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
629 reports, newest first.
Power train, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 75 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Power train, May 3, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM STANDSTILL; AND OCCASIONALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. HAD TRANSM. LUBED AND "FILTER CHANGED" BUT FILTER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CHANGED. IS INTERNAL? MAINT LITE GOES ON AND OFF, MAINLY ON. TCS LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, MAINLY OFF. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 82082 MILEAGE ON IT, AND NOW THE MILEAGE IS 82867, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, WENT TO THE MECHANIC, THEY PULLED OUT P0740 ISSUE, WHICH ACCORDING TO THEM IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, ACCORDING TO THE REVIEWS FOUND ONLINE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA ODYSSEY 1999-2004 MODEL. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE HONDA SHOULD EITHER RECALL ALL THOSE MODEL OR FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHERWISE CUSTOMER LIKE ME WOULD GET RIPPED OFF. *TR
Power train, Apr 22, 2013
IN 2009, AT 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN THE 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY WE BOUGHT NEW. THE DEALER NEGOTIATED WITH HONDA A GOODWILL REPLACEMENT OF A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WHERE WE HAD TO PAY $1471.68. WE WERE NEVER TOLD OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT SHOULD HAVE COVERED ENTIRELY THE FIRST FAILED TRANSMISSION. SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON SCHEDULED AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON OUR CARS AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. ON APRIL 12, 32,000 MILES LATER, THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP INTERMITTENTLY, THEN SERIOUSLY ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK. IT SLIPPED IN LOWER GEARS AND WOULD NOT GO INTO HIGHER GEARS. I BARELY ESCAPED BEING REAR ENDED ON THE WAY HOME AND WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT HOME. WHEN I CONTACTED HONDA AMERICA 7 DAYS AGO, IT TOOK HONDA OVER 1 WEEK BEFORE TELLING US THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANYTHING SINCE WE WERE OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. WE ALSO OWN A 2001 HONDA ACCORD BROUGHT FROM THE SAME DEALER ON THE SAME DAY. WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILED TRANSMISSION AT @ 90,000 MILES WITH THE ACCORD ALSO AND WERE GIVEN A GOODWILL OFFER BY HONDA THAT OFFSET THE COST WE HAD TO PAY. OUR 2001 ACCORD IS A TICKING BOMB WITH 120,000 MILES AND WE WILL NEED TO GET RID OF IT BEFORE IT FAILS ALSO. APPARENTLY THE ORIGINAL AND THE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS ARE DEFECTIVE. I READ ONLINE THAT HONDA DID NOT REBUILD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, BUT ONLY REPLACED THE GEARS THAT FAILED. ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT TRANSMISSION MECHANIC, THERE IS AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED BY A SOFT DISK COMPONENT THAT RUNS VERY HOT THAT CAUSES GEARS TO BE CHEWED UP AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS MEANS THAT REBUILT DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BEING REINSTALLED IN THE CARS WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN BECAUSE THE COMPONENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM WAS NOT REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO DAMAGE THE GEARS. WHAT RECOURSE IS THERE? *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SUDDENLY STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPUTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Power train, Mar 31, 2013
SHIFTING IRREGULAR AND AT IMPROPER RPMS. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN CRUISE AT 70 MPH. I FELT A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND TURNED THE CRUISE OFF. WITHIN 2 SECONDS, I FELT THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT HAVE POWER EITHER. I COULD SMELL FUMES INSIDE THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO SAFETY. LUCKILY FOR THAT SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING REARED. 1ST TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON MY VAN AT 89K MILES. NOW TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT 156K MILES. SO THAT MEANS THE NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED BEFORE EVEN 60K MILES. NOW THE NEW REPLACEMENT I AM TOLD IS GOING TO COST 4000$. THE VAN RESALE VALUE ITSELF IS NOT EVEN THAT MUCH. WILL HONDA PITCH IN TO REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION FOR FREE? *TR
Power train, Mar 24, 2013
THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO SLIP REAL BAD WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *TR
Power train, Mar 15, 2013
