2002 Honda Odyssey Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 608about this part
- Share
- 63%of 960 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 608 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Honda Odyssey, 63% of the 960 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 130,000 miles on it. The transmission was replace at 80,000 miles. I experienced slipping out of gear up hill at around 134,000 miles. This exact thing happened to my previous Honda Odyssey a 2001 model. It's transmission went out. So, I am fairly confident this transmission is about to go out as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10694092, filed 2015-03, 134,000 miles“Transmission began to shift roughly and d light begin to blink tcs light has been on and off and transmission is now slipping. Our entire family was in the car 3 kids my wife and when the incident occurred and it is a safety issue for us to drive as the trans will shift roughly or not shift and remain in a lower gear when we are trying to accelerate.”
NHTSA complaint #10652281, filed 2014-11, 105,612 miles“Driving under normal conditions, the transmission started jerking and slipping losing traction. The warning light came on. I took it to my mechanic the next day. He ran a diagnostic check and replaced the two solenoids that controlled the automatic transmission shifting. I drove it 25 miles and it started jerking again and slipping.”
NHTSA complaint #10480036, filed 2012-10, 92,600 miles“Transmission failed suddenly while traveling with family. Apparently it is a well know issue for 2002 Odyssey. I had every service & preventive maintenance done at authorized Honda dealer since I bought it in 2002. It was out of warranty and I paid $3,600 for replacement transmission. This is a manufacturing defect and american Honda should recall/replace for free.”
NHTSA complaint #10479688, filed 2012-10, 64,000 miles“It happened before but I didn't pay much attention to it. The recent times it occurred were on last friday. Pressing gas paddle won't speed up the vehicle, but just runs the engine like crazy when I drove after a stop sign and left the gas station. Both time I was manage to get my vehicle back to normal speed. After doing research online, found lots same cases, I am afraid that this is the sign the transmission is going to fail !!!”
NHTSA complaint #10875457, filed 2016-06, 93,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Honda Odyssey 2002–2004, Acura TL 2000–2004, CL 2001–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10194971May 28, 2021Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
- 10160966May 7, 2019Service Bulletin - PCM replacement for erratic or harsh shifting.
- 10018029Jun 1, 2005Replacing a canon a75 digital camera to take inspection photos for s/b 04-021, safety recall: a/t 2nd gear inspection, or s/b 04-037, safety recall: accord v6 a/t 2nd gear…
- 10016296May 16, 2005Transmission-won't come out of park, p not illuminated.
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
- 10012641Apr 8, 2005Erratic and harsh shifting; malfunction indicator lamp (mil) comes on or d indicator blinks.
- 10013608Oct 1, 2004Replenishing atf on vehicles with automatic transmission oil jet kits. Honda servicenews.
- 10013607Oct 1, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013604Oct 1, 2004Removing a stubborn atf filler bolt. Honda servicenews.
- 10013844Sep 16, 2004Transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 44 | 10% |
| 2024 | 16 | 13% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 14 | 10% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 128 | 13% |
| 2018 | 166 | 16% |
| 2017 | 7 | 18% |
| 2016 | 38 | 14% |
| 2015 | 41 | 20% |
| 2014 | 73 | 24% |
| 2013 | 14 | 7% |
| 2012 | 24 | 10% |
| 2011 | 19 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 9% |
| 2009 | 18 | 9% |
| 2008 | 41 | 8% |
| 2007 | 78 | 9% |
| 2006 | 87 | 12% |
| 2005 | 106 | 13% |
| 2004 | 221 | 38% |
| 2003 | 533 | 58% |
| 2002 | 608 | 63% |
| 2001 | 332 | 54% |
| 2000 | 228 | 34% |
| 1999 | 170 | 33% |
| 1998 | 14 | 19% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2002 Honda Odyssey
99 complaintsBody and structure
55 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
24 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsTires
17 complaintsFuel system
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda Odyssey
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology