Anonymous wrote:Two days ago, our 2015 Odyssey (which we bought new and has been well maintained and has fewer than 40,000 miles on it) suddenly started shaking while driving. We had it towed to the dealership and after their diagnostics, there are many problems with the engine (I am not a car person, but there is a cylinder misfiring, a “fouled out” spark plug, a piston ring that needs replacing, other issues with cylinders 2 and 3, and they say they can’t confirm whether there will be additional issues once they break into the engine. All of this, plus some separate electrical issues, will cost about $7k to fix. I am speechless. We bought a Honda because the engines are supposed to last forever. We are, of course, just outside of our power train warranty. This vehicle has been a headache nearly since the beginning. We just spent a few thousand replacing the rear breaks, replacing the battery, and other maintenance items. One of the sliding doors won’t open from the inside. This is the second time I’ve had to have it towed in the last month. I am beyond frustrated since these cars are supposed to be so reliable. At this point the blue book value is probably only $15-$17k and I feel like we’re sinking our money.

What would you do here? Is it worth it to have it towed to another place for a second opinion? Assuming we would have to pay for diagnostics again in that case though. Never again with Honda for us.

What are the other issues w/cyls 2 and 3? I'd start with the least invasive/least costly fixes first. Replace all spark plugs ($200) and check if any of the ignition coils have malfunctioned. You have 6 coils, each one is approx $30 to $75, if one is gone, I'd change all six, so approx $400 there. This can all be done without opening the engine. Then you're getting more invasive and you want to make sure that the mechanic is not making a bigger deal (and taking more $$$ from you than really needed). If its piston ring, you would want them to show you the old one. That goes for any internal part that is broken, you want to insist that they show it to you.

Did you have any clicking sounds/loose ring sounds coming from your engine under mild acceleration w/low RPM? If so, possible you had an issue with pre-detonation which shakes the piston rings thus the ringing sound. The "simple" fix to this is to use premium fuel which is more resistant to engine knocks. We had the above issue in our 2010 Ody, resolved with premium fuel.

Do you have cylinder management system in your Ody, ie it disconnects two cyls while cruising? I know some Ody's have had issues w/that, you may want to look that up via google and see if there were any class actions lawsuits and/or extended warranty in cases where cyl-deactivation systems are involved, perhaps you may be covered anyway.

Engine issues sucks, I can deal with rattles and plastic pieces breaking here and there, but the engine, the heart of the car, not working........well, breaks my heart....

Best of luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catastrophic engine failure is rare these days and typically has a specific cause. Where do you typically take the car for repairs? You said there was recently some work done on the car, and I think it's worth while to look into what was touched during that repair to see if there could be anything related. It should not cost "thousands" to replace brakes and the battery, even when done by a dealer.

I would contact Honda directly and make an appeal to them, showing them that the car is just out of warranty based on time only, and it would help if you could show that you always had the car maintained, preferably at a Honda dealer, and ask them for an extension of good will.

And gently remind them you are active on social media, wink, wink...

- dp

I wouldn't be so blunt, people don't react positively to threats. Instead, say you come from a family of auto enthusiasts and this has caught you completely by surprise. Others in your circle of friends are equally surprised at this occurrence and have suggested that you try and reach out to Honda directly because they believe Honda to be a company focused on quality.

Anonymous wrote:Catastrophic engine failure is rare these days and typically has a specific cause. Where do you typically take the car for repairs? You said there was recently some work done on the car, and I think it's worth while to look into what was touched during that repair to see if there could be anything related. It should not cost "thousands" to replace brakes and the battery, even when done by a dealer.

I would contact Honda directly and make an appeal to them, showing them that the car is just out of warranty based on time only, and it would help if you could show that you always had the car maintained, preferably at a Honda dealer, and ask them for an extension of good will.

And gently remind them you are active on social media, wink, wink...

- dp

Catastrophic engine failure is rare these days and typically has a specific cause. Where do you typically take the car for repairs? You said there was recently some work done on the car, and I think it's worth while to look into what was touched during that repair to see if there could be anything related. It should not cost "thousands" to replace brakes and the battery, even when done by a dealer.

I would contact Honda directly and make an appeal to them, showing them that the car is just out of warranty based on time only, and it would help if you could show that you always had the car maintained, preferably at a Honda dealer, and ask them for an extension of good will.

Honda unfortunately has been living off its reputation for years. It sounds like you got a lemon. You may want to research whether Honda has any extra-warranty programs for your vehicle based on defects known to but not publicly admitted by it for certain models and years. BMW, for example, has replaced engines free out of warranty, but only when customers demanded it.

Anonymous wrote:Honda Odyssey is overrated in my opinion because no luxury brand is in the minivan market and rich customers drive up the price of Odysseys. You still get top dollars when you sell your old Odyssey. But many Odyssey owners report trasnmission problems and sometimes engine problems. The resale value doesn’t matter if you have such major issue.

Sienna is more reliable and Pacifica/Sedona is a better value.

Transmission issue was older model (2001, I thought)? I've never heard of wide spread engine issue. Mine (2004) never had either issue. It has 200k now.

Op - if possible, get a second opinion from independent shops who specialize honda cars. I can look up Checkbook for reputable shops if you need help. Just tell me where you are. I'd also call Honda and see if there's anything they can do to help. Nothing to lose.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honda Odyssey is overrated in my opinion because no luxury brand is in the minivan market and rich customers drive up the price of Odysseys. You still get top dollars when you sell your old Odyssey. But many Odyssey owners report trasnmission problems and sometimes engine problems. The resale value doesn’t matter if you have such major issue.

Sienna is more reliable and Pacifica/Sedona is a better value.

What are you taking about.... Of course a serious problem, such as a transmission, will effect the resale value. No one in their right mind would pay top dollar for car that doesn't work or if the transmission is failing. Its no different than a house. Would you pay top dollar for a house if the plumbing didn't work?

Second, you do realize Honda and Acura are on in the same, Toyota and Lexus are on in the same, Nissan and Infiniti are on in the same? In fact, you can get your Lexus serviced at Toyota and that same oil change you are paying $200 for will cost half that at the Toyota dealer. Unless to you, the only luxury brands are Aston Martins, Porsche and the like. Then I guess your argument is correct.

I guess I should have been clear. What I tried to say that Honda is overrated and people pay top dollars although it’s not that reliable.

I do know Honda and Acura are made by the same company. That doesn’t make Honda a luxury brand. Not at all. Do you think VW and Audi brands are same because they are owned by the same company?

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. That is tough. Both of my Odysseys went over 200k miles without touching the inside of the engine. The reputation is there but, obviously, the engine in your van did not last a fraction of what it should. Why? Doesn't matter.

Sure, take it somewhere else to get another evaluation and another quote. That's reasonable.

Some cars simply become money pits and this story sounds like one of those. Yes, it's a big loss, yes it's totally disappointing. And, certainly, I would recommend you getting anything but another Honda. Depending on how you want to deal with the old van, you might just dump it as a low ball trade-in on your next vehicle.

I would ask straight up whether the dealer who did the evaluation or the second shop is interested in buying it. Anyone who fixes cars is in this position all the time: an owner brings in a car with a big problem and wants to get rid of the car. The the dealer/shop has looked over the car and has a pretty good idea of what the repair will cost and what the vehicle is worth. The advantage they have is that they can repair the vehicle "at cost", which is much less than what they would charge you. There's a good chance one of them will make you an offer.

I think sometimes you get a car that went down the line on a Friday afternoon, and the problems just seem to come one after another. Every car that we've ever had seems to either just work forever or be a problem from the start. I would put more money into a problem car

Anonymous wrote:Honda Odyssey is overrated in my opinion because no luxury brand is in the minivan market and rich customers drive up the price of Odysseys. You still get top dollars when you sell your old Odyssey. But many Odyssey owners report trasnmission problems and sometimes engine problems. The resale value doesn’t matter if you have such major issue.

