2002 Honda Odyssey: harsh or hard shifting

Filed May 16, 2015 · Transmission · 89,400 miles · TN

The transmission slips between 2nd and 3rd gear only. Happens unpredictably, when first starting out and trans. Has not heated up yet or after having driven for quite a while. No other symptoms, no clunking or vibration, just seems to go into neutral while driving. Doesn't happen during every outing. Seems to correct if I downshift and then shift back up to d. But poses a danger when it happens as I am pulling out into traffic. Dealer said a recall service was done by previous owner, some kind of oil pump or cooler, but the problem persists.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · WI

I called honda dealership (honda motorwerks, lacrosse, wi) with concerns about erratic shifting between 1st and 2nd gear and also a loud clunking sound when shifting gears. I was told to bring vehicle to dealership and they would install an oil jet kit that would take less than an hour. They mentioned nothing about a mandatory inspection for heat discoloration which could lead to them installing a new transmission. I cancelled appt when I learned installing the jet kit would "close the recall" on my vehicle. I hesitated calling honda motorwerks to begin with after owning an 80's model honda civic that had a recall on the gas filler pipe that I was not aware of. I ordered the pipe, paid them and installed it myself and the whole time they knew it was under recall but said nothing to me when I went to pick the part up. Now they are trying to pull a fast one on me again. This dealership proved they can not be trusted and by the hundreds of complaints on the odyssey's transmission it is obvious that no matter what honda dealership you take your vehicle to, you will be stuck with a huge repair bill. Mine has yet to be fixed and vehicle is unsafe to drive.

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Transmission · 98,182 miles · CA

2002 honda odyssey transmission 3rd gear failed at 98,182 miles. Consumer complaint research shows that the 2002 honda odyssey transmission 3rd gear fails after 90,000 miles. A transmission failure at highway speed could result in a catastrophic crash. While driving in an urban area, I backed up and there was a loud clunk and the transmission slipped. When I shifted to forward, the transmission slipped again and would not shift into 3rd gear. I was able to immediately drive to the local honda dealership and was told 3rd gear is out and the transmission would need to be replaced. The transmission had the 2004 recall performed at 24,269 miles (2nd gear inspection and oil kit injector installed), and was service at a honda dealership for transmission service at 55,823 miles, 58,395 miles and 75,659 miles. The odyssey had a few rough shifts 58,395 miles, which prompted another transmission service (fluid replacement).

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · GA

Clunking/thudding noise from passenger front of vehicle while traveling over small bumps in road or rough patches of highway. Vehicle evaluated by honda dealer in 2006 for cause. Never fixed. Was told sound could not be reproduced. Have driven since listening to same sound. Disassembled front right strut assembly to replace strut/shock. Found passenger front spring broken. Has likely been broken since 2005. Suspect that other springs are broken on the vehicle as well.

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · MN

Transmission "internal failure" as stated by honda dealer. Symptoms: hard shifting between 1 and 2 gears. Pronounced stutter/stall when accelerating from 30 MPH to highway speeds - safety concern when entering highway and car stalls/stutters.

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Transmission · 100,651 miles · VA

2002 honda odyssey transmission failure at 100,650 miles. While driving at moderate speed transmission "clunked" into gear while shifting. When I stopped the vehicle there was transmission fluid underneath the vehicle. I took the vehicle to hendrick honda of woodbridge, va and they determined the transmission must be replaced or it could suddenly cease, potentially causing an accident or injury. The dealership and subsequently, honda of america, said they would offer no assistance repairing the transmission - I paid them $4300 to have it repaired. Because the odyssey is known to have an unusually high rate of transmission failure I expected for honda to pay 50% of the cost. I talked to the maintenance manager at the dealership, hendrick automotive group customer service and honda of america customer service and was dissatisfied with their responses. Less than a month ago I purchased a new honda from this dealership and was treated very poorly by all parties I talked with. I have bought honda vehicles for 20 years and have never experienced such poor customer service.

Filed Aug 14, 2010 · Transmission · 154,000 miles · CA

I was merging into traffic at an on-ramp onto I-80 in my 2002 honda odyssey. As I accelerated to match the speed of traffic the vehicle started bucking violently and the engine revved rather than shifting. The vehicle that I was merging in front of needed to swerve into the next lane to avoid hitting me. Other vehicles coming up behind me, including a large truck, needed to slow and change lanes to avoid hitting me. I brought vehicle to the dealer, who reported that the transmission needed replacement. The vehicle has approx. 150,000 miles on it. I had first noticed rough shifting at approx. 65,000, but never so bad as happened in this incident.

