Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40 | 9% | 26,000 miles |
| 2024 | 16 | 13% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 10% | 0 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% | 4,000 miles |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2019 | 128 | 13% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 165 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 18% | 11,000 miles |
| 2016 | 38 | 14% | 28,000 miles |
| 2015 | 41 | 20% | 34,000 miles |
| 2014 | 73 | 24% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 8% | 18,000 miles |
| 2010 | 23 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 18 | 9% | 44,000 miles |
| 2008 | 41 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2007 | 78 | 9% | 51,000 miles |
| 2006 | 87 | 12% | 94,000 miles |
| 2005 | 106 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 221 | 38% | 111,000 miles |
| 2003 | 533 | 58% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 608 | 63% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 332 | 54% | 107,000 miles |
| 2000 | 228 | 34% | 107,000 miles |
| 1999 | 170 | 33% | 93,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 19% | 99,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | 88,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The failure had occurred while driving from a stoplight, while the auto idle system was enabled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The failure had occurred three times; however, the failure had not reoccurred after turning off the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the failure might not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,549.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal and stopping at a traffic light, the gear shifter independently shifted to park(P). The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the vehicle then operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The insurance company had not been contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 26,000.
The start stop system has failed to restart at a busy traffic light more than half a dozen different times after a 1 hour drive. Short drives do not bring this issue out. This got me stuck at a light, drivers annoyed honking and confused as I try to get my vehicle to start again. Turning the van completely off and back on again seems to get the van to restart again. I tried bring the issue up to the dealer when I brought it in for its first service, but the employee was extremely rude/belligerent and stated they would only do an oil change when I asked for help with this safety issue among other things. Will take to another dealer next service interval and try again. No issues known or warning lights on the vehicle prior. The van when it did this, error'd stating failure to restart or something along those lines. It happened so fast I don't 100% recall. …
My 2024 Honda Odyssey has repeatedly failed to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shuts the engine off at a red light. When I release the brake or press the accelerator, the engine does not restart as it should. The vehicle then shifts into Park or instructs me to place it in Park, and it is difficult to restart using the start button. This has left the vehicle disabled in an active traffic lane and creates a serious risk of being struck by another vehicle. I have been stuck at a red light with people honking at me and haven't been able to start the car for up to a minute. The problem is intermittent, and I do not know whether it is caused by the engine, electrical system, battery, starter, software, or power train. The Auto Idle Stop system should not shut the engine off if the vehicle may be unable to restart.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and inadvertently downshifted. The vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH, and the transmission made a grinding sound. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and coasted the vehicle to Walmart. The vehicle was restarted, and the transmission made an abnormally loud sound while shifting into drive(D). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
While driving, the vehicle loses power, hesitates, and jerks, then stalls and shuts off without warning, especially in extreme heat and stop-and-go traffic. The failure occurs more frequently when the fuel level drops below approximately half a tank. After stalling, the vehicle will not restart until it cools down for 20-30 minutes, then temporarily operates normally before the issue repeats. Warning symptoms prior to failure include loss of acceleration, hesitation, and engine overheating. A fuel pump-related fault code has been detected. The vehicle has stalled while driving, creating a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of power in traffic. This condition matches NHTSA Recall 23V858000, which states the fuel pump may fail and cause engine stall while driving. The fuel system component believed to be involved is available for inspection upon request. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission malfunctioned and is currently being replaced by the dealership. New transmission was ordered from Honda. Case ticket (12339737) has been opened with Honda America regarding this issue. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Driving on highway going 80 MPH. Van slows down to 50 MPH without warning and won't go any faster during rush hour. Luckily, no cars were behind us which they could have rear ended us. Was able to exit highway and pull into gas station. Test drive on local street and van won't go beyond 4th gear even with manual settings. Go back to gas station to park and van won't go in reverse. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, dealership confirm issue. …
Problem: While driving on the interstate (in a construction zone with no shoulders), and with no prior indications the van gave numerous alerts to include blind spot monitoring and transmission service. The gear indicator on the dash ("D") began flashing. I had zero throttle response and began coasting. I was able to gain some forward response by cycling between sport mode and drive while fluttered the gas pedal to match when the gear indicator would flash. If I miss timed it, the engine would rev as if it was in neutral. Using this method, I was only able to maintain 40 MPH. Luckily the next available exit had a Honda dealership and I was able to limp the van into the service department. Safety concern: Without the quick troubleshooting to at least maintain speed for a viable exit/shoulder, the van would of stopped on a very busy interstate that has average speeds of 75+ MPH. …
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Odyssey years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (608), 2003 (533), 2001 (332), 2000 (228) and 2004 (221) model years. Transmission complaints make up 63% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Honda Odyssey transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 13V-143 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2013); 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (1,485 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › torque converter (27).
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.