[sartind]

Okay, I've been holding off on submitting this but I can't take it any longer. I've seen other postings in this forum and I think it'll be good for me to get this off of my chest!!! Where to begin......okay a list of all the problems I've had/currently having with my 2001 Oddysey LX with 23,000 miles:

1. Van shimmied after delivery. Only 4 miles on the van. This was sickening. Honda finally (after several trips to the dealer and talking with a Zone Rep) replaced my Firestones with Michelins. Problem corrected.
2. 1000 Miles - Creaking sound when turning steering wheel left/right right/left. Front struts replaced. Still noisy. Then advised this is normal sound. It doesn't sound right to me. Oh well. Still does it.
3. After struts replaced, a metal clacking sound appeared under front-end drivers side. Ball bearing plate assembly fixed.
4. Drivers side seat assembly replaced (after I was told this was normal). It was moving around due to something loose that couldn't be tightened down. Now, my armrest is very loose and the whole back of my drivers seat moves up and down about 1/2 inch. Another trip to the dealer.
5. Sliding doors have squeeked continously...this really sucks. A little shin-etzu grease has helped this. Oh, but after about 5 trips to the dealer.
6. Captains chairs seat slider (right passenger) rubber connector broke.
7. Passenger side front speaker grill pops out. Have to keep popping it back on. Yeah.
8. Transmission jerks hard when downshifting/upshifting at about 5-10 mph. I've had it in several times for this but I've been told "it can't be duplicated" or it's normal." Now I've noticed when moving from P to N to R it takes a little while for it to go into gear...and with a clunk. Wow..just more fun stuff from this van. Again, yeah.
9. Drivers door scraped up when it was in the shop. Then was in the body shop for a week. Got it back and the body shop missed some of the scrape. Cool. Now it's gotta go back again. Oh, and didn't get a vehicle from the dealer. Got one from Enterprise. And got charged 25 bucks. Dealer is supposed to take care of the charge.
10. Passenger door seals have been replaced because of sticking...could hardly open them. The fun continues.
11. Seal around windshield wasn't lying flat (was poking up at the top). Had to be adjusted.
13. Van started shimmying when applying brakes coming of the freeway. Rotors were turned...hmmmm...was warned this one was free and only at 21,000 miles (no, I haven't applied my brakes hard at any time to cause this). Is this too early? Brakes pads at 60% at last count.
14. My brakes squeeked like hell but only when backing up. It was awful. Was told this is normal, no problems found. It was awful. After the rotors were turned, this went away. Now it's starting again. More joy.
15. Passenger sliding door runner plate replaced because door was not closing smooth like drivers side. Was not aligned after repair and would not close without hitting the guides. Again, cool. Didn't find this until after I got home from getting it repaired. Oh, and this happened when my door was damaged.
16. The piller cover (plastic cover on passenger side near windshield) rattled. had to remove and re-enforce.
17. It has all the front-end rumbles (sounds like something is loose), ticks from the engine, gas tank bumping noise, etc.,..

This is my testimony (so far). And, you know what? I'm not completely sure I've covered all my problems here. I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER FOLKS. THIS VEHICLE HAS SO FAR S U C K E D. I bought a Honda for three reasons: RELIABILITY, POWER, and MAGIC SEAT. I've had nothing but woe. Reliability has been non-existent. My dealers (yes I've tried two now) probably hate to see me come back. And yes, I HATE to have take it back. My Caravan friends make fun of me. No one I work with with buy a Honda Van. It has not been a positive experience for my friends either. Oh well, I'm thinking about dumping the piece of crap. This really sucks folks. Be warned. I know, "You must have gotten a bad one." Well, maybe so. But it has been a terrible experience thus far. What can I do? Any questions please email me at [email protected]

[This message has been edited by sartind (edited 02-02-2002).]

[This message has been edited by sartind (edited 02-02-2002).]

 

[2002EXODY]

Forgive me for sounding callous but you sound a little biatch to me. It is too late for me to explain why. Maybe later I will but I am too tired for now. Believe me I will be the first to complain if there is a "real" problem but I am too tired now.

Don't get me wrong. Your are entitled to your opinion but so am I. And in my opinion some of the reasons you listed are nit picky.

Good night.

