NHTSA Complaint #10239662 — 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY

THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON (A $1,500 REPAIR) FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED (AT 93K). APPARENTLY THESE ARE BOTH INCREASINGLY COMMON PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MY VAN CARRIES THE HONDA NAME. THEN I STARTED GOOGLING AND FOUND MANY SITES REPORTING THE SAME HORROR STORIES HERE I REALIZED THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FAULTY PARTS AND MAY BE A LEMONS AS WELL? THE PROSPECT TO PAYING $100 EVERY TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON IS NOT A PLEASANT ONE. VEHICLES BUILT TODAY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE TRANSMISSIONS & EMISSION CONVERTER AT A MERE 93,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RELIABILITY OF MY HONDA ODYSSEY. THE BRAND IS CONSIDERED HIGHLY REPUTABLE AND HAS A PRICE PREMIUM (AND SUPPOSEDLY A RESALE VALUE) TO MATCH - BUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE ODYSSEY HAS BEEN ONE OF REPEATED MECHANICAL BREAK DOWNS AND POOR PERFORMANCE AS MANY OWNER HAVE WRITTEN AND BLOGGED. I FEEL HELPLESS AND KNOW HONDA IS POWERFUL CORPORATION WHO WILL DO NOTHING ... WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT CONSUMERS OF THESE PRACTICES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR