1999 Accord V6 transmission problems

Dick,

Thanks for the info. Is replacing the solenoid assembly commonly the whole
cure? How much does this procedure normally cost?

Rick

 

Dick,

Thanks for the info. Is replacing the solenoid assembly commonly the whole
cure? How much does this procedure normally cost?

Rick

 

(Sorry for my english)

I have a 98 Accord EX V6. 68k miles. The only tranny problem I have are:
1. It 'hits' 2 times when I go from N to D4 when the motor is hot (after a
city drive).
2. There is a 'clang' noise when I go from N to R when the engine is cold.

1. I would like to know where you saw Honda saying there was a problem with
our models tranny. My Honda service representative told me he never heared
about it (I am now in Quebec, Canada...). I can't see anything about it on
Honda's internet sites.
2. Should we all pay for an extended waranty in case it breakes ? (Does it
sometimes break from one day to another ?)

Sure you can use my mail for your letter to Honda.

Keep us posted.

Alain.

 

(Sorry for my english)

I have a 98 Accord EX V6. 68k miles. The only tranny problem I have are:
1. It 'hits' 2 times when I go from N to D4 when the motor is hot (after a
city drive).
2. There is a 'clang' noise when I go from N to R when the engine is cold.

1. I would like to know where you saw Honda saying there was a problem with
our models tranny. My Honda service representative told me he never heared
about it (I am now in Quebec, Canada...). I can't see anything about it on
Honda's internet sites.
2. Should we all pay for an extended waranty in case it breakes ? (Does it
sometimes break from one day to another ?)

Sure you can use my mail for your letter to Honda.

Keep us posted.

Alain.

 

Sorry. I have reached the level of my incompetence.

Dick

 

You brought up a good point. I should attached the payoff letter from the
Honda along with a copy of all the letters I wrote them and explain that
since they could not answer my questions it means that they don't have
confidence in their products; and since they don't have any confidence in
their products I don't either. Thanks for the idea.

Honestly - I wasn't looking for a freebie transmission BUT I felt that Honda
should've at least explained why the 02 was not included in the warranty
extension.

Honda was sooooo reliable and they stand by their product and not be sooo
afraid of covering their behind then why didn't they just do the following:

1. Extend the warranty to 7 year / 100,000 miles on the other years as with
the other years. (This would buy consumer confidence for sure.)
OR
2. Explain why some of the year models such as the 2002 were excluded by
the warranty extension. (That would also buy consumer confidence).

Their inaction to #2 translate to me that they don't care. If they don't
care about me, then I don't care about them. It's that simple in my book.

1.6% - failure is TOO high.

------------------------
Below is an article from LA Times that was pointed out by one of the Post
here earlier in the year that sparked my curiosity and concerns...



September 11, 2002



Honda's Unexpected Gear Shift
Some customers believe a recall should be issued for the slipping
transmissions




By JOHN O'DELL, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Matthew Veno spotted an opening in the early-morning rush-hour traffic and
stabbed the accelerator. His year-old Acura TL Type-S surged forward,
hitting close to 80 mph on Boston's Route 3. Then, with no warning, the
five-speed automatic transmission slipped from fifth to second, pulling the
car up as sharply as if he had slammed on the brakes.

"Fortunately, the people behind me were able to swerve, so there wasn't an
accident," the 23-year-old computer engineer recalled. "But it could have
been pretty bad."

When Veno's $34,000 Acura spontaneously downshifted, the engine kept racing
and the crankshaft revolutions, or RPMs, went through the roof, kicking in a
limiter that cuts off the engine to avoid damage.

"That caused even more jerkiness, and at 80 it started the car swerving from
side to side on a two-lane highway. I almost slammed into a construction
barrier," Veno said. "It was the scariest time I've ever had in a car. If
the traction control hadn't been on, I would have lost it."

Veno's dealer arranged for the car to be towed and replaced the faulty
transmission under warranty and without argument.

It is one of almost 16,000 Honda and Acura automatic transmissions American
Honda Motor Co. has replaced in the last two years, leading some owners to
begin questioning the company's reputation for building bulletproof cars.

Others, such as Kathy Lammens, say American Honda should order an immediate
recall.

"They need to do it for the people's sake," said the 38-year-old Placentia
resident, whose 2001 Acura CL's automatic transmission failed completely the
day after it slipped into second gear at 65 mph on the Costa Mesa Freeway
late last month.

