NHTSA Complaint #10213212 — 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES BOTH OF THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY FREEZE AND WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EACH COLD MORNING, THEY NEED TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS AND PROCEED TO THE MIDDLE AND LAST SEATS IN THE VAN. I HAVE EVEN INSTALLED A REMOTE STARTER, SO I CAN HAVE THE CAR RUNNING TRYING TO HEAT UP THE INSIDE FOR 20 MINUTES OR SO. THIS RUNNING OF THE CAR STILL DOES NOT HELP THE SITUATION. WHEN THE CHILDREN EXIT THE VEHICLE, THEY MUST EXIT IN THE REVERSE MANNER WHEN WE GET TO SCHOOL. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT THAT WE ALL NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY FOR AN EMERGENCY. THIS SITUATION OF THE DOORS FREEZING HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER OF 2002, I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, ALL THEY DID WAS ADD SOME SILICONE SPRAY TO THE SIDES OF HE DOORS AND THE SEALS/GASKETS AROUND THE DOORS. I PARK OUTSIDE EVERY DAY IN THE ELEMENTS OF THE WINTER MONTHS IN CHICAGO AND WHEN THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER, OF COURSE, IT WAS INDOORS, AND THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE FREEZING DOOR SITUATION. IN CHECKING WITH CARSTATS.COM, IT APPEARS THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET INJURED. RIGHT NOW IT HAS JUST BEEN A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE TO ME AND MY CHILDREN AS THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING (WITH OR WITHOUT FREEZING RAIN). NO HERE IS IT DECEMBER 2007, FIVE YEARS LATER, AND I NOW OWN THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. OF COURSE THERE IS NO MORE WARRANTY, AND I REFUSE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I HAD A 1994 VOYAGER AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO THAT VAN. I AM JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED AT THIS DOOR FREEZING SITUATION EVERY WINTER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. *TR