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My 2002 Odyssey does the same between 40-50 km per hour.  It needs to be eased into gear.  Yes, I was told by the dealer and a transmission expert, my transmission needs to be rebuilt.  

Our dealer says that Honda automatic transmissions just work differently.  It takes a bit for it to shift if in-between gears or if it has to "think" about what gear to be in.  We told Honda of the times my wife was excelerating and the rpms when up but it stayed at 30mph.  The dealer says that he does not think that it is a transmission problem.  We want to make sure what the problem is and wondered if y'all could discribe what it is like when the trany is failing.  

That dealer is just trying to delay you...I think they know it is the transmission failing.  Have you paid for them to perform the diagnostics on it yet?

My wife's 2003 Odyssey started the same thing just shy of 60,000 miles on 3/26/08.  She said that it was jarring so hard that the seatbelts locked up.  She was on the phone talking to me and saying that she was going to get into a wreck because of this...luckily she was not and her our 2 kids (out of 3) that were in the car were safe.  When I drove the car to the dealership it was slipping gears between 2nd and 3rd gear.  It would rev up and slam into 3rd gear with a pretty good jarring.  The dealership says that the transmission is failing and the car is unsafe to drive (you think?).  The cost...$3200 and an additional cost if I wanted to fix the broken motor mounts.  Not even sure what that is or why they are broken.  Still recovering from the sticker shock to replace the transmission to even care to ask.  Waiting to hear from Honda's 800# customer service to see if they will pay for some or all of the repairs.  Honda dealer also put in a Good Will request to do the same.  No word yet.

There definitely needs to be another class action lawsuit since this seems pretty widespread.  I am calling that lawyer tomorrow.  

Honda should replace your transmission for free.  You should have received a recall notice two years ago.  Ask the dealer to set up an appointment for you wit the District Service manager.  My 2000 Odyssey no problems.  My 2002 required 2 transmissions within the first two years of ownership.  The dealer tried to tell me they couldn't recreate the problem.  Finally, the van would no longer go into reverse at just 20,000 miles and 1 year.  I fought and fought to get the "rebuilt" tranmission.  After the 2nd time the transmission went, I traded it in on a Toyota.  Well, 4 yrs later, we now have a 2007 Odyssey.  Keeping my fingers crossed on this one.  

The number is 212-566-4356 his name is Jared Stamell, don't forget to call, the goal is hold Honda accountable for their poor quality and design.  

I own a 2002 Odyssey that I bought used in Jan 07 with 46,000 miles. Starting Jan 08, I started having issues with the van not going into 3rd gear. I took the van to the dealer a couple of times but their service reps could not reproduce the problem. They asked me to come back when it became worse. I can't believe they let me drive knowing these vans have transmission issues. Finally a few days ago, the same thing happened and this time the engine light came on at 61,000 miles. I drove straight to the dealer and after running diagnostics, they said the transmission needs to be replaced. They said they called Honda on my behalf and that Honda offered to pay 50% of the costs. I called Honda on their 800 number and opened a case file which is being looked into by their regional case manager. I am still waiting to hear back from him. I asked the dealer to perform the repairs and now they say the new transmission will not have any parts or labor warranty because Honda is paying 50% as a goodwill gesture. This is something I'll have to take up with Honda again. After going through all this, I don't think I'll ever buy another Honda again. If there's going to be a class action lawsuit against Honda, I would definitely like to be part of it.  

We bought a 2003 Odyssey LX new.  We've owned other Honda cars, and the van has been a fine vehicle until recently.  Around 68K miles, the Check Engine light came on, and when slowing down, the downshifts were hard.  Then the speedo needle would point erratically.  It seemed to occur at lower speeds, and usually happened during the same part of a regular trip home.  We took it to our servicing Honda dealer to leave it with them to diagnose.  After several days, they reported that the transmission was giving codes which indicated possible solenoid/sensor failures or real transmission failure.  The service dept. offered two options: replace the solenoids/sensors or drain and replace the fluid and keep an eye on it.  We decide to replace the fluid since if the solenoids are not the issue, when the transmission needs to be replaced, we'd probably need to pay that cost again.  Trouble continued, but the downshifts got rougher.  After a few days, the same symptoms return.  At this point, when trouble starts, the Drive indicator also flashes.

