2002 Honda Odyssey problems
Owners have filed 1,120 complaints about the 2002 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 54.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of air bags at 9.1%.
Complaints1,120
Crashes60
Fires6
Injuries58
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 54.7% · 613
Air bags 9.1% · 102
Structure 5.1% · 57
Engine and engine cooling 3.8% · 43
Electrical system 3.2% · 36
Vehicle speed control 2.9% · 33
Engine 2.4% · 27
Unknown or other 2.1% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 60 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 58 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Honda Odyssey in this data, 2002 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2018 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 16 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,900 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While accelerating and/or shifting gears the vehicle would shift hard causing the vehicle to jolt. The travel speed was not a factor. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 38,000. The local mechanic diagnosed the failure as a transmission failure. The contact found recall 04v176000. However, the manufacturer stated his vin was not part of the recall. Power train · reported at 36,000 miles
Honda 2002 Odyssey ex-l wagon 4d has only 72,000 miles. It stopped in the middle of the road and after taking it to the dealer, it was diagnosed that the transmission need to be replaced. The cost quoted was about $3000. I checked the website and there are complaints about this model and year and apparently is a factory defect. I am asking for Honda to bear all costs of repair/replacement of this transmission. Power train · reported at 72,000 miles
Car was recalled in 2004 for installation of a supplemental cooling kit (following successful class action lawsuit for prior model years). Transmission is now snatching when cold and obvious slippage in 2nd gear. Research shows that this is a known and recurring defect in this model year. American Honda refuses any assistance. I am the original owner and the vehicle has had all service done at the dealer. Power train · reported at 72,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…