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN TO GEAR. WENT IN AND OUT OF SLIPPING GEARS. SHIFTED DOWN TO DRIVE 2 AND DRIVE 1 TO SEE IF THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE SLIPPING, BUT IT DID NOT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, LOUD NOISE HEARD AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN 2008 AT 108,000 DUE TO AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY WHICH RESULTED FROM A 2006 CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION THE FIRST TIME AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE 2ND TRANSMISSION HAD EXPIRED BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE, I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE SO THAT I COULD GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I HAD TO RELY ON OTHERS TO GET ME TO WORK AND BACK HOME FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HONDA ODYSSEY IS STILL SITTING AT MY WORK PARKING LOT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IF I TRY TO DRIVE IT, IT WILL STRAND ME IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ETC. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2013
THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING SO THE VAN STOPPED MOVING. ANY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PADDLE WAS LIKE REVVING IN NEUTRAL. AFTER STOPPING THE VAN FOR ABOUT A MIN AND RESTARTING, WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE DRIVE BUT IT WOULD FAIL AFTER MOVING ABOUT 50 YARDS. SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED A FEW YEARS BACK. *TR
Power train, Feb 21, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. HONDA SAYS THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED 109,000 MILE OR 7 YEAR WARRANTY AND MY CAR IS BEYOND THIS WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WILL COST BETWEEN ABOUT $3,000 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION OR OVER $5,000 FOR A NEW ONE. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH ABOUT $5,000 IF THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM NOW MUCH LESS WITH THIS PROBLEM PROBABLY ONLY ABOUT $1-2,000. THERE IS A WEBSITE HERE DEDICATED TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR HONDA ODYSSEYS WITH MANY FRUSTRATED HONDA OWNERS: HTTP://WWW.ODYSSEYTRANSMISSION.COM/. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2013
I BOUGHT A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY IN AUG 2001 AND IN JUNE 2009 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 98000 MILES. TOOK IT TO WILLIS HONDA (THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ) AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED (WITHIN EXTENDED WARRANTY (93 MONTHS & 109000 MILES) ON MILES AND 2 MONTHS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MONTHS. HONDA AGREED TO FOOT HALF THE COST ($1200) AS A ONE TIME GOODWILL. NOW IT IS 145000 MILES AND THIS WINTER SINCE JANUARY (I LIVE IN NJ) I NOTICE THAT WHEN IT IS COLD AND THE ENGINE IS COLD AND I START DRIVING WITHOUT WARMING UP AROUND 20-25 MPH THE ENGINE REVS (POSSIBLY BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD DOESN'T HAPPEN SMOOTHLY). TOOK IT TO THE WILLIS HONDA WHO HAD INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IN JUNE 2009 (36 MONTH/36000 MILE WARRANTY). IT IS NOW LITTLE OVER 43 MONTHS AND AROUND 47000 MILES ON THIS TRANSMISSION. THEY SAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ($5500) AND THAT REPLACING THE FLUID/FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. ARE TRANSMISSIONS EXPECTED TO LAST ONLY 47000 MILES. I THINK HONDA IS SELLING BAD EQUIPMENT. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2013
EXPERIENCED INITIAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS ERRATIC SHIFTING, SLIPPING, WHINING, AND FLASHING "D" LIGHT. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY HONDA. CURRENTLY, AT 118,000 MILES, THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. THIS IS 42, 000 MILES AND 4 YEARS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. HONDA SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP WITH ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. AFTER SPEAKING TO A FEW TRANSMISSION TECH'S, THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PLACEMENT AND MATERIAL OF THE TRANSMISSION FILTER WHICH CAUSES THE FAILURES. *TR
Suspension, Feb 13, 2013
PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT. HEARD IT AGAIN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AT END OF BLOCK. EXITED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING VISIBLE WRONG WITH TIRE. PROCEEDED 1/2 MILE DOWN NEXT STREET AND CAME TO A STOP AT LIGHT, UPON WHICH I HEARD ANOTHER NOISE FOLLOWED BY A METAL CLANK. I AGAIN EXITED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND 3/4 OF FULL COIL NEAR MY TIRE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY UPON WHICH IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL HAD CRACKED AND DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT STRUTS/COILS AND RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE REAR SHOCKS AS WELL. HONDA CORPORATE DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS BEING A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER I DO SEE REPORTS ON LINE OF OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 12, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR AND THE D4 FLASHES AND THE TCS LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON CONSTANTLY- WAS TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. DID RESEARCH ON IT AND CALLED HONDA AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS BUT IT HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT ENDED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT- AS I AM 2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE. ALL OTHER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON TIME OR EARLY I HAD IT A YEAR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DO THIS. THE HONDA DEALER TRIED TO TALK ME INTO TRADING IT IN FOR A NEWER MODEL FOR LESS PAYMENTS THAN I WAS MAKING ON BUT I OWN IT OUT RIGHT BOUGHT FROM THEM! THEY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION AND KEEP SELLING THEM!!!! *TR
Power train, Jan 29, 2013
DRIVING TO SCHOOL ABOUT 25 MPH, THE TSC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND P4 TRANSMISSION LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR. I TRIED TO LIMP IT BACK HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE ONE BLOCK TO GET IT HOME. I PLUGGED IN MY ENGINE SCAN TOOL AND IT WAS READING A P0730 CODE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND DISCUSSED IT WITH HIM. HIS DATABASE INDICATES MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH ODYSSEYS AND THAT THE RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Jan 11, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WITH ABRUPT CHANGE AT 3RD GEAR. THIS IS A SIGN OF PREMATURE TRANSMISSION WEAR THAT WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE YET EXPERIENCED THAT MANY OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ITEMS. WE ARE SURPRISED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Jan 5, 2013
WE WERE DRIVING FROM INDIANA TO FLORIDA. ABOUT 100 MILES FROM OUR DESTINATION THE CHECK ENGINE AND TCS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHLY BETWEEN GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER AND WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF MORE THAN $5,000. *TR
Power train, Dec 28, 2012
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH RPM AS I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. USED HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN DRIVERS BEHIND ME. *TR
Steering, Power train, Dec 20, 2012
OUR VAN HAS 79,000 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3 WEEKS AGO TO REPLACE A PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISSION. 2 DAYS AFTER REPLACEMENT, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER TELLS US THAT WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST $6000. CALLED AMERICAN HONDA WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THEY'D ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION UP TO 100,000 MILES BUT LIMITED TO 7 YEARS AFTER COMPLAINTS LED TO REALIZATION THAT TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEM. DESPITE OUR MILEAGE BEING LOW, HONDA REFUSES TO HELP ON THESE REPAIRS. IF HONDA WILL WARRANTY ITS PRODUCT TO 100,000 MILES AFTER REALIZING THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, WHY SHOULD WE NOT BENEFIT FROM THAT EVEN IF OUR VAN IS 10 YEARS OLD? STILL ONLY 79,000 MILES ON THAT TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Dec 18, 2012
STARTED GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WENT TO DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CAME WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HONDA HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE AS IT SEEMS LIKE A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL AND HAVE REFUSED ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY $5328. *TR
Engine, Dec 17, 2012
I NOTICED THAT ENGINE OIL GOES MORE THAN A QUART LOW AFTER 2500 MILES. IN JULY, BEFORE AN OIL CHANGE THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. BUT THIS DECEMBER, IT CAN BE CONFIRMED THAT OIL DOES GO LOW. I WILL CONTINUOUSLY OBSERVE HOW MUCH THE OIL GOES LOW PER 1000 MILES. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS AROUND THE ENGINE OR THE OIL FILTER. *TR
Power train, Dec 16, 2012
IN JUNE OF 2009, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, HAD IT REPAIRED AT A HONDA DEALER - GOT A 3 YEAR, 36K MILE WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2012. CALLED HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Nov 14, 2012
WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOWERED DRIVING SPEED AND CONTINUED DRIVING TO DESTINATION. TOOK VAN INTO A FOREIGN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER CHECKING THE VAN USING COMPUTER, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD BE ABLE TO TRAVEL HOME AND ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AS SOON AS I RETURNED. . RETURNED THE VAN TO HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WOULD COST $6,000. TOOK VAN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL COST; $ 2,250.
Power train, Oct 31, 2012
VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, ENDANGERING PEDESTRIANS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN WORKING ORDER WITH A MINIMUM ABOUT OF WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER TRAIN. *TR