[Hodna]

Well, everything wrapped up as of today 2/10. The service write up says they used a new transmission and after a quick look under the hood it seems like the date on the ZF plate is Oct '21 so that jives. The van is driving well now and transmission operation seems to be smooth with no immediate red flags after about 30miles. Part of the work included an alignment as well.

Interestingly enough, my loaner was a 22 pilot touring with a ZF9 as well and that one seemed to have much better logic as it felt smoother and quicker on the shifts up and down the range. Hopefully the new one in the Ody follows suit.

Thanks for the report, thestigxd. Is the engine in the Pilot the same one as in your Ody? Just curious. Of course, the transmission programing may be different to account for a different weight, required, torque values, and other parameters we know nothing about .

 

[thestigxd]

Thanks for the report, thestigxd. Is the engine in the Pilot the same one as in your Ody? Just curious. Of course, the transmission programing may be different to account for a different weight, required, torque values, and other parameters we know nothing about .

Same engine and transmission, I was in a '22 Touring AWD so two more wheels being driven. That's probably the key difference.

 

[Hodna]

Okay, thanks. Good to know.

 

[fuego]

ZF plate is Oct '21

Fantastic! Glad you were taken care of.

 

[melfam]

2019 EX-L, 47k miles with the ZF9 in the shop at the moment for transmission replacement. Initially van was driving well and no real issues cropped up outside of the characteristic delay in downshifts which we could definitely live with. Things did however eventually deteriorate and here's a quick summary of my journey:

@28K, had a harsh up-shift issue around 25mph (i think it was the 2-3 shift).
@30K, transmission fluid exchange & TCM software update via my Honda dealer.
@46.5K, brought vehicle in due to a "rotation" related noise, sort of flat tire or puncture-esque but everyting i could see up to the differential with my own eyes was fine. Was told there is tire noise only and needed to replace tires but this noise did not seem tire related (tires do need replacement, they're the OEM ones but have 20% life left). It would occur only at decel, specifically between 35mph-5mph, would go away if i applied the brakes and was only present once the transmission was up to temp.
@47K, brought back to dealer and pleaded my case again, was given major attitude by the Service Advisor who wanted to see the tires replaced and would refuse to re-diagnose. I persisted and gave more details as the sound had now started sounding like a grinding gear sort of noise. Got a call that they acknowledge it's transmission related and will replace the ZF9 speed under power train warranty.

Seems like i was one of the "lucky" ones to experience a failure during warranty and able to get a replacement. We'll see what the re-manufactured ZF9 they install will be like but at this point I have very little confidence in this brand although I love everything else about my Ody. Hope this helps someone else out in some way.

I guarantee they are given guidance on these transmissions/vehicles to do all they can to not warranty the ZF 9 speed. They know it has issues.

 

[MaMoose7]

2019 Odyssey EX-L, I believe we have the 10 gears. Our only problem is that the transmission takes a moment to start going, and then it revs forward real quick. It’s frustrating when I’m trying to quickly pull into traffic or turn in front of oncoming traffic and the transmission has to think about it for a moment. I’m screwed if I’m ever in a life or death situation where I need to instantly take off.

Also, I’m P I S S E D about the fact that the Odyssey can’t be put into neutral with the engine off. My battery died while I was parked in my garage and it was a huge to-do trying to get access to my van to jump it. There was no way to roll it out! Thankfully, we have a small window in the garage and my husband’s truck has 4 wheel drive, so he was able to wrangle it into position. What if my engine died in the middle of the road? I would have no way to roll it to the shoulder! And the only solution to the problem is a $200 tool that you would have to keep with you at all times (where?) and you have to hold it into place and turn it while simultaneously pushing the van. It’s garbage!

 

[Yahmei]

2019 Odyssey EX-L, I believe we have the 10 gears. Our only problem is that the transmission takes a moment to start going, and then it revs forward real quick. It’s frustrating when I’m trying to quickly pull into traffic or turn in front of oncoming traffic and the transmission has to think about it for a moment. I’m screwed if I’m ever in a life or death situation where I need to instantly take off.

