Looking to purchase a 2G odyssey (tranny questions)

[Blue Blood]

Hello All
My name is Jeremy, I'm from Louisville KY.
My family is getting bigger so we are looking to upgrade our family vehicle.

Our current family vehicle is a 98 CRV.
We bought it with 80k miles and now it has over 200k.
We have never had any major problems and very few minor problems.

I'm a Honda guy and would like to stay with a Honda..

The 2nd generation odyssey is in our budget.
I have read many good things about the Honda Odyssey.
BUT
The transmission problems the 2G Odyssey has kinda concerns me.

After all the reading about this problem I figured I would ask a few question from Honda Odyssey owners them selves.

What years should I stay away from?

I have read 01-03 are the worst.
Is this correct?

Most of the 99-04 odyssey's in my area have 125K to 175K miles on them.
Its about 50/50 Some have new or rebuilt transmissions and some do not.
Is the transmission defect on all of them or just a few?

If its just a few, are there vin's or transmission serial numbers I should say away from?

Are there any other major problems the 99-04 Odyssey have?

Thanks for reading!!

[Tony_SS]

Hi, I was just in the same boat as you. Keep doing research. the 99-01 have the 4spd trans and the 02-04 have the 5. Take your pick. You will hear horror stories about each one... but there is a thread posted where are saying the have 200k on their trans from both!

I personally went for the 02 because of the engine improvements. I bought one with 115k. The owner had just had the motor mounts, timing belt and water pump done.. I figure I can get 80-100k out of this van (I hope).

I would look for one with the lowest miles you can find... avoid any with 'rebuilt' trans, as they are a crap shoot. And IMO, I would stay away from dealers. They are full of ****. Good luck!

[yeoldeoddy]

The gen 2 van might change your mind about Honda, so you should concider a gen 1, gen 3 or another CRV instead. The gen 1 (1998 and older) and CRV were based on the reliable Accord platform.
At 137k, I haven't experienced the tranny problems yet but have all the other known problems.
A/C compressor, 3 motor mounts, brake caliper rattle, bad front struts/springs, EGR tube clean-out, ps pump. You start to think Detroit iron looks good. Also beware of the 105K service $$$, timing belt, tensioner, valve adjust, spark plugs, fluids etc.

[djpmark]

99-01: 4 speed, some bearing problems(or defects?). If there is a carfax that shows reg 30k fluid changes should be OK. I have a 2001/80k+ mi, a great car. No regrets.
02-03: 5 speed. Design defect, insufficient oiling of 3rd gear. Recall was issued to install ATF line from drain plug to fill hole. Would need to pump out and fill fluid through dipstick. This is the problem that gave Honda transmissions a bad rep.
05-06: New housing to add ATF line internally to 3rd gear.
07-current non-Touring: 5 speed Ridgeline tranny used is much tougher.
Any errors stated I am sure will be commented on. There is a great thread to read here

If you can verify tranny not neglected (Carfax, trusted seller) and 02-03 recall answered promptly I think your odds of a reliable car are much better.
If I were looking now I would try to find a good deal on a certified pre-owned 07-10.

See:
Unofficial 2001 Odyssy Thread (02+ info also)
Unofficial 2001 Odyssey Thread

[yeoldeoddy]

If there is a carfax that shows reg 30k fluid changes should be OK.

Carfax doesn't show maintenance records, only reported accidents and ownership changes/auction sales.

[New Dad New Van]

If I were van shopping right now, I would be looking at a 2008-2010 Odyssey or a lightly used Sienna.

As much as I like my 2001, I would not be comfortable buying a 2nd-gen van because of the transmission failures. They are IMO the best looking Odyssey. With that being said, I feel I have already gotten my $ out of it already. I know people that are on their second domestic van to my almost 12 year old Honda. 82K miles on the original transmission and counting.

Have we got you confused yet? I guess you won't be going away with a definite answer to your question.

[02ody02]

I have 130k on an 02 and it has been very reliable. Spent way less on it than my other cars with similar mileage. That said, there are some little annoying things:

1) the light bulb goes out behind the clock and odometer. Easy fix which I will try soon (after going without the light for 6+ years)
2) the rear vent windows work unreliably (leave them closed)
3) the steering column radio controls work unreliably (volume changes stations, etc). Not an inexpensive fix - I just reach over and adjust the radio.

yeolde lists motor mounts - I consider that maintenance, just like struts (absent an abnormal early failure). They go on my other cars too. Had the power steering pump resealed recently - $180. Recently I replaced two window regulators myself (expect those to break at 8-12 years, glass suddenly falls into the door). We did have the flashing D, inexpensive pressure switch replacement (100k miles). Watch for a CV inner boot leak (112k miles for me). The AC blower transistors go out (96k, live where the AC is ALWAYS on). DIY, but I had a shop do it. The blower motor tends to go out or get leaves in it. Mine just started making a funny noise. Easy diy. The oil filter housing will leak (an o-ring, was $115 at my independent). The SRS light will come on, most likely for the drivers side seat belt. Lifetime warranty on seatbelts in my state. Have never done the EGR port cleaning, but will shortly just because... HAD EGR replaced under warranty, and one oil leak that was $100.

