Three problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 2002 Honda Odyssey. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Honda Odyssey based on all problems reported for the 2002 Odyssey.
2002 Honda Odyssey brakes make noise when backing up and stopping. Transmission shifts hard. Mechanic also determined there was a problem with the weld near transmission mount. The consumer was told that the noise created by the rear disc brakes was by design. When the brakes wore out the consumer replaced all four pads and had the rotor turned. After that the noise was no longer present. The consumer noticed that the transmission was shifting hard and occasionally the rpm's would jump between shifts. Around this time the consumer received a recall referencing the automatic transmission. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer and the problem was repaired. After repair the problem worsened with increasingly hard shifts and more frequent slips where the engine revved up the vehicle didn't move. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Front and rear brakes were replaced every 8,000-10,000 miles of wear. Dealer replaced the brake pads three times, and was unable to locate the problem which was causing this excessive wear.
My 2002 Honda Odyssey has some features I was not told about. Every time you step on the brakes in a new direction, forward or reverse you hear a loud clunking sound as the brakes engage the rotors. I believe this is a hazard as well as an annoyance. I don't believe the brakes are engaging as soon as you step on the peddle. Their p. R. Spin says they manufacturer room for heat expansion in the brake pads. I have never ever had a vehicle that exhibits this problem. The second problem is their noisy gas tank sloshing that is very prominent in the vehicle. This one is more of an annoyance.