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My 2003 Odyssey needed a new transmission at the beginning of December, 2008 - Merry Christmas.  It had about 85,000 miles at the time - ridiculous - and cost about $3300. I'd love to get in on any type of legal action.  Thanks!  

Hello,

Sorry to hear about that.  Mine was a 2002 with 80,000 miles paid $3000.  

You can find some usefull links and information at OdysseyTransmission.com:

Odyssey Transmission

Add your case information there too, so we can make more people aware.

Thanks,
Ronnie  

We have a 2000 Odyssey w/99,000 miles and is at the dealership because the trans has also gone up.  Also, check engine light just came on and results in a catalytic converter plus motor mounts are damaged (we've already replace 1 so far). We were also taking it in so they could fix the squealing of the rotors, that they supposedly resurfaced 3 months ago  We've spoken to the service manager, and also his boss and they offered to pay about 1/2 of the trans repair costs only.  They originally quoted an estimate to fix of about $3800.00, just for the trans plus some other charge.  My husband called the customer relations in Maryland and they just patronized him.  They said we were out of warranty by the months, not the miles but they still can't do anything for us.  We are quite upset about this, knowing that they made a defective transmission for these vehicles.  What else can we do?   Joann  

Joann:

Go to the other thread on Honda Odyssey on this same forum, you will find alot more information.  Maybe someone who has also dealt with the same "dealership" you are.

Call American Honda Customer Relations in Torrance, CA.  Offer them in writing you will pay the labour just to have the thing fixed.  Also, contact Jared Stamell's office and give them all of your info.  Yes, this takes time, but it is the only way right now.

Penny  

This is a club I really didn't want to be a member of! I had no idea about Honda transmission issues until a week ago Friday when I was told I need a new trans. on my 01 Odyssey. 94K miles and 99 months old. Under the mileage/but out of extended warranty by 6 months. Honda has been horrible. THey've had my car a week and just Friday made me a offer to reduce the cost from $3200 to $2100. I respectfully but firmly said that wasn't acceptable. I bought a Honda and paid top dollar because I wanted stellar reliability. I didn't get it. The customer service has also been bad. I've documented every call. I've been lied to between the dealership and American Honda. I was told by Betty in CA that she got off in 10 minutes and I shouldn't have called her. I called because my dealership TOLD me too! She was so unprofessional. They even closed my case while my car was sitting at the dealership and it had to be reopened! They want to charge hundreds more for the engine mounts and I read here that the damage was probably caused by the faulty transmission. I am so disgusted with HOnda! It's been a real nightmare and is waring on my spirits.  I will call the lawfirm tomorrow!
Questions-
If I accept an offer from them, does that make me ineligible for the law suit?
Is there something else I need to do to  press them into a better offer?
Warn out in GA!  

Hi Penny, it seems that you are the one who knows a bit about what is going on with the law suit for the 2000 Odyssey's.  Our van  is still on the lot at the dealership, it has been since 4/27.  They offered $2185.00 to repair it.  1/2 of original offer.  If we take them up on the repair, will that jeopardize that class law suit for the 2000 Odysseys that has taken place?  I don;t even know what the law suit is going to do for us or what is involved?  I checked my vin # on the site and it does come up as being in on the suit, but what next? Am I also supposed to put my name on another list?   I can;t leave my van on the lot and I need it as well.   Thanks, Joann in Maryland.  

Hi Joann,

The problem is yours would have been covered in the first Class Action.  However, I have discussed this with Jared, and, it is my opinion that lawsuit should be either brought back in or the owners of the vehicles from the first generation should be able to join this action.  It was only a bandaid solution, it was a total waste of time and money, the lawyers did absolutely nothing for Honda customers and Honda I believe negotiated in bad faith, knowing full well it was not a fix for the problem, they (Honda) just wanted it go away.  I know Jared is working on it, rec'd an email last week from him confirming the status of the matter.  Just a wait a bit, no..if he decides to bring the original matter back in, you would benefit.  Worse case scenario, if you pay out now, Jared's goal is that everyone whom Honda held hostage and forced to pay, Honda must compensate the owner, whether it be monetary or new transmission etc.

You remind them (dealership/Honda), your vehicle is part of the first Class Action and unless they want to work with you on this, you will litigate the matter, forcing it back into the Courts.  Tell them clearly, Honda is fully aware it was not a fix with oil jet kit etc...Offer to pay the labour only in writing, let me know how things go.

Penny  

Penny,
My battle with HOnda is now on day 12! Today They offered to fix the transmission for half price (orig. $3200).  My Odyssey is an '01 with 94k miles. It took lots of persistence on my part to get this far. I'm still disappointed. The customer service from CA was rude and unprofessional.  After reading the thread I'm concerned about the engine mounts (they said these are bad too) being caused by the trans. And how many people have had computer problems and reoccuring trans. problems after being rebuilt. I've kept lots of notes. Documented the run around. Have all my maintenance records showing 2 trans. fluid changes. If I take a 50/50 deal with them can I still be involved in a law suit. ???
I bought this car when my twins were born. With 4 kids, I desperately needed a reliable van! We were on a waiting list for the Odyssey; it was so hard to get in 2000. I paid top dollar (that was a real stretch for us financially) because I wantd a car that would last 200,000+ miles.
So disappointed that HOnda didn't stand behind thier product!
Should I still call the law firm?
Thanks for your help! So glad someone can help us sort through all this mess!  

You can take the 50/50 deal and still participate.  However, yours should have been covered in the first lawsuit where they recalled all vehicles involved, and if needed installed the oil jet kit (useless) or replaced the transmission.  Remind Honda that yours is part of the first lawsuit, either way if they don't pay now, they certainly will be reimbursing you down the road.  I would push a little further with them, and don't forget to file a complaint with the NHTSB.

Let me know how things go.

Penny  

Just found this forum.  Glad to have found it but sorry to see what a mess I'm in - along with the rest of you!.  I also have a 2002 with 90K.  I am the original owner and have maintained it regularly - mostly at a local mechanic but with trips to the dealer for specific problems.  I took it in to the dealer that sold it to me in July 2004 in response to the recall for transmission problems.  Looking back at my records I see that they installed the oil jet.  I see no documentation of a photographic inspection which might have resulted in a new transmission.  This should have been done according to the instructions in their service bulletin since I was at 35K miles. In the past few weeks I have experienced  a total loss of power while driving.  I feed the gas and the engine revs to 4,000 RPM but I go nowhere.  When this first happened I brought it to my local mechanic.  He tried to duplicate the problem but could not so he tried changing the transmission fluid.  The old fluid was discolored and contained metallic fragments.  I just lost power again on Friday.  In addition the van has been making a loud "THUNK" each morning when I back out of my driveway.  I am very disappointed.  This is the first new car I have ever bought.  We researched it very carefully (back in 2001) so that we had a safe car for our family.  This is a very dangerous car at the moment, I would not take it more than 5 miles from home and definitely not on the highway.   I have listed my complaint with the NHTSA, I have called 2 Honda dealers with no offers of assistance, I will call Honda NA on Monday and will most definitely call Jared to see about belonging to a class action suit.  

I have both a 1998 Honda Accord V6 and the 2001 Honda Odessey.  The transmissions in both failed with about 60K miles on the odometer. I had no problems getting the transmission replaced with a rebuilt one at the Honda dealers.  I have switched to synthetic transmission fluid rather than the regular trans fluit. Shifts are firmer and gain about 1-2 mpg on the road with the new fluid in.  I believe that Honda was using the 4 cylinder trans in the V6 and that was part of the problem--couldn't handled the engine's torque and hp. I suspect the rebuilt trans have heavier duty parts including clutches, and springs.  

Bernard  

My '02 Civic died at 95k on 5-13-09.
Always dealer maintained and last in on 4-11-09,
for a noise I heard in the mornings but dealer
could not find problem. Spent $1400., that day for more great service- replace timing belt, fan belts, tune-up and 4 brand new Honda tires. Now they want $2800 for a new tranny that was - no problem found- on 4-11-09. Funny, as I waited for my service and browsing the lot the sales team wanted to buy mine and sell me a new one. They offered me $6k but I think I could get more privately. Thank god I did not sell it privately to some poor soul who would probably be looking for me now. Actually if I deduct the price of the rebuild tranny from the dealers offer the car is basically worth crap.
Honda and the dealers are covering up this problem and padding their bottom line by deceiving buyers. Notice how the warranty runs out and the cars' tranny fails. There is no coincidence here, just plain deception.
Question? Are the Odyssey trannies the same as the civic/accords and vice-versa. Seems alot of honda models are experiencing the same problem. Something smells and it is not transmission fluid.
Where can we get the model numbers for these transmissions.
As a civic owner, can I join the suit? Same tranny?  

Try running your VIN through the NHTSB, see what comes up.  I have emailed Jared on this.  I have had inquiries with relation to Honda Pilots, Acura models.

Penny  

I'm happy to say that Honda made me whole.  
I started having the problems with my transmission about a month ago. My 2002 Odyssey has 93,000 miles. It would all of a sudden start revving RPMs from 2,000 to 4,500 and a few times actually stopped dead in its tracks while I was in traffic.It also did the kicking stuff when changing gears. That really made me concerned. So, I did a search on the Internet to see if any reported similar happenings. I discovered this and another site / board concerning it. Read about 2000 and 2001 and the recall and class action that resulted in many getting "Gifted" new transmissions. Others that were offered transmission but had to pay labor of $750.  
Armed with all this info I went to the Honda Dealership I bought my used van from 3 years and 30,000 fewer miles ago. I went right to the head of the service dept. explained all and added that I was aware of the problems with the 2000-2001 and now with 2002. That a class action suit was won and those with the first two years made good. That there is pending class action suit for same issues in 2002. How are you going to make all well for me and my families Honda, the third Honda we have owned and loved? He said let me check Honda HQ and see what they can do.  Next day he calls me and states that I do have the problems that 2000 and 2001 have and the cost of replacing with new transmission will be $4500. And, Honda will go 90/10 with you on cost. I said I hope in my favor. He says, yes sir your total cost will be $450. I said Let's do it!  In 3 days they had our Honda running like new.
I was ready to hear the $750 deal and or total cost my responsibility. WHEW!  by the way they did not ask as they had from others on here a complete maintenance report.
Good luck all I think you can expect Honda to make you whole. Could be that I bought it from the same dealership I went to that made the difference.  

Penny,

Please help.  You seem to be the leader on this board.  I have a 2000 Odyssey with 118,000.  Trans went 2 weeks ago.  I called my local dealer and they said they can't help me.  What direction do I go?  I can't afford $4000!!!!  I went through 2 trans with my 96 Dodge Grand Caravan and some Honda owners talked me into an Odyssey.  Now I am discussted once again.  Can anyone build a good minivan?

Thanks for anything you can help on.

Derek