'95 Odyssey Reliability

I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.

Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
(cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
Odyssey.

- Phil

 

Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?

Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my losses
and moving that out of my driveway.

Regards
The Artful Codger
The Artful Codger

 

I had a '96 Odyssey from new that I passed down to a daughter at 95k miles.
She still has it & is at about 120k miles now. The only problem on your
list that we had with the '96 is the ABS failure which seems to be common in
Hondas of that vintage. If you remember how to pump the brakes in an
emergency, there is no need to fix it, as the main brakes are unaffected.
There have been no other maintenance issues with the car. I have spent
about $500 on it since new, most of which was for replacing the timing belt
at 90,000 (obviously we did not replace the ABS).

I think yours must have been abused before you got it, or it lives in a very
inhospitable environment. Time for a new car.

 

Phil,
I advise you to trade it in on a new or used vehicle that is newer. Run a
carfax on any used vehicle that you plan to buy. You will have to decide
on the brand.

 

I am pretty sure it isn't a Chrysler van, as I had one of those and it was
worse!

- Phil

 

Well, I went through with the service today, since the tune up, timing belt,
and brakes were the bulk of the cost, and these are expected. I asked the
shop who services Hondas only, about the other items. I was told the axle
boot replacement is normal, with some lasting longer than my 125K miles, and
some less. I was also told about every third van they see has a broken
motor mount! So while I think that is unacceptable, like the ABS failure,
that too is not so uncommon. And the exhaust hanger failure is only
moderately common. I asked about the previously leaking radiator, and was
told the plastic tank Honda uses does not last that long either. I don't
think the shop is pulling my leg, as they have a stellar reputation, and the
quality of work is beyond reproach.

I don't know how you can have only spent $500 over 95k miles! If most of
that was for the timing belt, what about service intervals every 15k miles?
Oil changes come twice as frequently as that. I don't know how you could
drive any car for 95k miles and spend something well less than $500 for
maintenance. Tell me how!

- Phil

 

I do all the work myself. My time is free (just ask my wife). The only
money spent is on materials - oil, filters, transmission fluid, antifreeze,
spark plugs (got one set free because of the emissions recall), one half set
of brake pads (fronts at 60k, rears lasted to 117k), timing belt & water
pump.

Well -- I forgot about tires, so add another $380. I put Michelin X-Ones on
it when the original tires wore out just shy of 50,000 miles. The X-Ones
were still good when my daughter took it over at 95k.

And of course, I didn't count gas, but that's not maintenance.