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Derek,

I am simply another spec in the cog with this, just trying to continual sort through the mess and help others where I can.

Did you have the engine oil jet kit installed as yours would be part of the first class action suit, you should have received a recall notice from Honda (although Honda seemed to be selective whom they sent the notice too), you are under the terms of the first class action, I believe they also extended the mileage warranty on those, 113,000??  Go to the NHTSB site and key in your VIN, pull up the recall notice regarding the van.  Take it to Honda remind them, they are under a legal obligation to assist you.  Also, call Honda Customer Service and open up a case file, make sure you document everything and have your service records infront of you.  Honda's number one criteria before they will goodwill or assist you, you must show you serviced the van, specifically transmission fluid changes.  

You are barely over the mileage extension mark, don't give up.  Persistence pays off, you must be willing to go the distance with Honda.

Yes, rumour has it, Toyota builds a much better van.

Let me know how things go.

Penny  

Penny,
 I'm the latest member of the "I just got screwed by Honda" club.  2001 Odyssey 105K.  They say not only do I need a new transmission ($4020) but the front and side motor mounts ($847) too.  Are these problems related?  Dealer said the mounts were just simple wear issues.  Never heard of that.  Just for the fun of it they think I should spend another $795 for a timing belt, $350 for spark plugs, $350 for 105k service and $250 for fuel injection flush.... grand total of $6612. I also just sent an email to Jared tonight seeking and thoughts he might have for me.  

I also have problems with my 2000 Odyssey transmission but was unaware it was a known honda issue.  We went to a tranmission place instead of honda for repair.  Can we still join a class action suit to get our money back?  Our transmission failure happened last November at around 85,000 miles but Honda never mentioned anything about this being a common problem or that they would help to repair it.  How could this be?  Who is Jared and where can I find his email address?

Many thanks,
Sue  

I recently purchased a 1998 Honday Odyssey EX, 105,000 miles.  Low mileage vehicle and nicely kept inside and out, CarFax checked out great with one owner and regular maintenance.  Unfortunately, less than 1 week after owning it, seems like we may have the same issues as many of the newer model Odyssey owners...dirty transmission fluid with particulates, slipping transmission, loud thud when going from park into any other gear.  Anyone know if Honda might help out with the repairs since it seems to be a common problem not only with Odysseys, but also this model year Accords?  

Unbelievable! That's all I can say. I'm putting a third transmission in my 2000 Odyssey with 173,000 miles. Same problem with the engine mounts. Like someone else said, this is why I won't buy Chrysler products anymore. Add Honda to that list!

Here's an idea: Hey Honda, replace all faulty transmissions at your cost. You'd have hundreds of satisfied customers who would be customers for life!!! Imagine how many people I'm telling about the third transmission in a 173k mile Honda. They say, "I thought Honda had a good product..." As far as I'm concerned, they aren't much better than a Chrysler. And everyone sees what's going on with Chrysler these days. I hope Honda goes under, too. Someone on their board needs to step up and do the right thing. They have a faulty product. Deal with it! Don't keep passing the cost to the customer. At some point, they'll run out of those--just ask Chrysler!

We should all sign a pact that we will never buy another Honda and that we will encourage everyone we know to do the same. Money is the only word that matters to these folks. Not another dollar from my wallet...  

I would have to disagree with you on the 2003. We own the 03 Odyssey which we purchased new in September of 2002.  The van has only 69,000 miles on it and has had all the regular scheduled maintenance done and almost all of it at Honda service. With the exception of two visits to Liberty Bay Auto that has a certified Honda mechanic working for them.  The only reason I went to there was I got tired of the poor service I was receiving from my local Honda service department and didn't want to drive over an hour to Seattle, the next closest dealer, just to have the oil changed.  Last week I took the van in because it was hesitating a little and when I was driving at lower RPM's or starting from a stop it wouldn't accelerate but the engine would rev, it felt like it was in nuetral. We were told  that we need a new transmission or to have it overhauled.  Needless to say my husband and I were floored.  We have always had such trust in Honda vehicles and have been loyal owners for twice over.  Our service adviser told us that there was a warranty extension for the 99-01 but not ours.  He also advised that we have the transmission drained every two years because Honda engines don't have filters.  If that is the reason for its failure then it should be part of their regularly scheduled maintenance - but it is not so it's obviously not a problem.  We had also purchased a warranty extension when we bought the vehicle that was to last 6yrs/100,000.  Well that expired 9 months ago and won't do us any good now.  When my husband called Honda they said they would look into it but didn't show any record of a warranty extension.  I was suppose to hear back from Honda by today but so far nothing.  I put another call into our case manager but he hasn't returned my call.  I get the sense that this will go no where and would be interested in joining the class action law suit that Penny mentioned if this Jared is going to open up another one.  Please advise me if I should contact him to join in the suit.  

