1998 Honda Odyssey LX from North America
Summary:
I'd think long and hard before buying again
Faults:
The side doors stick constantly, resulting in 2 broken handles, not under warranty. Drivers door handle broke.
Clock light burnt out.
Transmission completely failed at 107,000. While driving 40 mph, no accident occured. After many phone calls to Honda of America they agreed to pay for parts, I paid for labor, $800. I now have a 35,000 mile warranty on replacement transmission. I have been assured that the replacement is free of defects. This was prior to Honda notifying owners of the 100,000 mile warranty extension. This happened to me in September 2003.
The check engine light comes on frequently. I now have codes that reflect catalytic converter problems. I called Honda dealership and was told that it's an 80,000 mile warranty.
General Comments:
When I bought the vehicle new, just after a few weeks of driving, vehicle had difficulty starting. Trips to the dealership and was being told "you're using the wrong gas" Regular Unleaded. Then told wrong gas stations. Finally upon demand, and an independent car repair shop, vehicle diagnosed with faulty fuel pump. Replaced at no cost.
Had an outstanding vehicle for a couple of years until transmission problem last year.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 28th March, 2004
13th Jan 2006, 09:46
100,000 miles on a tranny is pretty good! I see no reason for complaint.
10th Apr 2006, 22:56
100,000 miles on a transmission is sad. our Dodges have over 200,000 on the original tranny.
26th Dec 2006, 13:23
What sort of Dodge do you have??? My Grand Voyager was far and away the most miserable vehicle I ever owned, eating 7 transmissions in under 40,000 miles! Dodge dealer was a total yutz, telling me the vehicle wasn't throwing out any codes - Yeah right, there's nothing wrong, I'm just at the dealer every other month because I love them so much. Needless to say, I dumped that van and never looked back - to me, Chrysler products don't even appear on my automotive radar anymore. From what I hear, they still haven't got their act together, as the guy across the street from me needed a new tranny in his minivan at 15k miles!
1st Apr 2010, 17:23
We've had to replace the transmission on ours twice. The first time I had taken our car in for servicing, saying that something wasn't right with the engine, and that the check engine light had come on. They said they couldn't find anything wrong.
One week after the warranty expired, the check engine light came on again, and the car wasn't even drivable and had to be towed to the dealer. Now they were able to find the problem and said I need a new transmission. After many complaints on my end, they agreed to replace the transmission with Honda Canada paying 1 third, The dealer paying 1 third and I would have to pay the remaining third. My cost $2600!!!
I only realized two years later when the transmission failed again, that they had ripped me off, as my full cost the second time was only $2700.
13th Jun 2004, 14:00
If your mini-van hadn't been a Honda, I'd guess all of the cost of the transmission would have come from your own pocket.