Transmission Solenoid problems of the 2003 Honda Odyssey

While driving on the expressway, the tcs and check engine lights came on, the transmission down shift to lower gear abruptly. The car behind almost hit my car. It was a scary situation. After checking the codes, it showed p0730 and p0780 related to shift solenoid. And there are numerous complaints on the web with the same transmission problem due to fault material clogging the filter inside the transmission. This is a very unsafe issue since it could be no warning before it happens to the driver on high speed.

2003 Honda Odyssey. Consumer states transmission overheated, began shifting erratically and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer stated he turned the vehicle off, to allow it to cool off. When he turned it back on, the engine light was still on, but he was able to drive the vehicle home. It was still shifting erratically, but it did not overheat again. He took the vehicle to an auto parts store to have the check engine light code checked. The code came up as a p0740; torque solenoid circuit. The consumer did some research on the code and discovered that his model and year had a recall on the transmission and several class action lawsuits had been filed due to the problem. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and it was determined that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The dealer couldn't say if the problem was definitive to the recall. Honda informed the consumer the vehicle was inspected in 2005, where an oil jet cooler was installed on the transmission. The consumer then examined his vehicle, and discovered there was no oil jet cooler on the transmission. The van remained in overdrive and would not shift into 2nd or 3rd gear.

2003 Odyssey with 93,000 miles had the transmission go out on it. I was barely able to get it home. After getting the engine light, the van would operate for a couple of minutes after each start and then it would decelerate until it would not move. The dealership examined the vehicle and determined the entire transmission and solenoid package needed to be replaced to the amount of $3,000 after initialy citing a repair estimate of $4,700. We had the repair completed by the Honda delearship.

2003 Honda Odyssey transmission failure at 88,000 miles. Car has been maintained with proper transmission fluid replacements. At 82,000 miles the transmission had a 4th clutch solenoid failure which was replaced at a Honda dealer in brunswick, GA. The transmission fluid had been replaced at 79,000 miles, but we had it replaced again at the time of the repair at 82,000. The check engine light came on with a code dtc p0740 at ~88,000. The Honda dealer in marietta, GA diagnosed this as complete transmission failure. I have discovered that this is a very common failure for Honda Odyssey's. There is an extended warranty offered by Honda for 2001 and older Odyssey's, but that does not extend to the 2003 model even though the transmissions are virtually identical. The repair has been quoted at $4,630 plus 7% sales tax which is an enormous amount. Honda continues to advertise how reliable their vehicles are which is completely false as it relates to transmissions in the Odyssey. 88,000 miles from a major drive train component is ridiculous. American Honda has offered a discount of 25% on the parts only (the dealer said this is about $900). The bulletin boards indicate 50% has been common and in many cases they have covered the entire amount, but not for me. Honda should be required to cover this failure in full.