Quick question... What is the NHTSB site?  Thanks.  

OK folks.  Here we go...our 2001 Odyssey is on its 3rd transmission which just died yesterday on a lengthy family roadtrip stranding our family of 4 by the side of the road with the nearest city 50 miles away.    This will be our Odyssey's 4th transmission and we have just a shade over 95k miles of ordinary family driving.   4 TRANSMISSIONS IN 8 YEARS AND 95K MILES.   This vehicle makes the Edsel and the Ford Pinto look like a Bentley.    Honda paid for the first 2 failures in full but are now balking at paying for this one.   Originally they said they would contribute nothing to this failure...nothing.   After some harsh conversation they agreed to pay $2000 of the $3000 cost.    Nevermind the extra cost for an unexpected hotel stay, towing the piece of trash to a dealership 50 miles away, car rental, etc. and the unmeasurable cost of missing a family funeral.    AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I think any ratonal judge will agree that 4 transmissions in this length of time is unreasonable.    I am going to sue Honda regardless of whether it's part of a class suit or not.   I don't care if I lose...I know what lawyers cost and I will force Honda to eat legal fees defending their case in excess of the cost of the stupid transmission.   What I don't get is how Honda is allowing their once-stellar reputation to be damaged by their inaction...doesn't make any sense.   I have a 13 and 15 year old...both kids entering their "car buying years".   The future value of their puchases should make Honda want to do the right thing from an economic standpoint....forget the moral obligation.    It is disgusting to see this happen as we have been lifelong Honda customers and am now on the verge of forbidding anyone in our family to purchase or own a Honda.   The rental facility actually had a Honda available for rental...I politely declined.

Sick, disgusted, mad, and perfectly willing to prosecute to the bitter end.

I will contact the class lawyer but any other lawyers willing to take this on a contingency basis, you're welcome to contact me.   I'm pissed.  

Same issue, same van, and I was told the same scripted story by the customer service rep and am now in need of a 3rd transmission. Is there anyone else we can escalate this issue to besides Customer Service at America Honda? Where is their administrative headquarters and corporate and C-level contact info? Please let me know who you've spoken to and if you are making any progress on the class action suit. I am finding countless victims on various auto consumer complaint threads who were also violated. I find the ignorance to this issue to be quite disturbing. Outside of this transmission issue, I have found these vans to operate flawlessly. I'm saddened to see such a quality loopback break-down in their customer service.

I'm not looking for a suit against them. However, since they extended the original warranty on these transmissions to 100k but are not willing to honor the same warranty for any replacement transmissions they issue for the same vehicle then this seems to be a clear cut case to me. So I do take exception and will file a suit if not remedied.  Please get back to me. I am contacting my attorneys this week since this is a business vehicle being pulled out of service and thus now a business matter that I will require my attorneys to go resolve.

I have to admit, I am quite shocked to see them take a consumer rejection posture rather than ponying up to the fact they have a quality issue that is impacting many of their loyal customers who will more than likely not go back to them for their next purchase. Not with this level of customer care.

Thanks,

Eric  

My 2001 odyssey 's transmission almost dead...The Fremont Automall Honda insulted me with 5% compensation.  

Any legal action suggestion now? Anyone? 2001 odyssey, original owner...Luckily nothing happened to me and my two little girls. I basically bought this minivan because of the safety concern for the children....
Yesterday morning when I drove my kids to the music class, the car is shaking and we are all horrified in the car...Called my husband and he told me to drove to nearby local asian owned bodyshop for check out...Then we realized its a huge problem that this car has and no body had informed us ever before...( Busy young family life really isolate me from a lot of info if its not BIG NEWS out there )Drove to dealer this morning, and get back an answer of 5% back only ( Bec over 10K miles )... Which is really an insult. Thinking back, the problem is always there ( sign of oil leaking and stuff ) , but the dealer never address this issue when we went for maintainence...What a dishonest Honda...How many family are in danger in this dangerous car without knowning it like us? God forbid if anything happened...  

You need to have the odyssey diagnosed.  Find out what codes are coming up, specifically..you are looking for the dreaded P0740 code.  It sounds to me like yes, it will be the transmission by the symptoms you have described.  Once it has been diagnosed, call Jared to let him know and give all of your information.

Penny  

National Highway & Transportation Safety Board in US.

Penny  

Eric,

You can try the President of American Honda, the headquarters in Japan also.

It has been suggested consumers also complain to the NHTSB or Transport Canada.  It is my understanding the NHTSB has literally hundreds of complaints regarding this matter, yet, they have done absolutely nothing.

Penny  

Check with the NHTSB to see if your vehicle is eligible for the recall with the original Class Action regarding Ody's (99-01's).  I also suggest you contact Jared's office.

Penny