Honda Odyssey...

[daves87rs]

what to look out for.

I have a co worker who is looking to get a 2001-2005 Ody for his soon to be growing family. (wife has a baby girl on the way), and plan on dumping their Focus hatch (though they still might keep it).

He is looking at one of these because he loves the features, and feels safe(r) buying a higher milage version of this van over other makes. I did mention some of the trans issues, but I'm not really sure of much else. I know they are nice vans, and that they 3.5 will last a long time (friend in our family has a 01 with 212k on it right now)

Is there any other info that I coould offer him to help him out?

 

[bepperb]

The tranny issues, and the fact it has a timing belt. Some of the EX's have runflats as well, which I wouldn't want.

 

[sciphi]

Uh, the transmissions on those are made of papier-mache, and fervent hopes they won't break.

I've got nothing aside from that.

 

[Pablo]

Spend the money and get a 2006 or later. In 2006 the transmission issues were finally solved.

The van is the best. You should see what we haul in our 2006. I had it full of Ikea stuff - I mean HEAVY dense pack pressed wood furniture. People too. It really is a van. But it drives as well or better than a station wagon...heck sedan! Put some snows on and it goes almost anywhere. Well ok, we've pretty much torn the lousy plastic underplates off. Our PS pump was whiney at like 5K and replaced for free.

The V6 is effortless. Doesn't miss a beat.

 

[JHZR2]

+1 on the ATs.

Id probably go with a toyota over a honda in the minivan segment, though around here the honda is by far the fashion accessory of choice for soccer moms.

 

[cwing6]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Spend the money and get a 2006 or later. In 2006 the transmission issues were finally solved.

+1

We put 80K miles on a new 2007 and had no issues whatsoever. We traded it last year as our kids are now older and we don't need that much room anymore. But would definitely buy again if in the market for a minivan.

 

[tdpark]

the late 2004s have the internal tranny fix and are pretty dependable. I have a late 04 with 186k on the original tranny with just routine maintenance on the tranny using Z-1. I drive it pretty hard and live in a pretty hilly area so i do not baby it. The only non maintenance thing to go on it was the EGR was clogged at 160k.

Pablo is right in that in 06 they beefed up the tranny- basically same unit as in the ridgeline or very similiar.

 

[Tgator]

I bought an '04 a couple years ago, and the research I did at the time supported what tdpark says. If memory serves, they had the big tranny recall in late '03/early '04, so they would have had a handle on the fix from that point...and all the reliability data (consumer reports, various web stuff) all consistently showed the '04s and newer no longer having the high problem rate of the 99-03's.

I think I'd be inclined to agree w/ Pablo and go '06 or newer anyway if $ allowed, but seems like they'd probably be fine w/ '04 or '05 too with the caveat that if they look at '04's I'd definitely recommend checking the VIN vs the recall range to be sure of getting a post-recall vehicle.

We only have 72k on ours - problem free so far, but that's not saying much compared to td's 186k in hill country!

 

[Scienceman]

06' and up you have a gem!

 

[thrace]

Avoid 1999-2003. Terrible transmissions break like toilet paper. Good for keeping transmission shops in business. Noisy. Power door problems. 2007 gets a bad rating for transmission repair from Consumer Reports. Avoid Pax tires in some Touring models. High price Pax tires cost $1300 a set or more. In general, Odyssey has not been the most reliable van according to Consumer Reports.

 

[ms21043]

As everyone says, avoid 99-03's. Beside the trans, there's also an ignition switch problem that causes the car to shutdown when you least expect it. My daughter had a 2001 that went through 2 transmissions, 2 ignition switches, motor mounts and a power steering pump. When the trans started acting up again it was promptly donated to a local charity who hauled it off on the back of a tow truck... Good riddance

 

[caravanmike]

don't forget the torque convertor "judder" issue 05 and up. friend at work just had his second torque convertor installed on an 08.

also the 05's and up have powersteering pump problems.

 

[daves87rs]

Wow..I have plently of info to give him now.

He was looking at a 03 LX that was it great shape. (had like 90k on it) I just drove it earlier, and the tranny shifted fine. (dealer just did a trans service/update) How likely are the trans going to fail on these? He likes it, amd it's a good price. He was planning on switching everything in his van to syn anyways...

Are the trans services issues real pricey?

He did find a few 05s...

 

[Vikas]

Get a price on local transmission job, keep that money in the bank (about $3K) and they go for it. Make sure the shop has good recommendation.

 

[tdpark]

changing the fluid is really easy and even though the dealer will claim there is no filter- there is actually a filter (02-04) that can be replaced although it is not a scheduled maintenance item. Not super hard to get at and you can find a good write up on odyclub.com. No pan to drop and clean out so it is a simple drain a fill.

Many odyssey owners have added a trans cooler and magnefine inline filter to help things out.

 

[Hokiefyd]

There's a TSB fix for the TCC shudder. Seems Honda's TCCs didn't last long when "lugged". The MDX shared the same fate, and although the improved 4-shaft transmission (vice the earlier 3-shaft unit) itself is much stronger and not really failure-prone, the TCCs don't share the same reliability. Our 'X drives like a new vehicle after the PCM update for the TCC programming. The update raises the TCC lockup points, and reduces the aggressiveness of the lock as well (unlocks with less throttle opening). I understand the Odyssey's PCM update is extremely similar to the one for the MDX (if not the same).

The J35 engine is a gem. Timing belt changes are DIY doable, but not necessarily all that expensive either. A good indy can usually do the job for $350-500, depending on if you supply your own parts, etc.

 

[BearZDefect]

Ha! I knew something was wrong with the TCC whenever I ride in the 2007 Odyssey of someone I know. It's like the TCC slips every couple of seconds when the engine RPMs are low in top gear. I'd better suggest they get the dealer to reprogram it before it bites the dust, it already has over 50k mi.Neither of the drivers (couple) notices this odd behaviour. Even though they take it to their dealer for scheduled maintenance it continues to exhibit this problem.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
Ha! I knew something was wrong with the TCC whenever I ride in the 2007 Odyssey of someone I know. It's like the TCC slips every couple of seconds when the engine RPMs are low in top gear. I'd better suggest they get the dealer to reprogram it before it bites the dust, it already has over 50k mi.Neither of the drivers (couple) notices this odd behaviour. Even though they take it to their dealer for scheduled maintenance it continues to exhibit this problem.


The most noticeable behavior is usually a low grinding/rumbling sound from the TCC when at lock at very low engine speeds (like 1,400 RPM for example). The reflash on our 'X made it drive like a new vehicle. The TCC action is super-smooth now. In my opinion, Honda ought to pay for any "premature" TCC replacements, as I think their software was killing the units.

 

[SrDriver]

Another option would be a used KIA or Huyndai van.

 

[BearZDefect]

Even with that funky TCC in the 2007 Odyssey, that Honda transmission shifts and operates much better than the 5 speed automatic in our 2009 Sonata which flares and thunks regularly and is programmed to be unresponsive for the sake of fuel economy.

So, at least in that regard, there is no way I can recommend a Hyundai or KIA van over the Odyssey.