Automatic Transmission Cooler Problems of Honda Odyssey

At 95k miles, automatic transmission overheated due to insufficient cooling, faulty torque converter. The vehicle was never used for towing. This seems to be a chronic theme (bad transmissions) with Honda Odysseys.

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112,000 miles Odyssey ex transmission started slipping 4/18/14 and van could not go from traffic light. After cooling, was able to drive a little to get off the main road. Called for tow truck to a-1 transmissions in hawthorne, CA. I have avoided dealer servicing since buying the van new in 2003. I installed a magnafine filter in the trans cooling line and changed it three times. I drained and filled the trans many times over the years with Honda fluid and kept transmission fluid clean. I had the Honda recall lubricating tranny gear done as well as any other Honda recalls but no other transmission recall. No previous transmission issues until the other day. I didn't try to get attention from dealer because even with 25% off it would still be a couple of thousand dollars to them. This model Honda has a history of failed transmissions.

See all problems of the 2003 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Car was recalled in 2004 for installation of a supplemental cooling kit (following successful class action lawsuit for prior model years). Transmission is now snatching when cold and obvious slippage in 2nd gear. Research shows that this is a known and recurring defect in this model year. American Honda refuses any assistance. I am the original owner and the vehicle has had all service done at the dealer.

See all problems of the 2002 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Before my transmission overhaul, my Odyssey would slip gears and make a thump sound upon initial acceleration and subsequent increases in speed. The check engine and tcs lights would come on and stay lit. After the overhaul, I found out there were bulletins out on parts that were defective and with replacement transmissions additional cooling and filters had to be replaced, as well as additional changes. A year after the overhaul, started having the same slippage and sounds from the transmission again. This time, while on the highway traveling at 70mph, my back window gets covered up by an oily discolored substance. It was to the point I could not see out the rear window. The smell of burned rubber or tar was coming through the vent and the a/c or heat was not on. My rpm needle started shifting up from 3 to 5 and bouncing back between them, then down to 2 and then finally back to 3. . . . With no change in speed. The check engine light and tcs lights come on and stay lit. My brakes tended to be a little soft then a little hard. Called a mechanic that I knew was available and worked on transmissions and asked him what to do and he said get off the road fast and check your fluid levels. My Odyssey had spit out all the transmission fluid and some oil throughout the engine, underneath and back on the driver's side rear tire area. If it had not been for the fact that I was extremely familiar with my van (single owner) and paid attention to the last problems I had, I might have locked up in the middle of a busy highway with my children in the car and may not have lived to see another day.

See all problems of the 2001 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Transmission failure: travelling up a hill on a freeway at 70mph with family/children in the vehicle, suddenly & without warning, transmission wildly shifts from 4th down to 2nd/1st, back to 3rd, continues lurching/shifting back and forth as rpm's fluctuate wildly; hobbled to next exit, smoke & trans fluid coming from under hood. Called local dealer who "has no idea" what's wrong with it but for $100 will check it out. Result: they tell me that trans overheated & melted down, burned out clutches, needs new trans -> $4800 (rebuilt). Trans was just fine & trans fluid was fine prior to this incident, car was maintained, absolutely no warning of anything amiss. Now I find out via the internet that many, many people have this problem w/2003 Odyssey's. Called Honda, they tell me, "there is no known problem with this model year" (lie) and they won't do anything to help with the repair because the car came w/36,000 mile warranty and we are beyond that. He actually asked me, "is this the first time your transmission has blown on this vehicle? are you still on your first transmission?" which is a funny thing to ask if there is no known problem. Internet indicates that when people have trans replaced, 2nd trans frequently blows also. This car had a recall for trans oil cooling, was completed before we bought (new from dealer) & we were not informed about it. This is definitely a safety issue when your trans explodes at 70mph with your children in the back seat. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

We discovered today that our 2003 Honda Odyssey was in need of a new trasmission, the sad part is this vehicle only has 89,500 miles, the Honda dealership that inspected the van told us that the cost to replace the transmission was going to be $4200. We pretty much experienced all the same problems that many other users are mentioning on this site, it first started by skipping gears between 2nd and 3rd, then the tcs and emc light came on and after this everything came downhill. The dealer told us that the van was serviced in the past to take care of the recall by installing the jet fan cooling thing, apparently this was a bandage to the real issue as a couple of years later the transmission finally died on us. We bought Honda for their apparant "superior quality" and have never been more disappointed. We feel like we got screwed and if there is a recall or some lemon law we would like to know about it because this just can not keep happening!!!!!!!!.

