2008 Honda Odyssey Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 8%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,343miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Honda Odyssey, 8% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,343 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When stopping at a red light, the car accelerates as if the transmission is surging. I apply the brakes and shift the car into neutral or park to stop the acceleration. This has happened on numerous occasions, I'm afraid of rear ending another car. Honda claims there is no problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10604410, filed 2014-06, 111,000 miles“Transmission shifted down from 65 MPH and a car hit me from behind. I would say it took me down to 45 MPH very quickly from 65 MPH and then a car hit me from behind going north on i95 in virginia. Little dent. Do not know who hit me because the traffic was heavy and it was late at night saturday august 17th,2013. I did not notice anything more until the next morning. Now I have a transmission sign warning on my dash.”
NHTSA complaint #10536002, filed 2013-08, 55,156 miles“While driving between shift change and slow down you will feel a jerking feeling or it feels like something is pulling the car back behind and pushing it at the same time, a friend who is a mechanic test drove my van and he said that the transmission is the giving up, I research about the Honda mini van it has been notorious to have transmission problem, my van only has 108274miles on it and it is considered low mileage to his age, and it can cause an accident because of sudden jerking while running on 40mph to 60mph”
NHTSA complaint #11183373, filed 2019-03, 108,274 miles“Two weeks ago we purchased a 2008 Odyssey. Saturday morning, it drove itself into a shed after traveling up a hill and still in park! Situation: I was unhooking a trailer, my son was helping. I got in the van to pull the trailer forward a bit as we were on a hill and the trailer was stuck, seen as it was not latched down.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10241044, filed 2008-09, 975 miles“The car has been vibrating when accelerating for about 10,000 miles. I took it in and they updated the software and it is 3x worse then before. I have 33,000 miles on it and I was told the next step is for me to pay for a transmission flush and if that does not fix it then they will replace the torque converter. Why should I have to pay for this under warranty, if they are just delaying fixing the real issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10326767, filed 2010-04, 22,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10142436Jun 13, 2018Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10083954May 17, 2016Service bulletin - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. Spark plug fouling may reuslt in rough engine idle and/or…
- 10211577Mar 1, 2016Do you have an Odyssey in your shop that has a power sliding door that won?t open or close by using the following? ? Power sliding door main switch on the dash ? Keyless…
- 10053787Oct 8, 2013Honda: due to an issue of piston rings, on certain cylinders, rotating and aligning, on some vehicles, and causing spark plugs fouling, the powertrain warranty has been given an…
- 10044251May 16, 2012Honda: clunking, popping, or clicking from the front of the vehicle while turning. The outer cv joints are faulty.
- 10039444Jul 15, 2011Honda: spark plugs may be fouled. The malfunction light comes on with stored trouble lights. 2008-2011 odyssey.
- 10034974Oct 7, 2010Honda: see document search button for owner letter. Pcm update for lock up clutch function. A judder from torque converter lock up clutch may be felt while driving between…
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 2008 Honda Odyssey
163 complaintsBody and structure
123 complaintsEngine
40 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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