What Are The Chances I Will Have A Pre-mature Tranny Problem?

[McDermottSeattl]

Hey guys, I tried the search function and didn't see any threads pertaining to my question. If I missed one, I apologize. I just bought a 2002 used Odyssey with 74K miles on it. I had heard there was a history of tranny problems with the Odyssey but I got a good price on the van and didn't think the tranny problem was that bad. Now that I have found this forum, I am scared to death. I am waiting for the parts to come but will be installing a filter and cooler right away.

The van runs great. I love it. The previous owner took good care of it I believe as he handed me all the maintenance papers. He said he never had an issue with the transmission when I asked and I believe him as it shifts very smoothly.

My question: What are the chances I encounter the pre-mature failure of this notorious tranny defect? Is there any good data out there that provides statistics? Is it 1 out of every 3 Odysseys, or a 33% chance? Does anyone know the percentage of reported tranny problems in relation to the total # of Odysseys produced?

What about VIN #'s, or where the van was produced? Mine says Alabama on the inside of the door. I live in the Seattle area and I noticed that a lot of the people on here are from the East Coast or Central area. It seems like there are not a lot of West Coast people reporting problems? Is this a regional problem?

Finally, I spent $6k for this van. I am at a cross roads right now. Keep it and do all the preventative stuff now and hope for the best, or sell it now before I encounter any problems. I feel I am a pretty honest person and I would have a hard time selling this van if I was currently experiencing even the slightest problem. But as of right now, no problems whatsoever and I absolutely love driving it. But this thread and this whole forum right now has me very squeamish. All input and advice is appreciated. Thank you, Scott

[yeoldeoddy]

If you really want to not spend any money on cars, sell them all and ride the bus!
Cars cost money and this van is certainly no exception.
Nobody keeps that data beyond the warranty peroid because very few people report their problems or when their car didn't have any problem. There is no data system for Honda or any other car out of warranty. So you take your chances.
If you want insurance for a future bad tranny, get an extended warranty, thery're not cheep though. You might concider instead a used Honda 4 cylinder Civic/Accord if you really can't afford the tranny going out. The 4 cyl trannys are very reliable.

[McDermottSeattl]

I realize all cars cost money to maintain. Some more than others. I was just hoping to get current Odyssey owners' takes on what the chances are for me to have the dreaded tranny problem. Also, I would imagine with all the articles and attention that this problem has attracted, there has got to be something out there with some statistics of the overall frequency of the problem. I would like to know if it is something like 1 out of every 20 or more like 1 out of every 3. That to me is a huge difference.

[hmkim]

You are scared to death because of a possible tranny problem?

Even if you know the exact % of the tranny failure, what does it mean to you? During your ownership of the Ody, you will either have a tranny problem or no problem.

[bruce2]

Scott, you must haven't experienced a break down in your life. If you like the car, do what ever preventive measure you can and keep driving. Don't loose sleep over it. If you like to feel more secure, you can go ahead and figure out where you like to have your tranny replaced once it gave up. Find out if your insurance will cover at least one toll per incident. If you are taking frequent long trips, go ahead and joint the AAA with toll service. May be starts to save up some changes. keeping all the numbers around so you'll be in control when something happens. I know how you feel before my fist break done with my whole family and not prepared. Things is going to be ok.

Enjoy,

[McDermottSeattl]

Bruce, thank you for the level-headed advice. I really appreciate it. I have had a good number of major break downs and that is why I don't want any more. I live on a modest income as my wife and I both work and we have 3 kids that are all under 5. I bought this van to for me to drive to work 5 days a week over 50 miles ONE WAY. I was using an Accord for this until that motor gave way three weeks ago and left me stranded on I-5 late at night in 20 Degree weather. All I was hoping to do was find out from anyone if they knew what the "scope" of this tranny issue was. I like to play the percentages in life. As a bottom feeder in the economic food chain, I need to be right more than wrong to support my family. I wish I new what the percentage of Odyssey owners had the tranny problem vs. the numbers that don't. That would help me make my next decision. It sounds like nobody knows I guess?

[davedrivesody]

Whatever the statistical rate of transmission failure, you can sway the odds in your favor.

You already mentioned adding a cooler and a filter. Consider also a 3-times drain and refill with Honda-compatible synthetic ATF. After that, drain and fill at each engine oil change. Lastly, drive it like granny - keep the RPM's under 2000 when accelerating.

Dave

[yeoldeoddy]

I don't think there's any way to find out what your odds are. You just need to roll the dice and find out.
Or find another way to commute or as mentioned already, another car. Commuting 100 miles a day with a smaller car
would make ALOT more sense anyway. These vans only get about 25mpg hiway if you're lucky. Getting 35mpg instead would
save you big, about $1100/year at $4/gal. Not to mention the more expensive maintenance with these vans. Have you checked into the timing belt and other 7yr/105K maint$$$? It might be cheeper to put an engine into the accord.
Most people come here because they have had problems of one sort or another.
The majority that don't have problems probably never heard of this forum, therefore would not post about how long their tranny lasted.