When the downshift occurred, Lammens said, she was heading home from work on
a fairly empty freeway.

"It felt like I'd suddenly slammed on the brakes," she said, "but the engine
was straining.... And there was no one behind me, which is good because the
brake lights don't go on when that happens, so there's no warning to anyone
following."

Lammens said her Acura dealer agreed immediately to replace the transmission
but told her he could not give her a completion date.

"I asked why, and I was stunned," she said. Lammens was told she was 27th on
a regional waiting list for replacement of five-speed automatic
transmissions for late-model Acura CLs.

Mike Spencer, a spokesman for Acura, Honda's sport-luxury division,
confirmed that there has been a "higher than normal incidence" of problems
with two Honda-built automatic transmissions. Although many involve
high-performance models such as the 260-horsepower Acura Type-S, others
afflict 200-horsepower V-6 Honda Accords and 240-horsepower Odyssey minivans
not usually associated with racing and speeding abuses.

The two transmissions are the five-speed used in V-6-equipped Acuras since
the 2000 model year and in Honda Odysseys since the 2002 model year; and the
four-speed automatic used in V-6 Honda Accords since 2000 and in 2000 and
2001 Odysseys.

Of 1 million vehicles sold in the U.S. with those transmissions, Spencer
said, Honda has replaced the transmissions in about 16,000, or 1.6%.

No accidents or injuries have been reported, and a spokesman for the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that though the agency
has received a number of Honda and Acura transmission failure complaints,
the screening staff that checks reports for safety issues has not
recommended that an investigation be opened. Reports to the agency can be
filed online at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Spencer said the number and severity of transmission problems, though
exceeding Honda's tolerance, are not enough to warrant a recall.

Nor has Honda issued a service bulletin to alert dealers to the potential
for trouble, he said.

Company policy prohibits dealers from opening transmission cases--"If
there's a problem under warranty, the whole transmission is replaced,"
Spencer said--and the problem transmissions cannot be identified until the
problem occurs.

So a bulletin, which typically provides instructions for repairing a problem
when the customer takes in a vehicle for service, would do no good.

Spencer said Honda engineers identified the root of the problems a few
months ago and have redesigned the transmissions.

The four-speed models were afflicted with a bad bearing that could break
apart, scattering fragments of metal that clogged fluid passageways in the
transmission, causing it to shift erratically, he said.

The five-speed models typically were damaged by premature wear of the
third-gear clutch pack. As the clutch friction material abraded, it
scattered bits inside the transmission case, clogging fluid lines and
causing erratic shifting.

Honda and Acura dealers are replacing affected transmissions under
warranty--typically with factory rebuilt transmissions, a standard industry
practice, Spencer said. He said customers such as Lammens have been caught
in an unusual situation because Honda has never had a run of bad
transmissions and thus has never had to stockpile replacement parts. When
the four-and five-speed automatics started breaking, he said, a backlog
quickly developed.

"But we are trying to get parts into the system, and in the meantime we are
providing loaners at no cost so our customers won't be without
transportation," he said.

That has come in especially handy for a few Acura owners whose cars were out
of service several times before Honda engineers found the cause of the
problem.

Several on an Internet forum for Acura owners have complained of having to
replace transmissions several times before getting one that did not
self-destruct. Not all own older vehicles either.

Jim Mincy, a Michigan real estate broker, said in an e-mail interview that
his 7-month-old 2003 Acura TL Type-S is headed back to the dealer for its
second replacement transmission.

Most of those interviewed had no complaints about how Honda and its dealers
have treated them. But many echoed Veno, who said his problem transmission
will haunt him--and Acura--for a long time.

"I bought this car because of the company's reputation for quality. I was
going to buy a Honda product and drive it for 250,000 miles," he said. "But
now I can guarantee you that when the warranty is up, the car is gone. And
this will probably be in my mind when I go looking for a replacement."

Spencer said Honda is confident the problems have been solved.

He said Honda owners with transmission concerns should call the company's
customer service hotline at (800) 999-1009; Acura owners should call (800)
382-2238.

"We are definitely keeping an eye on this, and if it looks like the issue is
growing, we'll take other steps" that could include extending warranties for
replacement transmissions that now are covered only by the remainder of the
original new-car powertrain warranty of five years or 50,000 miles, Spencer
said.

That's good, said Joshua Pai, a 23-year-old electronics engineer from
Anaheim who worries about his Acura TL's longevity after its recent
transmission failure.

