Transmission Not Go Into Gear problems of the 2003 Honda Odyssey

While in motion, my vehicle will sporadically not shift into a higher gear. This results in lack of acceleration and has caused problems when trying to merge into traffic, crossing highways and intersections which cause the need for other drivers to swerve around me. No matter how much gas I give the thing, it will not speed up or shift into gear until something happens that causes a sudden jolt, and then it will jump into gear. On the contrary, it also gears down on its own while in motion or does not shift into a gear at all after stopping at a stop sign or red light. This has happened several times while trying to cross the highway near my home. When this happens, I must shift into park or reverse and then back into drive until it goes into gear. I cross many highways daily which put my children and I at an unnecessary risk. I have researched this, and I am not the only owner experiencing these issues. It continues to happen without a permanent resolution. There was a recall on the transmission "power train:automatic transmission-recall for 2003 Honda Odyssey" and my particular VIN shows as being repaired. However, it seems that it is still causing hazardous issues for my family. The recall on the tranny states that a defect causes the gears to "chip". That sounds like what I am experiencing. I will say that during these instances, the tcs light will come on. Sometimes I have to manually turn it off, and sometimes it goes off on its own after it finally goes into gear. I am at a loss for what to do. . Read more...

Car was working 100% normally without any indication of a problem. Driving along on road trying to merge onto highway, car stuttered badly and would not accelerate! would not shift gears properly at all. I could not get up to moving traffic speed! had to quickly pull off to shoulder and limp with hazards on to next exit and return home! very tense moments! the car never gave any indication of impending failure; just happened on the spot!.

We were driving on a freeway in a hilly area between san jose and sacramento, CA. 2003 Odyssey mileage was ~120k and speed was 60 miles/hr. All of a sudden the vehicle became jerky and gears wont engage and speed dropped tremendously. I narrowly averted a rear end accident and pulled the vehicle aside. After sometime, I was able to drive but still could notice the gears slipping and drove on the last lane. I search on net and found lots and lots of Honda Odysseys have transmission issues, but no recall has been made. I feel Honda should take moral responsibility on their part and replace the faulty parts. And more importantly I request NHTSA to prevent further accidents/loss of lives on our highways due to transmission failures of 2003 Honda Odysseys which imo are a ticking time bomb.

Transmission failed to shift gears, caused engine to stall while driving, would not shift into or out of gear.

At 101,500 miles and less than 2 years and 20,000 miles after the first transmission rebuild, our 2003 Honda Odyssey van is once again in need of a complete transmission rebuild. This is the same problem that thousands of other Honda owners are reporting. We purchased the van new from Honda in December 2002 and have religiously maintained it (oil changes, tires, brakes, tune-ups, check-ups, etc. ). At 82,289 miles, the original transmission "came apart" while my wife was driving one day. Prior to that, the gears seemed to be slipping. Frustrated with the poor service from the dealership and the run-around Honda has been giving their customers (specifically with Odyssey owners), we had the transmission rebuilt by aamco ($3500) and were "assured" that we were getting a better transmission than the original. How is a transmission that lasts 1/4 of the time than the original a better one? this 2nd transmission was fine until Friday 7/22/2011, when we were taking a trip down to nags head, nc. Suddenly, I noticed when we were approximately 45 miles away from home (on I-95) that the rpm was up around 6x, the van was not shifting gears, and there was smoke coming out the back. I quickly got off the interstate, came to a stop and then it would not shift at all. We had it towed back to fredericksburg, va and were informed that the transmission fluid was "burnt," the transmission itself would have to be replaced, and the radiator would need to be replaced. We are once again looking at spending $4-5k for a vehicle we bought new, kept well-maintained, and has relatively low miles for its age (101k). When we bought the Odyssey, we also purchased a cr-v and declare we were Honda people. This is why we are no longer Honda people. The Honda Odysseys have a well documented history of problems with their transmissions, and Honda has not stepped up to take care of their customers. Honda owes every Odyssey owner an apology!.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 40 mph the vehicle stalled and would not shift into gear. The check engine and traction control lights were illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic stated that the transmission failed. The contact called the manufacturer and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not under the warranty so there was nothing they could do to assist. The failure mileage was 88,000.

2003 Honda/odyssey/5dr ex vehicle # [xxx]. Transmission does not shift to 3rd gear ,frequency 2-4 times in one hour of city driving,consequences almost had a serious accident unable to merge into traffic because of sudden down shift. @40-60 km/h the day before this almost serious accident,I took the vehicle to maple Honda 98 auto vaughan drive,ontario. They stated it was a lack of fluid in the transmission added fluid the problem the problem still present and progressively getting worst. Please note Honda had a recall on there 1999-2001 Odyssey with the same symptoms that I have been experiencing sudden down shift ,3rd gear clutch pack. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2003 Honda Odyssey automatic transmission has failed on several occasions (today, may 10, 2010, was the latest incident) including while driving and while starting out. Gears disengage, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose ability to power drive wheels. Vehicle sometimes does not shift into gear (from reverse to drive). This can lead to an accident if vehicle is trying to merge with traffic, and transmission gears disengage. My vehicle was recalled in 2004 for automatic transmission 2nd gear recall. Installation of transmission oil cooler was conducted as vehicle only had 14,418 miles. If it had 15,000 miles, transmission would have been replaced. This oil cooler device appears to be not very effective, and I believe Honda knew there would be long term damage to the transmission due to their original poor design or manufacturing errors. Judging by complaints on internet blogs, this is a widespread problem, similar to the Toyota acceleration problem. I would like to see Honda initiate a recall with a transmission replacement program to address their quality issues. I will be pursuing replacement of the transmission with Honda so I can have a vehicle available to transport my children safely to and from school. This is a safety issue, and I hope the NHTSA pursues this case before people die or are injured because of Honda's defect. Thank you for your help in protecting the public.

