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.
Of the 2002 reports, 45 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 44 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 passengers 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
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
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.
Power train, May 21, 2004
MY 2-YEAR OLD, 50,000 MILE, HONDA ODYSSEY WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP FOR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, INTERMITTENT TCS LIGHT ON, 'D' LIGHT BLINKING, SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, WHEREIN RPMS RUN HIGH. THE 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY WAS RECALLED AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL, AND STILL REQUIRES A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE A 75,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH AUTOMOTIVE WARRANTY SERVICES, INC. (1-800-621-2130) THAT COVERS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR ANY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED. THEY REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THE ACTUAL DETAILS OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH A HEAT BUILDUP AND 'BLUING'. THE WARRANTY SERVICE JUST SEES THE WORD 'TRANSMISSION', AND BELIEVES THAT IT IS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MEANWHILE, THE DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT SUFFER FROM THE HEAT BUILDUP PROBLEM, AND HONDA WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. SO, OUR CAR SITS AT LANDMARK HONDA, VIRGINIA WITH NEITHER PARTY WANTING TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT RECOURSE DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE? *AK
Power train, May 17, 2004
2002 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR OCCASIONALLY "REVS" (LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL) AS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. DEALER TOLD US THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECENT RECALL AND THAT THAT RECALL WAS A "PREVENTATIVE" MEASURE IN ANY EVENT. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR TESTS.*AK
Power train, May 13, 2004
BACK IN FALL OF 2003 WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, THEN AGAIN IN MAY 2004 WE NEEDED ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HAD 2 NEW TRANSMISSIONS BUILT INTO OUR CAR. ALSO NOW WE HAVE AN 02CENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTOR SENSOR INSTALLED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 10, 2004
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES ALL THE INDICATOR DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC, SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THEN SHE STATES THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME SHE STATES THEY TOLD HER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS HER ALTERNATOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED. THEN SHE STATES ON 4/16/04, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME SHE HEARD A FUNNY NOISE. SHE STATES THAT HER SPOUSE, THEN GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD. THERE HE FOUND THAT THE SERPERTINE BELT HAD COME COMPLETELY OFF. *JB
Seat belts, May 4, 2004
3RD ROW PASSENGER REAR SEAT BELT LOCK UP, SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. SEAT BEAT WAS NOT BUCKLED BUT A SMALL CHILD MANAGED TO GET ENTAGLED IN THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT CINCHED TIGHTER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE SEAT BELT AROUND THE CHILD'S ABDOMEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CHILD HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING. SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE PULLED DOWN OR RETRACTED TO RELEASE CHILD FROM THE SEAT BELT. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE CHILD. *AK
Power train, May 3, 2004
ONGOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING, AND TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ECM AND THE PCM IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Equipment, Apr 20, 2004
A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A HONDA ODYSSEY CAR THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASSION THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND INSISTED THAT IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN HE WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM(ONLY TO FIND OUT THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED HE NO LONGER WORKED THERE AND THE WHOLE PROCESS HAD TO START OVER AGAIN). MOST RECENTLY MY MOTHERS THREE SMALL GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR STOPPED WORKING.THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE THAT DAY WAS AROUND 80 DEGREES. THEY DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN BUT CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY WORRISOME TO ME AS MY MOTHER HAS VERY BAD ALLERGIES THAT TRIGGER HER ASTHMA. EACH TIME MY MOTHER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN (5 TIMES THAT I KNOW OF) THEY KEEP HER CAR AND PROVIDE HER A LOANER CAR FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS. THIS LAST TIME SHE OFFERED TO TRADE THE LOANER CAR A NEWER HONDA ODYSSEY VAN FOR HER VEHICLE SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKS IN IT. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO KEEP HERS ON THE LOT BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH LIABILITY. SO HE WANTS HER TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT HAS NO AIR CONDITIONING, AND EVERYTIME THE AIR CONDITIONING GOES OUT BRING IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE EVALUATED, PROLONGING HER EXPOSURE TO ALLERGENS, WHICH COULD CAUSE HER ASTHMA TO GET AGGREVATED, NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAT STROKE OR HEART ATTACK IN THE SUMMERTIME IN THE SOUTH.SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM PIEDMONT HONDA IN ANDERSON, SC. IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE LET US KNOW WHETHER THIS CAR IS CONSIDERED A LEMON AND WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE ANY LEGAL RECOURSE WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.*AK
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR (DETECTED WITH HIGH RPM AND ENGINE SOUND) WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREET. ENGINE AND TCS DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE VAN AT THE TIME. WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VAN INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME IN A PARKING LOT BUT NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE. VAN CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I CONSIDER THIS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN AND GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN VARIOUS FORUMS REGARDING THIS MODEL/YEAR, I THINK A MANDATORY RECALL WOULD BE THE PRUDENT THING TO DO BEFORE INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS.
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS TO BE DONE. *AK *JB
Power train, Apr 16, 2004
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - ENGINE REVS AND DOESN'T GET INTO GEAR, IF DRIVING 35-45 SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES ON AS A RESULT, MALFUNCTION LIGHT GOES ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PULL OFF THE ROAD, THEN REENTER. IN DECEMBER, DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE CLAIMED NO PROB. SUBSEQUENT TO VISIT, LOCAL LUBE PLACE SAID TRANS FLUID WAS LOW, THEN REPLACED IT. STILL HAD SAME ISSUES, TOOK BACK TO HONDA DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY ARE BLAMING THE LUBE PLACE FOR NOT TIGHTENING THE TRANS FLUID SCREW. HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED TO THEM PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. WE HAPPENED TO PAY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAR HAS 45K MILES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND AFTER BEING REFERRED TO HONDA CARE (WARRANTY DEPT) AND BEING TOLD WELL THEY COULDN'T "VALIDATE" THE ISSUE IN DECEMBER SO YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE LUBE PLACE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN DUPLICATE IT - IT HAPPENS AND IT'S HAPPENED TO DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2002 ODYSSEY OWNERS. I CALLED BACK TO HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ARE "MONITORING" IT NOW WITH THE DEALER TO SEE IF NEW FLUID HELPS. WITH THE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM AND VARIOUS OTHER WEB SITES STATING THE SAME THING - I AM EVEN MORE AGGRAVATED. HONDA CAN'T PRETEND THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE. WHAT'S TAKING THEM SO LONG TO RECALL?*AK
Power train, Apr 16, 2004
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR IS GETTING "STUCK" IN 2ND GEAR; UP UNTIL TODAY, RELEASING THEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. TODAY, CAR WAS STUCK AT 25 MPH, IN TRAFFIC, UNTIL I STOPPED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, PUT IT INTO PARK, THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. HONDA DEALER CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THE VAN IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2004
UN-INTEDED ACCLERATE WHILE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON DURING LOW SPEED. I NOTICE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, EVEN THE CRUISE SPEED IS NOT SET, DURING THE WAIT OF TRAFFIC LIGHT THE THROTTLE WILL ACCLERATE. I NEED APPLIED EXTRA FORCE ON THE BREAK-PEDAL TO RESTRAINT THE VAN MOVE FORWARD. I HAS BEEN CAUTIOUS ON THIS, NO ACCIDENT BEEN CAUSE BECAUSE OF THIS. BUT HONDA SHOULD EXAM THEIR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL PROGRAM.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SAFETY RESTRAINT LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE PROBLEM ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2004
THE ENGINE HAS LEAKED OIL ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. REQUIRING ME TO TAKE THE VAN IN FOR SERVICE EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME OIL WAS GETTING ON THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AND WE COULD SMELL HOT OIL. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE. *NM
Power train, Mar 26, 2004
INTERNAL FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DUE TO INFERIOR MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION. *AK
Air bags, Mar 22, 2004
SRS LIGHT ON HONDA ODYSSEY HAS BEEN SET OFF SEVERAL TIMES (AND REPLACED ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN). FAILURE CODE 15-3 (SENSOR INTERFERENCE FROM AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE) SHOWS UP WHEN DIAGNOSTICS ARE PERFORMED. *AK
Power train, Mar 16, 2004