"But I wish they'd do more," he said. "There's bound to be someone in an
accident because of this, and that will be terrible. They really should
recall them all."

*

John O'Dell covers the auto industry for Highway 1 and the Business Section.
He can be reached at john .

 

You brought up a good point. I should attached the payoff letter from the
Honda along with a copy of all the letters I wrote them and explain that
since they could not answer my questions it means that they don't have
confidence in their products; and since they don't have any confidence in
their products I don't either. Thanks for the idea.

Honestly - I wasn't looking for a freebie transmission BUT I felt that Honda
should've at least explained why the 02 was not included in the warranty
extension.

Honda was sooooo reliable and they stand by their product and not be sooo
afraid of covering their behind then why didn't they just do the following:

1. Extend the warranty to 7 year / 100,000 miles on the other years as with
the other years. (This would buy consumer confidence for sure.)
OR
2. Explain why some of the year models such as the 2002 were excluded by
the warranty extension. (That would also buy consumer confidence).

Their inaction to #2 translate to me that they don't care. If they don't
care about me, then I don't care about them. It's that simple in my book.

1.6% - failure is TOO high.

------------------------
Below is an article from LA Times that was pointed out by one of the Post
here earlier in the year that sparked my curiosity and concerns...



September 11, 2002



Honda's Unexpected Gear Shift
Some customers believe a recall should be issued for the slipping
transmissions




By JOHN O'DELL, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Matthew Veno spotted an opening in the early-morning rush-hour traffic and
stabbed the accelerator. His year-old Acura TL Type-S surged forward,
hitting close to 80 mph on Boston's Route 3. Then, with no warning, the
five-speed automatic transmission slipped from fifth to second, pulling the
car up as sharply as if he had slammed on the brakes.

"Fortunately, the people behind me were able to swerve, so there wasn't an
accident," the 23-year-old computer engineer recalled. "But it could have
been pretty bad."

When Veno's $34,000 Acura spontaneously downshifted, the engine kept racing
and the crankshaft revolutions, or RPMs, went through the roof, kicking in a
limiter that cuts off the engine to avoid damage.

"That caused even more jerkiness, and at 80 it started the car swerving from
side to side on a two-lane highway. I almost slammed into a construction
barrier," Veno said. "It was the scariest time I've ever had in a car. If
the traction control hadn't been on, I would have lost it."

Veno's dealer arranged for the car to be towed and replaced the faulty
transmission under warranty and without argument.

It is one of almost 16,000 Honda and Acura automatic transmissions American
Honda Motor Co. has replaced in the last two years, leading some owners to
begin questioning the company's reputation for building bulletproof cars.

Others, such as Kathy Lammens, say American Honda should order an immediate
recall.

"They need to do it for the people's sake," said the 38-year-old Placentia
resident, whose 2001 Acura CL's automatic transmission failed completely the
day after it slipped into second gear at 65 mph on the Costa Mesa Freeway
late last month.

When the downshift occurred, Lammens said, she was heading home from work on
a fairly empty freeway.

"It felt like I'd suddenly slammed on the brakes," she said, "but the engine
was straining.... And there was no one behind me, which is good because the
brake lights don't go on when that happens, so there's no warning to anyone
following."

Lammens said her Acura dealer agreed immediately to replace the transmission
but told her he could not give her a completion date.

"I asked why, and I was stunned," she said. Lammens was told she was 27th on
a regional waiting list for replacement of five-speed automatic
transmissions for late-model Acura CLs.

Mike Spencer, a spokesman for Acura, Honda's sport-luxury division,
confirmed that there has been a "higher than normal incidence" of problems
with two Honda-built automatic transmissions. Although many involve
high-performance models such as the 260-horsepower Acura Type-S, others
afflict 200-horsepower V-6 Honda Accords and 240-horsepower Odyssey minivans
not usually associated with racing and speeding abuses.

The two transmissions are the five-speed used in V-6-equipped Acuras since
the 2000 model year and in Honda Odysseys since the 2002 model year; and the
four-speed automatic used in V-6 Honda Accords since 2000 and in 2000 and
2001 Odysseys.

Of 1 million vehicles sold in the U.S. with those transmissions, Spencer
said, Honda has replaced the transmissions in about 16,000, or 1.6%.

No accidents or injuries have been reported, and a spokesman for the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that though the agency
has received a number of Honda and Acura transmission failure complaints,
the screening staff that checks reports for safety issues has not
recommended that an investigation be opened. Reports to the agency can be
filed online at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Spencer said the number and severity of transmission problems, though
exceeding Honda's tolerance, are not enough to warrant a recall.

