early to be having transmission issues given the amount of mileage it has. Our concern is that the extended warranty only goes to 7 years and 100,000K. We kept our last Honda for 14 years and 160,000K. Do we have any recourse if we have transmission problems after 7 years?

- Fairfax, CA, USA