Transmission gone on my Honda Odyssey

Marley's Ghost · #1 01-19-2009, 08:33 AM

On Friday, my wife was driving our 2003 Honda Odyssey when the TCS light came on and the tranny refused to shift out of second gear. She was able to get the car over to a parking spot. I ended up coming to get it and driving it home in low gear. A tow is coming for it now to take it to my local repair shop (who I trust). The van has 113,000 miles on it. So, assuming the tranny is shot, do I..

Get a new trans
Get a rebuilt trans
Sell the car for parts
Other suggestions?
Bring it to a transmission speciaist?

The engine otherwise is in good shape. The body has a few dings but it has had no major accidents.

Any advice from TB gearheads would be appreciated.

2x4strgkramers · #2 01-19-2009, 08:57 AM

I would suggest calling the dealer you bought it from. They have been extending the warrantys and offering customer assistance becuase the odessy transmission has been such a roach.

Gard · #3 01-19-2009, 08:57 AM

My experience with all things Honda is very good, I'd suggest a GOOD reconditioned/rebuilt tranny (if that's the issue...), and just keep up on the engine maintainence. I've had 'em break 250K, my last one was "gifted" to my niece, and was going strong at ~300K when she traded it for a new car. Got 75K on my '03 Element, it's never so much as sniffled.

Kelly Coyle · #4 01-19-2009, 09:53 AM

Honda gave me two new transmissions. Talk to the dealer first.

RWP · #5 01-19-2009, 10:05 AM

That is almost new for a Honda trans, I am surprised it failed that quickly. Agree with Kelly, call the dealer and squeak

Marley's Ghost · #6 01-19-2009, 10:59 AM

Called the dealer. No dice on the 2003. No recall or special arrangement. They suck. May have to call the regional office.

Marley's Ghost · #7 01-19-2009, 12:49 PM

Tranny is toast. $2500 - 3000 to replace. Honda told me with 113k miles to pound sand. Mechanic is telling me it is not worth it. I can get a new Kia Sedona LX for $15 grand.

Trevorus · #8 01-19-2009, 12:51 PM

Just don't get a Chrysler. You'll be in the same boat.

Marley's Ghost · #9 01-19-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Just don't get a Chrysler. You'll be in the same boat.

Had a 97 Grand Caravan. Died at almost exactly 100k in 5 years.

J.D.B. · #10 01-19-2009, 01:11 PM

Yup, Hondas break, too. Price rebuilding or replacing the trans. if the rest of the vehicle is in good shape. (If the motor is borderline, is the body rotted out, etc.) Evaluate if repairing is cheaper than a car payment and proceed. Remember NOT to love yer car, it won't love you back!

Josh

Trevorus · #11 01-19-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Had a 97 Grand Caravan. Died at almost exactly 100k in 5 years.

My aunt had a Chrysler Town and Country that died at 20K. Yeah... This is why I will NEVER own a mini-van. Every one I have ever drove or worked on has been wholly unimpressive, and downright awful.

**Thor** · #12 01-19-2009, 01:41 PM

This is why I moved to stick shift back in the 90's.

93 Saab 9000 5 speed, still runs good. 165k miles, no clutch needed yet.

Volvo 98 sedan, 211k. Clutch will come up someday.
Unfortunately, I was looking around at cars and looks like
even these dinosuars have given in and gone to automatic
trans.

**Pacman** · #13 01-19-2009, 02:09 PM

i don't have much to add, but the new Odessy in Japan is HOT for a mini-van. Wait till they get to the states...

J.D.B. · #14 01-19-2009, 02:09 PM

Coming soon, to replace the conventional auto trans. (and not a moment too soon for me)
The dual-clutch manual gearbox! I can't wait, especially after driving a BMW M3 with the single-clutch SMG. Lawdy, what a nice set-up!

Josh

Gard · #15 01-19-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

i don't have much to add, but the new Odessy in Japan is HOT for a mini-van. Wait till they get to the states...

....you know the rule: no pics, no hot new mini-van!!!

Mike N · #16 01-19-2009, 05:29 PM

Take it to a tranny specialist for a second opinion. You may not need a new tranny. The TCS light came on because the tranny control computer saw an error with one or more sensors/components in the tranny, so it turns the light on and sticks you in second gear to prevent more damage from occuring.

MJ5150 · #17 01-19-2009, 06:53 PM

Are you still making payments on the Honda? If you own it free and clear then it's a no-brainer to get it fixed. $3K now is better than burying yourself under another $15K+ loan.

If you are still financing the Honda, then go for something else in the same payment range. You've already got the car payment in the budget, you can probably get a 30-45 day break between payments for a little relief, and you'll have a shiny new car with a sweet warranty.

Woops....sorry for the assumptions. I am assuming you would be financing the KIA. You very well could be paying cash, which shoots holes in my two options.

-Mike

TheDarkReaver · #18 01-19-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

This is why I moved to stick shift back in the 90's.

93 Saab 9000 5 speed, still runs good. 165k miles, no clutch needed yet.

Volvo 98 sedan, 211k. Clutch will come up someday.
Unfortunately, I was looking around at cars and looks like
even these dinosuars have given in and gone to automatic
trans.

Why is it that automatic is so popular over there? Here most cars are manual.

Marley's Ghost · #19 01-19-2009, 07:08 PM

The Odyssey is paid in full. My mechanic is pretty highly regarded in this area. And he is advising me to dump the car and buy a new one. Which means no profit for him. I would be financing the Kia. I also don't have 3k lying around. And the car is only worth about 5k resale according to edmonds.

Chunk-O-Funk · #20 01-19-2009, 08:32 PM

Well, that sucks.

I use to work in a Honda parts department and did see quite a few transmissions go through there. Accords and Odysseys.

Definitely give the regional office a shot. Any Honda dealer should be able to get you the Customer service hot line. Of course you're out of warranty so the dealer really can't do much unless it's approve by their Honda rep. Believe me, if they could do it, they would. If Honda would warranty it the dealership (technician and parts department) would get paid by Honda for it.

So, anyway. Give their customer service a shot. Sometime what they do for customers out of warranty is a "good will" or partial warranty. Typically Honda will pay for the transmission and you would only have to pay the labor charge. It's worth a phone call.

They only tips I can give you is, be the squeaky wheel when you call don't be irate. Let them know you are a loyal, Honda customer and would like to remain one.

One big thing that can either hurt or help you in a case like this is your service records. If you had some regular maintenance done at a Honda dealership it will go a long way with a "good will" warranty. If you haven't, let them know you do have regular maintenance done elsewhere and if you can back it up with actual records it would be even better. Maybe tell them the dealer in your area is inconvenient because of the location or the hours the service department is open. You get the idea.

Good luck.