The Odyssey is Honda’s first minivan. It is a popular multi-person vehicle with several family-friendly features, such as a spacious interior, excellent safety, durability, and a powerful engine. Currently, in its fifth generation, one issue stands out throughout the years and across the generations: transmission problems.
Unfortunately, most people are aware of Honda Odyssey’s transmission problems for the models between 1999 and 2004. Although there have been several transmission types and styles since its inception, all generations have had several transmission complaints.
This article will focus on the Honda Odyssey model years with the worst transmission problems, possible fixes, and estimated repair costs.
Honda Odyssey Transmission: Worst year
According to CarComplaints, the 2002 Honda Odyssey has the most transmission problem complaints. This model year’s transmission tends to fail around the 98,450-mile mark, costing about $3,500 to repair.
History of the Honda Odyssey transmission problems
The Honda Odyssey started experiencing issues after 1999. Below is an in-depth discussion of all Honda Odyssey transmission problems by year, fixes under warranty, and the average repair costs without a warranty.
First generation Honda Odyssey transmission problems (1995 – 1998)
The original Odyssey minivan features a powertrain with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic transmission to produce 140 horsepower. However, most Honda Odyssey users reported the issue due to faulty bearings. These bearings would break apart, and small fragments would go into the transmission itself, causing involuntary shifting and engine failure.
There were no recalls for this issue. However, Honda extended the warranty on these vehicles’ transmissions to seven years. There are few reports on the first-generation Odysseys, but these transmission issues occurred after 138,000 miles.
Second generation Honda Odyssey transmission problems (1999 – 2004)
This Honda Odyssey was larger than the previous one. However, the B7XA four-speed transmission remained constant for the first three years, then improved to a BYBA five-speed automatic transmission in 2002, producing 240 horsepower.
The four-speed transmission also has bad bearing issues that would disperse metal fragments, thus blocking fluid passways in the transmission and causing it to shift erratically. In addition, the bearings were weak because they wear not made to the correct specifications.
Additionally, the 2002 – 2004 model years also experienced transmission problems due to premature wear of the third-gear clutch pack. When the clutch friction material abraded, it spread fragments inside the transmission case, clogging fluid lines and causing rough shifting.
The 2002 model year reported the highest cases of transmission issues out of all the Honda Odyssey models. Unfortunately, this issue required a transmission replacement which cost about $3,470.
Also, drivers reported experiencing the transmission slipping and banging at around 109,200 miles and disengaging at 98,750 miles and a P0730 code at around 107,750 miles. All these issues would require a transmission replacement, costing around $4,000.
The transmission failure in the late 2nd generation was so bad that most Odyssey owners experienced complete transmission failure at only 98,450 miles.
Another problem with the Odyssey 5-speed transmission system is the 2nd gear could overheat and break off, causing the transmission to lock while driving. Honda recalled the 2002-2004 Odyssey and added a transmission cooler for cars with less than 15,000 miles. They also modified the oil cooler return line to provide more lubrication to the second gear.
If overheating damage was found, especially on vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, they replaced the entire transmission.
Third generation Honda Odyssey transmission problems (2005 – 2010)
Vehicles built after 2005 has lesser complaints about transmission. Once again, this third-generation Odyssey was larger than its predecessor. The five-speed transmission was standard across all four trim levels with a reduced horsepower from 255 to 244 horsepower.
The most common reports on transmission problems in the third-generation Odyssey are vibrations, humming, and jerky shifting due to the torque converter. This torque converter issue was not limited to the Odyssey, it also includes the Honda Ridgeline. This issue will require a transmission replacement or rebuilding for about $2,900.
In 2007, the Odyssey became the best-selling minivan in the United States.
Fourth generation Honda Odyssey transmission problems (2011 – 2017)
The 248-horsepower engine remained standard, but the higher trim levels have a six-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the 2011-2012 Odysseys have transmission issues due to software problems.
Fixing this issue was as simple as having your Honda update the PGM-FI software in your car to the latest version and then replace the transmission fluid.
In 2014, the six-speed automatic transmission was added to all trim levels, while Honda added an in-built vacuum cleaner in the higher trim levels.
The 2014 and 2015 Odysseys had transmission issues related to loud clunking noises, slipping transmission, and rough running. Some Odyssey owners reported that their Honda dealers claimed their transmission ran loudly and was normal. But some had to replace the secondary valve body or perform a transmission fluid at around $1,100.
Fifth generation Honda Odyssey transmission problems (2018 – Present)
The fifth and current generation Odyssey boasts a nine-speed or ten-speed automatic transmission. But the latter is an option for the higher trim levels and the Touring model for the 2018 and 2019 models. The 10-speed automatic transmission then became standard for all trim levels in 2020.
Honda recalled 50,000 Odysseys built between January 2017 and January 2019 because some vehicles would throw themselves into Park. Not only would it make the most irritating noise, but it could damage the rod that helps Park engage. Once it’s damaged, the vehicle won’t be able to stay in Park, making it a safety hazard.
This issue was due to glitches in the transmission control unit. For instance, the TCU would reboot during low voltage if your battery is old or there is a loose connection at a terminal. But once it turns back on, its default setting is Park, which would shift into Park while you’re driving.
Honda fixed the system’s software on the production line and issued a recall. Every so often, the TCU will reboot under low voltage but automatically reset to neutral, preventing the rod’s potential damage.
Unfortunately, several Honda Odyssey owners accused Honda of knowing about the transmission defects of the 2018 model. So, in 2022, there was a class action lawsuit in California by the Honda Odyssey owners of model years 2018 and 2019. They claim to experience gear shifting, rough gear engagement, acceleration issues, and sudden loss of power due to a defective ZF 9HP 9-speed automatic transmission.
Honda Odyssey transmission replacement cost
A vehicle’s transmission is complex equipment consisting of expensive components with intricate roles. Therefore, its repairs are relatively pricey as they require expertise. So, depending on the model year and severity of the issue, the average cost of rebuilding a Honda Odyssey transmission is between $1,500 and $3,000.
Unfortunately, most of the Honda Odyssey transmission issues we’ve discussed will require a replacement of the entire transmission, which may cost you between $3,000 and $4,500, including parts and labor.
However, we do not recommend installing a new transmission for an old engine Odyssey, as you’ll end up causing premature damages on a perfectly new transmission.
Conclusion
The Honda Odyssey is a reputable family minivan. However, we recommend avoiding earlier model years before 2004. This is because they recorded the worst transmission problems and would routinely fail after 100,000 miles. And since all these model years are outside of warranty, you’ll have to fix the transmission issues out of pocket.