Nor has Honda issued a service bulletin to alert dealers to the potential
for trouble, he said.

Company policy prohibits dealers from opening transmission cases--"If
there's a problem under warranty, the whole transmission is replaced,"
Spencer said--and the problem transmissions cannot be identified until the
problem occurs.

So a bulletin, which typically provides instructions for repairing a problem
when the customer takes in a vehicle for service, would do no good.

Spencer said Honda engineers identified the root of the problems a few
months ago and have redesigned the transmissions.

The four-speed models were afflicted with a bad bearing that could break
apart, scattering fragments of metal that clogged fluid passageways in the
transmission, causing it to shift erratically, he said.

The five-speed models typically were damaged by premature wear of the
third-gear clutch pack. As the clutch friction material abraded, it
scattered bits inside the transmission case, clogging fluid lines and
causing erratic shifting.

Honda and Acura dealers are replacing affected transmissions under
warranty--typically with factory rebuilt transmissions, a standard industry
practice, Spencer said. He said customers such as Lammens have been caught
in an unusual situation because Honda has never had a run of bad
transmissions and thus has never had to stockpile replacement parts. When
the four-and five-speed automatics started breaking, he said, a backlog
quickly developed.

"But we are trying to get parts into the system, and in the meantime we are
providing loaners at no cost so our customers won't be without
transportation," he said.

That has come in especially handy for a few Acura owners whose cars were out
of service several times before Honda engineers found the cause of the
problem.

Several on an Internet forum for Acura owners have complained of having to
replace transmissions several times before getting one that did not
self-destruct. Not all own older vehicles either.

Jim Mincy, a Michigan real estate broker, said in an e-mail interview that
his 7-month-old 2003 Acura TL Type-S is headed back to the dealer for its
second replacement transmission.

Most of those interviewed had no complaints about how Honda and its dealers
have treated them. But many echoed Veno, who said his problem transmission
will haunt him--and Acura--for a long time.

"I bought this car because of the company's reputation for quality. I was
going to buy a Honda product and drive it for 250,000 miles," he said. "But
now I can guarantee you that when the warranty is up, the car is gone. And
this will probably be in my mind when I go looking for a replacement."

Spencer said Honda is confident the problems have been solved.

He said Honda owners with transmission concerns should call the company's
customer service hotline at (800) 999-1009; Acura owners should call (800)
382-2238.

"We are definitely keeping an eye on this, and if it looks like the issue is
growing, we'll take other steps" that could include extending warranties for
replacement transmissions that now are covered only by the remainder of the
original new-car powertrain warranty of five years or 50,000 miles, Spencer
said.

That's good, said Joshua Pai, a 23-year-old electronics engineer from
Anaheim who worries about his Acura TL's longevity after its recent
transmission failure.

"But I wish they'd do more," he said. "There's bound to be someone in an
accident because of this, and that will be terrible. They really should
recall them all."

*

John O'Dell covers the auto industry for Highway 1 and the Business Section.
He can be reached at john .

 

Dick,

I've just learned the point is moot anyway. Honda policy prohibits it's
dealers from opening the transmission case on warranty issues. I assume if I
have them replace the solenoid components it may jeopardize any chance I
have at a warranty extension.

Rick

 

I have a 99 Accord and recently decided to pay about $2000 for an extended
warranty that will cover the Accord up to 100,000 miles. I seem to recall
that I have to pay the first $50.00 of any repair jobs under the warranty.
As a result of reading the many posts related to transmission
problems--I'm glad I purchased the extended warranty. If you have one of
the Honda vehicles that may have the defective transmissions--I advise you
to trade it in before the trans. develops problems or purchase the
extended warranty. With most Honda dealers--they will usually do this with
any Honda purchased from the dealer that is selling you the warranty. They
may want to have their mechanics check the vehicle so buy it now before
the trans. starts developing problems. Of course, if you don't want to
take my advice--that is up to you.

 

I have a 99 Accord and recently decided to pay about $2000 for an extended
warranty that will cover the Accord up to 100,000 miles. I seem to recall
that I have to pay the first $50.00 of any repair jobs under the warranty.
As a result of reading the many posts related to transmission
problems--I'm glad I purchased the extended warranty. If you have one of
the Honda vehicles that may have the defective transmissions--I advise you
to trade it in before the trans. develops problems or purchase the
extended warranty. With most Honda dealers--they will usually do this with
any Honda purchased from the dealer that is selling you the warranty. They
may want to have their mechanics check the vehicle so buy it now before
the trans. starts developing problems. Of course, if you don't want to
take my advice--that is up to you.

