2002 Honda Odyssey

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 972 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 972

Of the 2002 reports, 45 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 44 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train613 reports · 63% of complaints
Owner complaints972Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train613
  2. Air bags101
  3. Structure55
  4. Engine and engine cooling43
  5. Electrical system36
  6. Vehicle speed control34
  7. Service brakes33
  8. Engine27

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

    Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

    An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

    Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 26, 2018

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

    Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

    Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

    Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

    Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bagsNov 4, 2014

    American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004

    ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

    GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

    ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

    Campaign 04V176000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Engine and engine cooling, engineAug 28, 2002

    ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

    IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

    Campaign 02V226000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

972 reports, newest first.

  1. Power train, Oct 30, 2010

    WE OWN A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON IT AT 70000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED BY HONDA. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AGAIN AT 114000 MILES. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE. HONDA SAYS THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON "GOOD WILL" REPLACEMENTS. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE AUTOMOBILE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED AND LABELED AS SUCH. *TR

  2. Power train, Oct 27, 2010

    PURCHASED 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2010 AT APPROX. 82,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. AFTER RESEARCHING WE FOUND OUT A TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP DUE TO THIS ISSUE CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT OUR FAMILY OF 3 SMALL KIDS ALL UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE. WE CONTACTED HONDA AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SINCE WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS HONDA REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANYTHING. WE CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO HELP US RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR

  3. Power train, Oct 26, 2010

    I HAVE A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER OF COMPLAINT BECAUSE IN ONLY 9 YEARS THE VAN IS NOW NEEDING A THIRD TRANSMISSION. THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER "REBUILT" TRANSMISSION BY A HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 01/26/05 WHEN THE CAR ONLY HA 31499 MILES. IT SEIZED UP SUDDENLY AFTER A REGULAR SERVICE AND WAS RENDERED DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW, 5 YEARS AND 60K MILES LATER, THE SAME TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE WHEEL BASE STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WE DID MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT HAS SUCH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

  4. Power train, Oct 25, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEENR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

  5. Power train, Oct 21, 2010, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT COULD SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNED OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

  6. Power train, Oct 8, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE AGAIN, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TROUBLE ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SO IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE INVOLVED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

  7. Power train, Sep 30, 2010

    I AM A 2ND OWNER OF A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY AND SHORTLY AFTER OWNING IT I FELT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT AS CLEAN IN SHIFTING AS IT SHOULD BE. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIPS PERFORM EXTRA TRANS FLUSHES AS EXTRA PRECAUTIONARY EFFORTS BUT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRANS IS ON ITS WAY OUT. I FEEL THAT HONDA HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THE TRANS PROBLEM THOROUGHLY AND NOW I COULD BE HELD PAYING THE BILL ONCE IT IS REPLACED. THE TRANS CONSTANTLY STICKS BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEAR AND OFTEN WILL GO THROUGH A MILD TO MAJOR SHUDDER (LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS). TO THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD ALL IS NORMAL TO REPLACE THE TRANS BY VARYING DEALERSHIPS. *TR

  8. Power train, Sep 26, 2010

    2002 HONDA ODYSSEY NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION WELL BEFORE IT SHOULD HAVE. DEALER DID REPLACE AT NO COST DUE TO EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER I'VE SEEN OTHER ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSIONS ON 2002 ODYSSEYS SO WANTED TO DOCUMENT THIS ISSUE WITH MINE. *TR

  9. Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 22, 2010

    IN MAY, 2010, SRS LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED AIR BAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED OPDS WARRANTY. IN AUG 2010, SRS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER DIAGNOSED SRS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE AND NOTED AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS AN IMPACT. NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH HONDA VEHICLES. *TR

  10. Power train, Sep 20, 2010

    OWN A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. VEHICLE SLIPS IN AND OUT OF TRANSMISSION GEAR. SHIFTS SOMEWHAT HARD WHEN PLACED INTO REVERSE AND THEN INTO DRIVE. WAS TOLD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED SOMEWHERE IN '04 OR '05 THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PROBLEM LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LOOKED ON INTERNET AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE '02 ODYSSEY. MY VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 90,000 MILES ON IT. OTHER ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IS WHEN VEHICLE IS AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 RPM AND BEING DRIVEN AT APPROX. 55 MPH...FEEL A VIBRATION. IF I GO FASTER OR SLOWER THAN APPROX. 55 MPH, DON'T FEEL IT. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN THE RPM IS AT APPROX. 1500 AND I HAVE FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. HONDA DEALERSHIP (EBERSOLE IN LEBANON, PA) STATED THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE COST AND STATED WARRANTY IS NO LONGER VALID. BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED FROM EARLIER ODYSSEY VERSION WHICH HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON. *TR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY FOLLOWED BY AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL THUMP AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE THIRD CRANK SHAFT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