 

[sartind]

Let me see, hmmm, warped rotors, struts replaced, seat problems, ball joint plate assembly, van shimmy at 65 mph, possible transmission problems (which I know the transmission has a problem), combined with the lousy service I've received, yep I must be getting "nit picky". If it were only the nit picky things it wouldn't be a big deal (except for the doors squeeking, that drives me nuts, another nit picky thing). I've been back to dealers to take care of these things more times that I'd like to remember. I bought the van under the assumption that it was the best, and I was expecting no problems. I've been EXTREMELY disappointed. I was expecting more from a Honda. It's been a major disappointment for me. Since I've had all these problems already at 23,000 miles, I wonder what's in store for me for the next 23,000 miles? Thank God I have the extended warranty. Sorry if I burst your bubble because you have a new 2002 and you have to justify calling me NIT PICKY. Your opinion of course, to which you are entitled. Did I mention my Van was also SILVER?!?!?! I've avoided looking for the PAINT PROBLEM.

UNHAPPY, NIT PICKY ODY OWNER

 

[buffysingstheblues]

I have a '99 Ody LX and I feel your pain. I know people say that it takes three years before a newly designed model has all of its kinks worked out, but I wasn't expecting this many problems. I too have been disappointed by Honda's workmanship. I won't go into detail here but suffice it to say that you are not alone.

 

[OdyRocky]

I have a theory about many Ody owners, well at least on this website....we are all PICKY. Our mindset is half the reason we bought a Honda and not a DC, Windstar, etc. I would bet that most households have a copy of Consumer Reports on the coffee table (which was bought with magazine advice!). We use the internet as a tool to limit hassle/bad experiences/etc on future purchases. By being PICKY we also drive manufacturer's to improve....we were the catalyst through foreign car sales for US companies to play catch up after the crap they built in the 70's and 80's.
We are also 'the source' friends call when buying anything from a toaster to a pitchfork.

------------------
2002 Silver EX
1996 VW Gti
1999 Pit Bull/Catahoula Leopard dogs

 

[celler]

You don't specify where you are from, but most States have comprehensive lemon laws to deal with situations like this. I would get on the internet site for your state and research this or contact an attorney.

At this point, you will likely not be happy until Honda takes this vehicle off your hands. That is the direction I would take.

------------------
Craig

 

[accordian]

SartinD, I would be upset, too! I have to wonder, though, if your dealer is doing you right. In my experience, a good dealer can make owning a trouble-prone car much less frustrating. My thoughts on your problems:

Creaking when steering: my Accord did this. It was the mounts for the steering rack. Dealer located it immediately, re-torqued and lubed offending area. Fixed.

Loose arm rest and back of drivers seat: dealer messed something up in process of fixing seat track. They have to make it right.

5 trips to dealer for squeeking doors: again, your dealer isn't competent.

Captains chairs seat slider rubber: sorry, I don't know what that is.

Speaker grill pops out: my bet is that the clips that hold it in are damaged and you need a new grill. Was the grill removed intentionally in the past?

Transmission jerk/slow to engage: real trouble here. New tranny likely. Did your dealer mess with the transmission in the process of trying to eliminate the front end shimmy? I have heard of some dealers even replacing transmissions because of vibrations. Did they introduce the wrong (non-Honda) trans fluid into your unit? It seems unlikely, but I believe you have found a remarkably bad dealer.

Body damage and rental car charge: incompetent dealer

Sliding doors sticking: Honda knows about this and has issued tech service bulletin. If dealer did not fix per bulletin, they are incompetent.

Windshield molding coming up: common on 98-99 Accords, never seen this on the Ody. Fix is simple per Tech Service Bulletin on the Accord, a competent dealer can figure out to do the same for your Ody.

Shimmy when braking at freeway speeds: did the dealer remove/replace the front wheels? Did they torque the lug nuts properly? Overtorqued lug nuts will warp the rotors and making changing a flat on the side of the road impossible.

Squeaking brakes when backing up: when the front brake pads are removed/replaced, an anti-squeaking compound and shims should be re-applied to the backs of the pads. Was this done? If not, your dealer service is incompetent.

Slider not closing smoothly, etc.: sounds like, again, your dealer is making life difficult for you. If they had not damaged the door in the first place, would this problem have presented?

Front end sounds like something loose: mine does that, too. Haven't taken it in for that yet, but it sounds like the coil springs are rattling, not an uncommon problem on many cars. Just my speculation. I doubt it's serious, but a nuisance that should not occur.

A-Pillar cover rattle: did they remove this when repairing the windshield molding? If they took the windshield out, they did remove it. Also, I heard that there was a tech service bulletin about this trim piece rattling against the glass on Accords. Did they check for that?

Ticking, gas rumbling, etc. All normal noises that would likely not bother you if you had not been having so many other problems. Sounds like your van presented some initial problems that your dealer only made worse. Sometimes I think I would rather have a bad car and a good dealer over a good car and a bad dealer, because even the good car is going to need a repair now and then. But your van does sound like it has more than it's fair share of problems. I'd take it to another dealer if possible. If not possible, a letter to Honda is in order.