ENGINE HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES BETWEEN 35-60 PARTICULARLY AROUND CORNERS, DOWNHILL, ETC. APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK TO THE DEALER IN 2002 TO CHECK IT OUT AND WAS TOLD THE VAN HAS A "SPIRITED TRANSMISSION". STILL DOES IT TODAY IN 2004. FROM THE LOOKS OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE THERE IS A TRANSMISSION DEFECT WITH THE ODYSSEY AND NOW MY VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL ISSUED IF ITS DEFECTIVE SO THE CONSUMER IS NOT THE ONE OUT THE MONEY DUE TO HONDA'S ERROR. *JB
Power train, Mar 11, 2004
AROUND 50,000 MILES OUR 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING OR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS BECAUSE WE USE SYNTHETIC FLUIDS. WE ONLY USE SYNTHETIC OIL. THE TRANSMISSION FLIUD IS HONDA'S. PLUS OUR AMSOIL REP AND OUR MECHANIC ALL DENY SYNTHETICS COULD CAUSE A TRANSMISSION TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. OUR DEALER WANTS US TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT COSTS BECAUSE OF COURSE OUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED!*AK
Air bags, Mar 2, 2004
SRS SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH CAUSES AIR BAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER RESET MODULE AND LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER STATES MODULE IS BAD. VECHICLE HAS 47000 MLES. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM IS INOPERATEABLE.*AK
Power train, Feb 19, 2004
MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS 42,000 MILES. THE ENGINE BEGAN ACCELERATING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLIMUNIATED. WE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE DAY THIS HAPPENED AND WERE TOLD WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT OVER $4000. I DON'T FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE FOR A $33,000 VEHICLE. IT WAS SERVICED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND CHECKED OUT PERFECTLY.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2004
CONSUMER CLAIMED THERE WAS A STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND ENGINE GASKET WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE ODOR RETURNED. *AK
Air bags, Feb 10, 2004
AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. EXAMINED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Feb 2, 2004, crash
AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL IMPACT. *JB
Visibility, Jan 29, 2004
BOTH MY 2000 HONDA ACCORD AND MY 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID FROZE IN THE LINES MAKING IT INOPERABLE. I LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN COLD, CURRENT TEMPERATURES SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER RUNNING THE CAR FOR AN HOUR THE LINES HAVE NOT THAWED. I BELIEVE IT IS A BAD DESIGN. NO ONE ELSE I KNOW HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE FLUID BECAUSE THE FLUID FOR BOTH CARS CAME FROM TWO DIFFERENT SOURCES AND BOTH WERE RATED FOR -25 DEGREES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERY HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 25, 2004
HI. I HAVE A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH A "SINKING BRAKE" PROBLEM. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS NORMAL PER A "1995" HONDA SERVICE NEWS. THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TOWARDS THE FLOOR WHEN THE VAN IS STOPPED AND FEELS LIKE A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. HONDA OF AMERICA HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY CONCERNS. I AM TOLD IT IS COMMON YET NO MENTION IS MADE IN THE HANDBOOK AND THE REPAIRMAN AT THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN HAD NO IMMEDIATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT SINCE A BRAKE PEDAL THAT SINKS IS A SIGN OF A FAILING MASTER CYLINDER, WHEN DO I (OR MY WIFE WHO IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER)GET CONCERNED. IF WE TREAT THE SINKING BRAKE PEDAL AS NORMAL AND THE MASTER CYLINDER DOES FAIL, WE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A REAREND ACCIDENT. WHY HAS NOT HONDA ENGINEERED THIS PROBLEM OUT SINCE 1995? PLEASE GET HONDA OF AMERICA TO ANSWER MY CONCERNS. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR