8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,510
Average Mileage:
125,750 miles
Total Complaints:
58 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (20 reports)
  2. not sure (14 reports)
  3. replace transmission (9 reports)
  4. must replace but honda won't pay (7 reports)
  5. destroy car (3 reports)
  6. Honda replaced transmission at no cost (2 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Aug 152008

Odyssey ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

This is insane. No one should have to replace a transmission every 50K miles especially on a Honda. We feel like we were scammed by Honda and their garbage parts. We have done all suggested maintenance on this vehicle which cost lots of money. The oil is changed every 3000 miles. All done at the dealer. After owning this van for 9 years and I must say I have enjoyed it but I have to label it as a LEMON.

- Antoinette P., Merrick, NY, US

problem #17

Aug 082008

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

Honda replaced the first transmission after 40k miles free of charge. Since we are a Honda family and always have been happy with the brand + their excellent reputation, I assumed this problem was fixed and was looking forward to drive this van for the legendary 200k + miles Hondas are famous for. Now, at 101k miles, the check engine & TCS lights came on. Had hubby take van in; dealer ran diagnostics for $90 and says: need new transmission for $3,300. Hubby said: "no thanks" and drove it home. I called my regular service adviser at the dealership and she was astonished to hear that no offer of "free replacement" was made. I brought my van in the next day. Now it was more like "I'm sure we can do something for you". They would have to talk to American Honda (AH). 2 days later they reported that AH was offering to pay 50% on a rebuilt transmission. Anyway, somehow the price was set at $1300. I said: "NO, we shouldn't be having this problem in the first place". They went back to AH and now we are at $1024 for the tranny with a 3yr/36k warranty. I am willing to pay $500 and just consider it very expensive transmission maintenance / or insurance, since given the Honda track record on this, it won't be the last tranny I'm putting into this van. Negotiations are still in progress.

- ullila, Houston, TX, US

problem #16

Jun 162008

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

I bought a certified, pre-owned 1999 Honda Odyssey from Piazza Honda in Drexel Hill, PA, 11 months ago. Engine light just went on at 77,000 miles and I'm being told that transmission needs to be replaced by (3) transmission specialists and Honda Service. Honda dealer refuses to cover any of the repairs. I now understand via the Internet that this has been well documented problem with this vehicle. Any suggestions?

- Eileen M., Rutledge, PA, US

problem #15

Jun 042008

Odyssey EX 3.5L, V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

99 Odyssey is on it's 2nd transmission. Replaced first by Honda @ 93K with a rebuild. Had problems from the beginning. Took back to dealer and told them it wasn't shifting out of gear at stop. Every time it went back in I told them the same thing. Shifting rough, clunking in reverse, almost stalling at stop. Transmission number 2 is gone now at 116,000. Even after showing them that I had been complaining about that transmission since they put it in, the only thing Honda will do is pay 10% of replacement. Wow! I can get the same lousy rebuilt transmission put back in for just $2700. Or I can pay a real transmission place $3822 to put a good transmission in there. Don't have much good to say about how Honda takes care of what was obviously a design flaw from day 1. They should have replaced our transmissions with a NEW redesigned one and not the same poorly designed one they originally put in there.

- Kelly Y., Roanoke, VA, US

problem #14

Oct 012007

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 186,411 miles

I bought this car last year. The previous owner failed to tell me that the transmission was rebuilt until he was paid. Anyways, transmission failed again and now the car is almost not drivable. It jumps so bad when changing from 1st to 2nd. I took it to a transmission expert, he said it will die in less than a month. I am not sure what to do. I am too broke to buy another car. I feel like taking the car to the Honda dealership and burning it in their parking lot. Any better suggestions?

- gunsboy, Halifax, NS, Canada

problem #13

Jan 282008

(reported on)

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

I own a 1999 Honda Odyssey. I have to get the transmission replaced again. This is the 3rd transmission for this van. Honda installed a re-built 14 months ago and now with 2000kms it has failed. They want 3500 to put in another re-built transmission. I will not be buying a Honda again.

- charlesontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

problem #12

Oct 092007

(reported on)

Odyssey 4.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,206 miles

I am always a Honda owner, however i was surprised that transmission fail in the 99 Odyssey was such a problem.

- Patrick D., Vancouver, BC, Canada

problem #11

Jul 232007

(reported on)

Odyssey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,000 miles

This is the second transmission that this van has needed. The first one was replace at no charge by Honda. The second one they are willing to help with half. My main gripe is that if they must have put the same defective transmission type in the van both times. I had lots of problems with the sliding doors when I first got the car and now I have this problem.... again. I used to think Honda was great for standing by their customers, now I don't think so. I never expected to have 2 transmissions go in my van. My friend who has the same van, has had to have his replaced twice also. This was not a good buy on my part. No Honda next time around.

- brboxers, Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #10

Apr 222007

(reported on)

Odyssey LX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

I jsut purchased this Van from first owner about a week ago. Yesterday transmission started slipping from 1st to 2nd gear, I took it to a mechanic and he said that it needs new transmission. I know what honda has recall on it but it was up to 100K or 7 year. Does any one know if some honda dealer are still fixing this free of cost. I am in Atlanta, Georgia and willing to take it to any dealer to get it fixed as long as it's not more than 800 miles. Thank you for your help.

