2019 Honda Odyssey: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Safety Concern: Severe Transmission Lag and Hesitation on Honda 9-Speed Vehicles. The Honda 9-speed automatic transmission exhibits dangerous downshifting hesitation and delayed shifting while cruising at highway speeds. When attempting to pass another vehicle or accelerate quickly for extra power, the transmission frequently experiences a severe lag, causing a total lack of throttle response (a "no response" mode).This sudden loss of acceleration at highway speeds is highly alarming and significantly increases the risk of a rear-end or overtaking collision, creating an immediate safety hazard for the driver and other motorists.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Suspension · KY

The rear suspension coil spring on my vehicle fractured and failed. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by a Honda dealership. The broken spring remains available for inspection upon request. The failure creates a significant safety concern because the vehicle's ride height, handling, and suspension performance are compromised. A broken coil spring can shift position, contact the tire, damage suspension components, and potentially affect vehicle control. The dealership advised that the spring requires replacement. The condition was confirmed by a Honda dealer during inspection. I was informed that replacement OEM springs are on national backorder and are currently unavailable. As a result, the vehicle cannot be repaired with the factory part in a reasonable timeframe. The vehicle has been inspected by a Honda dealership. No accident, collision, or unusual road hazard preceded the failure. Prior to diagnosis, I noticed abnormal suspension noises from the rear of the vehicle, including clunking/creaking sounds while driving over bumps at low speeds. No dashboard warning lights or warning messages were displayed because the suspension system is not monitored by a warning lamp. I am concerned that this may be a broader defect because other Honda Odyssey owners have reported similar rear spring failures, and the replacement parts are difficult to obtain. The combination of a safety-related suspension failure and lack of available replacement parts has left the vehicle unable to be repaired promptly.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · NY

I am writing to open a formal complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my 2019 Honda Odyssey (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle is currently exhibiting symptoms that directly match the 'Transmission Programming Defect' documented in ongoing litigation, specifically symptoms: while accelerating produce rough and delayed shifting; sudden jerking, sudden, harsh accelerations and decelerations; and a sudden loss of power. I am aware of Case No.XXX (XXX v. American Honda Motor Co.) and Case No. XXX (XXX v. American Honda Motor Co.), which allege that the 9-speed ZF 9HP transmission in my model year suffers from a design defect. These transmission failures create a significant safety hazard. Recently my van report code as transmission system problem the second time. We got mechanic checked and confirmed it is transmission issue. The first time when it happened, we drove the van on highway and suddenly it lose power and slow down by itself. there was no response even we applied gas. We went down highway and drove to a close-by repair shop. they replaced some part for us but it didn't resolve the issue. This time since the error comes, it won't speed up in lower speed except the speed goes beyond 40-50 miles plus. when we back the car, it responses slow or none. it comes with big noise also now. it definitely gets worst. The very common issue when you stop and start to move, it never responses from the beginning even we applied gas, even the passenger can feel the reluctance. it also happens when the van turns. we also had the experience when driving on the highway, it speeded automatically without driver applied the gas. It feels like someone pushing us behind. there was Transmission Control Unit recall for 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey (Touring/Elite). Honda actually knows the issue but they didn't reveal this to their customer. This brings life threatening concerns on the highway. I hope this complaint can save lives and family INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

Filed Apr 5, 2026 · Transmission · NC

My 2019 Honda Odessey has had transmission issues since the very beginning. I've experienced jerking/shaking, hesitation before accelerating, delayed shifting, sudden loss of power. Fortunately none of this has resulted in any accident or injury. Unfortunately, yesterday (4/4/2026) I got charged $271.34 to have to transmission warning light read only to be told, "we cleared all dtc then test drove the vehicle. No dtc found after we drove the car...if the consumer complain again he will have to replace the transmission." Of course the warning light appeared again today. The dealership seems to be completely unaware of the multitude of transmission issues documented even though this appears to be a known and well documented defect based on the class action lawsuit Browning, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., et al. They charge me for the analysis and send me on my way as if they have no idea what is going on with my vehicle. I am the sole owner and have kept the vehicle well maintained at Leith Honda, 3940 Capital Hills Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616 and I have had all manufacturers recalls handled in a timely manner. I'm sure they can provide service records if needed. The bottom line is they are not being fully transparent and I am paying for their lack of transparency and more importantly putting me and my family at risk by not disclosing the potential risk due to the faulty transmission in these vehicles.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · GA

