10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 116,140 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to be serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train) and after the recall remedy was performed, the vehicle hesitated to shift gears. In addition, the vehicle violently surged forward and jerked. The contact stated that there was no failure experienced prior to the recall remedy being performed. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V045000 (air bags) and the part was not available for an extended period. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Wilsonville, AL, USA
Based on NHTSA recall 04V-176 - transmission recall, any car below 15K miles will have a return line installed to lubricate the 2nd gear. Above 15K miles needs to be examined by the dealer for discoloration of the clutche plates inside the gear box. Honda stated that they fixed the problem with a return line, but in fact if the 2nd gear had this issue, this is not a fix, but just a work around to save repair cost for Honda. How did NHTSA approve such a temp remediation, when the transmissions are faulty. Opened up a case with Honda and I was told that if the tranny has an issues but is operational, it is not considered as faulty. How can Honda state if the car is operational, it is not faulty, in that case does Honda expect the van to break and be unoperational in the middle of the road in order to claim the issue as a recall " my servce report from the dealer clearly states that the recall of the return line to the 2nd gear should only be done if the vehicle was below 15K miles, how was this done on my car with 40K miles and above. And how was this authorized or is it legal " got a report from the dealer recently which clearly states the problem is with the 2nd gear not shifting to the next gear. Every Honda Odyssey owner knows the transmission problem is due to faulty transmissions and inferiror clutch plates in the 2nd and 3rd gears. I anticipate NHTSA take actions on such corporations who try to evade the systems and provide a patch/work around solutions which is not a permanent fix. Service reports will be provided if required
- Lewis Center, OH, USA
We could have died yesterday 02-01-2016.the transmission went into a wild violent downshift as we we approaching a red light. In the vehicle were my wife whom is 38 weeks pregnant, my 5 sons ages 12 (autisim),age 5, age 4 (adha),age 3 (autisim),and age 2. I luckily avoided being T-boned due to the grace of god. We made it home eventually and it failed to go into reverse and when it did it was a very hard engage and a very awful smell was coming from the dipstick tube when I got it parked. What I can not understand is that these very rich owners making billions thrrough Honda and seem to have no care for anyone. I can not afford another family vehicle. But the sad offense is Honda cares for no one. It will take an absolute tragic death dealing with these very cheap transmissions.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
2003 Honda Odyssey. Consumer writes in regards to transmission had to be replaced with less than 127,000.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
Vehicle went idle while in motion on a highway and have almost got rear-ended because the transmission slips. The mileage reading is 130,000 and the car was well maintained in a Honda dealership.
- Troy, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 55 mph, the transmission failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
- Millerton, NY, USA
The vehicle was moving at 70mph on cruise control when the transmission suddenly shifted down to either second or third gear causing the vehicle slow down and move at a maximum speed around 20mph. This could cause a serious accident if there was another vehicle behind us.
- Chattanooga, TN, USA
My tcs light had come on a few days prior. I was going down highway at 55mph the engine light came on and drive light began to flash. My car lost all power and acceleration with no warning causing the person behind me to almost hit me. I pulled over my RPM's were going up but car failed to accelerate unless floored and then barely. No prior warning or slipping.
- Louisville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 40 mph with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started to violently shake and the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
- Morton Grove, IL, USA
The vehicle was driving fine, and then the transmission started slipping. Trying to stop at the light, the ABS seemed to engage, the car had a hard time stopping and downshifting, the check engine light came on, the D light started flashing, and the tcs light stayed on. The car almost didn't stop in time, and there was 5 passengers in the minivan. Updated 10/9/15 updated 11/14/2017
- Morton Grove, IL, USA
Was driving from desoto state park back home to tuscaloosa when the transmission began to slip between 2nd and 3rd and then again between 4th and 5th. Ended up having to drive home doing 40 mph on back roads. Rebuilt the transmission to the tune of $4000. Two years and 40,000 miles later the transmission failed again...same exact issue. This is a well known problem to every mechanic I have dealt with. This issue has existed since the car hit the market. This needs to be investigated. Now I have a gigantic paperweight sitting in my driveway. The vans value is less than it will cost to fix. Pease investigate.
- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Transmission failed at 150K miles. Honda is aware that the transmissions of the older Odyssey are not lasting long.
- Byron, GA, USA
I was driving my van with my two kids in it when I noticed that the van was jerking frequently and there was no pick up. The RPM went to 4 and 5 thousand but the speed was not able to go beyond 50 and 60 mph. This incident occurred while I was on a freeway. When I took the van to our usual mechanic shop, they found that it was a transmission problem. Getting a new transmission was very expensive and I had to settle for a rebuilt transmission. After researching online, I found that this is a common issue with Honda Odyssey built during the year my van was built. I would like for NHTSA to ensure Honda pays for our repairs and ensures the company fixes all remaining vans on the road with this issue.
- San Jose, CA, USA
My wife was driving down the road at 40mph when the transmission started making real bad grinding noise then stopped working.
- Traverse City , MI, USA
I parked my car and took the key out of the ignition. Only problem was that the car was still in drive. I know this was an known issue (recall) with the car. I had it fixed at a dealer to address the recall on this specific issue. Obviously it didn't fix the problem.
- Hollis, NH, USA
Traveling on an interstate highway, transmission failed. Fluid exited transmission and "smoke" appeared at rear of vehicle. Dealership diagnosed transmission failure and estimated repair costs at $2500-3500. Since we were 1000 miles from home and did not want to put that much into repairs, we bought a new car from the dealership. Later found out this transmission frequently fails under these circumstances due to lack of fluid circulation. Fluid is "blown" out of transmission and to rear of car. It may be due to a defect in design.
- Tabernacle, NJ, USA
Car was running on city road and suddenly stopped running and check engine light came up immediately. It was good that I was not busy and not running fast or not in the freeway, and there is no car behind my car. I stop engine; after sometime I started and it was running again and after 20 minutes it stopped on the road again. I drove to a nearby Honda service center for checking and they gave me documents that said a transmission replacement needed that cost more than 6,000. I drove back in my parking lot and park there and did not drive on the road again. I tried in the parking lot and found it runs when the car is cold, but when it heated it stop, but after sometimes it run again. I do not feel safe and do not drive this car on the road. Some of my friends also brought the same car and they faced the same problem after 100,000-180,000. If a car transmission failed like this and if it happen on the freeway with 70 speed it can make serious accident. Honda co. Must recall this model and fix this problem.
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle independently decelerated and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed eight days later to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
- Bay Town , TX, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 40 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,600. Updated 5/12/15 updated 9/29/2017
- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA
- Greenville, TX, USA