2003 Honda Odyssey Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 533about this part
- Share
- 58%of 914 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 533 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Honda Odyssey, 58% of the 914 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 9 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.
“My tcs light had come on a few days prior. I was going down highway at 55mph the engine light came on and drive light began to flash. My car lost all power and acceleration with no warning causing the person behind me to almost hit me. I pulled over my RPM's were going up but car failed to accelerate unless floored and then barely. No prior warning or slipping.”
NHTSA complaint #10746278, filed 2015-08, 147,000 miles“The van started losing power right after the tcs light appeared. I slowed down to 45mph when I lost all acceleration and coasted to the side of the road when the vehicle stopped. The car is reported to have broken gears and the clutch in the automatic transmission that had a recall on it that reported it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10587255, filed 2014-05, 160,000 miles“I was sitting at a traffic light and as the light changed I mashed the accelerator to move forward the car started to rev up but wouldn't move. I put the car in park and then back in to gear. The car jerked and then started forward with engine still revving. The car finally slipped into gear and took off but kept going in and out of gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10486238, filed 2012-11, 92,000 miles“Without much or any warning my transmission failed (the dreaded p0730 code showed up on the scanner) on my 2003 Honda Odyssey ex-l van with only 100,325 miles. The van was never abused or used to tow. Transmission was rebuilt 1.30.12 by private shop continental transmission for $1800. (torque converter blown to pieces). …”
NHTSA complaint #10448015, filed 2012-02, 100,325 miles“I parked my car and took the key out of the ignition. Only problem was that the car was still in drive. I know this was an known issue (recall) with the car. I had it fixed at a dealer to address the recall on this specific issue. Obviously it didn't fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10712950, filed 2015-04, 132,000 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 2003 Honda Odyssey
131 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
26 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSeats
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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