Honda Transmissions

Consumer Complaints & Reviews

ellen of new orleans, LA on Feb. 1, 2012

Satisfaction Rating: 1/5

Transmission of 2002 Accord fails April 2011 (at 23,000 miles). Cost is $1867 to fix plus towing. Another part of the transmission (TCC Solenoid) fails January 2012 (at 27,252 miles), costing $864 to replace. Responding for the second time to the summer 2011 Honda recall for an airbag repairresponse number 1 in September 2011 and response number 2 in December 2011I was asked to come on a specific day in January 2012 to have it repaired. I went but Superior Honda of N.O. did not have the part.

When they got the part and fixed it they told me that the OPDS sensor needed repair and I had no airbag coverage at all. I learned later that this problem was under warranty until one day before the repair was made. This was only $300, not the $3,000 transmission fiasco (including a guess at towing cost). I think Superior should extend the warranty one day since if they responded properly to the September request or had the part for the recall work, the OPDS sensor would have been under extended warranty (Spring 2006 letter from Honda).

kemal of Boynton beach, fl on Nov. 28, 2011

Satisfaction Rating: 1/5

I bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey van and am very disappointed with the transmission failure at 59000 miles and total lack of concern on part of Honda after reading all the forums and having to pay $3500 for repairs for a manufacturing defect without any help from Honda. I am definitely never buying anything Honda ever again and so is my entire family. Please check ** for more details.

Dave of Kl, Other on Oct. 6, 2011

Satisfaction Rating: 5/5

I am currently driving Honda Jazz model year 2009. Two years ago and on its first year, driving was okay until I found that they seem to be having a transmission problem. I have sent my car and reported the problem that I am facing. Honda Sri Utama advised me to change my engine oil and all four new tire, which doesn't make sense at all.

After spending a lot of money to do so, I am still facing the same problem with the transmission. I went back and reported but they require me to meet the engineer from Honda Malaysia. He couldn't solve my problem but claims that there's nothing wrong with the transmission. I've checked with several street workshop and there is a problem with the transmission which Honda is denying. I went back to Honda and the dealer I bought the car from, finally said that they do not know what is the problem.

This is cheating. We spent a lot of time and money to buy a vehicle and all we get is be cheated and not a satisfaction.

Jerryl of Conway , SC on Sept. 22, 2011

Satisfaction Rating: 1/5

I have a 1999 Honda Accord EX V6 4-door. I had the transmission worked on several times and rebuilt the last time, at a cost of $1,400. It only lasted just over a year and is slipping and changing rough again.

I looked on the internet to find out that there are hundreds of Hondas with the same problem .Honda is responsible for this problem and needs to make it right ASAP.

Ngoc of Tampa, FL on Aug. 30, 2011

Satisfaction Rating: 2/5

I recently bought a 2012 Honda Civic in the month of June. The day that we bought the car, it already had two small dents on it. It didn't matter to me since the dealership said that they would fix it for free. Until this day, it has not been fixed. Approximately two months later, my car's transmission decided not to work anymore. It only had about 3,000 miles on it. I ordered a tow truck to tow it to the nearest Honda dealership and they told me that they weren't sure what the problem was. So, they installed a new transmission to hopefully solve the problem. Five days later, I got my car back and they used up all of my gas and left some trash in the car. My car gave me a warning saying that I have about four miles to get to the nearest gas station or else it would basically stop. I didn't get compensated for anything. Nice of them, huh? This is my first car and I did not expect my transmission to fail so suddenly.

Jesse of Rio Linda, CA on July 10, 2003

I have a 1998 Honda Accord and have had the transmission replaced twice. Oh by the way the vehicle hasn't hit 100,000 miles yet! Interesting isn't it? I was wondering if you had any course of action? I have contacted NHTSA and left several complaints. I have also searched via the internet and found this problem widespread. Honda is basically ignoring the consumers, What should I/we (Honda owners) do?

Debra of Philadelphia, PA on June 10, 2003

I purchased my Honda Civic in March, 1999 at Colonial Nissan in Feasterville, PA. It had approximately 17,000 miles on it at the time. My personal mechanic highly recommended that I get a Honda because I would not have any major problems with it so that my costs would only be basics ones (i.e., oil change, brakes, etc. (I am divorced with 2 teenage girls; one in college and one in parochial school and have only my income to depend on). My sole reason for getting a fairly new car was not to worry about major repairs. I traded in my Cutlass with over 75,000 miles on it for the Honda. I never had a transmission problem with the Cutlas.
Just recently I have had a problem with my transmission while it was in first gear. I took it to my personal mechanic and asked if he could put it on the computer to identify the problem. He did a computer scan and found that the problem was with the transmissin but he could not pinpoint the problem and not help me with the repairs because he does not do transmission work. I then called Sloan Honda in Philadelphia and spoke to the service department and explained the problem. The service department asked if I had the transmission oil changed. I did told him I did not. The service department told me that a transmission maintainance was due that this had a 90% chance of curing the problem. I brought my Honda in for this service (I left it overnight).
I received a call the next morning and was informed that there was a problem with the transmission and I would require a new one at the cost of $4,500. They asked if I had an extended warranty. I did have the extended warranty. I asked the service department how I could possibly need a transmission when I only had 40,000 miles on the car. They could not give me an answer because "Honda does not allow the transmission to taken out to identify the problem." I then called the Honda Care line in California and spoke to Holly Mohammed about the situation. She said she would investigate and get back to me. The following day Holly did call me and told me that Honda would give me a new transmission at the warranty rate. She also told me to call Sloan and ask what my share of the cost would and if I was not happy with the amount that I should call her and let her know.
My share of the cost is $850.00. I called her and left a message on her voice mail that I was unhappy. I cannot understand why my car with only 40,000 should need a new transmission. She called me the next day and told me that was the best that they could do considering that I did not take my car to Honda for maintainance. I have taken my car to my personal mechanic for service. To have my car serviced at Honda, it would cost me three times the amount of any mechanic. I cannot afford Honda rates. I then called Sloan to inform them that it would take several months to save that amount of money to have the transmission replaced. The service department told me that the information would be put into the system and it would not be a problem when I did bring the car in to have transmission replaced.