- Najam I., Marietta, GA, US

problem #9

Aug 172006

(reported on)

Odyssey LX

  • 89,000 miles

whoever looking to buy a honda odyssey, you better think hard, transmission is a big problem, do not count on the warranty, will not help. you want something reliable not warranty, you don't have time for that

- Kenny L., Frisco, TX, US

problem #8

May 242006

(reported on)

Odyssey EX

  • 111,000 miles

We purchased a 1999 Honda Odyssey from an individual. After about 2 years, approx. 100,000 miles, we noticed the transmission hesitating. It would hesitate when going into first gear then 'clunk' into gear. We were told that Honda was aware of the problem and had extended the warranty to 100,000 miles. At this time, we had 108,000 miles on it. Checked with the dealer and was told that the vehicle was manufactured in Canada and Honda Canada will not pay Honda USA for warranty work. Total BS!! We wer quoted $2700.00 by the dealer for a new 'remanufactured' Honda transmission. We decided to pay $1700.00 and keep Honda out of it!!!! Honda knows there are problems but will not back their product. I'm now ashamed to own 3 Hondas.

- Steve M., Louisville, KY, US

problem #7

Jan 072007

(reported on)

Odyssey EX 3.5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,000 miles

Thanks for the other complaints about the Honda Odyssey transmissions. But I am stuck with a lemon Van. I even talked to the previous owners (Bismarck Honda in North Dakota) in which this was their delivery van. They knew of this problem and had the chance to replace the transmission. They didn't because their Honda DPSN in this area would not approve of the replacement. So they sent this Van to auction to get rid of it. As a car dealer myself they sold a lemon. The lawsuit was remitted to include all vans 1999-2001 up to seven years or 109,000 miles. Now I have contacted my local Honda Dealer in Minot North Dakota about this problem to see if their Honda DPSN would authorize a relacement or overhaul. Well they have the same Honda DPSN. I am SCREWED. If anyone can get me the information about the lawsuit or knows a Honda dealer that has a GOOD Honda DPSN and will authorize this VAN for transmission repair please reply and inform me. REMEMBER THIS I WILL NOT SELL A LEMON VEHICLE and the Honda Dealer in Bismarck and Honda should not either. HONDA FIX MY VAN!

- cocojoe, Minot, ND, US

problem #6

Dec 192006

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Our 1999 Honda Odyssey has always had a "rough" transmission. We learned - too late to be covered under warranty - that this was a problem for this particular year and model. We have 150,000 miles on the car. Today we took it in to get an estimate, as we knew the transmission was ready to kick out anyday. We were surprised to learn that Honda has recently agreed to replace (at NO COST) all transmissions in 1999 Odysseys. We were shocked - but it's true. Apparently this is new news or at least it was to us. And it's true. Our car is at a Honda dealership right now, and we pick it up tomorrow. So, if you're having this problem - check with the repair shop at your dealership. Good luck!

- Tania R., Northville, MI, US

problem #5

Mar 222006

(reported on)

Odyssey EX

  • 130,000 miles

Honda knows it has a big problem. In fact they extended to warranty, but failed to advise the owners. All Odyssey's should be recalled. I paid more for my van and now I pay one fifth of the cost for a new transmission. Shame on Honda they have ripped me off!

- Martha M., Crescent City, CA, US

problem #4

Sep 252005

(reported on)

Odyssey EX

  • 117,000 miles

I've had to replace the transmission twice since my purchase in 1999. I can't believe a car can have so many problems with the transmission in such a short period of time and now, as of last night, it looks like the problem is reocurring for the third time. I would like to know if there is some sort of possible recall for the transmission on the 1999 Odyssey. If not there should be.

- Thomas U., Whittier, CA, US

problem #3

May 072004

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • 120,000 miles

This transmission was replaced only 11 months ago. It was a brand-new Honda transmission. Now, after spending $900 to replace a solenoid valve in the transmission 3 weeks ago, they are saying the whole transmission needs replacement again. It is only 11 months old and has 39,000 miles on it! Warranty ended at 36,000. We're ready to sell out Honda and buy something else!

- fksmith, Nokesville, VA, US

problem #2

May 072004

(reported on)

Odyssey

  • 85,000 miles

Only an O-ring had failed. It required a complete new transmission, and the price of $5600 INCLUDED the trade-in value of the old transmission (which only needed an O-ring replacement). It took about two weeks to get a new one installed. This was incredibly expensive to fix.

- fksmith, Nokesville, VA, US

problem #1

Jan 152003

(reported on)

Odyssey EX

  • 77,000 miles

Transmission was hesitating & not shifting. Dealer says $6000 to fix. Extended warranty on some models (not all) with exact same problem!!! Honda will not stand behind their products!!! Feeling like Honda Odyssey is BIG lemon!

- Kyle W., Davenport, IA, US