I called a few local transmission specialty shops.  One asked to have the van to diagnose.  I took it in, and after a few hours, they called to report that they are getting lots of codes.  They offer two options: replace all of the solenoids/sensors for $800 or rebuild the transmission for $2000.  We thought about it overnight.

The next morning, while online, I learned of similar problems and learned of the recall.  I called the Honda service manager and asked if there were any open recalls on the vehicle.  He reported no, and that the oil jet was installed at 17k.  I don't know if the oil jet was installed with or without the inspection being performed.  I told the SM, "well, obviously, the oil jet fix didn't work!"  He asked me what participation I expected from Honda.  "Replace the transmission!"  They'd need more time to diagnose, and SM asked if I would bring it in.  I explained that I can't take any more time off from work, that the other shop was ready to roll unless they wanted to tow it in.  Given the situation, the SM was at least trying.  I felt he knew how to get Honda to deal with this, and he was trying to get me to play along.  I couldn't risk having a Honda rebuilt with the same problems.

I called my shop and asked how long they needed to rebuild and authorized the work.  I asked for them to save all parts.  I picked up the car four days later.  The shop gave me the parts.  They told me there was no evidence of overheating, but that the clutches were shot.  The clutch surface material de-laminates, gets chopped up, and winds up clogs the filter, and restricts fluid flow.  Over time the transmission would starve for oil and overheat.  As the filter is internal, there is no way to get it out without removing the transmission from the vehicle.  Nice design.  The transmission has been rebuilt and we have 12k/12m warranty.  It's been fine for a week.

I think that Honda's recall inspection relies on subjective analysis by the service tech using time-consuming comparative methods to determine whether the transmission has overheated.  It's my opinion, that the dealers are being discouraged from replacing the transmissions until they fail.  

We have a 2002 Odyssey EX-L RES (since new) now with 138k km (about 86k mi) 100% dealer serviced, in Canada.

It started having tranmission issues (hesitating, clunking into reverse, gear hunting) beginning at 85k km, but the dealer could not replicate our complaints (so they couldn't/wouldn't do anything).

It did have a dark sludge taken out of the tranny about 60k km. I presume indicating severe over-heating. We have the cooling/tow package, but only used the hitch for the bike rack.

The transmission-only warranty expired at 100k km. Now it is out-of warranty, and the bill is $5700 to replace the transmisson and the ECU (engine control unit).

The transmission experts conferred it needs replacing, but they could rebuild it for a few grand less. They also had a case where someone had 100% refund (post-work) on their rebuild cost as the van had 110km, because the Honda Canada had an unwritten, newly extended limit to 120k km.

Anyone here (or hear of someone) getting $ towards good will or warranty coverage on a transmission with more than 100k km or 60k miles? Or better, with 140k km?

Thanks from Calgary!  

Honda Canada's line is, "the vehicle is out of warrant, nothing they can do, despite those of us who purchased the extended warranties."  I have contacted one of the original lawyers who were involved with the initial class action lawsuit, call him Jared Stamell in New York.  

This is what happened to my 2003 van.  How long after the pump was installed did your trans. go out?  

Probably one year.

Thx Penny  

Hi,
I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey.  Along with everyone else, the transmission in mine has failed as well.  I wanted to ask if you have gotten yours repaired yet?  I am not repairing mine until the is resolved with Honda. If you would like to join a couple of us that are pursuing further action against Honda, feel free to reply via my email at LondonM66@aol.com.  

Hello,

I have the same issue. My 2002 Honda Odyssey is in the shop right now. Just got a call that My transmission needs to be replaced. I have 112,000 miles. Problem started about 8 months ago when the vehicle had less than 100000 miles. I'm waiting on a call back now to see how much they will pay for. They asked my how much I thought Honda should pay for this. I responded "This is a known issue and Honda needs to own up and pay for all of it". So who do I need to contact for the Class action suit?  

You can contact Jared Stamell at 212-566-4356 or me at 519-797-5108.

Thx Penny  

I have a 2001 Odyssey and ran in to the same problem about three weeks ago. I recently bought one of those extended warranties. I took the van to my local Honda dealer and to my surprise the transmission was still under warranty under Honda up to 109k, mine has a little over 98k. The dealer replaced the transmission at no cost to me or my extended warranty. You should check with your local Honda dealer,