  12. Power train, Sep 7, 2010

    TRANSMISSION "INTERNAL FAILURE" AS STATED BY HONDA DEALER. SYMPTOMS: HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEARS. PRONOUNCED STUTTER/STALL WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 30 MPH TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS - SAFETY CONCERN WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY AND CAR STALLS/STUTTERS. *TR

  13. Power train, Aug 24, 2010

    2002 HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 100,650 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEED TRANSMISSION "CLUNKED" INTO GEAR WHILE SHIFTING. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HENDRICK HONDA OF WOODBRIDGE, VA AND THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED OR IT COULD SUDDENLY CEASE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY, HONDA OF AMERICA, SAID THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION - I PAID THEM $4300 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. BECAUSE THE ODYSSEY IS KNOWN TO HAVE AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE I EXPECTED FOR HONDA TO PAY 50% OF THE COST. I TALKED TO THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HONDA OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSES. LESS THAN A MONTH AGO I PURCHASED A NEW HONDA FROM THIS DEALERSHIP AND WAS TREATED VERY POORLY BY ALL PARTIES I TALKED WITH. I HAVE BOUGHT HONDA VEHICLES FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

  14. Power train, Aug 23, 2010

    ON MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT 3 TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED IT ALL THE TIMES. SO I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS? *TR

  15. Power train, Aug 19, 2010

    2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE ROAD/HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE THE NEXT GEAR (3RD) AND 'SLIPS' - FREEWHEELS AS IF IN NEUTRAL! MULTIPLE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING UP A HILL, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET INTO THE TRAFFIC STREAM! HONDA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DESIGN FLAW WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND KEEPS REPLACING THEM WITH 'BROKEN' ONES!! THE HONDA DEALER SAYS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE ON ODYSSEYTRANSMISSION.COM, THAT TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN ABOUT 30-40K MILES!! *TR

  16. Power train, Aug 19, 2010

    I HAVE A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. IT HAS TRANSMISSION SLIPPING PROBLEM SINCE LAST YEAR (BEFORE 107550 MILES). NOW THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, THE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER SHOWED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER IS NOT HELPFUL. HONDA AMERICA IS NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY RELIEF, AND TOLD ME MY ODYSSEY IS NOT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS MY FIRST HONDA. I PURCHASED HONDA BECAUSE ITS QUALITY, BUT SEEMS TO BE FOOLED. BASED ON SO MANY COMPLAINS FOUND FROM THE WEB (MANY MIGHT NOT POST AT ALL), AND ALSO BASED ON SO CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION, IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT HONDA KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THEIR TRANSMISSION, BUT DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT AND TAKE ITS RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

  17. Power train, Aug 19, 2010

    2002 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

  18. Power train, Aug 19, 2010

    I HAVE OWNED A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL SINCE NEW. AT 140,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND THE DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON WITH BUCKING AND HIGH RPMS OF THE ENGINE MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER SAID IT NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL UNIT AT A $5000.00 COST. HONDA OF AMERICA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY HELP EVEN THOUGH RECALL 04V176000 WAS DONE ON VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE ENTIRE TRANSMISSIONS AND PROVIDE OWNERS WITH RELIEF FROM THESE COSTLY REPAIRS. HONDA WILL NOT HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD NOT LAST. *TR

  19. Steering, Aug 16, 2010, crash

    I WAS ON 128 N IN MASS. AT 5:15PM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE 2ND LANE FROM THE RIGHT NEAR EXIT 35. A SEDAN ON THE RIGHT-HAND LANE CAME TOO CLOSE TO MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY AND I SWERVED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID IT, WHILE STILL STAYING ON MY LANE. AFTER THAT, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN AND THE CAR STARTED WEAVING. I SIGNALED AND WENT OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE AND TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, BUT IT WENT TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. THANKFULLY, MY TWO PASSENGERS AND I WERE UNHURT, BUT THE VAN WAS TOTALED. THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD SEEN THE VAN WEAVING AND SLOWED DOWN AND IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT THE ODYSSEY DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER CAR. WE SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WHO COULD GIVE NO SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION ABOUT THE CAR'S SUDDEN FAILURE. THE VAN HAD 102,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, HAD RECENTLY PASSED INSPECTION, HAD NEW TIRES AND HAD AN UP-TO-DATE SERVICE RECORD. WHILE WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE PHYSICALLY UNHARMED, THE SHOCK AND TRAUMA STAYED FOR A LONG TIME AND I CAN ONLY BRING MYSELF TO TALK ABOUT IT AFTER MANY MONTHS. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON, MA, WHERE I HAD REGULARLY TAKEN THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 2002. *TR

