Honda Odyssey harsh shifting problems

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 Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · KY

Would die at lights and so on, starter replaced and its started doing it again. Dies at lughts, stalls out at stops then will hesitate to start again and will throw itself forward making a clunky noise

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

The transmission has been having issues since it had 10 miles on it, it locks at certain speeds and wont go higher than 35, it misfires at lights, it will randomly make clunking sounds when driving and you can feel the vehicle throw you forward, ive taken it in multiple times, we have multiple cases open with Honda and they will not respond but it doesnt give any lights so dealership says they cant do anything even though theyve said they have felt it

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Vehicles turns off when the brake is pressed and does not turn back on. The van has to be put into park and the start button has to be hit 2-3 times before it will restart. This has happened 3 distinctive times where it was difficult to restart. We try to disable the start/stop system each time we drive. It has left us stranded at traffic lights for up to 20 seconds trying to restart the van, impeding traffic at high speed interchanges. The van does eventually restart but each time it feels like it’s getting more difficult. This problem first appeared about 1 year after purchasing the van with about 23k miles on it and now has 26k miles. There are warnings that display because the vehicle is still in drive when it shuts off and it needs to be placed back into park to restart it. It occurs the most during a long drive on the highway. It can be very jerky when it restarts, perhaps slamming into gear. It is available for inspection and I plan to go to the Honda dealership soon for a scheduled oil change. I have not been there since the 18k mile oil change.

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 Jun 15, 2026 · Engine, Seats · LA

Engine will fail to start when shut off to stop light or when shut off at anytime when engine is hot. Very dangerous situation. Acts like starter is dragging. There is a clunking in the steering column when making a turn mainly to the left that can be felt in the steering wheel. Driver seat is splitting open on the side. Keeps setting code p0441 for evap system..

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MO

Noise coming from front driver side suspension or steering column/components. The noise is very light, but sounds like a clunking/rattle and can be felt through the steering wheel. It is intermittent. Because I am unsure what is actually causing the noise, I cannot state whether it is actually part of the suspension system or steering column area. The dealership cannot replicate the noise, so it has been turned away twice now. Does not feel safe. Searching other odyssey forums, it is something that is reproduced by others who have bought a 2025-2026 Honda odyssey.

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 20, 2026 · Suspension · VA

I purchased a new 2025 Honda Odyssey XLE in February 2025 and soon noticed a clunking noise coming from the front suspension whenever I hit bumps. I contacted the dealership, and they scheduled an appointment. After inspecting the vehicle, they told me they could not find anything wrong. However, when I left the dealership, the noise was still there. The issue has since gotten worse. The clunking noise can now be heard when starting the engine, during transmission downshifts, and over even small bumps in the road. It feels like something in the suspension is loose, and I believe it is unsafe to drive. I am requesting that the vehicle be bought back. The dealership where I purchased the vehicle is 380 miles away, and I am currently on military orders, which makes it difficult for me to return to that location.

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.