2003 Honda Odyssey Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT PRIOR OCCASIONS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AGAIN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING IT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V176000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REMEDY DID NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE. AS OF APRIL 7, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 4/23/08 *CN

POWER SLIDING DOORS AND REAR SIDE WINDOWS FAIL TO CLOSE PROPERLY AND OR INOP SPORADICALLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF OPENING OR CLOSING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPM'S INCREASED. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

REAR TAIL LIGHT LENS ARE CRACKING AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS. THE CRACKS ARE STARTING AT TOP EDGES AND ARE WITHIN THE PLASTIC. HONDA SAID THEY ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

THERE HAD BEEN A FEW CLUNKING NOISES ON 3-4 OCCASIONS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE ODYSSEY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP HONDA REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE SHOP HAD TAKEN THE TRANSMISSION APART EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS WERE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT THE LOCAL SHOP AT A COST OF $3045.71. *TR

WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR ON LOW RPM THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. IF INCREASING SPEED WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING OR RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESSING IT AGAIN IT STOPS DOING IT. *AK SO I HAVE TO REMEMBER ALWAYS TO PRESS HARD ON GAS PEDAL TO SHIFT IN TO 3RD GEAR. OTHERWISE IT WILL KEEP SHAKING AND WILL NOT SHIFT AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE ANY THING CAN HAPPEN OR BREAK IF YOU CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS. WE CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT BECAUSE ITS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2ND GEAR RECALL. BUT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BECOME A RECALL.

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 55,000 AND QUESTIONS IS RELATED TO THE RECALL AND IS LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS**CC THE CONSUMER WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

1 MONTH AGO, I TOOK MY FRIEND TO ATLANTA (ABOUT A 5 HR. TRIP) AND THE TRIP WENT SMOOTHLY UNTIL I DROPPED OFF MY FRIEND BACK IN TOWN. AS SOON AS SHE LEFT THE CAR, I TURNED ON THE IGNITION, AND THE SRS LIGHT STAYED ON . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR ACTS THIS STRANGE, , A WEEK LATER AFTER DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM, , THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO FAR , 3 TIMES FIXED. EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR 3 DIFFERENT PARTS THAT I SHOULD HAVE REPLACED. SO FAR, I'VE REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, THE OPDS UNIT, AND THE SRS HARNESS. YESTEDAY, WHEN MY HUSBAND DROVE TO STORE , SRS LIGHT CAME BACK AGAIN(EXACTLY ONE WEEK AFTER 3RD TIME REPAIRED) BUT THIS MORNING IT WAS OFF. WE MADE AN APPOINTMEMT WITH DEALERSHIP NEXT TUESDAY FOR 4TH TIME ATTEMP.

FAILURE OF GASKET MATERIAL TO CONTAIN OIL WITHIN ENGINE VALVE COVER CYLINDER HEAD HAS CREATED OIL LEAK THAT WAS INITIALLY NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. DEALER HAS VERIFIED PROBLEM BY INJECTING DYE AND USING BLACK-LIGHT TO ESTABLISH THE SOURCE OF THE OIL LEAK. THIS MIGHT TYPICALLY BE A NON-ISSUE FOR AN OLDER MODEL YEAR VEHICLE BUT I WOULD NOT EXPECT SUCH A PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE LESS THAN 4 YEARS AND PERSONALLY OWNED FOR ONLY 2 1/4 YEARS. PROBLEM COULD BE ONE OF MANUFACTURE INSTALLATION OR MATERIAL DEFECT OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. ENGINE FAILURE COULD RESULT IF PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED/RESOLVED. RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL COMMITMENT THAT COVERS THE LABOR TO DROP THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THIS OWNER THINKS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALER SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR OPERATED IN EXTREME CONDITIONS. *JB

TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO THE OTHER HARD. SORT OF FEELS LIKE A JUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE RESEARCHED AND NOTICED HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSIONS IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS FOR THE SAME REASON. IN OUR 2003 THEY HAVE NOT YET EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND I'M CONCERNED OURS WILL FAIL WITHIN THE NEXT 10,000 MILES. HONDA HAS OWNED UP TO PUTTING IN BAD TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2002 AND PRIOR YEARS AND THEY EXTENDED THOSE WARRANTIES. MY 2003 IS NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF A BAD TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FILLING THIS COMPLAINT HELPS TO SUPPORT OTHER 2003 ODYSSEY COMPLAINTS ON TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