When I did speak to Holly and informed her that I was very upset and would not consider buying another Honda again, she told me that the offer of the warranty price was being rescinded because I would not by another Honda. She also told me that I did not maintain my car. I told her on serveral ocassions that I did have most of my receipts from the mechanic to prove that I indeed take care of my vehicle. I have never in my life had a used car need a transmission with only 40,000 on it. I am really stunned that I need this type of repair done. I would not even anticipate a problem until the car had over 90,000 miles on it.

Guy of Hempstead, NY on Nov. 19, 2002

My sister's car was taken to Casey Honda in Va. for the transmission to be looked at due to slippage and other eratic behavior. I was informed that a new transmission would be necessary. The car, 1999 Honda Accord coupe V6, was purchased 4 weeks ago. It only has 44k miles -- 8,000 over the factory warranty. It has come to my attention that trans. problems are a major issue with this model and year. I have read hundreds of stories from other disgruntled Honda owners similar to mine. Some of them were fully compensated by Honda some were not but at least met half way. I was yelled at, insulted, and hung up on by their case manager Holly, who denied me of any warranties or aid in this matter.

Lianne of North Hollywood, CA on Aug. 5, 2002

I purchased a 2000 Honda Accord LX in December of 1999. In December of 2001, the car started to make this jerking motion when it changed gears. I brought it to Robertson Honda and they diagnosed the problem to be transmission related! The mileage on the car at the time was appoximately 46K and the service person informed me that the warranty of the car ended at 36K miles.

I bought the car because Honda had a reputation of being economical and dependable. I have been driving for 12 years. 10 of those years, I drove a Toyota. I didn't even know what a transmission was. I serviced my car every three months and after driving this Accord for just two years, the transmission needs replacement. I am not a wealthy woman, hence the economy car. Now I am stuck with this car that needs about $5000 worth of repairs, a weekly rental car to be able to function and work. I called on Honda Care, the service department that might be able to offer some assistance, and after a week of calling and leaving messages everyday, I have given up!

Leena of Emeryville, CA on June 22, 2002

We bought a 1997 Honda Civic lx brand new in March of 97. In March of 2002 we had less than 51k miles on it but the transmission went out. Took it to Honda of El Cerrito (excellent customer service by the way) and they said the linear and speed sensors of the transmission went out and it needs to be replaced. We paid them $400 to replace the parts and then drove across the bridge to the city. The car jerked the whole way. I was afraid for my safety at times.
I called El Cerrito Honda and they told me it was "bad luck" and their warranty (3 years, 36k miles can't cover this). They told me to contact the dealership where I purchased the car. Jeff Allegro of SF Honda requested that I forward a complete maintenance record of my Honda. I faxed a copy of the work done by Honda of El Cerrito to document that the speed and linear sensors were replaced at a cost of $400. He wanted additional records, such as oil change, spark plug replacement, replacement of the engine coolant, brake repair, etc. When I asked how his request was related to the transmission problem, he did not provide a satisfactory answer. Instead, he simply stated that Honda would not be responsible for repairing the transmission in the absence of a complete fender to fender maintenance record. I requested that he substantiate his request in writing. To date, he has not responded.
Please note that I do my own minor maintenance, such as changing the engine oil and filter, and replacing the spark plugs and the engine coolant. I invited Mr. Allegro to inspect all the other systems of the vehicle to assess whether I was negligent in caring for my Honda. He felt that such an inspection was not necessary. His preference for a paper review and steadfast refusal to objectively examine my car is very unlike Hondas usual and customary approach toward quality care. The maintenance schedule as documented on page 123 of the service manual for a 1997 Honda Civic states that the transmission fluid should be replaced every 90,000 miles. Thus, it is highly irregular for the transmission, particularly that of a Honda quality, to break down at less than 51,000 miles.

The car has been out of commission since March. I am a graduate student which means I earn VERY little income. I do not earn enough to cover a $3600 tranmission for a car that is now worth less than 10k. I don't care for Hondas anymore. That trust is gone. I tell everyone who is thinking about a car to go look at the new Corolla or Camry. I had to wake up extra early to take public transportion to school. Life sucks without a car.

Jacinto of Montville, NJ on April 17, 2002

I have a Honda Accord V6 year 2000. I drive only on highways and have now around 64,000 miles. I always had my car serviced at the dealership. I have just been told that I have a major transmission problem that requires a replacement. This is truly unusual. I would just like to know if this kind of failure is normal or typical.