2001 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 629 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 19 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 57 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 20V027000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
335 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 30, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE JERKED AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 15 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UPSHIFT. WHEN IT DID, IT SHIFTED VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SURGE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,342 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,152.
Power train, Sep 29, 2007
MY 2001 ODYSSEY IS NOW ON ITS FIFTH TRANSMISSION; THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED FOUR TIMES. DEALER KEEPS REPLACING MY FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS WITH REBUILT FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ANY MORE; I'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TOO MANY TIMES BECAUSE HONDA & DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO INSTALL A RELIABLE TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS SAID IT IS FOLLOWING THE WARRANTY BY INSTALLING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND SAYS "NEW" TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2007
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT FIRST HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE REPLACED THEN HE RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF BILL OF SALE AND MOTORVEHICLE CONSUMER COMPLAINT FORM. *TR
Power train, Dec 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF JUST BEFORE ALL POWER FAILED IN THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Power train, Dec 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A CLUCK NOISE WAS NOTICED FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES WAS CANCELLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED THE CANCELLATION WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT A USED VEHICLE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD IT AS A SALVAGED VEHICLE, WHICH WAS TOTALLY REPAIRED AND CERTIFIED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AS SAFE TO BE OPERATED.
Power train, Aug 29, 2006
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT AND LOST ALL GEARS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON JULY 6 ,2006 THE SHIFT SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 TRANSMISSION'S. UPDATED 09/19/06. *JB
Power train, Jun 13, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEW TRANS INSTALLED AND FAILED SOON THEREAFTER. THE TRANS WENT INTO 2ND GEAR AT HIGH SPEED AND MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP FRONT WHEELS. IF PAVEMENT WAS WET AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. I THEN FOUND TROUBLE SYMPTOMS IS COMMON AND FACTORY HAS NO PERMANENT FIX FOR PATTERN FAILURE DEFECT. *NM
Power train, Jun 13, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEW TRANS INSTALLED AND FAILED SOON THEREAFTER. THE TRANS WENT INTO 2ND GEAR AT HIGH SPEED AND MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP FRONT WHEELS. IF PAVEMENT WAS WET AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. I THEN FOUND TROUBLE SYMPTOMS IS COMMON AND FACTORY HAS NO PERMANENT FIX FOR PATTERN FAILURE DEFECT. *NM
Power train, May 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT ONLY A MATTER OF DISAGREEMENT WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONCERNING PAYMENT OF REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, May 16, 2006
2001 HONDA ODYSSEY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND SLIDING DOORS. *JB
Power train, May 15, 2006
I OWN A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT 86K MILES. IT WAS REPLACED "FREE OF CHARGE" UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION WAS GUARANTEED FOR 1 YR OR 12K MILES. I COMMUNICATED MY FRUSTRATION WITH THE WARRANTY OF 100K ON THE FIRST TRANSMISSION AND ONLY 12K ON THE NEW/IMPROVED ONE? WHEN I SPOKE TO HONDA CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS GIVEN THE BROKEN RECORD ABOUT THE 1 YR/12K MILE FREE REPLACEMENT. I STILL ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT IT IS NOT FAIR TO ASSURE THIS CUSTOMER THAT THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION WAS GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR AND I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THEIR SUPERVISOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BUCK STOPPED HERE AND THERE WAS NO HIGHER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. AT THE TIME, I WAS FRUSTRATED BUT HAD NOWHERE TO TURN. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE HONDA CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND THE CENTRAL REP PRETTY MUCH SHUT ME DOWN. LITTLE DID I KNOW AT THE TIME THAT MY NEW/IMPROVED REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WOULD IN 35K MILES GO OUT AGAIN. THE TCS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AWHILE WITH THE EGR CODE AND THE 1559 CODE SHOWING. I SEE THERE IS AN ONGOING THEME BASED ON PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS. THIS IS THE SAME THING. THE VAN ROLLS WHEN I AM ON AN INCLINE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, I CANNOT AFFORD A 5K REPLACEMENT AND CANNOT RISK DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. MY WIFE IS USING THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT KIDS IN HER CHILDREN'S SERVICES JOB AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Power train, Feb 24, 2006
RECALL ( TRANSMISSION HONDA ODYSSEY 2001 )*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 3, 2005
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND KNOCKING. THE MALFUNCTION LOCKS UP THE TRANSMISSION WHILE IN MOTION AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMETIMES UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT MAKING HARD TO SLOW DOWN. THE EGR VALVE SYSTEM IS ALSO CLOGGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE POORLY AND POLLUTING THE AIR. *JB
Power train, Oct 18, 2005
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS *JB
Power train, Sep 12, 2005
WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED (AS AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT), AND THEN ACCELERATED TO MOVE, THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATES. SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE INTENSITY IS ANYWHERE FROM A MODERATE BUMP TO ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO ??SQUEAL?? AND LOOSE TRACTION. THE SAME SENSATION OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO THE NEXT GEAR. IN REVIEWING THESE CONDITIONS ON THE INTERNET, THE REPAIR IS A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE OBD CODE IS A P0740. HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND VOLUNTARILY REPLACING THIS TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY DESTINED AND SOLD WITH IN THE US. MY HONDA WAS PURCHASED IN THE US AND IS REGISTERED IN THE US [NORTH CAROLINA] BUT WAS ORIGINALLY DESTINED AND SOLD IN CANADA. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MINE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT IS WHAT THEY TERM A GRAY?? VEHICLE [A TERM HONDA USA USES TO REPRESENT VEHICLES THAT ARE NOW IN THE US, BUT WERE DELIVERED TO A CANADIAN DEALER]. HONDA HAS SAID THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION IS IF THERE IS A RECALL FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, SOMETHING THEY DO NOT EXPECT TO OCCUR SINCE THEY ARE VOLUNTARILY DOING IT FOR US VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE US AND IS REGISTERED IN THE US AND SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME AS OTHER US VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCHES THIS CAN EVOLVE TO FAILURE MODES OF SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WITHOUT NOTICE AND AT ANY SPEED. CURRENTLY THE FREQUENCY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING IS NOW 60% -70% OF THE TIME. THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THESE SYMPTOMS AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED VOLUNTARILY INDICATE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH A POTENTIAL FATAL FAILURE MODE. SINCE A RECALL IS THE ONLY MECHANISM TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED THAT REQUIRES ALL 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY REGISTERED IN THE US SHOWING THESE SYMPTOMS TO HAVE THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED. NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE PERMITTED. *NM
Power train, Sep 8, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILURE,TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SHIFTING ERRATICALLY,EGR VALVE CODE, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP ADVISOR REPORTED TO ME THAT THE FAILURE IS A RECALL. HONDA WILL NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM. HONDA WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT ME PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. ALL SERVICE ITEMS ALWAYS COMPLIED WITH @ HONDA DEALERSHIPS ACCORDING TO MANUAL SCHEDULING. *JB
Power train, Aug 26, 2005, crash
GEAR SHIFT IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEAR (SHIFT FROM PARK) WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO FOOT ON THE BRAKE. CHILD PULLED ON GEAR SHIFT AND CAR ROLLED INTO STREET AND NEIGHBOR'S LAWN. FORTUNATELY, NO INJURIES. CAR BEING TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. *JB
Power train, Aug 25, 2005
TRANSMISSION DEFECT, FAILURE OF DEALER TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY
Power train, Jul 27, 2005
AT 83,000 MILES THE SECOND TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FAILED (REGISTERED IN MY WIFE'S NAME, LYNN ROESSLER). ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 43,000 MILES IN 2003 AND WAS REPLACED BY HONDA UNDER WARRANTY. IN JULY 2005 THE SECOND TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, D4 LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK, TCS LIGHT CAME ON. RETURNED CALL TO HONDA DEALER, WHO AGAIN REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND LEFT INBOARD JOINT. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE NOW HAVE A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TWO TRANSMISSIONS I HAVE HAD SO FAR HAVE LASTED, ON AVERAGE, ABOUT 41,000 MILES.
Power train, May 11, 2005
I PURCHASED A NEW 2001 HONDA, ODYSSEY IN MAY OF 2001. AS OF TODAY, MAY 2005, I AM PRESENTLY AWAITING MY 5TH TRANSMISSION TO BE PUT IN THE VAN. MY CAR MEETS ALL OF THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO QUALIFY AS LEMON UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE, AND AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY PREFER TO BE SUED. I PAID $32,000.00 FOR THIS VAN, AND THEY WILL NOT DO THE DECENT THING. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN.
Power train, May 1, 2005
I HAVE A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY EX MINIVAN. WHEN AT A STOP, FACING UPHILL IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT ROLLS AS IF IT WERE A VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, OR AS IF YOU WERE IN NEUTRAL. PARKED FACING DOWNHILL, THAN STARTING IN REVERSE (BACKING UP THE HILL) THE SAME PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF, BUT IT IS EVEN WORSE. THIS HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AS WE HAVE ADJUSTED TO THIS UNUSUAL SITUATION, AS ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILES WE HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST DOI NOT BEHAVE IN THIS MANNER. THEY "HOLD" ON HILLS, AT LEAST MOMENTARILY, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED AND THE AUTOMOBILE IS IN DRIVE. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED WHILE THE DRIVERS DISCIOVERD THIS FLAW AND ADJUSTED THEIR DRIVING HABITS (IT'S A LOT LIKE DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION). I CONTACTED MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS IS "NORMAL" WITH THESE VANS AND ACCORD AUTOMOBILES.
Power train, Mar 28, 2005
AT APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY FAILED. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED BY AN EXTENSION OF THE BASIC WARRANTY OF 36,000 MILES AS HONDA IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED AT 67,000 MILES AND WAS ALSO REPLACED BY HONDA. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WITH ANYTHING BUT THE SAME FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I REQUESTED HONDA TO EXTEND THE NEW TRANSMISSION'S WARRANTY PERIOD TO 100,000 MILES FROM THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT BUT WAS REFUSED MY REQUEST. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AND ARE INSTALLING DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MINE AND OTHER VEHICLES. I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA LOOK INTO OTHERS (AS THERE ARE MANY) REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS AND FIND OUT IF MY EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE OR PART OF A TREND. I CAN BE CONTACTED TO SUPPLY EVIDENCE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO FAILURE TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES OF THE MANUFACTURER. *JB
Power train, Mar 28, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. TRANSMISSION OBVIOUSLY HAS DESIGN FLAWS. WAS REPAIRED BUT THE BASIC DESIGN FLAWS WERE NOT CORRECTED. BEARING FAILURE COULD HAVE LEAD TO WHEEL LOCK UP AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Mar 16, 2005
NEAR DEATH/ACCIDENT EXPERIENCES =4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES= 2 REPLACEMENTS SINCE NEW PURCHASE EGR VALVE REPLACED= SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. IT WAS NOT EVEN ADDRESSED. JERKY ACTIONS IN VEHICLE AGGRAVATE INJURY. STRANDED IN GA. ON XMAS HOLIDAY. LOSS OF VISITATION, VACATION AND HONEYMOON. TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED (NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT), IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT WARRANTY EXTENDED LIFELONG, (WITHOUT PROOF OF DOCUMENTATION). ROTORS WARPING. DEALER (OWNER) STATES, THEY JUST SELL VEHICLES, THEY DON'T MAKE THE VEHICLES.*AK
Power train, Nov 2, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB