NHTSA Complaint #10413834 — 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT A MILE OUTSIDE OF RAWLINS, WY AND THE RPM INDICATOR SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT INTO RAWLINS ALTHOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING GEARS AND I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY AND WHEN I GOT TO THE GAS STATION IN RAWLINS, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL UNDER THE CAR AND ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR. SO I CALLED AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC JUST BEFORE THEY CLOSED. HE QUICKLY CHECKED IT AND SAID IT PROBABLY JUST NEEDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE. SO MY BOYFRIEND AND I TOWED IT TO CASPER, WYOMING AND TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THERE. THEY CHECKED IT AND IT CAME UP WITH 3 MALFUNCTION CODES P0710N/P0780/P1750. SO IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MILEAGE IS AT 148417 AND I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION THAT IT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME BETWEEN $3200-$4500 TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN MY CAR. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT. SO NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. *KB