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 2004 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact moved the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. There was assistance offered. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.
until today, 4/3/2022, no issues with 2004 Honda Odyssey transmission. today after driving 5 minutes from home the engine roared and forward drive was lost. the car was balky getting it home and would not climb a moderate hill. after a 30 minute rest the car would move forward and was able to reach home shifting from D1 to D2 made no difference shifting into Low made no difference trans fluid is at normal level but its dark, not burnt, just dark 2nd hand car purchased 5 years ago with 80,000 miles trans serviced at 125,000 miles [redacted], (220,000 miles).
My transmission will not shift into third fourth or fifth and I see that there is a recall on the transmission for the 2004 Honda Odysseys and I was wondering how I go about getting this repaired that's what mines doing it won't shift I have to manually shift it from 1st to 2nd as far as It can go.
My 2004 has codes relating to transmission problems, along with ongoing codes for emission problems. I have taken it in and it dose need a new transmission. It also needs emission work . I have been told that this rare with this make and model. Also the input for the gas is not working well.
In have traffic on hwy van quit pulling causing a major traffic problem upon checking Honda failed to mount a proper cooling system for the Trans even though they acknowledge doing so refuse to do anything about it apparently there's a lot of these on road luckily someone wasn't killed that day
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Odyssey. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The alternator wires burned up and the transmission slipped, which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Originating in portland, or to l.a., california, our vacation was abruptly interrupted 30 miles north of bakersfield with some smoke coming out of our engine. We decided to pull over for safety and upon disembarking noticed from fluid dripping from the driver side area of the engine. We were towed to a Honda dealership in bakersfield and after spending the night came back the next morning to the dealer and was told that my transmission on my 2004 Honda Odyssey was out of commission and that it needed to be replaced. I have been a loyal customer of Honda since the 80's, as my other family members, and never had we experienced this type of catastrophic event(having to pay $4000.00 to replace the transmission) during our family vacation. …
I was driving down the highway at about 70 MPH when the van suddenly quit pulling. It felt like it had gone into neutral, because the engine would rev but the van kept slowing down. I was lucky enough to have enough momentum to allow me to pull onto the shoulder of the highway. This could have ended very bad. I had 3 young children in the van, as we were going to spend the thanksgiving holiday with family. So we were several hours from home and no way to get to our family or back to our house. It was a scary ordeal for my and my children. When we finally got the van towed home and to a shop, we were told we were going to have to replace the transmission. We were also told this particular make/model/year is notorious for having the transmission go out. I contacted American Honda this afternoon. I was told they could not help me with any cost of a replacement transmission. …
Transmission failure occured when driving in rt 5 freeway past glendale and 134 junction, car was running in about 60 miles speed and came abrupt stop (loss of drive/pull in a very dangerous way). Managed to push it to breakdown lane. Then upon turning off the engine and after a while I could drive a bit to park in internal road. I then towed the car. Later, I drove in internal road. Same problem occurs. When placed in automatic drive (d) vehicle runs for few miles and suddenly fails to run and stops. Changing gear doesn't help. When ignition is turned off and on back again, it works again for a mile or two and shows same problem. When problem occurs, it doesn't move in any gears. Researching in internet, Honda 2004 Odyssey transmission failure occurring at 117,000 miles was reported all over the internet. As if it was programmed by Honda, this Mini van too failed at 117K miles. …
I had all major services at Honda dealer ( four wheels alignment at 95000 miles in 2012, timing bell at 100000 miles in 2012, oil transmission service at 109500 miles in 2013, alignment at 121000 in 2013). I bought extended warranty for 7 years or 100000 miles when I bought my car. During that time period and all services at Honda dealer they did not advise any thing. Today I brought my car for air bag recall, alignment and oil transmission service, they told me that I need to replace all three engine mount cost approximately $1380. I was shock because it too expensive. I can not understand why engine mounts easy to break. I went home researching online and surprising to discover that a lot of people had same problem. I think this engine mount defected or design problem cause engine mounts easy to break (normally need to replace over 200000 miles) and Honda needs to address this issue. …
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 2004 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 221 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Honda Odyssey, 38% of the model year's 585 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (75 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 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 2004 Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 3 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.