Despite being an extremely popular car brand, Honda has experienced numerous problems with their Odyssey model. Throughout the years, the Honda Odyssey has experienced transmission problems in many of their cars, with a more prevalent problem during the years of 1999-2004. The most common Odyssey transmission problems cost an average of $3,300 to fix, and typically occur at 114,000 miles.
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History of The Odyssey Transmission Problems
The timeline of the Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems can be seen since the early on in the company’s history. Honda began marketing and manufacturing the Odyssey in 1994, creating a smaller minivan for the middle class market. Since 1999, Honda has made a bigger version of the Odyssey in North America to fit bigger families and more items. Unfortunately, 1999 is when the transmission problems began, citing issues with the transmission durability in the 4-speed automatic car.
The Honda spokesperson stated that the 4-speed models were characterized by a faulty bearing which would break apart, and send fragments of metal into the passageways in the transmission, causing it to shift unintentionally. Honda’s response was to extend the warranty on the 1999-2001 models to 7 years.
Honda tried to remedy the issue by including a 5-speed automatic transmission on the 2002 Odyssey, but that transmission system experienced problems as well, with users citing reliability problems. The 5-speed models were generally damaged by the wear and tear of the third gear clutch. The clutch material would become afflicted by abrasion, which would scatter bits around inside the transmission, causing erratic shifting once more. Drivers would succumb to slipping or not being able to shift between gears while driving.
A second problem occurred with the 5-speed transmission system in the Honda Odyssey. The second gear reportedly could overheat and break, causing the transmission to lock while driving. Despite adding some lubricant to the gear, it didn’t solve the third gear clutch problem. Even with Honda adding a transmission cooler, the transmission fluid temperatures were still rising too high. The Honda Odyssey had numerous transmission problems with the 5-speed engine, as well as the Acura CL, TL, MDX, and Honda Accord.
Beginning Of The Transmission Problems
The Honda Odyssey has experienced transmission problems in various years, from 1999-2004, 2014-2015 models, and 2018. We will begin with discussing the Honda Odyssey transmission problems by year, and the average cost to fix the problems.
The 1999 Honda Odyssey is when the transmission problems began. In the 1999 model, the transmission failure would typically occur at around an average of 125,000 miles, and would cost an average of $3,500 to repair. Many users reported having their transmission replaced at an earlier mileage, and still having to get a new replacement at just 100,000 miles later.
In addition, the Hondas have reports of ignition failure due to the switch problems, which causes an extremely dangerous situation where the car can just turn off while you’re in the middle of driving at high speeds. If you don’t feel comfortable owning a Honda Odyssey, you can always sell your car to avoid the transmission problems.
Some users have noted that this model of the Honda Odyssey experiences transmission problems and failure without any real warning signs before failing completely. You might be driving down the road and have no warning lights or no symptoms, and then your car will just fail. This is dangerous if you are in an area that doesn’t have resources and people to help you.
2000 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
Within the 2000 Honda Odyssey complaints, most of the complaints are due to transmission failure. The additional issues with the transmission deal with rough shifting, transmission slipping, transmission shuddering, and some issues with the torque converter. The transmission failure occurs at an average of 138,000 miles and costs around $3,190 to repair.
The reported repairs that can fix your failed transmission are to replace the transmission, PCM, valve, and sensor. There are multiple reports of this transmission failure not being the first for the 2000 Honda Odyssey owners, causing them to second-guess buying a Honda Odyssey in the future.
2001 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
Tujhe 2001 Honda Odyssey followed suit with numerous reports of transmission problems, with the main report being transmission failure. The additional transmission issues were transmission slipping, Tcs and engine light coming on, and issues with the automatic and manual transmission powertrain.
Even though the lights coming on are not the most severe issues when it comes to cars, transmission failure is something that needs to be fixed. The problems typically occur at an average of 126,000 miles and will cost about $3,500 to fix. The main solution to the problem is to replace the transmission, with some users needing to also replace the torque converter for a complete repair.
2002 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The complaints of transmission issues continue in the 2002 Honda Odyssey model. This model has one of the highest reports of transmission issues out of all of the Honda Odyssey models, and has the highest incident report when dealing with chronological order. The main problem with the transmission is transmission failure, accounting for most of the complaints.
The additional problems that users have reported with this model are the transmission slipping and banging while shifting, transmission disengaging while using, showing a Code P0730, flashing D light, losing gears, accelerating without meaning to, shaking when shifting, and leaking transmission fluid.
The transmission slipping during use occurs at around 109,000 miles and costs about $3,380 to fix. The only solution to this problem is to replace the transmission. The transmission disengaging occurs at just below 100,000 miles and costs around $4,000 to fix. The solution to this transmission problem is to replace the transmission. The P0730 Code can typically be fixed by taking your car to a technician, where they can perform certain tests. They will run a DTC scan and find an incorrect gear ratio. After they notice this, they can check the saved data and drain particles within the transmission. This is a costly repair, which runs at about $4,000-$6,000, and will occur at around 107,000 miles. The D-light flashing is the least expensive fix out of these other solutions, coming in at around $1,000 and showing up at typically an average of 140,000 miles.