  20. Power train, Aug 16, 2010

    I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RPMS STARTED ACCELERATING AND SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE CAR. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE FIRST EXIT, MY CAR WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO ABOUT 30 MILES AND HOUR. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS A GAS STATION WITHIN .5MILES THAT I MADE IT TO SAFELY WITH MY TWO YOUNG BOYS. WE LIVE IN ALABAMA AND TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN IN THE HIGH 90'S. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GAS STATION, OTHERWISE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES TO BE STUCK IN THE CAR OR OUTSIDE. THE HONDA DEALER SAYS OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 160,000 MILES ON IT BUT WE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 120,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF TROUBLE WITH ANY OTHER CAR THAT WE HAVE OWNED. WE DO NOT TOW WITH THE MINIVAN. I CERTAINLY FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT AND THAT HONDA SHOULD ADMIT TO THE DEFECT. *TR

  21. Power train, Aug 14, 2010

    I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT AN ON-RAMP ONTO I-80 IN MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY. AS I ACCELERATED TO MATCH THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STARTED BUCKING VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE REVVED RATHER THAN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS MERGING IN FRONT OF NEEDED TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID HITTING ME. OTHER VEHICLES COMING UP BEHIND ME, INCLUDING A LARGE TRUCK, NEEDED TO SLOW AND CHANGE LANES TO AVOID HITTING ME. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPORTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 150,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD FIRST NOTICED ROUGH SHIFTING AT APPROX. 65,000, BUT NEVER SO BAD AS HAPPENED IN THIS INCIDENT. *TR

  22. Power train, Aug 11, 2010

    TRANSMISSION STOPS WORKING(SLIPS) WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD.(2002 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 87K MILES.(THANKFUL WE WERE NOT ON INTERSTATE AT A HIGHER SPEED). *TR

  23. Power train, Aug 10, 2010

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK VAN TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CODE WAS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IT STARTED AT 90000 MILES AND HAS BECOME WORST, DEALER WANTS $ 4600 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND EVERYBODY I'VE MET WITH A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.THE VAN JUST SETS NOW, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS TO MUCH TO DRIVE,HONDA KNOWS THESE VANS HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AND IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE VAN. ONE THING I NOTICED WAS DURING THE COLD MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION RARELY SLIPPED, BUT WHEN IT'S WARM OR HOT OUTSIDE THEN IT SLIPS, AND IF YOU DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY THE CHECK ENGINE WILL GO OUT FOR A WHILE, AND IF THE DRIVE LIGHT STARTS TO FLASH, YOU CAN SHUT ENGINE OFF WHILE MOVING OR SITTING STILL AND THE DRIVE LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, AND IT WILL DRIVE A LITTLE BETTER FOR A LITTLE WHILE, ALSO IF YOUR DRIVING AND IT WON'T SHIFT, I HAVE TO COAST AND LET THE RPM DROP DOWN AND EASE ON THE GAS AND IT WILL CLUNK AND SHIFT HARD INTO GEAR. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS TO DRIVE MY FAMILY OR ME SAFELY ON THE HIGHWAY. I'LL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN!!!!!! *TR

  24. Vehicle speed control, Aug 9, 2010

    MY 2002 HONDA ODDYSEY HAD SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATED TWICE THIS YEAR. BOTH OF THEM OCCURRED WHEN I STOPPED IT ON A RED LIGHT. ABOUT 5 SECONDS, IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, AND STOPPED FOR ABOUT 1.5 SECOND. I BELEIVED THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE THAT WILL LEAD TO AN ACCEDENT AND HUMAN SAFETY. I CALLED A LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND ASKED IF HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, OR IF THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID HE'S NOT AWARE OF THAT, AND NOTHING HE COULD DO. SO NOW I HOPE THE NHTSA IS AWARE ABOUT THIS AND PASSES THIS MESSAGE TO THE HONDA COMPANY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  25. Power train, Aug 8, 2010

    2002 HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILURES. BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW, RECALL REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 58,000. NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 140,000. *TR