WE OWN A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY EX WITH 89,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT IT USED IN 2007. LAST WEEK THE TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERED" FOR TWO MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, AND CONTINUED. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, GET THE VAN INTO A GEAR, AND "LIMP" HOME. I HAVE NOW STUDIED THIS ISSUE AND LEARNED THAT HONDA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS WITH THEIR V-6 ENGINES. THE VAN, IN FACT, DOES REQUIRE A NEW TRANSMISSION - AND IT WILL ME SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ALONE IN THE VAN AT THE TIME, AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT ONE VERY CERTAINLY COULD HAVE. LOSING ALL POWER AT THE WRONG TIME COULD BE DISASTROUS(GOES WITHOUT SAYING). I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, AND HAS NOT TAKEN PROACTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT THEM. I WOULD HOPE THAT NHTSA WOULD COMPEL THEM TO. *TR

THE REAR VENTS IN AN HONDA ODYSSEY HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. BASED ON WEB SEARCHES THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SURELY POINTS TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. ON ACTIVATING THE SWITCH TO OPERATE THE VENTS THERE IS NO AUTOMATIC CUTOFF AS SOON AS THE VENTS ARE OPENED / CLOSED ALL THE WAY. THIS APPARENTLY LEADS TO THE MOTOR OVER-HEATING AND CAUSING IT TO BURN. THERE ARE NO MANUAL CONTROLS AVAILABLE TO OPERATE THE VENTS. BASED ON YOUR LOCATION THE VAN WILL NOW BE OVERHEATED (FL) OR EXTREMELY COLD (CO) AS THE INTERNAL A/C UNIT CANNOT / WILL NOT FUNCION AT THE OPTIMUM LEVELS. *TR

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY: GOT THE NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN 2004 ABOUT THE 2ND GEAR TRANSMISSION COOLER UPDATE / INSPECTION NEEDED FOR OUR ODYSSEY. WE HAD THE DEALER INSTALL THE REVISED COOLER AND AT ABOUT 45K MILES (SHORTLY AFTER) WE NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM THE CAR AT ALL SPEEDS THAT INCREASES IN PITCH / INTENSITY AS THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN NEUTRAL WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING THE NOISE GOES AWAY - AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION IS RE-ENGAGED THE NOISE COMES BACK SO THE 'GEAR WHINE' TYPE NOISE IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND WE DIDN'T NOTICE THIS UNTIL THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. NOW WE HAVE 100K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION 'SHUDDERS' ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BEING KICKED DOWN FROM 5TH GEAR TO A LOWER GEAR LIKE 4TH OR 3RD SO I EXPECT IT TO FAIL SOON. *JB

TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING DURING GEAR SHIFTS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ($90), BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO FELT THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE MOUNTS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM ($530), BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK. THE DEALER CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT RECOMMENDS THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED ($3500). THE TRANSMISSION WAS "POWER FLUSHED" 6 MONTHS AGO BY ANOTHER DEALER, BUT WHEN CHANGED WAS DIRTY AND METAL PIECES WERE FOUND ON DRAIN PLUG.*JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. SHE FOUND RECALL# 04V176000, POWER TRAIN MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002 FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 900 MILES THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE ,AND THEN WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CANADA. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED CANADA, AND THEY FAXED HER THE RECALL, AND AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER WAS A AUTHORIZED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. DURING A FOLLOW UP BY THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET AUTHORIZATION. THE CONTACT ADVISED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURES PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING ,AND DURING DIAGNOSIS, THEY FOUND THE VEHICLE OPERATING NORMALLY EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR BOX WOULDN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT DID FEEL SAFE WHILEDRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57110.

TL* - WHILE DRIVING A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY AT A SPEED OF 50-55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BRIEFLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THAT SAME NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT ON 01/04/06, AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERN BECAUSE IN APRIL OF 2006 HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO HIS LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V176000( POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), AND HE FEELS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T INSPECT THE VEHICLE PROPERLY TO IDENTIFY IF ANY OF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE EXPERIENCING DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING.

ON 12/16/2011, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TCS AND ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON AND HAD BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS. ON 9/27/2011, I HAD INFORMED MY HONDA DEALER, PENSKE HONDA OF INDIANAPOLIS, OF THE TCS LIGHT. THEY THOUGHT IS WAS OIL ON THE SENSOR AND SAID IT WOULD FINALLY WEAR OFF. THE OIL THEY SAID, WAS COMING FROM THE REAR HEAD BOLT THAT HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK. AS IT TURNED OUT, THE BOLT WAS STRIPPED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING. IT WAS A "CARPOOL THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND A TWO SPRING BREAKS TO FLORIDA VACATIONS" VAN. AT 113,000 MILES, THIS IS DISAPPOINTING. ESPECIALLY SINCE WE BOUGHT ANOTHER HONDA IN 2005 AND NOW WE ARE AFRAID OF FAILURE THERE AS WELL. THE HEAD BOLT REPAIR NECESSITATES A NEW ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WAS MADE AT A PRIVATE SHOP. I SPOKE WITH HONDA MOTORS AMERICA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OFFERED NO INDICATION OF HELP OR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. I HAVE YET TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT CATCHING THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR NHTSA RECALL, # 04V176000 REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. UPDATEDE 12/26/2006 - *NM

HONDA ODYSSEY 2003 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FOR ALMOST A YEAR WHILE VEHICLE UNDER 3 YEAR/36 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER WITH TRANSMISSION MAKING LOUD CLUNK NOISE & UNABLE TO ENGAGE PROPERLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ALMOST YEAR AGO WITH VEHICLE ODOMETER READING APPROX 30K MILES ONLY. WE WERE ASKED THAT ITS NORMAL VARIANT FOR THAT VEHICLE NOISE CLUNK & WARM UP YOUR CAR, DO MORE OFTEN TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE. SINCE THAT LAST VISIT TO DEALER WE DROVE VEHICLE ANOTHER 5 K OVER A YEAR. DURING OUR RECENT LONG DRIVE WITH FAMILY & 3 YOUNG KIDS OVER THANKS GIVING WEEKEND FROM MISSOURI TO INDIANA. TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING & MAKING MORE NOISE PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER ON SATURDAY 12/16/2006 WITH ODOMETER READING 35,550 MILES AFTER READING ALL REVIEWS POSTED BY HONDA ODYSSEY CONSUMERS. HONDA DEALER CALLED ME TODAY( 12/18/2006) THAT TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL & NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTOR CO HAS JEOPARDIZE THE LIFE OF OUR FAMILY WITH A IMMINENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING OUR RECENT TRIP DESPITE THE FACT WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM TO HONDA DEALER ATTENTION IN GOOD FAITH NOT EVEN KNOWING THAT THEIR IS RECALL ON CERTAIN ODYSSEY TRANSMISSIONS FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. WILL NHTS INVESTIGATE OUR COMPLAIN THAT DESPITE A MEMO TO ALL DEALER ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE PROBLEM, WHY HONDA MOTOR CO WAITED TO RISK THE LIFE OF OUR FAMILY BY LETTING US DRIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5K MILES. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (P-30 TRANSMISSION GEAR CHIPPING OR BREAKAGE) IN THE MAIL DECEMBER 2004 FOR HIS 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY (75000 FAILURE MILES). THE CONTACT COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL AND THE DEALER INSTALLED THE OIL JET KIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE ALSO NOT OPERABLE AT THE TIME . THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE GEARS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK, AND WHEELS TO LOCK. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 03/02/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ULTRA TOUR (NA), SIZE P225/ TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO BE BALANCED. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES DEFLATED FROM THE INSIDE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE TIRE SHOP REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES AT 20,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, AFTER A TIRE ROTATION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE INSIDE AND THEY WERE REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 01/07/08 *BF UPDATED*JB

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. SPOKE TO SERVICE MGR AT AVENUES HONDA AND HE SAID OTHER THAN TRANSMISSION IT MIGHT BE THE EGC (?). THIS SOMETIMES MAKES IT SEEM LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN THIS MPH RANGE. WAS TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. DECIDED NOT TO TAKE CAR IN SINCE THE LIGHT WASN'T COMING ON YET. MAINLY BECAUSE DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE FOR SOMETHING HONDA KNOWS IS A PROBLEM. CAR HAS 50000 MILES ON IT. CAR MILEAGE IS WAY TOO LOW FOR SOMETHING TO BE HAPPENING TO TRANSMISSION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIO CONTROLS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE ON VACATION, THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE DEFECTIVE PART ALSO AFFECTED THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE HORN ASSEMBLY, THE STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAG SENSOR, CRUISE CONTROL AND RADIO CONTROLS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE AND REEL ASSEMBLY. THE REPAIR ONLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO CONTROLS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL.

THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND NO PROBLEM AND COULD NOT RECREATE IT. WHEN THE DOOR DOES OPEN YOU MUST PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO CLOSE THE DOOR WITH THE DRIVERS CONTROLS, THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A SAFE AREA TO PARK WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHICH INCREASES THE RISK TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP THE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THIS CREATES A BIG CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN WHO SIT NEXT TO IT. *JB

WHEN STARTING OUR 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY, IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF "PARK" OVER THE LAST MONTH. WE HAVE TRIED TURNING THE VAN OFF THEN ON TO TRY TO SHIFT. WE HAVE TRIED PRESSING AT DIFFERENT ANGLES ON THE BRAKE PAD. THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS - AND ONLY INTERMITTENTLY - IS TO LITERALLY JAM WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN THEN SHIFT AS QUICK AS YOU CAN. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET...WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID ONE DAY, IT WILL FINALLY "GIVE OUT". THIS VAN IN ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING LIKE A SENSOR FAIL IN A RELATIVELY NEW VAN?!? *NM

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY (PURCHASED OCTOBER 2002). IN SUMMER OF 2004, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, AND POTENTIAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, AND NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. IN JULY 2006, WITH APPROX. 84,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL TO SPLATTER EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, FOR APPROX. HALF AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER 90 MILES FROM MY HOME. AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH AMERICAN HONDA, A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND WAS COVERED BY HONDA. NOW, JUST OVER TWO YEARS AND 40,000 MILES LATER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAS OCCURRED. AM ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH HONDA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, WAS TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND WAS FORCED TO COMPROMISE THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MINE, WHILE WAITING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR. *TR

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92, 22560R16. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE WHEEL. ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SAFELY. ODOMETER READING 48K FOR THIS TIRE AND AIR PRESSURE RECENTLY CHECKED. NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY, SMOOTH ROADWAY. *JB

WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT ON MY 2003 ODYSSEY WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. HAD THESE BEARING LOCKED UP THEY COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *NM

BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY STICK SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE OPENED, WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS APPROXIMATELY 85 FAHRENHEIT OR ABOVE. IN ORDER TO OPEN A STUCK SIDE DOOR, I MUST EITHER HAVE A SECOND PERSON PUSH HARD ON THE INSIDE WHILE I PULL HARD ON THE HANDLE ON THE OUTSIDE, OR I MUST YANK REPEATEDLY ON THE HANDLE. I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR LAST MAY, 2006, WHEN THE HANDLE BROKE OFF ENTIRELY, PROBABLY FROM THE REPEATED YANKING I'D DONE DURING THE THREE YEARS I'D HAD THE VAN. I FELL HARD INTO THE PAVEMENT AS WELL AS INTO THE CAR PARKED NEXT DOOR, BUT I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT, SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, MY CHILDREN WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO FREE THEMSELVES. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE RUBBER SEALS ON THE DOORS STICKING TO THE METAL OF THE BODY WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT. WHEN THE HANDLE BROKE, I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE VAN FOR REPLACEMENT, WHICH THEY DID AT NO CHARGE EVEN THOUGH THE VAN WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AS THEY'D REPLACED SEVERAL OTHER HANDLES DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE SEAL/STICKING PROBLEM ITSELF. THEY ADVISED ME TO APPLY A SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT TO THE SEALS, WHICH I DID SEVERAL TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THE LUBRICANT ONLY LESSENED (NOT STOPPED) THE PROBLEM FOR A DAY OR TWO BEFORE THE DOOR WAS STICKING AGAIN. THE DEFECTIVE SEALS ARE STILL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V176000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXCESS OF 20,000 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP ONLY PERFORMED THE REVISION UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/3/2006 - *NM

IN AUGUST OF 2004, MY 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY WAS RECALLED TO REPAIR A POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE SECOND GEAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO HARVEY HONDA OF BURLINGAME, CA TO REPAIR THE DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR ONLY NEEDED AN OIL SPARY TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE OVERHEATING AND DETERIORATION OF THE GEARS. THE OTHER OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT NECESSARY. ON MAY 11, THE HONDA ODYSSEY'S TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE. I TOWED THE VAN TO ANDERSON HONDA OF PALO ALTO, WHERE THE MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OF ANDERSON HONDA COMMUNICATED TO CORPORATE HONDA ABOUT MY VAN. CORPORATE OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR? I FEEL THAT SINCE HARVEY HONDA DID NOT TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN AUGUST OF 2004, IT WAS THE DEALER AT FAULT FOR THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR OR SHOULD HONDA PICK UP THAT EXPENSE AS WELL? *JB

HONDA ODYSSEY 2003. NEED KEY TO OPEN LOCKS ON DOORS. DRIVER DOOR KEY LOCK WAS STICKY AND NOW OVER TIME IMPOSSIBLE TO USE KEY. HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP AND AUTO BODY SHOP TO LOOK AT IT TO TRY TO FIX. SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF LOCKS. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STICKING. THE ONLY DOOR I CAN STICK KEY INTO NOW, IS THE BACK HATCH DOOR! THIS VAN IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.......THIS STARTED HAPPENING OVER A YEAR AGO. WHY WOULD THIS BE HAPPENING? MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT THIS IS A DEFECT HONDA SHOULD REPAIR.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENT BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED.

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY PARTICIPATED IN THE TRANSMISSION RECALL BACK A FEW YEARS AGO. HAS 55 THOUSAND MILES. TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP FOR 48K MILE SERVICE, FOUND IT ALREADY WAS PERFORMED THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, SO WE GOT IT THE 60K MILE SERVICE EARLY. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO US WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTED VIOLENTLY INTO LOWER GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN, AND SHARPLY WHEN SPEEDING UP. WE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 55K MILES. WE NEVER DROVE THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION. TO BE RUINED. WHEN WE DROPPED IT OFF FOR SERVICE, IT WAS RUNNING FINE, WHEN WE PICKED IT UP, TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED. HONDA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT NO CHARGE AS A "GOODWILL" ACT, BUT CHARGED US FOR A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT THAT ALSO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT THIS MILEAGE / AGE OF CAR. *JB

TOLD BY HONDA ON 4/9/2014 AFTER I CALLED AND THEY SAID THE DARK BLUE BODY PAINT EXTENSION EXPIRE. THEY SAID I WAS MAILED A LETTER ABOUT THE PAINT IN 2008. DID NOT GET THIS. FOUND OUT ABOUT IN RECENTLY ON THE WEB. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BEFORE ARRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TCS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, #04V176000, CONCERNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETED, AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

2--3 HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: I PURCHASED A 2003 ODYSSEY BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. THE VAN WAS GREAT FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE ELECTRIC DOORS STARTED TO STICK AND WE HAD SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK-UP RIGHT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT ABOUT 34K MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 36K). THE DEALER LOOSENED THE DOORS AND EXPLAINED THAT THE HEAT IN FLORIDA REQUIRED US TO PLACE A LITTLE OF LITHIUM GREASE IN THE GASKETS ON THE DOORS. THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SINCE I HAD ALREADY STARTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I MADE SURE THEY NOTED THE COMPLAINT ON THE WORK ORDER. AT 40K MILES BANG! TRANSMISSION OUT! WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED US TO LET US KNOW THAT HONDA WILL PROVIDE US A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $1000 INSTALLATION. MY WIFE AND I HAD LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO PAY. WELL, THE VAN NOW (6/28/2033) HAS 119K MILES AND I JUST LEFT IT AT A MECHANIC SHOP TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I WILL COST $1200, AND THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE I CAN DO RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO PRACTICE MY HOUDINI SKILLS AND MAKE $1200 POP OUT OF THIN AIR. THIS ISSUE IS A REAL SHAME BECAUSE THE VAN IS AWESOME. HONDA COULD BE EMBRACING THEIR PROBLEMS AND CAPITALIZING IN BUILDING LONG TERM CUSTOMER LOYALTY. INSTEAD, I JUST WANT TO PLACE THE HONDA LOGO IN THE TRAIN TRACKS, THE WAY I PLACED SMALL COINS IN THE TRACK TO FLATTEN THEM WHEN I WAS A KID. I HOPE WE CAN GET SOMETHING TO HAPPEN THOUGH THE COURTS ABOUT THIS. *TR

MY CHILD EXPERIENCED A LEG INJURY SUFFERED WHEN HIS RIGHT FOOT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR AS IT WAS OPENING. THE DOOR LACKS ANY SAFETY FEATURE TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM STOPPING WHEN A LIMB GETS CAUGHT IN THE CRACK BETWEEN THE DOOR HINGE AND THE DOOR. *JB

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY MINI-VAN TRANSMISSION SLIPPING TAKING OFF OR BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. RECALLED FOR 2ND GEAR COOLING JET ISSUE, BUT THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE APPEARS RELATED TO SIMILAR FAILURES DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE BETWEEN 1998 & 2005. DEALER DENIES ANY RELATED CLAIMS MADE TO HONDA, BUT MANY DOCUMENTED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALS AND WEBSITES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. *AK

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY EX WITH 41,631 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN ALL THE GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT 20-30 MILES WITH SUDDEN BRAKING, LIKE ACCELERATING AND BRAKING (STOP AND GO TYPE ACTION). VERY UNSAFE!!! SOMETIMES, REVERSE GEARS DON'T EVEN WORK JUST LIKE NEUTRAL. WHEN I CHANGED GEARS I COULD HEAR LOUD CLUNKNG AND CLICKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED THE FLUIDS AT 40,536 MILES AND THERE WERE FINE METAL PARTICLES STICKING ONTO THE BOLT. *NM

MID CABIN SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT ON HONDA ODYSSEY 2003 MODEL. HAVE HAD THE BELTS FIXED TWICE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

MY HONDA ODYSSEY (2003 MODEL WITH 21K MILES) HAVE THE AIR-BAG SYSTEM FAILED FOR NO REASON (PROBABLY DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING). THE VAN HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. FOR SAFETY REASON, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO HAVE HONDA TO CHECK AIRBAGS FUNCTION OF OTHERS. AS I KNOW, 2005 ODYSSEY HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR AIRBAG FAILURE. *NM

DT: 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HORN DID NOT BLOW AND THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON THURSDAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT. THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005, AND THE HORN QUIT WORKING ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH REPLACED. THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, SINCE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A METAL ON METAL SOUND HAD BEEN PRESENT, THE KEYLESS ENTRY HAS NEVER PERFORMED PROPERLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE SRS LIGHT STAYED ON, THE HORN HAD GONE OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE ALARM HAD GONE OFF FOR NO REASON, THERE WAS A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER WINDOW, THE REMOTE WAS INTERMITTENT, THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMNATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET HAD BROKEN. *SC

9/16/05 JUST HAD STOPPED TO GET GAS WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE KILLED SEMI TRUCK THANK GOD HAD BARELY MISSED ME I WAS DEAD IN THE ROADWAY .MY VANS TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPIN . TOOK TO HONDA SAID TRANS HAD FAILED .I TOOK CARE OF MY VAN KEPT BY BOOK SERVICED BY HONDA. *NM

SPORADIC 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IN TRANSMISSION SLIPS. TRANSMISSION SLIPS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHERE 1ST AND 2ND GEAR TENDS TO GRAB WHEN ACCELERATION IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL TO MOVE VEHICLE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD VEHICLE IN AT DEALERSHIP FOR 2ND GEAR ISSUE/RECALL OF DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION AND OIL TRANSFER. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS BEFORE TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL. PROBLEMS AROSE AFTER TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR INITIAL RECALL. CONTACTED DEALER OF PROBLEM WHERE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. *JB

I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED COMPLAINT (ODI ID NUMBER: 10141918) AND I AM UPDATING THE ISSUE. WHICH INCLUDES: AS MENTIONED, TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY WIFE HAD MENTIONED THAT AS SHE WAS RETURNING FROM WORK THAT IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKING UP. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO PUT IT ON A SCOPE WHERE NO CODES CAME UP ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. I QUESTIONED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO MANAGEMENT BECAUSE WHEN I HAD TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL OF TRANSMISSION...I WAS TOLD THEY PUT A CAMERA INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AND VIEWED THE COMPONENTS. WHY NOT THIS TIME IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM TILL AFTER I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL? NOW I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES. THEY USE "NO" CODE AS DEFINING THE PROBLEM AND "DROVE" THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO PROBLEM. I IMAGINE STANDARD PROTOCOL. I WAS ASSURED BY MANAGEMENT FROM MY PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE/ISSUE THAT IF PROBLEMS PERSISTS THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUE (INCLUDING RECALL). AFTER VIEWING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I AM LEARY OF HONDA INTENTIONS AND FEAR TO DRIVE VEHICLE. A PART OF VARIABILITY AND NEGLIGENCE/LIABILITY IN CASE-LAW AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW-CLASS ACTION. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT I HAD TOLD THEM ABOUT A HUMMING NOISE AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE EXHAUST. IT IS ON ORDER WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. A TWO YEAR EXHAUST SYSTEM? PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE? *NM

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE.*MR THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES WITH HER 1997 ODYSSEY WHICH SHE PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2, 1997. ALL THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON EXTREMELY HOT DAYS. *NM

I WAS DRIVING N/B 101. I PRESSED MY BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO DECELERATE FROM 65 MPH TO 40 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN MY DAUGHTERS SEAT UN-LATCHING FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND TILTING ALL THE WAY FORWARD, CAUSING MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S FACE TO BE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY. I SAW THAT THE BACK LATCHES WERE IN THE POPPER PLACE ON THE FLOOR BUT WEREN'T LATCHING. I THEN TILTED THE SEAT UP AND PLACED IT DOWN HARD ABOUT 20 TIMES BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT LATCH. MY DAUGHTER WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED, SO AT THE PRESCHOOL ONE THE TEACHERS AND I READ THE MANUAL AND PULLED ON THE LATCH RELEASE SEVERAL TIMES AND TILTED THE SEAT FORWARD AND THEN BACK DOWN, BUT IT WOULD NOT LATCH. THEN ONE OF THE GRANDPARENTS OFFERED TO TRY AND HELP BUT STILL THE DEFECTIVE SEAT WOULDN'T WORK. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN SAN JOSE CA ON STEVENS CREEK BLVD, WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY IMMEDIATELY SAID IT WAS THE MIDDLE SEAT AND THAT I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE THEY GET THE COMPLAINT ALL THE TIME. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ACCIDENTALLY STOPPED OFF AT THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP NEXT DOOR. THE VOLVO SERVICE GUY TRY TO SEE IF HER COULD FIX & AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS SAID THE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. I THEN IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. ONCE SERVICE PERSON TRIED TO LATCH THE SEAT, COULD NOT, AND THEN CALLED ANOTHER SERVICE GUY WHO INITIALLY COULD NOT GET THE SEAT TO LATCH. HE THEN PLACED A PEN AROUND THE LATCHING MECHANISM AND PULLED ON THE RELEASE LEVER A FEW TIMES AND IT RESULTED IN THE SEAT LATCHING. HE TOLD ME THAT THE LATCH WAS STUCK IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION BUT THAT IT WAS FINE NOW. HE SAID IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT I COULD DO THE SAME THING HE DID TO FIX IT. THIS SEAT IS FAULTY AND I'M WORRIED FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY. THIS SEAT ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES, AND SOMETIMES IT FAILS, GOING INTO AND REMAINING IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION, JUST BECAUSE I PRESS MY BRAKE. PLEASE HELP, I'M SCARED. *JB