[ackack]

There were roughly a half million Odys sold in the 3 yrs, 2002-2004. That's a lot of metal on the road for one model. How many odyclubbers have reported failures here? Several hundred? A thousand? I dunno. Point being, the number is small compared to a half million. That should give you some comfort in addition to the low miles on your van and the diligence of the previous owner. Was he the only owner? Did he have it serviced at a local dealer? If so, visit that dealer & look at the service history. The dealer that serviced my used '02 had much history including a tranny replacement (not just the oil jet patch job) in '07. Mine runs great ... knock on wood.

[PAPAJOE26]

An '02 with 74K miles, but as the timing belt been changed. That service is supposed to be done at 7yr. or 105K miles. You should know about that if you were an Accord owner. Depending on if you do just the belt, or if you do the water pump, pulley, tensioner, seal etc., then tat will set you back anywhere from $550-$900 or $1,000.

[02ody02]

I have an 02 with 130k miles. Original transmission. No measures taken other than drain every 30k miles as per Honda. Yes, reading this forum worries me bout the transmission. By the way, if you are smart enough to play percentages, you are ahead of the game and with some effort should not be on the lower end of the economic spectrum for long!

Yeolde took his car to a deler that overcharged for services, so his view of costs may be colored. The 105k service is not cheap (mine was $1100), but also not expensive when you take things into account. Spark plugs once in 105k vs every 30k for two other cars I have (similar era, similar mileage). One timing belt at 105 vs every 60k for one of my cars. My ody has been cheaper over 130k miles than the other two cars.

Yeolde's point about mpg on a long commute is very valid though. That said, to get significantly better highway mpg you have to go small, or hybrid, or underpowered. Drive at 60 and you can get 25 freeway (I can anyway).

[yeoldeoddy]

Yeolde took his car to a deler that overcharged for services, so his view of costs may be colored. The 105k service is not cheap (mine was $1100), but also not expensive when you take things into account. Spark plugs once in 105k vs every 30k for two other cars I have (similar era, similar mileage). One timing belt at 105 vs every 60k for one of my cars. My ody has been cheaper over 130k miles than the other two cars.

Yea, the wife was taking the van down to AZ in August so we had the dealer check it out a few days before they left.
At the time it only had 80K but it was 8 years old so they recommended the timing belt/tensioner/water pump and in the process found 3 bad motor mounts (a very common problem on these vans BTW). The bill was ugly about $1700 but didn't have time to take it elsewhere. I know the Honda people don't like to hear it but, my Caravan was definatly cheeper to maintain and small cars (not luxury brands) are also generally cheeper to maintain.
I know you could put a good used engine in that Accord for less than $1100.

[aaronm]

What is pre-mature? Will your tranny make it to 100,000 miles, yes. Will it last until 200,000 miles, probably not without a rebuild. My 3rd gear clutch pack wore out around 129,000. I got it rebuilt for $1600 and got a 50,000 mile warranty. It also depends on your driving style. Stop and go is bad. Highway miles are probably not a problem because you're not shifting through 3rd gear very much.

$6,000 for a van with such low mileage is a good deal. Other than the tranny and motor mount issues, these are great vans. Study up on how to change the timing belt and clean out the EGR passages. You'll probably be able to do these things soon.

Keep driving it. If it starts to rev sometimes and not shift into 3rd gear, you can start shopping around for the best deal on a tranny rebuild. Once it shows symptoms, you'll have months to figure out what to do, it's not a sudden catastophic failure. Maybe you'll drive it for 10 more years and never have to worry about it.

[McDermottSeattl]

Thanks for the replys guys. I really appreciate it. I still am really on the fence what to do. I really like the van and going in I knew about the transmission problems. What I didn't know and has me concerned is that the fix (rebuild) hasn't proven to be the cure. I have come across a lot of posters with the re-builds failing too and that is what I am struggling with accepting.

[yeoldeoddy]

What is pre-mature? Will your tranny make it to 100,000 miles, yes. Will it last until 200,000 miles, probably not without a rebuild. My 3rd gear clutch pack wore out around 129,000. I got it rebuilt for $1600 and got a 50,000 mile warranty. It also depends on your driving style. Stop and go is bad. Highway miles are probably not a problem because you're not shifting through 3rd gear very much.

Wow $1600 and a 50K warranty! I'd be thinking about rebuilding pre-emptivly, if I could get that deal!
I've been hearing closer to $3500 in the big city (calif). That would convince me to junk it instead.