Our 2019 Honda Odyssey EX-L was our primary family vehicle. We conducted all routine maintenance as required by Honda, including transmission fluid exchange. Our vehicle experienced rough shifting consistently and at 102,000 miles experienced a total failure in the transmission dog clutch, with Emissions lighting also being present. Vehicle required a tow to Honda and was cited" internal failure in the transmission. The confirmed related DTC's are P0841: Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A circuit range/performance; P0844: Dog Clutch malfunction; P0170A: Dog Clutch Abnormal operation. Parts $:5,736.73/Labor $2,385 plus fluids and freight. We were not aware Honda used the ZF transmission during this year model and experiencing rough shifting up to 102,000 miles which prompted our investigation. Thankfully, the car was parked however, had this been while on the road, this would have presented a major safety and risk to our family and others. This has set our family back quite a bit as we have to replace the transmission and cannot guarantee the new one won't provide similar issues. Honda denied our good-will assistance request. We bought a Honda under the assumption it was a reliable brand. We will never buy Honda nor recommend again. Terrible experience.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Transmission · NE

The transmission in my 2019 Honda Odyssey failed prematurely at approximately 102,800 miles, requiring a full transmission repair/replacement. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited known warning symptoms including harsh and erratic shifting, hesitation, delayed engagement, and loss of smooth acceleration. These symptoms progressively worsened and ultimately resulted in unsafe drivability. This failure is consistent with a well-documented pattern of transmission defects affecting 2018–2019 Honda Odyssey models. Numerous owners have reported similar issues through the federal safety agency complaints and Honda service channels. A transmission failure at this mileage is not consistent with reasonable consumer expectations for a modern vehicle and presents a safety concern due to unpredictable shifting behavior, hesitation during acceleration, and loss of drivability. These issues increase the risk of collision, particularly when merging, accelerating from stops, or driving in traffic. Honda has declined assistance solely on the basis that the vehicle is outside the powertrain warranty, despite the failure aligning with known defect patterns rather than normal wear and tear. I am submitting this complaint to document a recurring defect and request further investigation into premature transmission failures in this model year. After receiving a replacement transmission in my 2019 Honda Odyssey, the vehicle continues to experience the same failure symptoms: harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and intermittent slipping. These ongoing issues indicate that the replacement transmission did not fully correct the underlying defect, which is consistent with other complaints submitted to the federal safety agency regarding 2018–2019 Odyssey models. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this recurring defect and track the persistent issues associated with replacement transmissions in this model year.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA

My 2019 Honda Odyssey EX-L has had sporadic errors happen: Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, Blind Spot Info System Problem. These errors have shown up before sporadically and the dealer, DCH Honda of Oxnard was notified April 27, 2023. They could not replicate and did not respond in writing that something was wrong. The errors went away on their own. 3 weeks ago, the errors showed up again, this time also including a transmission system problem warning. The car was taken to Honda in Valencia and they ran a diagnostic and recommended the transmission be replaced or they would give us $2500 for the car. We opted to have a well reputed private transmission mechanic replace the transmission. After doing so the errors are still there. The transmission system problem error even showed up sporadically the very same day we picked the car up. There is no rhyme or reason to these errors other than perhaps a faulty windshield camera, which takes 5 minutes to replace but Honda wants to charge $2k. We also experienced the delayed shifting due to the poor 9 speed transmission and vcm design. It was quite scary to have a car full of children making a left turn on a busy road and not have the car kick into gear but rather slip. Installing a vcm tuner to bypass the computer shifting helped as well as not driving the car in Econ. Honda knows they made a bad car and while Honda Pilots and other models have had recalls related to the transmission, I am atill waiting for the federal safety agency to take action and include my lemon Odyssey as well. Replacing the transmission cost me over $7k and it may not have been necessary in the end if in fact these errors were related to the camera.

Filed Mar 15, 2025 · Acceleration · FL

Vehicle has hesitation when resuming forward drive after sitting at a light or taking left hand turn. The hesitation causes the feeling of not moving at the amount of speed the car should when starting to regain driving motion, then suddenly slams into gear and proceeds forward with a too quick acceleration to adjust to the amount of pressure applied to gas, causing the driver to have to hit brakes before hitting car infront of them.

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Transmission · AL

Vehicle has hard shifting up and down. Loud clank when up shifting or down shifting at random times.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Transmission · CA

Currently own a honda odyssey 2019. The transmission is unstable at times. From a speed of 25-30mph, it performs hard shifts i think from the 3rd gear. We can really feel the jerk of the van along with a sound like metals slipping or something. It doesn't always happen therefore the dealer could not fully diagnose it and called it normal or wait for it to get worse. Yeah right!

Filed Dec 10, 2024 · Transmission · CA

- Step on accelerator and no acceleration, - When at stop then gas there is hesitation with extra slow accelerator. - Shifting from 1st to 2nd there a jerking and hard shift which something cause loud noise. - Reported multiply times to dealer and indicated its normal (Replace purge valve) no help.

Filed Oct 17, 2024 · Suspension · OH

Noticed clunking noise from rear of car when going over sharp bumps. Inspecting rear suspension revealed the rear driver side coil spring is broken near the bottom of the coil. Judging by amount of rust on the broken ends this has been broken for some time. Searching online this is a common issue for this generation Odyssey, and Honda do not have replacement springs in stock, with estimated wait time for parts of many months.