Dear sir; on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, while driving in the visalia, the subject Hondas transmission failed. I was able to get to the vehicle to the your dealership and was informed the transmission was failing in gear ratio switch failure. The vehicle was inoperable. I was informed by the dealer that there was a transmission recall on this vehicle in 2004, I do not recall taking the vehicle in for inspection/repair. The Honda service manager said the Honda records showed the vehicle was inspected; there is no paperwork with my signature indicating my acceptance of any such recall order. If the transmission inspection did, in fact, take place, apparently it did not thoroughly evaluate my vehicles transmission situation. In the past the Honda dealership has performed two transmission oil changes, within a short time, because the oil was turning brown. I used a different mechanic to do my routine motor oil changes and that mechanic informed me the transmission oil was brown again and replaced it, and there was no further problem with the transmission oil. I cannot explain the difference in the oil change procedure between an independent mechanic and the Honda dealership. I was informed today by the Honda dealership that they changed their transmission oil equipment with updated technology. Today, under protest, I authorized Honda dealership to replace the transmission in the subject van. It was not feasible for me to drive the vehicle to another mechanic. The cost of the replacement will be approximately $5800. 00 minus 25% = app. $3900. 00. I feel Honda not did properly take care of the problem that was subject of a recall; they were unable to show they inspected my vehicle with my signature accepting the condition of the vehicle. I request Honda reconsider the costs of the replacement transmission and afford me at least a bigger discount, if not full coverage of the repair costs. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

First transmission replaced at 61,000. Replaced with a refurbished Honda transmission. Supposed to be better than new transmission. Second transmission failed at 119,000. Almost didn't make it to the dealer. The transmission was slipping so much. At one point, I could not get in any gear.

1. Vehicle started jerking very bad because automatic transmission would not go into third gear. 2. Transmission failure discovered when taken to dealer. 3. Dealer quoted a price of $5800. 00 dollars to repair.

Automatic transmission not immediately going into reverse for several second that went on for 10 days. Then trouble going into drive for several seconds as well for 3 days. Not going in to gear while driving during gear shifts or stops for 2 days. Completely unable to put the van in any gear while on my way to the dealer for service appointment. They told me the transmission needs to be replaced after only 73k miles.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission). Immediately after the repair, the contact noticed that the failure still persisted. Several years later, when attempting to make a turn at 5 mph, she noticed that the vehicle would not shift gears properly. In addition, the engine warning indicator was illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would only assume partial financial responsibility for the repair, the contact would have to pay $1,700. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 22,332 and current mileage was 72,000.

2003 Honda Odyssey, check engine light, tcs light, transmission fail to engage 3rd gear 50% of the time. Error code p0740. Had the oil jet kit installed on Aug 4 2004.

I was driving on I-95 s when the vehicle suddently started losing power & speed, just come to a complete stop. When I popped up the hood,transmission fluid smell was all over the car,also I could see trans. Fluid all over the trans. Top surface. Vehicule could not move at any gear so had to be towed.

: the contact stated the transmission was not catching the gears. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who replaced the automatic transmission. The vehicle was already taken to a service dealer for NHTSA recall, # 04v176000 regarding the power train:automatic transmission. Updatede 12/26/2006 -.

- the contact received a recall notice (p-30 transmission gear chipping or breakage) in the mail December 2004 for his 2003 Honda Odyssey (75000 failure miles). The contact complied with the recall and the dealer installed the oil jet kit. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph. The brakes were also not operable at the time . The contact returned to the dealer and was notified that the gears failed which caused the transmission to lock, and wheels to lock. The transmission had to be replaced. Updated 03/02/07.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Odyssey. She stated that the automatic transmission failed and would not shift into gear. The check engine and green d-light illuminated. There is a recall for the automatic transmission (recall #04v176000). The dealer stated that they would pay for the replacement of the transmission; however, she would be responsible for the shipping and labor cost. She felt that this was unacceptable, and has reported this to the american Honda association. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 73,000. The power train information was unknown.

2003 Honda Odyssey with transmission failure. Consumer states that transmission was found not switching gears when the vehicle was warmed up. He also found that the fluid was dirty. Transmission replacement would solve the problem. The consumer also had the front and side engine mounts replaced. The battery was replaced as well.