I am an original owner of a 03 odyssey. Perfect maintenance record. Carefully driving and never tow anything. Transmission started to slip and lock up around 93k miles without warning. Crash almost occurred on a busy highway twice. Have two dealer checked up and both said need a replacement. Call honda and got very bad customer service. Honda denied responsibility, but offered 25% replacement cost. 02-04 odyssey had transmission recall in 04. My van was over 20k and only got an oil injet kits installed. I believed the faulty transmission has already been damaged at that time. The recall is a scam from honda to cheat, to delay the problem and to save cost. Everyone knows an oil injet kits costs a fraction of a new transmission. This is the same kind of scam as another japanese product, takata air bag recall. My van also equipped with takata faulty airbags. I requested airbag replacement through a honda dealer two months ago and was told they were ordered, but have to wait. Driving a honda product everyday to sent my daughter to school with faulty transmission and airbags, I have higher risk to be killed or injured because the transmission could fail and result in clash, and the airbag could deploy and kill or injured myself and daughter. What a nightmare! I just got my transmission replaced with $3k out of my pockets. I sent the invoice to honda ceo 3 times to request full imbursement and was denied.honda has the full responsibility for its faulty products. I request a full investigation on honda's handling on its recalls.
2003 Honda Odyssey engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I owned 2003 odyssey for years (approx. 125,000 m now), last week I drove on the highway about 70 MPH back home then suddenly with no power, luckily, the car after me was too far to hit me. I pulled the car over to the shoulder and restart again. The engine light is on. I managed to drive home in 20~30 MPH. Checked online and found out honda did recall for the transmission issue but still can't solve the problem. Really love this van, still debating how to do it, not dare to drive now. Honda should take the full responsibility to solve this issue, no matter who owns the van. Not just care about the company?s profits and ignore the tragedy will be happened anytime. As a car manufacturer and humanity, honda should know live is priceless.
Traveling at 65 MPH the transmission failed without warning. No warning lights, no slippage... A complete failure. I managed to get into breakdown lane before transmission had completely seized. I was driving with my 72 yr old mother and 3 children, ages 4,6,8. I feel very lucky I was not involved or caused a vehicular fatality due to this failure. All recommended maintenance had been done at dealerships. A compete vehicle inspection was completed the day before the incident.
I was driving on highway 95 south when my car would not accelerate while I was in the middle lane. I quickly attempted to switch to the right lane as there were many cars and trucks on the highway. I finally pulled the car over to the shoulder when it began to smoke. I do not believe it was a fire, but I am not sure. I do believe it was the transmission. This transmission was replaced by honda about 6 years ago b/c of a faulty transmission.
Our odyssey has always shifted a little rough, but I attributed that to its age but on 7/18/14 we were on grocery store visit and the check engine light, tcs light, and maintenance required light all came on. We took it to local mechanic to get the codes read and they said it was the transmission control system, but it was driving fine so I kept going and had our normal mechanic take a look at it about a week later. He too said it was the transmission control system, and that we shouldn't need a new transmission, so take it to honda and get them to look at it. The service advisor kept saying "this vehicle isn't going to go very far, it's going to leave you on the side of the road" but, we don't have that kind of money right now, and since it's driving "ok" just shifting the same as it always has, we decided to take it home.
I left stevens point , wisconsin to go to chicago ilinois with my family... Three adults.. To young children... Got to madision stopped at target..got back in car left.. Got back on highway and the car started to buck.. Like it was going in and out of gear... Racing then down shifting on its own.. Threw the flashers on got off the highway... Found a fire stone garage and they check it . The engine pic came on also and tcs light... The mechanic told us the codes that read mean the transmission and it is not recognized what gear it should be in.. They do not do transmission repair.. So we found a way to get it home which cost us 250.00 dollars... She also mention I should check recalls on this because I only bought the van awhile ago.. It was used... From a dealership .. Courtesy honda in stevens point... If there is not..my mechanic stated that there should be because this should not happen.. And we are all lucky to be alive.. Cause the car kept going to park.. And if it did stop we would of had a bad accident.... Please get back to me asap... The car is un-drivable ..
