2009 Honda Odyssey transmission problems

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Transmission · MO

Honda installed a VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) in this engine which shuts down the back three cylinders to save fuel when the car warms up. You’ll know when it kicks in when you see ECO on your dash. When the cylinders shut down it starts an abnormal wear and tear on those cylinders. High oil consumption, fouled plugs, the need to repair the back three cylinders and misfiring of the engine are some of the problems. Honda did repair some vehicles if they experienced rough running and misfiring on those cylinders because they knew the issue was the VCM. However, when my 2009 Honda Odyssey started having those problems in 2024 they wouldn’t fix the problem and stated it was too late to fix the engine. The timeline, according to Honda, had passed to repair the damaged engine. I never received a recall for this known safety issue. The engine would cut out and the engine light would come on and it sputtered down the road on three of the six cylinders. Honda knew this was a problem but they wouldn’t fix my engine. If I had brought it in years earlier they would have fixed the known problem with the VCM but they wouldn’t deactivate the VCM to prevent it from destroying the repaired engine. The price to fix the engine was over $4200. I feel they should have repaired the engine and then deactivated the VCM by bypassing the the temperature sensor to prevent it from going into ECO MODE VCM. The safety of the occupants was at risk due to the lack of acceleration and the ability to drive the vehicle in a normal manner. I feel a safety recall is justified and the sensor should be deactivated to prevent further damage to the engine.

Filed Jan 15, 2023 · Transmission · CA

Transmission gears, while driving gears don't engage properly. It struggles to change gears specifically between 3rd to 4th gear. Also when parked and change to Drive makes a stump noise.

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · Steering, Transmission · CA

2009 honda odyssey. Issues on the automatic transmission. On 4th gear just shudders either downshifting or up shifting while driving. And besides all this also makes a knocking sound either backing up or moving forward. Besides makes a humming sound from transmission when driving.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle violently accelerated without depressing the accelerator peal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 100,400 miles · VA

While stopped at a 4 way traffic intersection w/light and with foot on the brake, the engine raced on it's own causing the car to surge ahead unexpectantly. I had to take it out of gear to avoid an accident.

Filed Apr 7, 2017 · Transmission · 60,223 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the steering wheel vibrated when driving approximately 20 MPH and above. The contact also stated that the vehicle made a drowning, loud noise at the same time it vibrated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times for diagnostic testing. The torque converter was replaced, but the repairs did not correct the vibration. The manufacturer did not authorize any future repairs on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased from the dealer on december 30, 2016. The approximate failure mileage was 60,223.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · GA

My 2009 odyssey 06/05/15 it currently has 115,000 miles on it. This is the second engine light dealing with the transmission. When I first got the car I had it routinely serviced at the dealership. The first time it was the clutch this time it is the torque converter, so all internal. The gears are fine until 5th or overdrive.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 44,000 miles · IL

Engine light came up. Drive light flashes. Moving into drive is very noisy. Car hesitates to move and changes gear late.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 88,333 miles · FL

On may 12, 2012, I was driving about 50 MPH when the van started to sputter. I came to a red light and the car acted as if it were about to cut off. The check engine light started blinking along with the vsa light. It rode very rough all the way to the closest honda dealership as I was not in my hometown. They informed me that one of the spark plugs needed to be replaced. I went ahead and replaced all of them to the tune of $308.23. On november 23, 2012, I was driving about 60 MPH when the same thing happened. The mileage was 105,001. Again, I was out of town and drove the car to the nearest honda dealership. They said the #3 spark plug had fouled out. I told them to replace only the #3 plug. On my receipt it says, "retrieved code p0303...misfire #3 cylinder...found spark plug fouled out. Possible faulty valve seals...replaced spark plug and performed PCM software update." that cost me $138.76. On the drive home the air conditioning started to act up. It would run but sometimes it was cold and sometimes the air was not. On november 24, 2012, I took the car to the honda dealership that I normally use. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with the air conditioning except for a dirty cabin filter. They replaced it and charged me $131.97. However, they said my brakes were worn out. That cost $359.68. Then there was the brake fluid exchange, transmission fluid exchange, and power steering flush. All in all the visit cost me $1049.61. Funny, on november 19, 2012, I had taken the van in for an oil change and they did a courtesy inspection. No mention of brake problem. November 26, 2012, car dead, wouldn't start. They replaced the battery under warranty. December 3, 2012, car dead again. Invoice reads, "A/C clutch relay stuck killing battery making A/C compressor run even when A/C off." fixed for free due to all the problems.

Filed May 28, 2013 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.