 

[moonatics]

Oh, I am very sorry you were called Picky. That was really, really, unfair. I, too, have had some of the same problems you have had, and so have many others on this forum. You have every right to be upset, and if I were you, I'd get rid of that van, too.

I had the seals replaced on my sliding doors, at no charge. And when I mentioned the brakes squeaking in reverse, the service person said he was "working on that one." It's known, and it's probably something Honda's avoiding dealing with. I hope it will be dealt with soon. I haven't had any of the other problems, but others here have, and if I had, I'd have traded that Ody in by now. Just get rid of your headache.

Because of this forum, I have been made very aware of these problems. I am sort of waiting for them to happen. I sure hope they don't, because overall, I like the van. I'm not so thrilled with Honda Service, though. Good luck with your people in setting things right. If the lemon laws do not pertain in your instance, just sell it. You'll still get someone to pay you big bucks for it (try a Toyota dealer). Take care and don't let anyone here make you feel like you are nit picky.

 

[malakilaki]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by moonatics:
Oh, I am very sorry you were called Picky. That was really, really, unfair. I, too, have had some of the same problems you have had, and so have many others on this forum. You have every right to be upset, and if I were you, I'd get rid of that van, too.
</font>

I second that.

I am sorry about all the problems with your Ody. I was in a similar situation when I had a '96 DC.

This forum has helped me resolve my Ody issues. I just wish members refrain from posting deleterious replies when a member has an issue. It just aggravates the member.
We're all mindful that this is an internet forum and everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but please be sensitive.

 

[02EXLODY]

I'm sorry to hear about your van. :-( So far my 2002 is awesome. Hopefully they worked any and all problems out of this model. It's funny because I have 5 friends at my Church that drive 01's and these are the people that talked me into buying an Odyssey. Since I've been a member of ODYCLUB I've noted these problems and asked my friends if they have had similar problems with their vans and they haven't. They don't know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I would be upset as well. My first Honda was a 98 Accord LX and we loved it. I will post any good or bad that I have with the van. Good luck to you.

 

[nemogira]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 2002EXODY:
Forgive me for sounding callous but you sound a little biatch to me.</font>

Take it easy 2002EXODY! It's one thing to state your opinion - it's another to call people names. Stuff like that is not tolerated here.

-Nestor

P.S. Better late than never...



------------------

2000 CCS EX-NAVI

 

[K2Rider]

Folks on this site probably recognize my name by now. I'm the guy everyone jumped all over when I started suggesting that this van was not perfect by reporting/complaining about my new 2000 LX. I've had almost an identical experience of numerous problems. I feel unhappily vindicated now. My LX had the shimmy in the steering wheel and still has the stumbling engine, loose sounding struts, sticking doors, easily chipping paint, oil leaks, gas tank thump, numerous rattles, saggy springs and that very annoying interior lighting design flaw where the lights (if left on) will stay on FOREVER until your battery is dead. This van makes my previous '94 Caravan look wonderful. It gave me 89k miles with only 2 minor problems ! AND, at a brand new cost of only $16,100, it was very satisfying. I expected the same and better from my new HONDA (at $25,000) but am very disappointed already. I'm now having to shop for an extended warranty at a cost of $1,500 more (I have 22k miles on my Ody) to protect me from the $6,800 (dealer confirmed cost) cost of repairing a trany if it goes bad like many others have at 50k miles or so. I'm also considering selling this junker at a loss of the 8.89% sales tax I paid, plus depreciation. I will never buy another early model Honda again. I loved my '88 Civic. I hate my 2000 Ody. Sorry folks but this thread just got me going again. I'm sure these comments will bring on more attacks but I can only go by my experience with this vehicle. Hope ya'll take this as informational and not as me looking to blast the Ody. Hope everyone else has better luck with these things. PS: Anyone suggesting the Lemon Law probably has never really tried using that law. It is exceptionally difficult to qualify and recieve compensation at a fair value. Good luck folks.

 

[Maugham]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mike McBride:
...I'm now having to shop for an extended warranty at a cost of $1,500 more (I have 22k miles on my Ody) to protect me from the $6,800 (dealer confirmed cost) cost of repairing a trany if it goes bad like many others have at 50k miles or so...</font>

Mike,

I believe that anyone <font color=red>(including a Daimler-Chrysler employee!)</font> can purchase for his Ody a Honda Care Warranty warranty 7 yrs/100,000 miles / 0 deductible from Alton Blakley Honda for US$875 + $60 for the 24/24,000 surcharge, for a total of US$935, or about 34% less than what you quote.

Good luck with your <font color=red>Crusade</font>.