The power sliding doors are definitely wonky and my family hates them, but mainly because they never unlock them or wait until somebody unlocks them. It is almost a Laurel and Hardy routine. I click once and unlock the front doors, they try the sliding doors. I wait...then click once and they immediately try again. I wait... Click once and they try again... Wait (*&%*& and let me click twice! (They are otherwise very smart people, I don't get it.) It is also annoying to me that you cannot lock the car until all the doors are closed. Which means you have to wait for everybody to get out, wait for the doors to slide slowly closed, then lock.

Reading this forum makes me worry about the transmission, but it has been fine so far. I would bet this car can go a lot more miles but at this point it is an extra car only for hauling or groups.

[Tony_SS]

Carfax doesn't show maintenance records, only reported accidents and ownership changes/auction sales.

Wrong, Carfax does show maintenance if the dealership/repair shop records it.

[davedrivesody]

The Gen 2 transmission is a concern because of the cost to fix it. However, the failure rate is not 100%. It's not even 100% among OdyClub members, and we are just a small sample of all Ody owners.

The fuel consumption of an Ody is probably more than a CRV. Mixed driving will get you about 18 MPG. Highway is about 25 MPG.

To be financially prudent, consider your situation if you were to buy a Gen 2 (say $6,000) and then had to replace the transmission (about $2,500). If that worst-case scenario would leave you above water, go for it. It's a great van - solid, safe and fun to drive.

[Blue Blood]

Thanks for all the fast replies!!

The 99-01 have the 4spd trans and the 02-04 have the 5. Take your pick. You will hear horror stories about each one...

I have read many horror stories of both on Odyssey Transmission

avoid any with 'rebuilt' trans, as they are a crap shoot. And IMO, I would stay away from dealers. They are full of ****. Good luck!

Yes I have only bought 2 cars from dealers... I will never do that again...

The gen 2 van might change your mind about Honda, so you should consider a gen 1, gen 3 or another CRV instead. The gen 1 (1998 and older) and CRV were based on the reliable Accord platform.

I would love to get newer CRV, but with a big family its just too small. I have also looked at the pilot, they too have tranny problems but they are not as wide spread or as bad. Our budget is around 5 to 6k. The Pilot is not in that range... As of now if we go anywhere as a family we have to take two cars, so we really need the 3rd row seating.

other known problems.
A/C compressor, 3 motor mounts, brake caliper rattle, bad front struts/springs, EGR tube clean-out, ps pump. Also beware of the 105K service $$$, timing belt, tensioner, valve adjust, spark plugs, fluids etc.

Almost all the Odyssey's in my area on CL have listed most of these have been replaced.

If I were van shopping right now, I would be looking at a 2008-2010 Odyssey or a lightly used Sienna.

Anything over 2004 is just out of our budget... We have 2 boys and 3 girls.. with a family this big we can't afford a car payment... If we don't have cash then we dont need it!!

I know people that are on their second domestic van to my almost 12 year old Honda. 82K miles on the original transmission and counting.

Yes most of my friends and family are American car owners.... I laugh at them when their car has 100K and it needs a new motor... While my CRV now has over 200K and still going strong..

Have we got you confused yet? I guess you won't be going away with a definite answer to your question.

No confusion and not getting a definite answer is to be expected... But you all have giving me a lot of valuable info and I thanks you all!!

Wrong, Carfax does show maintenance if the dealership/repair shop records it.

This is TRU!! +1

The Gen 2 transmission is a concern because of the cost to fix it. However, the failure rate is not 100%. It's not even 100% among OdyClub members, and we are just a small sample of all Ody owners.
To be financially prudent, consider your situation if you were to buy a Gen 2 (say $6,000) and then had to replace the transmission (about $2,500). If that worst-case scenario would leave you above water, go for it. It's a great van - solid, safe and fun to drive.

I have read that Jasper Transmission has apparently a fix or modification for the defect or poor design. They also offer a 3 year/100k warranty on them. So I'm thinking if we get a year out of the transmission I then can buy one of these rebuilt and modified Jasper Transmissions for around $2500.. (If it goes bad) I can install it myself and save money...

