general problems of the 2003 Honda Odyssey

The interior roof of the vehicle caught fire and burned after the car was turned off. The smoke started while driving and the smoke was coming from the drivers side seat belt area where it connects to the frame top.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the interior dome lights and radio failed. The contact changed the fuse approximately 10 times but the fuse would recurringly explode. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to provide additional information to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 134,703.

Without much or any warning my transmission failed (the dreaded p0730 code showed up on the scanner) on my 2003 Honda Odyssey ex-l van with only 100,325 miles. The van was never abused or used to tow. Transmission was rebuilt 1. 30. 12 by private shop continental transmission for $1800. (torque converter blown to pieces). Honda does have limited recalls on trannys but mine was not included (only if 2nd shaft is broken & scored and burnt/ bluish color) this will documented tranny problem with 2nd generation Odyssey is very upsetting and I blame it on a poor design by Honda engineers (under sized tranny paired with a power v6 240hp heavy 4500lbs van has been a recipe for premature failure). The worst part was on 1. 5. 12 I just had extensive preventative maintenance done at don davis Honda (timing belt, water pump, tensioner and power steering belts) and two weeks later the transmission fails!!! other issues with the van have been, ac compressor failed may 2010 88,648 miles. Rear wiper motor failed March 2011 89,240 miles, both sliding power door rollers had to replaced. Brake switch failed (locked up), Dec 2011 98,750 miles van would not move out of park. Not real happy or confident with Honda right now!.

The top bracket holding the alternator to the engine block failed again for the third time while my wife was driving the van. As a result of the failure of the top bracket, the stress on the main serpentine belt caused the bolt holding the alternator in place to snap off at the engine block. This caused the alternator to become loose and caused a burning smell to come into the cabin of the vehicle. The alternator loose and un-attached poses a potential catastrophic failure with the pully system and the power steering which may cause an accident. I reported the previous incident of the same problem on October 25th, 2010. My concern is that this is a recurring problem that Honda is aware of and not correcting with a recall and addition of a re engineered and strengthened top alternator bracket. I am also very concerned that failure of this part/system while my wife and children are driving the van will cause an accident and injury or death to my family. I have called Honda and their solution or recommendation is to replace the part and use proper torque specifications. This has not worked 2 times so far and my mechanic tried to weld and additional piece of metal to the oem bracket to make the bracket stronger, and this did not work.