Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated along with a warning message which stated that the driver's and passenger's side air bags need to be repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) as the cause for the failure. The Vin was not included in the recall. The contact also stated that the manual transmission would jump out of gear and would not accelerate out of second gear until she manually shifted the vehicle to park and then back to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump and fluids needing to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,555.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When I was on the highway the car lost power and I was almost rear-ended by a car when I was stopped on the freeway on my way to the doctor. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, I am a recent buyer and do not have much information about previous problems with this vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, when it broke down, I just called the tow truck and they transported it to a mechanic and the mechanic put the machine in to find out what the fault was, and he told me and showed me that the fault was in the transmission and the cost would be $1800 to $2000 dollars or so to fix it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. After parking and exiting the vehicle, it rolled forward without warning and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The contact noticed that the vehicle was in the drive position. Since the contact was able to remove the starter key and exit the vehicle that the vehicle, she believed the vehicle was in park. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. When appyling pressure to the brake pedal, the contact heard and felt a loud grinding noise. The dealer changed the brake shoes, but the problem still persists. The vehicle was inspected by two additional professional technicains and they advised her that nothing was wrong with the brake system. On two occasions, the sliding door would spontaneously open, allowing her children to exit the vehicle while in motion. The dealer could not duplicate the failure; however, they greased the rollers on the sliding door, which remedied the failure. Several months later, the vehicle was rear ended directly in the center of the vehicle by another vehicle traveling 35 MPH. None of the air bags deployed. There were no warning lights prior to the crash. The dealer was not notified. …
I am the original owner of a 2002 Honda Odyssey van. On 11/07/2014, van failed to accelerate and the malfunction indicator was on. I had van towed to the local Honda dealership. The service dept. At dealership said ecl code was p0730 & the transmission needs to be replaced. The approx failure mileage on van was 62,000 miles. I had to pay $3500 for having the Honda dealership rebuilt the transmission. The dealership told me that 3rd gear had heat discoloration & is burned up along with the clutches. I have the photos & also the damaged parts that were replaced by the dealership. Since I had low mileage I contacted Honda but they refused any help saying warranty period on van had expired. I also contacted Honda's recall dept, since I felt that the burnt 3rd gear was related to transmission overheating problem per 2004 Honda recall for 2001 to 2004 vans. …
I purchased the Honda Odyssey 2002 on tues July 28th 930 pm and was driving home. I lived 1 hour away from the Honda dealership. Upon driving for first 40 minutes of highway around 1020 pm as I entered jersey city, nj the van stalled at very 1st traffic into the city. It came up with 2 indicators: TCS and malfunction indicator lamp. The engine indicator is still on. I tried to drive the van from traffic light and it wouldn't go over 20mph while RPM would move to 4-5. I pulled over and waited 5 minutes, turned off the van and restarted. I drove/made it home slowly with my heart pumping very fast. Please let me know what Honda is going to do to take care of these problems. The van had gone through multi point inspection and we were aware of known issues but these transmission issue was in the clear and happens on my drive home. …
Good afternoon. My wife has a 2002 Honda Odyssey with a recall notice for a PCM. Manufacturer recall number is p48, NHTSA recall number is 04v-176. The vehicle VIN is [redacted]. The issue is regarding a PCM recall for 2002 Odyssey with a rebuilt transmission, which my wife?s car does not have. Her car has the original transmission. The dealership where it was taken is west broad Honda in richmond virginia. The dealership told me that it is not a recall, it is a service bulletin, so there is nothing they can do. The case manager at Honda agreed as well that it is a service bulletin and does not pertain to my car. I talked to the case manager last on Monday April 29, and despite leaving messages since then for her to call me with a status update, I have heard nothing to rectify this situation. The dealership told me that they submitted a ?fixed by inspection? …
I took my van to Honda and was advised that the transmission needs to be replaced. It will not shift into 2nd gear 99% of the time. My van only has 111,000 miles on it and I am concerned as to why it was not included in the recall of the transmission on this year/make/model. I am still making payments on it and was told a new transmission from Honda would be $4500. There is no reason a transmission should go out at 111,000 miles when it has been well maintained through Honda over the years. My car will not go above 20 miles an hour on most occasions. If I rev the engine high and get it over 30, then it will change to 2nd gear. It is a safety hazard when trying to merge onto interstates and I have been almost hit a few times. I cannot accelerate to a safe, merging speed. My drive light continuously flashes and my TCS will come on from having to rev the engine. …
Hi I was driving on the west bound of russel pkwy. Once I stopped at the traffic light then pushed accelerator which started back van on the road again and within two minute, car died there and I was trying to start engine still did not work. I kept trying multiple times but did not work. I called 911 and I got help and we pulled van to the parking area. Then I tried again and my van back to normal again. So, I was lucky to happen on the local road within slow speed and back vehicle with was distant. If happened on the highway, then it would be disasters. I looked on the web site and seems like ignition switch problem. There was recall on it but it was not on this VIN vehicle. So, I am going to check vehicle by authorized dealers. I will update you asap.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that this was the second time that the transmission failed on the vehicle. In 2005 the transmission replaced at 70,000 miles. The first transmission was repaired under recall campaign number 04V176000 for the power train. The recent failure occurred while driving 40 MPH when the transmission started slipping and smoking. The contact had to stop the vehicle and noticed that there was transmission fluid leaking out of the vehicle. A diagnostic test was being performed by a transmission specialist; however, had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 167000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On some Mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear.
Transmission complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 608 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Honda Odyssey, 63% of the model year's 960 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (466 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Odyssey transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.