Honda Odyssey ...good & bad

[mickeybaby]

I have a 2006 Odyssey that I am really happy with. A few months ago at just over 65,000 miles the torque converter went out. It was going to cost over $2000 to fix it as I had just gone over the mileage for the warranty. The dealership I took it to was incredibly awesome. They replaced the torque converter and only charged me a little over $200! I did not ask for any assistance - they offered the assistance on their own. They said this was a known issue and they wanted to make it right. I love my van now more than before! And I hope the wonderful customer service continues if more issues arise.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Love my Odyssey. Seriously love it. I used to drive a Sienna and liked it also, but the Odyssey is more fun to drive. I can't explain it.

What I don't like about the Odyssey:

1. Door controls, sunroof control, rear hatch control are to the left of the steering wheel, so only the drive can access these easily. (The Sienna had them in the center on the roof, so passenger or driver could shut doors if needed. Much more convenient. I don't think Honda changed this in 2011 either...not sure.) This is my biggest disappointment with the van.

2. Something others mentioned and something I only noticed recently myself: driver door won't stay open unless I open it all the way (which I can't in my garage), so when getting out of car, I need to put my leg onto the ground while I'm gathering my purse, etc. It took me 2 years to realize this, but it's strange.

3. Lately my power doors have not been opening all the way. Just sometimes. Opens 3/4 of the way, so kids can still use them. Doesn't happen all the time. Just on very hot days. Honda thought they fixed it, but it's not fixed. Not a big deal and I'll worry about it next time I have to take it into the dealer.

4. The Nav is not user friendly.

I love this van though. Someone mentioned that the doors don't automatically unlock. If you have the touring edition, you can set it so they auto unlock.

 

[dalstitch45]

Unfortunately, I have not had the same wonderful experience with my Odyssey as everyone else. These are things that happened all during the first 36,000 miles (brand new 08) and/or still happening:

1. Oxygen/air fuel ratio sensor had to be placed the second day I had it. The check engine light came on.

2. Power steering resevoir replaced because of humming noise. There was a bulletin for it.

3. Transmission problems - Honda was being proactive with a bulletin and reprogrammed the software. Transmission has never been right since, despite replacing the torque converter, and two (2) subsequent recalls.

4. Honda replaced the "soft brake pedal" per a recall. I think it was a NTSB recall, but I'm not sure. The brakes were fine until then. After I got it replaced, I started getting the vibration in the steering wheel when I pressed the brake, which turned out to be warped rotors. Honda couldn't find a problem with it when I took it back and complained. When I called my regular mechanic, he told me this is what it was. Before I talked to him since it was the weekend, I had two (2) other mechanics tell me the same thing. It cost me a few hundred dollars to get it fixed (not by Honda), since they couldn't figure out the problem. I have since contacted the Honda Corporation, and I am still awaiting a response.

Needless to say, I will not go to the Honda dealer again. I was going to them exclusively with my Honda. I have returned to my mechanic I used for years. I would not buy another Odyssey, ever. I have had other minor problems. Anyone ever notice the difference between the volume on regular radio, and then it goes way down when you switch it to XM? I also had an issue with the bottom glove box latch breaking. I could not get it open. I rarely open except maybe once or twice a year. The only people that opened it were the service guys at the Honda dealer. I always get whatever service is required, in addition to regular oil changes when required. Mine is an EX-L with Nav and the DVD, so I pretty much have everything but the power tailgate. I feel in love with it when I first bought it, but it quickly faded in the ensuing months. I am afraid of what is what is going to happen once it get to 50,000 or more. Hopefully, I will have gotten rid of it then. Shopping around now.

 

[Dashzap]

I bought an 2010 Odyssey LX two weeks ago. I like it very much, but my 12 year old Pontiac minivan beats it two ways: better gas mileage (by far!) and less road noise.

Unfortunately, GM doesn't make minivans anymore, so I chose between Toyota, Chrysler, and Honda. Honda won.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We love our '07 It has had recalls- 1 for air in the break lines and 1 for and update for the computer. The dealer did this work with no issues whats so ever. The only other maintenance we've done besides the standard was a new tire(big nail!). We will defiantly stay with Honda minivans. Only thing I wish they would do for the future would be to have dual DVD players that can each play a movie-2 boys who like the same things, but don't want to watch them at the same time