1999 Honda Odyssey: complete transmission failure

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Transmission · 194,120 miles · RI

Was driving vehicle on highway when the transmission failed. Was nearly killed, as I was unable to move car into a safe area

Filed Jun 5, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 154,354 miles · WA

Our 1999 honda odyssey has had the p0740 torque clutch converter solenoid circuit (open) code displayed numerous times, we thought since it was a serious issue and the transmission had already been replaced within 20,000 miles that we should actually take it to the dealer in marysville, wa and have them do a transmission flush then a supervisor and said no you should have us run a diagnostic by one of our master techs. After reiterating this seriousness of our transmission issue the code coming on and delays in shifting mostly just barely noticeable, they assured us if we paid $129 for a diagnostic that a master tech could get to the issue, however they later told us after we got the car back and called on the issue that an apprentice (not a master tech) had done the entire inspection and came up with no problems except a different code having to do with up bad catalytic converter which had never been an issue before and told us we may need to get that replaced soon. The transmission code p0740 came up on our way home from the dealership. I told them of the code and the research I have done and asked what else to do and they told me there is nothing that can be done that is a transmission death code and we would need to replace the transmission, to which I asked even though it was just replaced 20,000 miles ago and he said maybe you got a bad transmission. Q: are they just all bad for this vehichle?

Filed Apr 20, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 128,000 miles · IL

I was driving on a crowded expressway when my car seized up completely due to a transmission failure which put me in an extremely dangerous situation. I was in the middle lane with three large semi trailer trucks in front of me, in back of me, and to the right of me on a 3 lane highway. The truck behind me had enough room to barely slow down but it almost crashed into me. I turned on my emergency flasher lights and was able to get the car onto the shoulder of a slightly uphill exit ramp, narrowly escaping serious injury. I was then able to very slowly move the car in first gear with the flashers going, and fortunately was close to a side street where I parked the car and had it towed to the nearest dealership. Although honda replaced my transmission for free under the auspices of a class action lawsuit back in 2007, the car has low mileage for the life of the transmission. However, they are refusing to cover the replacement cost of the transmission. The transmission failure was sudden and literally seized up the car and put my life in danger. This doesn't seem to matter to honda. I am registering this complaint not only to get satisfaction from honda, but also to warn other odyssey owners that this may happen to them, and let them know this is potentially deadly.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Transmission · 217,000 miles · NC

Transmission failed. Vehicle failed to move forward, the symptoms are exactly how honda expressed in the warranty extension. The transmission was replaced once at a honda dealer at out of pocket cost when the vehicle had 124k miles. I called the honda product & concern department, and filed a case # [xxx]. There are several forums and sites with consumers having transmission failure on odyssey 1999-2003 over and over again. Honda should be held responsible for their faulty design. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · CA

My odyssey first had a transmission issue back in august, 2003, only 4 years and 42,000 miles and the dealer completed the repair without any cost since it is still within the manufactory warranty. The second time the transmission failed again in 2008 at 96,000 miles. I wrote a letter to american honda motor and they agreed to cover it with no cost. However, this issue resurfaced again. The very same symptoms have reoccurred and my car broke down on the freeway at 126,000 miles last week. Had a mechanic checked it and it is the transmission issue. This van is my weekend car and I hardly drive it so I have only added 30,000 miles after the last transmission replacement in 2008. This proves to me that there is an issue with the design of the transmission and the odyssey transmission can only sustain roughly 40,000 miles before breaking down.

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · PA

Transmission completely froze (locked-up). This is the second transmission in this vehicle, the first was replaced under a class action suit against honda. Fortunately, driver was near side of road and recognized a problem prior to the complete lock-up, otherwise the van would have skidded to a stop in the middle of the highway. Honda informs they will not provide any assistance with any replacement transmission and will only offer a 1 year warranty. It costs over $4000 to replace the transmission in this vehicle. Honda is completely unsympathetic to the potential risks they are forcing on odyssey owners. This had happened to thousands of odyssey owners and honda need to be held accountable.

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Transmission · 123,421 miles · CA

Check engine light on with error code p0740 indicating transmission failure on 99 honda odyssey. According to the honda service person, honda won't pay any repair or replace cost because it's out of my extended warranty even though there were numerous similar complaints reported on 1999 - 2002 odyssey transmission problems including a recall and class action lawsuit in california against honda for 1999-2001 accord transmissions that showed the same malfunction code. I'm the original owner of the car with extended warranty. I have the car serviced regularly at the dealer. The car was at very low mileage without showing the transmission problem when the extended warranty expired at 2006. I believe honda should perform a "goodwill" repair on my transmission and pickup most cost instead for me to pickup the $5000 expense for the parts and labor or the option of getting a new car..

Filed Jun 9, 2011 · Transmission · 104,800 miles · TX

Torque converter/ transmission failed with 104,800 miles on 12-year old vehicle despite being driven primarily on the highway and being meticulously maintained. Honda's extended warranty (offered as settlement of a class action suit) ended after 7 years despite low mileage.

Filed Mar 5, 2011 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · LA

I have a 1999 honda odyssey ex with 190,000 miles. I have maintained this car very well. To my surprise, I just found out on 03/05/2011 that the transmission failed and needs to be replaced for about $1,500 (used) or $3,000 new. The engine lights had been on for a while but honda did not acknowlegde nothing wrong. Too many honda odyssey's owners had the same problem. This is no doubt a defect with these transmissions. I request a full investigation on this matter.

Filed Mar 5, 2011 · Transmission · 150,869 miles · NY

Check engine light was indicating that there was an egr valve issue. Turned into much bigger underlying problem with the transmission. Cleaned out the valve on 3 occasions and light kept coming on. Transmission started slipping until it was no longer safe to drive...wouldn't drive in "drive". Had to put it in 3rd, then 2nd and still it was very unsteady. Brought it in and was told it needs a new transmission. Honda already replaced the transmission 2 years after we bought it. We have maintained this vehicle religiously! We are very disappointed. It also makes this odd clicking noise inside the van...this appears to be electrical in nature.

Filed Dec 2, 2010 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · DE

Transmission recalled in 05 for defect, was replaced at that time with local dealer. July 29, 2008 transmission failed while traveling far from home and was replaced at my cost of $5,000 as I went 6 months past warranty. Transmission is failing again and has to be replaced at my cost because I put 4,000 miles over the 36,000 mile warranty. Contacted american honda for help and they will not assist me. The transmission has never been fixed for the original defect with the recall in 05, if it had, I certainly would not be told by honda that it needs it's 4th transmission. (3 in 5 years time).

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Transmission · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 honda odyssey. The contact was accelerating from a complete stop when the vehicle abnormally surged backward. The contact shut off the engine and then restarted. When attempting to accelerate a second time, the vehicle moved forward approximately five feet before independently stopping. The vehicle was towed to a local automotive repair facility. The contact was informed that the transmission was defective and would need to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced less than one year prior to the recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was unknown.