Three problems related to vehicle shudder have been reported for the 2004 Honda Odyssey. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Honda Odyssey based on all problems reported for the 2004 Odyssey.
Returning from short road trip (less than 30 miles from home), check engine light and tcs light came on. Drove vehicle straight to Honda dealership where it has been serviced for the last 8 yrs since we bought it. Code p0740 internal transmission failure. Attempted to drive vehicle to work the next day (5 miles from home), vehicle began shuddering, rpm gauge revved to 4,000rpm's yet vehicle was slowing. Could put pressure on gas pedal but car would not go. Couldn't reach any speed over 40mph. Vehicle violently downshifted and couldn't exceed 20mph on busy interstate. Barely reached work where vehicle rested. After resting, attempted to drive vehicle back home - had the same experience. Vehicle unable to move from driveway, transmission is not in working condition.
Wife was taking kids to an air show. While merging into traffic on i95 the car would not shift out of gear at 40 miles per hour. The car began to shake, shudder and produce loud noises. My wife had to pull the car out the traffic onto the side of the road. She was able to safely exit i95 at the next exit. Since then the car has been diagnosed with complete transmission failure.
At low speeds, approx. 20 to 40 mph, the vehicle has a shudder/rumble sensation thru the steering wheel and you can feel it whether you are driving or a passenger. This is an intermittent problem and does not do it all the time. I have never had the problem at speeds over 45 to 50 mph. I took it to a local Honda dealer and of course they could not duplicate the problem and told me a transmission fluid change was needed. I paid $225. For an oil change and tranny fluid change and a 'diagnostic test drive' it didn't fix the problem. Since that time of that repair, I have just lived with the problem and hoped for the best. It wasn't until I started reading online about how many other people are having the same problem with Odyssey minivans. I hope you can help me get this problem satisfactorily repaired from Honda. They are very well aware of this problem and apparently there was a recall on these minivans to fix this problem. I bought this minivan used from van's Honda in green bay, WI in April of 2007 and I am unaware if my van was recalled. It wasn't recalled as long as I have owned it.