Regards,

Maugham

PS You compared the cost of a '94 vehicle to an '00. All vehicles increased in price during that time, so it is not valid to compare those particular costs.<font color="#dedfdf">

[This message has been edited by Maugham (edited 02-05-2002).]

 

[02EXLODY]

Hey Mike. It's Dave. Haven't sold that thing yet? Thursday morning I leave on a "mini" vacation. Will be carrying 4 adults, two babies, two strollers, and luggage. I'll let you know how my 02 does on the road. Take care my friend.

 

[overmyheadcam]

I'm sorry, I can't take this any more.

Maybe it's my perspective coming from a '90 Suburban with 185k miles and a '97 Wrangler with a convertible top, but squeaks, rattles, groans, thumps, bumps, jerks, quirks and whatnot, I say, HA! I was just happy to have a vehicle that didn't piddle in my driveway. (That's irony, folks. Irony.) I think I'd be lumping all that noise in the general category of road noise. It is, after all, a machine, not a magic carpet.

I also have a hard time believing that so many problems, verging in all known problems known to infect Ody's, can find themselves in such a small number of vehicles. To be honest, and no insult intended, but knowing a little about message board behaviors, I have a much easier time, statistically, believing that a few Caravan or whatever owners are out trolling as a means of entertainment.

And lets get realistic about the gripes, too. The interior lights and the gas tank thump are design deficiencies - less than desired or ideal - not flaws or problems. It's not like the van's dangerous because of them. I've been dealing with manual, individual lights and kids for 10 years. Big whoop. Yeah, and sometimes the battery dies. IT'S A CAR! THESE THINGS HAPPEN WITH CARS! If you don't want them to happen, look in the mods section or buy a more expensive vehicle that has everything you want. Money=features. Features=money. Ya know, for about $30k, you can buy a Ford...errr....Jaguar S-Type. Lux-ur-y. ding ding beep beep bzzzzz your door is ajar your door is ajar there is no parking in the red zone Someone shoot me. Please. I'm dealing with so much user-"friendly," automatic lights stereo lock reminder/warning blah, blah, blah on this Pontiac Grand POS Am that Honda has so kindly rented for me, that I could really use the relief.

As for lemon laws, they vary by state, but I'd hazard a guess that pretty universal is three attempts at one 'substantial problem.' Now, define substantial. Everyone's going to have a different definition which is why they have mediation boards to inject a little reality into the process. Compensation at a fair value would be arguable, too, which is why I'm seriously considering consulting with an attorney that specializes in lemon law work to to give me an expert opinion before I agree to anything.

 

[b1trentel]

Some people just like to gripe. Have you ever owned a vehicle you liked, I bet not.

My 2000 LX has been nearly perfect. But then again I'd need to get rid of the 3 and 4 year old and their bucket of toys to detect any noises you're hearing.

 

[OdyRocky]

Overmyheadcam,
In reference to your 'magic carpet' comment, I didn't get that option for my 'magic seat' nor 'magic well'....

Can I get that from HandA?
I agree, it's just a vehicle. But half the fun on this website is sharing issues/idea's/'problems' with other members who can be just as retentive as I get with the van. If no one complained we would all still be driving early 80's Dodge Caravans with 'woody' packages and wire wheels.
I am glad you are on the rebound from that 2002 Ody oil leak. I literally ran outside in the early morning to check mine (grime so far) Reminds me of the vintage Harley saying "they are just marking their spot!"

------------------
2002 Silver EX
1996 VW Gti
1999 Pit Bull/Catahoula Leopard dogs

[This message has been edited by OdyRocky (edited 02-06-2002).]

 

[K2Rider]

Yo Dave ! Hope your trip turns out well, I'm sure it will. Good to see ya on this site. Ya know, if I can get a 100k mile warranty for what the guy above claims ~$800-900, I may keep this thing. I'm skeptical about that price since I have 23K+ miles though. Take care buddy !

 

[Maugham]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mike McBride:
Yo Dave ! Hope your trip turns out well, I'm sure it will. Good to see ya on this site. Ya know, if I can get a 100k mile warranty for what the guy above claims ~$800-900, I may keep this thing. I'm skeptical about that price since I have 23K+ miles though. Take care buddy !</font>

Act quickly, the cutoff point for the $60 surcharge is at 24 months and 24,000 miles.

Regards,

Maugham

 

[02EXLODY]

Mike, she's full of fuel and ready to go. I'll let you know how it goes. Went shopping for a RES today. Believe I found a place that can get the same one Honda puts in the Odyssey for about $1500 cheaper. I talk more about that on the "video" page later. See ya!

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2002 GG Odyssey EX-L
1988 Ford Escort GT