The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted into gear. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in four unrepaired recalls. The contact informed the dealer that she was afraid to drive the vehicle due to the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission and the motor mounts were replaced in May 2025. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 251,599.
2003 Honda Odyssey transmission problems
533 complaints (58% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 10 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 533
- of this car's complaints
- 58%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 10
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission332
- Automatic transmission: torque converter2
- Manual transmission1
- Driveline1
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Odyssey transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Honda Odyssey transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 244Slipping 100Jerking 40Won't shift 27Hesitation 17Harsh shifting 11Shudder 10Whining noise 7Rollaway 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
What 2003 Honda Odyssey owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I never had issues with my van when I bought it but On Monday got all the fluids drove to Phoenix and the transmission got hot the TCL light and ABs light turned on as well as the SRS light no check engine the floor on the driver side and passenger side was super hot. The transmission on 1st gear start hitting hard 2nd gear started slipping we pulled over right away let the car cool down but the transmission level where normal motor oil was at normal we did the oil service transmission service the dealer I bought it from has did Amazon service I don’t really drive it only to visit my kids. I looked up the recall and my van has a lot of them I’m worried of driving home to California I’m in Phoenix so I hope the dealer will fix the recall when u put the year of the 2003 honda odyssey my vin switch to a different one on your site please help
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission hesitated to shift into third gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter, clutch, and hydraulic control system were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
While exceeding 60 mph on the highway with my two young children. The vehicle began to loose power. I tried accelerating the van would regain then bog down again. This happens suddenly. This could of been a horrible accident. The van just loosng all power without warning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and lost power with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road waited for about 30 minutes, where the vehicle resumed back to normal. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that an abnormal noise appeared while shifting gears. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to germain honda of beavercreek (2300 heller dr, beavercreek, oh 45434, (855) 798-3158) to be repaired under an unknown air bag recall. The contact referenced the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda odyssey. While driving various speeds, the gears would erroneously slip causing the speed to suddenly reduce, and the vehicle would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to phil hughes honda (3200 atlantic hwy, athens, ga) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.
This odyssey has previous transmission recall in 2005, the same transmission problem is coming back to my car
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda odyssey. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to increase in speed. Also, the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lindsay honda (5959 scarborough blvd, columbus, oh 43232, (614) 864-5250) where it was diagnosed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to roush honda (100 w schrock rd, westerville, oh 43081, (614) 882-1535) who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also recommended replacing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the transmission was repaired in 2005. The manufacturer also provided case number: 05972285 and referred the contact to the local dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 193,000
Takata recall, transmission problems
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train) since april 13, 2004. The contact had not been notified. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The dealer (crown honda, 7671 us hwy 19 n, pinellas park, fl 33781, (888) 701-8645) stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall and there was no warranty. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.
Questions about the 2003 Honda Odyssey transmission
Does the 2003 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 533 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Honda Odyssey, 58% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda Odyssey transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Odyssey have bad transmission?
The Honda Odyssey model years with the most transmission complaints are 2002 (608 complaints), 2003 (533 complaints) and 2001 (332 complaints).
Other 2003 Honda Odyssey problems
Airbags 131Electrical 81Engine 76Body 40Acceleration 30Locks 26Seat belts 21Fuel system 17Brakes 14Seats 13Steering 12Visibility 12Lights 11Tires 10Suspension 7Wheels 4Driver assistance 3
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