 

it's not a silent warranty at all. letters were mailed out to all
registered honda owners. and if you have a dealership service your
vehicle, they should run a vin stat every time and it will show.
they had a limited run of trannys with a problem. look at
chrysler... they haven't built a good tranny in 15 years!!. honda's
1.6% fail rate is pretty commendable for over a million vehicles.
as for the article about the acura. that's a different animal if
you've ever worked on them. that's a five speed auto. honda just got
that this year. most of the time acura is the experimaental platform.
out of all the trannys i've seen fail in hondas, most of them have
never had their fluid changed. and on the oddysey most of them have
aftermarket trailer hitches with no tranny cooler...
no matter what people will gripe about it..


for those that don't know. a honda automatic is essentially a manual
gearbox with wet clutch packs. they are built like no domestic tranny
on the market. a lot of the common complaints are just normal
characteristics of the vehicle.
mor often than not engine maintenance and poor running cause a lot of
tranny malfunctions due to the ecu being confused.
chip

 

it's not a silent warranty at all. letters were mailed out to all
registered honda owners. and if you have a dealership service your
vehicle, they should run a vin stat every time and it will show.
they had a limited run of trannys with a problem. look at
chrysler... they haven't built a good tranny in 15 years!!. honda's
1.6% fail rate is pretty commendable for over a million vehicles.
as for the article about the acura. that's a different animal if
you've ever worked on them. that's a five speed auto. honda just got
that this year. most of the time acura is the experimaental platform.
out of all the trannys i've seen fail in hondas, most of them have
never had their fluid changed. and on the oddysey most of them have
aftermarket trailer hitches with no tranny cooler...
no matter what people will gripe about it..


for those that don't know. a honda automatic is essentially a manual
gearbox with wet clutch packs. they are built like no domestic tranny
on the market. a lot of the common complaints are just normal
characteristics of the vehicle.
mor often than not engine maintenance and poor running cause a lot of
tranny malfunctions due to the ecu being confused.
chip

 

2% is still 2 cars out of every 100. I don't believe Honda feels that a 2%
failure is commendable. If it's commendable then they would make it a
selling point: "We at Honda build quality cars, only 2% of our transmissions
in some models will fail." I don't think it will catch on too well when you
consider the cost of a new transmission. Sure the article talks about Acura
but it's not just Acura models, but Accord, Odyssey, Prelude's as well. If
the root cause of the premature failures as due to the negligence of the
vehicle owners I doubt that Honda would roger up and extend the warranty on
these vehicles. At the same time, I'm sure that there are failures was due
to negligence i.e. not changing fluid, other factors such as exceeding the
vehicles' limitation or it's intended use. The latter is not just on a
Honda but on any vehicle.



"American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced it will provide extended
warranties on approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura models equipped with
automatic transmissions due to problems that may result in premature wear or
failure. The extended warranty will cover affected transmissions for seven
years or 100,000 miles.

The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty for Honda vehicles is three years or
36,000 miles, while Acura vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000
miles.

Vehicles covered by the extended warranty include:

2000 - 2001 Honda Accord, Odyssey and Prelude
2000 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2001 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 CL

While only two percent of these vehicles have experienced these transmission
problems, American Honda will provide extended transmission warranties on
all potentially affected vehicles.

"Our priorities are making sure our customers are taken care of and
reassured they can continue to depend on their Honda or Acura automobile for
a long time to come," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president for
American Honda.

There is usually plenty of warning to the driver that the transmission is
not operating properly, such as slow or erratic shifting, giving them ample
time to take the vehicle in for service.

American Honda will notify all owners of eligible vehicles via mail in the
coming weeks. "

 

2% is still 2 cars out of every 100. I don't believe Honda feels that a 2%
failure is commendable. If it's commendable then they would make it a
selling point: "We at Honda build quality cars, only 2% of our transmissions
in some models will fail." I don't think it will catch on too well when you
consider the cost of a new transmission. Sure the article talks about Acura
but it's not just Acura models, but Accord, Odyssey, Prelude's as well. If
the root cause of the premature failures as due to the negligence of the
vehicle owners I doubt that Honda would roger up and extend the warranty on
these vehicles. At the same time, I'm sure that there are failures was due
to negligence i.e. not changing fluid, other factors such as exceeding the
vehicles' limitation or it's intended use. The latter is not just on a
Honda but on any vehicle.