Sienna is more reliable and Pacifica/Sedona is a better value.

What are you taking about.... Of course a serious problem, such as a transmission, will effect the resale value. No one in their right mind would pay top dollar for car that doesn't work or if the transmission is failing. Its no different than a house. Would you pay top dollar for a house if the plumbing didn't work?

Second, you do realize Honda and Acura are on in the same, Toyota and Lexus are on in the same, Nissan and Infiniti are on in the same? In fact, you can get your Lexus serviced at Toyota and that same oil change you are paying $200 for will cost half that at the Toyota dealer. Unless to you, the only luxury brands are Aston Martins, Porsche and the like. Then I guess your argument is correct.

Honda Odyssey is overrated in my opinion because no luxury brand is in the minivan market and rich customers drive up the price of Odysseys. You still get top dollars when you sell your old Odyssey. But many Odyssey owners report trasnmission problems and sometimes engine problems. The resale value doesn’t matter if you have such major issue.

Sienna is more reliable and Pacifica/Sedona is a better value.

I had a 2007 Honda Odyssey and this particular year, along with couple before and after, had major transmission issues. It was well known, but not much Honda was doing about it.

I did a quick google search and it appears to be an issue with your transmission as well. Here's some samples:

https://www.odyclub.com/threads/ongoing-vehicle-issues-2015-honda-odyssey-transmission.296122/

https://www.odyclub.com/threads/transmission-problems-on-2015.355271/

Check to see if there is TSB (technical service bulletin) that would cover your issue. If there is, Honda will take care of it.

Seems like people are getting mixed answers/results from their dealers. You could escalate with Honda corp and see if the will work with you (maybe offer a discount on the work).

Good luck!

Ugh. That is tough. Both of my Odysseys went over 200k miles without touching the inside of the engine. The reputation is there but, obviously, the engine in your van did not last a fraction of what it should. Why? Doesn't matter.

Sure, take it somewhere else to get another evaluation and another quote. That's reasonable.

Some cars simply become money pits and this story sounds like one of those. Yes, it's a big loss, yes it's totally disappointing. And, certainly, I would recommend you getting anything but another Honda. Depending on how you want to deal with the old van, you might just dump it as a low ball trade-in on your next vehicle.

I would ask straight up whether the dealer who did the evaluation or the second shop is interested in buying it. Anyone who fixes cars is in this position all the time: an owner brings in a car with a big problem and wants to get rid of the car. The the dealer/shop has looked over the car and has a pretty good idea of what the repair will cost and what the vehicle is worth. The advantage they have is that they can repair the vehicle "at cost", which is much less than what they would charge you. There's a good chance one of them will make you an offer.

Two days ago, our 2015 Odyssey (which we bought new and has been well maintained and has fewer than 40,000 miles on it) suddenly started shaking while driving. We had it towed to the dealership and after their diagnostics, there are many problems with the engine (I am not a car person, but there is a cylinder misfiring, a “fouled out” spark plug, a piston ring that needs replacing, other issues with cylinders 2 and 3, and they say they can’t confirm whether there will be additional issues once they break into the engine. All of this, plus some separate electrical issues, will cost about $7k to fix. I am speechless. We bought a Honda because the engines are supposed to last forever. We are, of course, just outside of our power train warranty. This vehicle has been a headache nearly since the beginning. We just spent a few thousand replacing the rear breaks, replacing the battery, and other maintenance items. One of the sliding doors won’t open from the inside. This is the second time I’ve had to have it towed in the last month. I am beyond frustrated since these cars are supposed to be so reliable. At this point the blue book value is probably only $15-$17k and I feel like we’re sinking our money.

What would you do here? Is it worth it to have it towed to another place for a second opinion? Assuming we would have to pay for diagnostics again in that case though. Never again with Honda for us.