The minivan was being driven at about 30mph when the idle suddenly jumped to 3500 RPM. The brake had to be applied to keep the car from dangerously accelerating. The driver was able to pull the minivan into a gas station. The vehicle was turned off then back on a few minutes later. The minivan immediately idled at 3500 RPM again. After letting the vehicle sit turned off for 20 minutes, it was turned on and showed no further problems. In the past two years there have been three similar incidents with this vehicle. Outside temperature may be a contributing factor since it has always happened in a temperature of 80+ degrees fahrenheit. After letting the car sit for 10-20 minutes, the problem goes away. The local honda dealership investigated the problem, but found no computer codes or other signs of problems. We are concerned this problem could cause an accident and that the problem may occur in other odyssey's of this year.
The van started losing power right after the tcs light appeared. I slowed down to 45mph when I lost all acceleration and coasted to the side of the road when the vehicle stopped. The car is reported to have broken gears and the clutch in the automatic transmission that had a recall on it that reported it fixed.
I brought my odyssey to the honda dealer for an oil and filter change on 4/3/2014. While there, the service advisor, [xxx], informed me that my motor mounts were failing. When I questioned that this sounded like a manufacturing defect that should be subject to a recall, his response was that they replace so many motor mounts that they always keep a good supply in stock. This would seem to strengthen my position, not his. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Transmission failure on highway. Apparently this is a known transmission failure issue with 2nd gear. Honda indicates it was "fixed" by recall, which obviously is not the case. Honda will not fix as just out of warranty window.
Was driving home and started having shifting problems, took it in for service the transmission had to be replaced as well as the radiator. The radiator because I was told they would not warranty the transmission with out it. $ 4,371.08 I was never told about any issues from honda and I never received any thing from honda. On 8/27/10 one year later I had to replace the transmission cooler. Then on 9/17/10 they replaced the transmission again. Now the second transmission only has 34,000 miles on it and now they just replaced torque converter and it runs like a truck. The honda dealer did all the major maintenance . We have owned four honda's but never again. My son has a 2002 civic and it is on its second transmission. If a recall was on these honda they never sent me anything and I purchased it new.
The car has an automatic transmission system. I was driving just fine when the transmission slipped and it felt like the car was in neutral. I was pressing the gas, but no power was given to the car. I could brake and steer just fine so I pulled over and put the car into park. It engaged into gear fine and I continued on. This continued to happen slipping in and out while driving. I wouldn't even have to stop and put into park, I would slip "out" of gear and feel like it was in neutral. I would pump the gas a few times, and rev up the engine and then it would magically engage into gear. Honda dealership stated the transmission was bad, stated that pieces of metal were in my fluid and my entire transmission needed replacement. Estimate $2k-4k - will know more when they break it open to find out. Honda america states that I had taken the van in for the transmission recall in 2005 - I don't recall doing that, but if I did why is it happening? Now the van will not pass the ca smog test simply for functional check portion. The emission portion is fine. Seems the repairs exceed the value of the car. Working with honda america to get warranty or recall to offset the cost of repair. At this point, the car is deemed non operational.
2003 honda odyssey was brought into the dealership for an interlock recall. After work was completed and leaving the dealership the vehicle shuddered violently. This was not the case when the vehicle was brought in.
Transmission failed, which, apparently is common to older honda odysseys, but was not fixed until after 2005.
The engine motor mounts crack or fail prematurely. Defect is unrelated to driver behavior and is solely a function of design. Failed mounts can both cause accidents and create a projectile from impact. On-line research, such as the car talk community, suggest this is a widespread problem with odysseys over 65,000 miles.
I took my 2003 odyssey for AC compressor relay replacement when I was informed the front engine mount needed replacing. I was surprised to hear this and I found out through my web search that it is a very common problem with odyssey model. This is a design flaw and a safety issue for me and my family. Honda should look into this serious problem and read the complaints odyssey owners have been complaining about and posting on the web http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/1560611/honda-odyssey-motor-mount-problem I am very disappointed that honda has been aware of the design flaw in the engine mounts and have not taken responsibility.
The minivan suddenly slowed down and came to a stop on the highway. The check engine light went on. The car starts but does not pick up speed and I feel is dangerous to drive.
