why are honda autos so trouble prone?

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Miller88

So kind of like a DCT or DSG transmission, but with a torque converter instead of a dry clutch? Explains why it shift so quick!


Maybe. I'm not completely read-up on DCTs or DSGs, but Hondas most certainly do have a wet torque converter, just like other automatics. Honda automatics are similar to manual transmissions; the clutch packs in a Honda automatic are analogous to the synchronizers in a manual. How it compares to dual clutch automatics, I'm not sure.

They do (or CAN) shift quick. As with any other transmission on the market the behavior is largely controlled by computer programming. If you unplug the battery and leave it unplugged for a short while, you'll notice the transmission shifting very crisp and very quick on the first drive. Over a period of a hundred miles or so, the shifting will soften as it re-learns how it really wants to shift (what is pre-programmed in the software). They seem to prefer to shift smooth; honestly probably smoother than I would prefer. But that's just the way they are I guess.

 

[crazyoildude]

I have heard from the trans guys their clutches arejunk and there are other issues.. My brother says the same and he owned a trans shop up until a few years ago.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
I have heard from the trans guys their clutches arejunk and there are other issues.. My brother says the same and he owned a trans shop up until a few years ago.


Manual or auto?

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: ram_man
I am not really talking about the cars or when they were good ect..... I just want to know why honda transaxles are trouble prone? And which honda transaxles aren't trouble prone? Like my 05 civic how are those?


Just change the ATF every 50k and you won't have any issues.


It's amazing how many people think that transmission fluid never goes bad. They couldn't be more wrong. In fact, I believe these manufacturers that have gone to these sealed transmissions with this supposed good-for-lifetime fluid do so because they WANT the transmission to fail.


+1000 I totally agree. They save on 1 million dipsticks not used and then make a ton on the 1 million dipsticks who never change ATF in 100,000 miles.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
I have heard from the trans guys their clutches arejunk and there are other issues.. My brother says the same and he owned a trans shop up until a few years ago.


If he knows so much how come he went out of business...

 

[Doog]

All I can say to this thread is "4L60 sunshell"

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
The media rarely mentioned Honda's AT design over the many years it's been used or anything negative. 1 negative (or honest) comment for every 10 positive ones doesn't make a balanced trend.


I remember consumer reports noting the Honda automatic's abrupt shifts in the 1990's. I also noted this behavior but thankfully thought then automatics were sissy's and my wife/I avoided the issue by buying a manual transmission which are plain wonderful in Honda/Acura products.

I find my 2007 MDX much less abrupt in shifting than the 2007 Acadia & Saturn Outlook's I was also looking at when purchasing a used 7-8 passenger SUV. I am sure GM corrected this but it was plain horrid then.

 

[DrDusty86]

The van needed the AC compressor at 9x,000 miles, a raditor, 3 AT replacements before 105k miles.. There was a viberation at 40-50mph, the converter started coming apart.. The other 2 just slipped, Cv axles, leaky seals, DVD player..etc

 

[Hokiefyd]

She got a lemon. It happens. Our 2007 Chrysler minivan had three A/C compressors replaced, two serpenting belt tensioners replaced, one alternator replaced, one battery and powertrain harness replaced, one leaking condensate drain fixed, and over a half dozen PAIRS of stabilizer bar bushings replaced. All under warranty and all prior to 45,000 miles when we sold it. It also had a transmission TSB done at the dealer for a shuddering torque converter. I don't know if it's still got the original converter or transmission.

Stuff like that happens sometimes. We replaced the van with what we have now and have moved on with life.

If her Odyssey is falling apart like that, I suggest the same for her.

 

[DrDusty86]

Jason, my dad told her NO MORE Hondas..I agree.
OMG! a Honda lemon! I thought they were supposed to be perfect The world is going to end. snicker)
If you google the issues I described, you will be reading for years. They are VERY common issues that Honda chose to sweep under the rug

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
OMG! a Honda lemon! I thought they were supposed to be perfect The world is going to end. snicker)


Hondas are not perfect. Nothing built with human hands is. Anyone who believes that anything they have or drive is perfect is mistaken.

 

[SteveSRT8]

While I would agree that many folks have an exaggerated opinion of Hondas as infallible cars they are pretty good to most owners.

My advice is beware of Internet Amplification, as you can Google almost any make and find tons of dirt on it!

Good advice above. MOVE ON! Time to get over it by getting a different car...

 

[Mykl]

According to the internet my GTI should be on its fourth intake manifold, third water pump, and the engine should have eaten itself after the the timing chain tensioner failed (knocks on wood).

The internet amplifies issues, and the response to Honda's "never ever break" reliability myth is not the exact opposite where you claim the entire brand is garbage now and always will be because they had an above average failure rate for a certain component over a span of a few years.

 

[refaller]

The internet is wrong! Can't be. Then again, my Odyssey has 117,000 miles on it and has had nothing done outside of normal oil changes, transmission fluid changes, tires, and brakes. Therefore, all Hondas must be perfect.

ref

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
OMG! a Honda lemon! I thought they were supposed to be perfect The world is going to end. snicker)


Hondas are not perfect. Nothing built with human hands is. Anyone who believes that anything they have or drive is perfect is mistaken.


I call B.S... Perfection...

 

[BrianWC]

I like a lot of 'Merican cars but have to say my Hondas have been great. No, not perfect, but pretty troublefree. The worst catastrophies I've had were both a/c related. The compressor conked out on my 2002 CR-V and the condenser of my '09 Fit took a fatal hit from a rock on the highway. Honda picked up most of the cost of the CR-V's repair (after screwing it up). As for the Fit, I was looking to get rid of it anyway so I traded it on my Si.

Our Odyssey has been troublefree. It sees a ton of short trip in town stuff combined w/ 1-2 cross country trips a year.

It shifts fine at 92,000 miles and....I may or may not have ever changed the transmission fluid...

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
OMG! a Honda lemon! I thought they were supposed to be perfect The world is going to end. snicker)


Hondas are not perfect. Nothing built with human hands is. Anyone who believes that anything they have or drive is perfect is mistaken.


I call B.S... Perfection...

The Formula was perfection....

 

[crazyoildude]

honda clutches in automatic transmissions are junk according to my brother which used to own a transmission shop until 2011

 

[needsducktape]

If I'm not mistaken the Auto transmissions in the early 90s accords & civics were considered pretty tough.

Although my sister owned a 1993 Accord (bought it brand new) and hit close to 200K on the original clutch.

-Our family solves the Auto transmission problems by avoidance.