The 2019 EX-L comes with the 9-speed ZF. As for your issue with hesitation on acceleration, it's been discussed in this thread, Hesitation on acceleration , so I'd give it a read to see if it's similar to what other members were experiencing.

@M6ix said that doing these steps , Hesitation on acceleration , solved the issue for them, but take anything on the forum with a grain of salt. Most people on here are just DIYers and what you do with your vehicle would be up to you.

If you do plan on disconnecting the negative terminal, there's a chance that your vehicles settings can be reset (Hopefully someone can chime in, but doesn't removing or disconnecting the battery factory reset the van? There's a way to avoid it altogether but I can't find the post.)
--Edit: apprently not Disconnect battery will the van forget all my settings?

Also, I’m P I S S E D about the fact that the Odyssey can’t be put into neutral with the engine off.

Yes, this is a terrible design. I'd highly recommend buying a portable jump starter that doubles as a phone charger/flashlight.

 

[shuck]

Had the same hesitation on acceleration issue for 2 years of ownership of a 2018 EX-L. Did the reset once and it helped for about a week, then came back. Dealer / warranty was no help. Had 3 issues with the van in the 2 years and 35k miles we owned it, none of which were covered by the CPO warranty. Happily traded this thing off a month ago for an older, higher mileage Yukon. The van was versatile and held lots of kids and stuff, but was not the quality I expected from Honda. Thankfully, due to inflation, it hadn't depreciated hardly at all, especially when compared to a large SUV. I'm still surprised the 2018-2021 Odysseys command the high prices they do.

 

[jssingh]

Some great information on this thread. One simple point that I still need information on is the frequency of the ATF change. My 2019 Ody Touring (so 10 spd), is sitting at 22k miles and an age of 2 years and 7 months. My dealer recommends they do a ATF drain and fill every alternate service, so every 15k miles. That seems a bit excessive, but they only charge 140 + tax for it. I am not a whole lot mechanically inclined, though I change my oil and have done brake bleeding as well. This seems a little bit involved, though extremely well documented (thank you).

Recommendations on how often to change is all across the board, from 20k miles to 30k to 60k. So which is it ?

 

[zroger73]

Recommendations on how often to change is all across the board, from 20k miles to 30k to 60k. So which is it ?

When code 3 appears on the Maintenance Minder which will vary depending on your driving conditions. Fixed intervals went the way of the dodo bird when the Maintenance Minder was introduced over 15 years ago.

 

[fuego]

code 3 appears

Does it hurt to change early? Some folks advise against it so I’m curious to learn.

 

[shamu604]

I’m new to this forum. From Vancouver, Canada.

One month ago I bought a 2019 Honda Odyssey EX-L w/ RES with ~74000 km.

A few days after I bought it I started to notice:

• Jerky upshift from first to second gear – happens about a third of the time
• Weird upshift around 49 km/hr to 52 km/hr. I know it’s at this speed because every time it happens I immediately think something has gone horribly wrong and I look at the dash expecting a warning.
• This happens when I’m accelerating uphill
• If I let it rip on a flat surface

I did some research on here and found that TSB 19-124 might solve my issues. So I brought it to Honda.

• They could not duplicate the problem
• They claimed that this TSB does not exist – I know people in Canada have successfully had this installed but they were adamant.
• I drove it around with a tech and was able to duplicate the first to second gear jerky upshift – they said it was normal. I’ve driven many cars and I’ve never felt this even once.
• I was unable to duplicate the 49 km/hr to 52 km/hr upshift. I mean it only happens like once or twice a day but when it does everyone feels it. It hurts my brain.
• They charged me around $200 for all this.
• They said unless an engine light comes on they will not re-visit this issue.

I decided to go home and do the reset. It’s helped with the first to second gear jerky upshift but it still does it occasionally. If I press down hard it’s fine but in stop and go traffic or parking lots where I need to go slow it will do it often.