I noticed quite a bit of oil leaking on the garage floor and took the vehicle in for service. I was told that the head gasket was leaking and there were 2 known issues that may be the cause: a head bolt issue or engine pitting. They wouldn't know until they 'opened it up'. It turned out to be the head bolt for cylinder #6, which they said seemed to be a known issue on the internet and other sites they had access to. Honda is even aware of this issue as they created a repair kit specifically for the issue. When our certified mechanic called the dealer, the dealer recommended replacing the engine, which was obviously way too expensive. They then recommended the time-sert thread repair kit. Once the mechanic got into things they also realized that 2 of the bolts were stripped, so they repaired both. I just got off the phone with honda automobile customer service and was basically told there is nothing they can (or will) do to help offset the $2500 repair cost for this known issue. It is terrible that honda offers no assistance despite this clearly being a defect in the strength of the bolt or the threading process. There are just too many other instances of the exact same issue and the exact same cylinder number. As an owner of three honda vehicles, needless to say I am extremely disappointed with the lack of caring and willingness to make things right and will absolutely look at other vehicles now.
After turned off ignition and stepped out of car while in store car rolled away across parking lot damaging another vehicle. This is in response to the article read on your site about the 2003 honda odyssey rolling away after car has been turned off and keys are removed from ignition.
I can take my key out of the ignition while in drive. Because of the setup of the shifter, and the short space between gears, it's not apparent that the car's not in park, and fairly common for me to remove the key while in drive. I've not had this problem with other cars. Several times I've taken the key out and the car started rolling a little before I stepped on the brake and put the key back in and shifted to park. About 4 or 5 weeks ago I parked at a strip mall in front of a store, and when I came back out my car was backed up against the car on the other side of the aisle, having rolled back about 15 feet. Fortunately there was no damage. Another time my wife went shopping and came out and the car had been in drive the whole time (about an hour) but fortunately the parking lot was flat.
Transmission oil overheating while driving in the freeway causing it to leak and burnt the transmission on all gears and a costly repair of $2400.
Check engine is on. When cruising the car the is a slip in the transmission at lower gear. The RPM increase and vehicle stalls. Conicelli honda service center, conshohocken, pa described the problem as internal transmission failure.
Difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear... I called honda care services and I was told that my vehicle is out of warranty and they can't shoulder the cost which is unacceptible given that this van had been recalled for transimission issue and many owners had failed transmission. I like honda vehicles and recommended to my family and friends but after this incident I will never buy another honda product again.
Failed front and side engine mounts replaced. Costly repair appears to be common odyssey maintenance issue.
As original owner of 2003 honda odyssey engine buying car from weir canyon honda in anaheim hills california. My engine block light, tcs, lit up at 153,000 miles. I have been experiencing a major transmission problem between 2nd and 3rd gear as car seem stuck and I am unable to accelerate. This is not safe at all since my van can be rear ended when it's stuck in this mode. My mechanic advises everyone from not to buy any honda as his shop rebuilds honda transmission all the time and makes a fortune from the poor victims of honda owners like me. Go to http://www.odysseytransmission.com/home/whattodo consider yourself forewarned! If you're looking for a reliable and safe mini van, do not look at honda odyssey.
I was driving my car told the dealership my car jerk he told I need a fuel injection. I paid for a that service . Was driving my kids home from school when the car jerk 3 time repeatly so bad we all got scared. My husband drove the car to the dealership. They did a diagnostic test and told me it was the torque chamber in the transmission would cost 4500.00 dollars to fix . As a hard working american I feel duped and stupid. I feel they sold me a lemon. I think consumer should be told if their is a problem with the vechile before purchasing it.
Front and passenger engine mounts are broken at 48k mileages during a maintain checking at a honda dealer shop.
2003 odyssey approximately 67k miles developed fluid leak in past week. Vehicle had been serviced regularly. While driving with family coolant leaked onto exhaust system causing smoke and had to pull off interstate. Engine had operated normally and there were no warning indicators or abnormal temperature gage readings. Had vehicle towed to local honda dealer. Diagnosed as leaking head gasket. Upon removal of the cylinder head, the head bolts pull from the block ports with the bolt threads. Apparently head bolts had become loose given the thread failure in the block and allowed leakage of fluids in the cylinder head. Honda stated that the engine will need to be replaced at a cost of 3k++. Apparently this same issue has occurred to several other 2003 odyssey owners according to on-line search. The dealer was at a loss to explain the failure of the bolts at the given mileage. It appears that this could be a defect in the block design or manufacture and could lead to premature engine failure. Honda should address this issue as well as automatic transmission and egr valve defects which have also been a continual problem with the 2003 odyssey. Very disappointed in the reliability of this van
Transmission failed egr valve failed.
Complete transmission failure while vehicle was operating at highway speeds.
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