[yeoldeoddy]

I have 130k on an 02 and it has been very reliable. Spent way less on it than my other cars with similar mileage. That said, there are some little annoying things:

1) the light bulb goes out behind the clock and odometer. Easy fix which I will try soon (after going without the light for 6+ years)
2) the rear vent windows work unreliably (leave them closed)
3) the steering column radio controls work unreliably (volume changes stations, etc). Not an inexpensive fix - I just reach over and adjust the radio.

yeolde lists motor mounts - I consider that maintenance, just like struts (absent an abnormal early failure). They go on my other cars too. Had the power steering pump resealed recently - $180. Recently I replaced two window regulators myself (expect those to break at 8-12 years, glass suddenly falls into the door). We did have the flashing D, inexpensive pressure switch replacement (100k miles). Watch for a CV inner boot leak (112k miles for me). The AC blower transistors go out (96k, live where the AC is ALWAYS on). DIY, but I had a shop do it. The blower motor tends to go out or get leaves in it. Mine just started making a funny noise. Easy diy. The oil filter housing will leak (an o-ring, was $115 at my independent). The SRS light will come on, most likely for the drivers side seat belt. Lifetime warranty on seatbelts in my state. Have never done the EGR port cleaning, but will shortly just because... HAD EGR replaced under warranty, and one oil leak that was $100.

The power sliding doors are definitely wonky and my family hates them, but mainly because they never unlock them or wait until somebody unlocks them. It is almost a Laurel and Hardy routine. I click once and unlock the front doors, they try the sliding doors. I wait...then click once and they immediately try again. I wait... Click once and they try again... Wait (*&%*& and let me click twice! (They are otherwise very smart people, I don't get it.) It is also annoying to me that you cannot lock the car until all the doors are closed. Which means you have to wait for everybody to get out, wait for the doors to slide slowly closed, then lock.

Reading this forum makes me worry about the transmission, but it has been fine so far. I would bet this car can go a lot more miles but at this point it is an extra car only for hauling or groups.

It's interesting what you would call "maintenance" and also call this van "very reliable".
Why not call replacing the transmission "maintenance" too? Then it would be the most reliable vehicle ever!
I have owned a Dodge Caravan and many cars from Dodge/Chrysler/Ford and Chevy and if any of them had that many problems I would say it's falling apart. It's amazing how the Japanese car reputation is so blinding.

[02ody02]

Whoa Nellie. The only item I referenced as maintenance are motor mounts and struts.

As to being blinded, I think not. I am a data guy all the way and I keep good records. I have owned, for an extended period, cars from multiple American, Japanese and European manufacturers. I have spent only $1,200 in repairs in over 10 years of owning the Ody, and all done by a shop except the two window regulators. Shoot, I have spent $1,200 on only two repairs on other cars I owned, including a Honda.

My relatives have owned several Chrysler products over multiple decades and never learned their lesson - always had problems. Chrysler does have great styling though.

My Ody has had no major failures or expensive failure. It has never left me stranded, and has been inexpensive both to maintain and repair. The things I have not fixed are minor nuisances.

[baseball]

Beware. Its a crap shoot on Gen 2. All 99-2003 bad transmissions. 2004 better but still some reports of problems. Recall of 2002-3 did not solve the third gear problem. Just helped a different rare problem. Definitely don't buy if trans fluid is black or smells bad. A Toyota van of those years has a better track record for durability. Honda's is rather poor in those years.
As noted, "Almost all the Odyssey's in my area on CL have listed most of these have been replaced." That is because most have failed.
"To be financially prudent, consider your situation if you were to buy a Gen 2 (say $6,000) and then had to replace the transmission (about $2,500). If that worst-case scenario would leave you above water, go for it. It's a great van - solid, safe and fun to drive. " Buy a car expecting a high probability of needing to buy a transmission is a NON recommendation.

[02ody02]

FYI, do not take my posts to mean I disagree with posters like baseball. Mine has been reliable and I shared my info to help you know of other things to look at. I do not have an idea how widespread the transmission issue is (but clearly there have been transmission problems even among those who do not tow and do the scheduled services). That said, I would avoid a used car with a major potential repair problem that cannot be checked out or reliably repaired. Transmissions can't be checked out, and from anecdotal reports, can't be reliably rebuilt/repaired/replaced.

Personally, if my transmission goes, I junk the car rather than replace it. But I can afford to do that.

Another approach if you can make the CRV work another six months or a year: save money and let the 04s come down in price as they inevitably will. Per Craigslist, 04s are $5500 to $7500 in my area.

[GeoOdyZantac]

If I were van shopping right now, I would be looking at a 2008-2010 Odyssey or a lightly used Sienna.

^^^^^^I agree with the above statement. I got lucky in finding our 2008 EX as it was (as the State of Georgia classifies private-party sales) a "casual sale" from someone I knew who wanted to get out from making a car payment on it. The 08 is the second year of the Ridgeline transmission installed on the Ody (much more rugged and reliable) and I like the changes Honda made to the exterior in the 08-10s. I would suggest buying (if you can find one!) an EX or LX unless you MUST have all the options on the EX-L or Touring models. As an independent Honda mechanic I know says: "the longer the name on a vehicle the more problems with things needing to be fixed down the road" Plus,they cost much less, even when used.