I was in my 2003 Odyssey with my daughter when the van lost all power merging on to the freeway. The tcs and check engine lights came on and then the van would no longer accelerate. We came extremely close to having an accident. I took the van to the Honda dealer and they reported back that the transmission had completely failed with only 73k miles. In 2004 I took the van to the dealer for the transmission recall (NHTSA campaign #04v176000), but it did not prevent it's future failure. I have regularly performed the factory required transmission maintenance, but this was not enough for the faulty transmissions in Odysseys from 2001-2004. Honda said in a recent report that insufficient cooling can lead to heat build-up and broken gears in the transmission. In rare instances, gear breakage could lock up the transmission. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash. Honda of America will not cover the replacement of my transmission even though they know that there have been pervasive failures with transmissions on the 2003 Odyssey. Honda has not taken full responsibility for the epidemic of Odyssey transmission failures. There needs to be a recall of all 2003 Odyssey transmissions!.

1. Manufacturer remedy to NHTSA campaign # 04v17600 does not correct heat build up/ gear failure in 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey automatic transmissions. It only delays the failure. 2. Cooler return line revision was performed on my vehicle at 17,847 miles. Despite the manufacturer design revision the gears failed this last week (code p730 - gear ratio error) at 44,500 miles. I was fortunate. It only resulted in loss of power. There was no transmission lock up or crash, this time. I'm not the only one. Even cursory internet research reveals over 1300 reports of continuing failures at the edmunds site alone; some vehicles having had as many as three transmission rebuilds by the manufacturer. 3. Cooling line revision has not corrected the heat build up problem. The gears still get hot enough to lose temper, soften and fail under normal loads. It is only a matter of time until debris from the failed gears cause a transmission lock up and crash. To date american Honda motor CO. Declines to help me with this ongoing problem.

2002 Honda Odyssey transmission still slipping after the "cooling tube" recall was installed. The van had ~62,000 when the 'cooling tube' was installed. Honda dealer wants $3000 to replace. I have since done research and found that this is a known issue that Honda is ignoring. This is a serious safety issue that will likely cause fatalities. When accelerating to get on a freeway or otherwise, and then you unexpectedly lose power it causes other behind you to slam on their brakes to avoid a collision. Why isn't there an NHTSA. Gov "defect investigation" open on this?.

: the contact stated that prior to having transmission problems a recall letter # 04v176000 was received pertaining to the transmission 2nd gear inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealers who stated that the recall was on a voluntary basis only and that they would inspect the vehicle. Upon inspection, the dealer determined that transmission only needed to have an additional cooling line run through the transmission and a flushing. After the recall remedy began having problems with the transmission. While driving, there have been several almost accidents due to a malfunction of the transmission stalling. After the most recent incident, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon examination, the dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced but they will not replace the transmission under recall. The consumer also experienced brake problems. Updated 09/13/06.

2003 Honda Odyssey Mini-van transmission slipping taking off or between 1st & 2nd gear. Recalled for 2nd gear cooling jet issue, but this transmission failure appears related to similar failures described by numerous owners of this vehicle between 1998 & 2005. Dealer denies any related claims made to Honda, but many documented on this site and other automotive journals and websites.

Recall campaign 04v176000 concerning automatic transmission failure. Consumer complained that the dealer charged for replacing the transmission fluid when they performed the repairs on the oil cooler return line.

After taking the vehicle in to the dealer for a transmission recall repairs transmission was leaking fluid.