I don’t know what to do. I’m new to Hondas and I’m new to newer cars. I wish I could just get in and drive but nope.

It’s driving me nuts. I never had the “honeymoon” phase with this new car. It’s been annoying issues all along.

Any recommendations?

 

[TSQ]

I had the TSB 19-124 software update done at least 1000 km ago. Previously shifting was fine 99% of the time but noticed hard 1->2 shifts when driving in stop and go traffic (which I don't do often). 1000+ km after the update it remains noticeably smoother.

 

[shamu604]

I had the TSB 19-124 software update done at least 1000 km ago. Previously shifting was fine 99% of the time but noticed hard 1->2 shifts when driving in stop and go traffic (which I don't do often). 1000+ km after the update it remains noticeably smoother.

Whereabouts in Canada are you located? I took mine to Open Road Honda in Richmond, BC. They said no such TSB exists. So frustrating. I showed them on my phone and they were like nah.

 

[TSQ]

I’m new to this forum. From Vancouver, Canada.

One month ago I bought a 2019 Honda Odyssey EX-L w/ RES with ~74000 km.

A few days after I bought it I started to notice:

• Jerky upshift from first to second gear – happens about a third of the time
• Weird upshift around 49 km/hr to 52 km/hr. I know it’s at this speed because every time it happens I immediately think something has gone horribly wrong and I look at the dash expecting a warning.
• This happens when I’m accelerating uphill
• If I let it rip on a flat surface

I did some research on here and found that TSB 19-124 might solve my issues. So I brought it to Honda.

• They could not duplicate the problem
• They claimed that this TSB does not exist – I know people in Canada have successfully had this installed but they were adamant.
• I drove it around with a tech and was able to duplicate the first to second gear jerky upshift – they said it was normal. I’ve driven many cars and I’ve never felt this even once.
• I was unable to duplicate the 49 km/hr to 52 km/hr upshift. I mean it only happens like once or twice a day but when it does everyone feels it. It hurts my brain.
• They charged me around $200 for all this.
• They said unless an engine light comes on they will not re-visit this issue.

I decided to go home and do the reset. It’s helped with the first to second gear jerky upshift but it still does it occasionally. If I press down hard it’s fine but in stop and go traffic or parking lots where I need to go slow it will do it often.

I don’t know what to do. I’m new to Hondas and I’m new to newer cars. I wish I could just get in and drive but nope.

It’s driving me nuts. I never had the “honeymoon” phase with this new car. It’s been annoying issues all along.

Any recommendations?

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your dealer experience. Some things to try to help gather data:

Is it better or worse with ECO mode on? ECO mode (among other things) dulls the throttle response so that there is less torque on the system when shifting.

Is it better or worse with Snow mode on? Snow mode (among other things) will start out in 2nd gear. If the jerky shift goes away with Snow mode on then you can eliminate some other possiblities (like torque converter lock up).

The weird upshift at ~50km/hr is most likely the first dog clutch (between gears 4-5, the other is between gears 7-8). It is a little different because unlike the friction clutches, the vehicle must match input/output speeds to engage the dog clutches. But it shouldn't be that noticeable.

Maybe try and capture some jerky/hard shifts on video (ideally with a GoPro or similar on a mount, or have a passenger film the dash). Turn on your tachometer if you do this.

I'd be annoyed as well if they charged $200 and didn't do anything. I'm guessing your van is out of warranty because they charged you? Did you talk to the service manager? I've never had to do it but maybe complain to Honda Canada that your dealer is not taking your concerns seriously and not recognizing a publicly available TSB? Or at least tell the service manager that you are going to call Honda Canada if they can't resolve it.

Whereabouts in Canada are you located? I took mine to Open Road Honda in Richmond, BC. They said no such TSB exists. So frustrating. I showed them on my phone and they were like nah.

St. Catharines, ON. Henley Honda. When dropping the van off for an oil change I just mentioned that I noticed some harsh upshifts while driving to Toronto in stop-and-go rush hour traffic and that I believed TSB 19-124 would address it. When I picked up the van they said that they did the software update, and to let them know next time I was in if it was driving better.