Dealing with the major problem, the transmission failure, this will be the most common fault htat Honda Odyssey 2002 users associate with their car. The typical cost of repair is around $3,400 and occurs at just below 100,000 miles. The solution to this problem is to replace the transmission.
2003 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The 2003 Honda Odyssey continues with the worst models of the Odyssey car, arguably between the years of 2002-2004. The 2003 model has numerous reports of the transmission failing, slipping, hesitation between gears, jerking when shifting, whining, and shaking at higher speeds. With this many problems, you might want to consider selling your car to a reputable source.
The transmission failure will run a 2003 Odyssey owner about $3,340 and will occur at an average of 106,000 miles. The only solution to transmission failure is to replace the transmission, or, if you want to save money and extend the timeline of the repair process, you can rebuild your transmission.
Unfortunately for Honda owners, rebuilding your transmission might only be a little bit less money than replacing it completely, making you wonder if it’s really worth it. Some people have been quoted at around $3,800 for a rebuild, compared to $4,000 for a replacement, which is questionable in terms of fair pricing.
2004 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The 2004 Honda Odyssey starts to see the reports of transmission problems begin to die-down, compared to the staggeringly-high numbers put forth between the 2001-2003 models. The 2004 model has more reports of body and paint problems than transmission problems, which is the first year that the Odyssey has another category at a higher level of issues than the transmission system.
Within the transmission problems arena, the main issues you will see are transmission failure and some issues with shifting gears. The majority of transmission problems are transmission failure, which typically occurs at around 117,000 miles and will cost the owner an average of $3,640. The main solution to this problem is to replace the transmission, with some owners choosing to undergo the lengthy process of rebuilding it instead.
2005 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The 2005 Honda Odyssey is where the company finally got it right. When looking at the model as a whole, the transmission problems are listed in the middle of the pack in terms of issues that owners have reported, compared to the top for all previous years. The owners reported many more issues with body and paint problems than transmission problems for the 2005 version.
The most common reports with the transmission problems in the 2005 Odyssey are the vibration converter failing, transmission failure, shuddering when shifting, humming from transmission, and torque converter shifting. The vibration converter failing costs an average of $1,880 and occurs at just below 100,000 miles. The main solution is to replace the torque converter. When the car is shuddering while you're shifting gears, this is a lot of times due to the torque converter needing to change. Replacing the torque converter costs about $1,4000 and occurs at around 50,000 miles.
A hum from the transmission typically means that your transmission is beginning to fail, which in turn, leads to transmission failure. Transmission failure occurs at around 86,000 miles on this model and costs about $3,000 for a replacement.
2006-2008 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The 2006-2008 Honda Odyssey models saw great years in terms of transmission performance. The reports of transmission issues were much lower than the 1999-2004 period, with 2005 being the first year that the Honda Odyssey had positive feedback about their transmission system.
The 2006 Honda Odyssey had better reports of their transmission performance according to the Consumer Reports online edition in June 2016. In 2007, the Odyssey was the best selling minivan in the United States. In 2008, the Honda Odyssey received a new look, and included some high-tech features like an audio jack and backup camera.
2014-2015 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
Unfortunately for Honda, the transmission problems came back – although to a lesser extent – in 2014. The 2014 and 2015 Honda Odyssey models show a trend of transmission problems due to the clunking and jerking while shifting gears.
Fortunately, the solution much of hte time did not require a full replacement of the transmission system to solve the problem. There are other methods, like a transmission flush, that your technician can try to save the transmission. However, if this doesn’t work, then buying a new transmission will cost around $3,000.
2018 Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems
The 2018 Honda Odyssey did receive critical acclaim and a Top Safety Pick+ award by the IIHs, but not before 50,000 cars were recalled. The 2018 Honda Odyssey minivans were recalled for a transmission that reportedly could shift unexpectedly while driving.
Honda uses a 10-speed transmission in the vehicles that were recalled. A loose battery terminal connection, or a faulty battery, were the cause of the transmission issues which caused it to intermittently reboot – unintentionally. When the unit is forced to restart, it might automatically shift the transmission into park position, which could be very dangerous while driving.
Honda dealers came up with a remedy to the problem by ensuring that all battery connections were secure when owners bring their cars in. They also said they would update the TCU software, which would change the action of the transmission if a reboot would occur.
What If I Can’t Spend The Money To Get A New Transmission?
If you have experienced a whole host of Honda Odyssey transmission problems, then maybe you just don’t want to deal with that make and model of car anymore. After all, with a company that has so many reported transmission problems, we don’t blame you for being a bit skeptical. If you want to save money for a new car, bring your junk car into CashCarsBuyer so we can give you a fair quote for your vehicle – this way, you can walk out with some quick cash for your next vehicle purchase!