2003 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 940 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 54 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 53 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 moduleSep 4, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 28, 2002, to August 30, 2002. The affected vehicles were manufactured with the incorrect air bag modules, rendering the vehicles noncompliant with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Air bags that do not meet the safety requirements increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JU0.
Campaign 15V563000 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 bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.
Campaign 15V045000 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
Air bagsJun 20, 2014
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. 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 inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 19, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).
Campaign 13V412000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchDec 11, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V573000 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
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJan 16, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, SOME FUEL TANKS HAVE SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS THAT COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS. IF ANY IMPERFECTIONS ARE FOUND, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 16, 2003. 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.
Campaign 03V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
940 reports, newest first.
Power train, Aug 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. WHENEVER HE PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 13, 2008
SLIDING DOORS ON 2003 HONDA ODDOSEY SWING OPEN AND MALFUNCTION ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH TRAVEL SPEEDS. 3 TIMES THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER CHARGES $700 TO REPAIR A SAFETY PROBLEM THA CONTINUALLY REPEATS ITSELF. DOOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO ANYONE NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT IN MIDROW SEATS. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROX. 99000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND 2 WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A 4400.00 REPAIR INCLUDING THE ECU. HONDA PAID HALF OF REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS ECU FOR "GOODWILL" EVEN THOUGH WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE NOTHING. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BEEN CHANGED TWICE DURING OWNERSHIP. TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO SERVICED WITH THE EARLIER HONDA RECALL. FAILURE OCCURRED OUT OF TOWN WHILE ON VACATION - HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN NEIGHBORING STATE AND RETURN HOME IN A BORROWED CAR. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2008
THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY IS FAILING - WON'T ENGAGE 3RD GEAR. YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM'S INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE JUST COASTS. IT'S GETTING WORSE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP "CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2008, fire
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY (PURCHASED OCTOBER 2002). IN SUMMER OF 2004, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, AND POTENTIAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, AND NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. IN JULY 2006, WITH APPROX. 84,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL TO SPLATTER EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, FOR APPROX. HALF AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER 90 MILES FROM MY HOME. AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH AMERICAN HONDA, A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND WAS COVERED BY HONDA. NOW, JUST OVER TWO YEARS AND 40,000 MILES LATER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAS OCCURRED. AM ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH HONDA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, WAS TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND WAS FORCED TO COMPROMISE THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MINE, WHILE WAITING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2008, fire
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY (PURCHASED OCTOBER 2002). IN SUMMER OF 2004, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, AND POTENTIAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, AND NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. IN JULY 2006, WITH APPROX. 84,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL TO SPLATTER EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, FOR APPROX. HALF AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER 90 MILES FROM MY HOME. AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH AMERICAN HONDA, A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND WAS COVERED BY HONDA. NOW, JUST OVER TWO YEARS AND 40,000 MILES LATER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAS OCCURRED. AM ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH HONDA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, WAS TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND WAS FORCED TO COMPROMISE THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MINE, WHILE WAITING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2008
WE HAVE A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 111,000 MILES ON IT. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A LONGER DELAY FROM THE TIME I WOULD PUT IT IN REVERSE TO THE TIME IT ACTUALLY WENT INTO REVERSE. THEN, JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN 2 AND THIRD GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. WE TOOK IT INTO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. THE SAME SLIPPAGE HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE MORE IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS MILEAGE IS A LITTLE LOW TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SO I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. TO MY SURPRISE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF VAN. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUOTED TO ME AT $2,700. SEEMS TO ME THAT HONDA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2008
TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO THE OTHER HARD. SORT OF FEELS LIKE A JUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE RESEARCHED AND NOTICED HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSIONS IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS FOR THE SAME REASON. IN OUR 2003 THEY HAVE NOT YET EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND I'M CONCERNED OURS WILL FAIL WITHIN THE NEXT 10,000 MILES. HONDA HAS OWNED UP TO PUTTING IN BAD TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2002 AND PRIOR YEARS AND THEY EXTENDED THOSE WARRANTIES. MY 2003 IS NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF A BAD TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FILLING THIS COMPLAINT HELPS TO SUPPORT OTHER 2003 ODYSSEY COMPLAINTS ON TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Power train, Jul 29, 2008
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY FOUND DIRTY TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT COULD NOT FIND A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DIRTY FLUID. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4210. THE CAR HAS ONLY 57,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, VIOLENT DOWNSHIFTING DURING DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2008
WE WERE PARKED AT A STORE. WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULD STALL WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO GEAR-- ANY GEAR. IT KEPT STALLING TRY AFTER TRY. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THIS TIME THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR TRANSMISSION. WE CALLED HONDA CORPORATE TO COMPLAIN THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 80K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE KNEW OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 MODELS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES SO ASKED FOR SOME "GOODWILL ASSISTANCE". WE PAID $1540.70 WHICH WAS 60%. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE FROM THE EARLIER MODELS DID NOT GET FIXED FOR THE 2002 AND 2003 EITHER AND HONDA IS TRYING TO COVER IT UP BY HELPING WITH PARTIAL PAYMENT OF THE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2008
2003 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 77,000 MILES BEGAN TO MAKE GRIND AND RATTLING NOISE WITH NOTICEABLE BLIPPING OF RPMS EARLIER THIS YEAR. SOUND BECOME CONSISTENT IN JULY. LOCAL DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA RECORDS AND NUMEROUS INTERNET SITES NOTE THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2001-2003 ODYSSEY MODELS. NEITHER DEALER OR HONDA USA WOULD ADMIT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED UNIT FOR $1,000 "WITH HONDA'S HELP." *TR
Power train, Jul 20, 2008
ON 07/18/2008, AT ABOUT 1:30 P.M., THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON PERSONAL 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY WHILE WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAY (SOUTHBOUND 163 TRANSITION TO WESTBOUND 52) IN SAN DIEGO CA. FREEWAY SIDE RAILS DIDN'T ALLOW MOTORING PUBLIC TO SAFELY PULL OFF FREEWAY. WIFE SMELLED ODOR OF BURNT OIL AND VAN BEGAN SLOWING DOWN. LUCKY FOR WIFE AND DAUGHTER, A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) TRAVELING BEHIND THE VAN SAW WIFE TURN ON EMERGENCY/HAZARD LIGHTS. REALIZING VAN WAS IN TROUBLE ON TRANSITION RAMP, THE RV RAN INTERFERENCE TO SLOW DOWN OTHER SPEEDING TRAFFIC OVERTAKING VAN FROM BEHIND. WIFE WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY OFF FREEWAY TO NEXT SAFEST OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETELY GET OFF FREEWAY. WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE RV, VAN COULD'VE EASILY BEEN REAR ENDED DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VAN WAS TOWED TO TEMECULA CA AND INITIAL GARAGE ESTIMATES ARE TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 20, 2008
THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES ON EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER HAS "RESET" THE SYSTEM, CHANGED THE WIRING AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS LIT. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HONDA'S AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM AND THEY SEEM TO NOT HAVE THE ANSWER FOR IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 15, 2008
AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY HONDA PAID FOR THE PART, THE TRANSMISSION CUSTOMER PAID FOR INSTALLATION. *TR
Power train, Jul 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,896 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Power train, Jun 28, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE (P0740) AT 77K MILES. *TR
Power train, Jun 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JUMPING AND DOWNSHIFTING. THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING AND THE RPM'S INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE A SERVICE HISTORY, HE WOULD ONLY BE CHARGED FOR HALF OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 16, 2008
A SCRAPING NOISE IN THE REAR PROMPTED REMOVAL OF THE TIRES FOR INSPECTION. I FOUND THAT THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS ON BOTH WHEELS WERE WORN COMPLETELY AWAY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE OUTSIDE PADS STILL HAD 3-4 MILLIMETERS OF PAD MATERIAL LEFT. NOW, THE OUTSIDE PADS CAN BE EASILY INSPECTED THROUGH THE WHEEL SPOKES, AND SINCE BOTH PADS SHOULD WEAR AT SIMILAR RATES, VISUAL INSPECTION SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED A REASONABLE INDICATION OF THE CONDITION OF BOTH PADS. WELL, THE WEAR INDICATORS ARE ON THE INSIDE PADS, BUT THEY WERE SILENT BECAUSE THE WEAR INDICATORS HAD BROKEN OFF ON BOTH INSIDE PADS, LEAVING NO INDICATION THAT THE INSIDE PADS WERE WORN OUT. CLEARLY THERE ARE TWO DEFECTS HERE: PAD WEAR SHOULD BE REASONABLY BALANCED TO BOTH PADS, NOT BIASED SUCH THAT THE PADS THAT CANNOT BE INSPECTED WITHOUT REMOVING THE WHEEL WEAR MUCH FASTER, AND SECOND, THE WEAR INDICATORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED SO THAT THEY DID NOT BREAK OFF ON BOTH PADS, LEAVING NO OTHER WARNING OF EXCESSIVE PAD WEAR. *TR
Power train, May 28, 2008
PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO/OUT OF 2ND GEAR FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. FINALLY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND TCS LIGHT WENT ON; DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. I FOUND THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT 2003 ODYSSEYS HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALER WANTS $3750 TO REPLACE THIS ON A CAR WITH 94K MILES. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 23, 2008
THE POWER DOOR ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY IS FAILING TO LATCH ON SO IT IS NOT SECURED. I'M FORCED TO DRIVE WITH THE BUZZER GOING OFF SO I HAD TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH. THERE ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AS THE DOOR MAY ACTUALLY OPEN WHILE I'M DRIVING. ONE OF THE REASONS WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH THE POWER DOOR IS TO HAVE SOME HELP IF I'M CARRYING MY CHILDREN IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE I'M HAVING TO EITHER TURN ON THE SWITCH TO OPEN THE DOOR OR I HAD TO CLOSE AND OPEN THE HEAVY DOOR MANUALLY. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THESE MATTERS AS THESE MAY CAUSE SAFETY HAZARDS WITH THE DOOR OPENING SUDDENLY. SINCERELY, RACHEL ESTRADA *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 14, 2008
DRIVER SIDE MANUAL DOOR LOCK WAFERS BROKE, NOW USING THE PASSENGER SIDE OR REAR DECK DOOR FOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. PROBLEM BEGAN 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR
Power train, Equipment, May 4, 2008
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY FROM POWER HONDA OF VALENCIA IN DECEMBER 2007. IN APRIL 2008 THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR OR GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THE RPMS WOULD REV VERY HIGH 5K+. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. AMERICAN HONDA OFFERED ME A 25% DISCOUNT ON A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BUT I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 4 MONTHS AGO AND I FEEL THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE BAD HONDA TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2008
WE OWN A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY, AND WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. IT STARTED WITH THE "SUBFRAME" SHIFTED DURING DELIVERY AND HAS GONE DOWNHILL SINCE THEN. WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING LOCKING ON US SEVERAL TIMES. THE AUTOMATIC DOORS HAVE STAYED OPEN LEAVING ME UNABLE TO DRIVE WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN. OUR RECENT PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD THE ROUTINE MAINTANENCE DONE ON IT AT 100,000 MILES. SINCE THEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED HARD AND EVEN SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING. I WILL BE ACCELERATING BETWEEN 15 AND 25 MPH WHEN THE RPM'S WILL RAISE AND THE SPEED WILL LOWER. I HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATE AGAIN FOR IT TO FINALLY SHIFT. OUR OTHER MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE PAINT. WE HAVE HAD MOST OF THE CAR REPAINTED TOP TO BOTTOM AND FRONT TO BACK. WE HAVE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR THAN IT IS S WORTH. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, May 1, 2008
2003 HONDA ODYSSEY SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CD PLAYER. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. DEALER STATED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. SHE FOUND 6 SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. *KB