"American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced it will provide extended
warranties on approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura models equipped with
automatic transmissions due to problems that may result in premature wear or
failure. The extended warranty will cover affected transmissions for seven
years or 100,000 miles.

The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty for Honda vehicles is three years or
36,000 miles, while Acura vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000
miles.

Vehicles covered by the extended warranty include:

2000 - 2001 Honda Accord, Odyssey and Prelude
2000 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2001 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 CL

While only two percent of these vehicles have experienced these transmission
problems, American Honda will provide extended transmission warranties on
all potentially affected vehicles.

"Our priorities are making sure our customers are taken care of and
reassured they can continue to depend on their Honda or Acura automobile for
a long time to come," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president for
American Honda.

There is usually plenty of warning to the driver that the transmission is
not operating properly, such as slow or erratic shifting, giving them ample
time to take the vehicle in for service.

American Honda will notify all owners of eligible vehicles via mail in the
coming weeks. "

 

I think the "limited run" was 1998 through 2002. Why are only the 2000-2001
models included in the extension?

Should a 1999 Accord (no trailer hitch) model, with 48,000 miles and
operated under Honda's "Normal" use definition, fail?

You sound like you know quite a bit about Hondas. Are you a tech? If so,
maybe you can answer this question. The service department reported a PO740
code as "Transmission system failure". Through research I have discovered
the more accurate description of this code is "Torque Converter Clutch
Circuit Malfuction". This sounds like an electrical problem. Is it? And
what kind of damage can it cause to the transmission?

Thanks,

Rick

 

I think the "limited run" was 1998 through 2002. Why are only the 2000-2001
models included in the extension?

Should a 1999 Accord (no trailer hitch) model, with 48,000 miles and
operated under Honda's "Normal" use definition, fail?

You sound like you know quite a bit about Hondas. Are you a tech? If so,
maybe you can answer this question. The service department reported a PO740
code as "Transmission system failure". Through research I have discovered
the more accurate description of this code is "Torque Converter Clutch
Circuit Malfuction". This sounds like an electrical problem. Is it? And
what kind of damage can it cause to the transmission?

Thanks,

Rick

 

Chip,

Another question. What's up with the internal filter on the transmission?
Does this mean it's never changed?
This can't be a good thing.

Rick

 

Chip,

Another question. What's up with the internal filter on the transmission?
Does this mean it's never changed?
This can't be a good thing.

Rick

 

I wouldn't call it commendable but it doesn't seem alarmingly high
either. Clearly Honda is not satisfied with the reliability of these
transmissions and is standing behind them. Can't say why they
wouldn't extend the warranty on the earlier cars if they truly have
the same defect rate. According to the Consumer Reports reliability
survey, all years of Accord have excellent transmission reliability,
although it is a little early to expect the defect to show up on the
2000 or 2001 models. The Odyssey's record is nearly as good (and a
lot better than the Chrysler products.)

Automatic transmissions have always been expensive, trouble-prone
devices. Honda units are about as reliable as you can find. If yours
is defective, you are likely to be upset whether the failure rate is 2
in a thousand or 2 in 10. But I certainly wouldn't spend $2000 on an
extended warranty to guard against it - transmission failure is not a
catastrophe. I would consider changing the fluid more often than
recommended, especially if there is any type of severe service
involved.

 

I wouldn't call it commendable but it doesn't seem alarmingly high
either. Clearly Honda is not satisfied with the reliability of these
transmissions and is standing behind them. Can't say why they
wouldn't extend the warranty on the earlier cars if they truly have
the same defect rate. According to the Consumer Reports reliability
survey, all years of Accord have excellent transmission reliability,
although it is a little early to expect the defect to show up on the
2000 or 2001 models. The Odyssey's record is nearly as good (and a
lot better than the Chrysler products.)

Automatic transmissions have always been expensive, trouble-prone
devices. Honda units are about as reliable as you can find. If yours
is defective, you are likely to be upset whether the failure rate is 2
in a thousand or 2 in 10. But I certainly wouldn't spend $2000 on an
extended warranty to guard against it - transmission failure is not a
catastrophe. I would consider changing the fluid more often than
recommended, especially if there is any type of severe service
involved.