Filed Aug 10, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MD

Check engine light came on, took van to local honda dealer and was told the code was for transmission failure, it started at 90000 miles and has become worst, dealer wants $ 4600 to replace the transmission, and everybody I've met with a 2002 honda odyssey has the same problem.the van just sets now, the transmission slips to much to drive,honda knows these vans have transmission problems.and no one is doing anything about it. And im still making payments on the van. One thing I noticed was during the cold months the transmission rarely slipped, but when it's warm or hot outside then it slips, and if you disconnect and reconnect the battery the check engine will go out for a while, and if the drive light starts to flash, you can shut engine off while moving or sitting still and the drive light stops flashing, and it will drive a little better for a little while, also if your driving and it won't shift, I have to coast and let the RPM drop down and ease on the gas and it will clunk and shift hard into gear. I shouldn't have to do this to drive my family or me safely on the highway. I'll never buy a honda again!!!!!!

Filed May 6, 2010 · Transmission · 114,250 miles · PA

I own a 2002 honda odyssey and have had nothing but problems with the transmission since I purchased it. The clutch between first and second gear has been failing for a number of years and when brought to honda dealers, on at lease three occasions and to honda america I have been told it is "a hard shift", " my fault for not using honda dealers to service my transmission" (which is not true) and that my local independent mechanic was not knowledgeable (he builds race cars and restores classic cars). All of this has been an attempt to shirk responsibility for a poorly made product. The transmission already has one recall and according to the records at honda it was completed. In reading many owners comments it is clear that this transmission was poorly designed and even more poorly supported by honda. I have had to replace the transmission since the local honda dealer finally took the time to properly diagnose the issue, which was what my local mechanic stated the issues were. It is appalling that yet another company puts forth a product that puts the safety of two small children and a mother in jeopardy simply for profit. I have already told honda america that I will never purchase another product from them. I am writing to alert you to the fact that many americans are being ripped off by honda and requesting that you investigate this abuse and put a stop to honda's fleecing practices.

Filed Mar 19, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · FL

My wife and I are the only owners of a 2002 honda odyssey that we bought in january 2002. The van has always been maintained, including changing oil & transmission fluid when needed. While driving sometime last year, I noticed that I would get a harsh jerk & a hard shift as the transmission would shift from 1st to 2nd gear. Not long after, the check engine light came on & would not go off. I immediately took it to the dealership & they confirmed that the transmission had failed. By this time, I had to change the front end rubbers because of the continuous harsh jerking and clunking noise from that transmission shift. Now I am faced with the cost of getting a new transmission which is going to run about $3,000 - $4,000. I have checked into the problem and found numerous complaints from other odyssey owners re this model year transmission failures. Honda needs to recall the 2002 odyssey as they have done for the model years before 2002 or reimburse owners all or a good portion for the cost of replacing it.

Filed Nov 4, 2009 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda odyssey. While driving approximately between 25-30 MPH on normal road conditions; the transmission began to slip. The transmission exhibited a rough shift between 1st and 2nd gear. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician recommended replacement of the transmission. The vehicle identification number was excluded from recall campaign id number: 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction at this time. The failure mileage was 92,000. The current mileage was 93,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2009 · Transmission · 84,613 miles · MD

The federal safety agency recall #04v176000 power train:automatic transmission regarding the forementioned recall, I do not believe that honda's solution is only a short term solution and a safety issue still exists. The recall service work was performed 4/21/2004 by an authorized honda dealer. However, the vehicle shutters when changing between second and third gear and will sometimes have a delayed shift between gears where the car slows down quickly while in limbo. Two safety issues are present. One, the car shutters and seems as though it's transmission will cause it to come to an abrupt and violent stop since it's moving at around 35 miles an hour. Secondly, if crossing an intersection after stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic, if the transmission disengages or goes into limbo between second and third, it presents the possibility of being struck by oncoming vehicle. The dealer, brown's honda of glen burnie, md, states that the transmission needs to be replaced in it's entirety as replacing components does not fix this problem - it is an inherent problem. I've verified the dealers statement with other professionals. With this said, I believe that honda's remedy is short lived and to serve as a bandaid and would sincerely appreciate an investigation by the ntsb. Thank you