I'd suggest trying another dealer but that will get expensive quickly at $200/trip.

Maybe someone else from the Vancouver area will post if they got it done at a particular dealer?

 

[TSQ]

I have not seen John Kelly's excellent ZF 9 speed videos posted here:

 

[shamu604]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your dealer experience. Some things to try to help gather data:

Is it better or worse with ECO mode on? ECO mode (among other things) dulls the throttle response so that there is less torque on the system when shifting.

Is it better or worse with Snow mode on? Snow mode (among other things) will start out in 2nd gear. If the jerky shift goes away with Snow mode on then you can eliminate some other possiblities (like torque converter lock up).

The weird upshift at ~50km/hr is most likely the first dog clutch (between gears 4-5, the other is between gears 7-8). It is a little different because unlike the friction clutches, the vehicle must match input/output speeds to engage the dog clutches. But it shouldn't be that noticeable.

Maybe try and capture some jerky/hard shifts on video (ideally with a GoPro or similar on a mount, or have a passenger film the dash). Turn on your tachometer if you do this.

I'd be annoyed as well if they charged $200 and didn't do anything. I'm guessing your van is out of warranty because they charged you? Did you talk to the service manager? I've never had to do it but maybe complain to Honda Canada that your dealer is not taking your concerns seriously and not recognizing a publicly available TSB? Or at least tell the service manager that you are going to call Honda Canada if they can't resolve it.

St. Catharines, ON. Henley Honda. When dropping the van off for an oil change I just mentioned that I noticed some harsh upshifts while driving to Toronto in stop-and-go rush hour traffic and that I believed TSB 19-124 would address it. When I picked up the van they said that they did the software update, and to let them know next time I was in if it was driving better.

I'd suggest trying another dealer but that will get expensive quickly at $200/trip.

Maybe someone else from the Vancouver area will post if they got it done at a particular dealer?

Thank you so much for your detailed response.

To answer your questions:
1) it is worse with ECO mode on -- I don't normally use ECO mode
2) it is better with SNOW mode on -- it did not do the lower gear jerk. I cannot speak to the higher gear because it is not always replicable.
3) I have e-mailed the service manager at the initial dealer and have requested that they install it. I wrote a very detailed explanation. They responded and said to bring it in and go for a drive with a tech. I don't understand the trepidation -- I mean the TSB was released by Honda wasn't it? I'm not making things up for fun.

I will keep everyone updated.

 

[TSQ]

Thank you so much for your detailed response.

To answer your questions:
1) it is worse with ECO mode on -- I don't normally use ECO mode
2) it is better with SNOW mode on -- it did not do the lower gear jerk. I cannot speak to the higher gear because it is not always replicable.
3) I have e-mailed the service manager at the initial dealer and have requested that they install it. I wrote a very detailed explanation. They responded and said to bring it in and go for a drive with a tech. I don't understand the trepidation -- I mean the TSB was released by Honda wasn't it? I'm not making things up for fun.

I will keep everyone updated.

My symptoms were the same way (with ECO/Snow) but I don't think as bad as yours sounds like. The update definitely helped mine.

Good luck with your dealer.

 

[shamu604]

My symptoms were the same way (with ECO/Snow) but I don't think as bad as yours sounds like. The update definitely helped mine.

Good luck with your dealer.

They're claiming they cannot find it on the Honda Canada site and that they would do more research -- that was two days ago and nothing since.

 

[J19ody]

I searched and did not find the problem I have. 2019 EXL RES 9 speed. Trans vibrate while coasting ( just barely pressing the gas pedal) You can hear and feel the vibration and the rpm bounces back and fourth one increment line.
I had same thing with my MDX and the dealer replaced the torque converter which fixed it.
Anyone else experience this?
Van has 5k miles and noticed it when I first bought it on first long drive and reported it at first service.
Now I gotta go to Acura and try get that report service to show Honda.