My parents are looking at picking one of these up to cart the grandkids around. They are looking at used ones and I remember there are some years that suffered from weak transmissions, but cant remember which ones.
I believe they are looking at a 2011 or 2012.
Any feedback is appreciated.
My folks just grabbed an 08 last week. Best I could read when advising was that the whole 99-04 generation was at risk. I think all the Honda's like 98-05 may have transmission issues with the V6 and heavier models being most prone to problems.
I believe 2007 was the 1st year transmission issues were rersolved
Billy_Bottle_Caps said:I believe 2007 was the 1st year transmission issues were rersolved
Sounds about right. I owned two Odys and if I were looking for a used minivan now I'd buy a Siena. The build quality and reliability on the Odysseys just weren't up to Honda standards.
Had an 05 from 155k to 220k, only needed oil changes and an axle. Have a 2010 ody from 100k, so far it has needed two o2 sensors (we are at 130k or so with it).
Supposedly the early 00s trans was the bad one with trans getting better throughout the decade. But I don't have any direct experience with failure. At 220k I can tell you the shifts were getting rough under part throttle.
99-04 transmissions had a lot of issues, 05-06 were somewhat better, and 07 and up were better still (they switched to the Ridgeline transmission). Odyclub.com is a great place to research these.
See if the rings were a problem, and if it has been resolved.
The cylinder deactivation allowed the gaps of rings to line up, causing oil consumption, as I recall. The solution was new pistons with some kind of pin to keep ring gaps in place on the front bank only, again, as I recall. Speaking of recalls, I don't think there was one. TSB, maybe.
jwagner said:Billy_Bottle_Caps said:I believe 2007 was the 1st year transmission issues were rersolved
Sounds about right. I owned two Odys and if I were looking for a used minivan now I'd buy a Siena. The build quality and reliability on the Odysseys just weren't up to Honda standards.
Can you expand on your comment a bit? What years did you own and what problems did you encounter?
My parents are pretty much Honda people, but they've had 3 Toyotas in the 80's and would probably consider a Sienna as an alternative. They just have not looked at them.
I have a 14 and it's been reliable aside from the uneven front brake disc wear.
They also drive much, much better than the Toyota or Kia.
Ideally, you want a 2007-10 EX. 2007 and newer gets you the good Ridgeline/Pilot transmission; 2010 or older EX means no VCM (cylinder deactivation) that leads to excessive oil consumption. It took some searching, but I just bought a 2008 EX.
You can also avoid VCM by getting a 2007-10 LX, but the LX lacks power doors and some other goodies the EX has.
2005-10 EX-L and Touring, and all 2011 and newer, have VCM.
We have an 06 EX-T (Touring) with ~230k. PAX is a pain and we've stayed with the run flats but they have to be aired up like crazy to wear well. Been through three sets of active motor mounts and finally deleted the VCM (nice kits avail now) and put in regular EX mounts. Been through normal wear items like a starter, two timing belts/wp, ps pump, brakes, shocks, but all seemed normal at the mileage. The electric door lock actuators get grumpy sometimes but keeping them lubed and clearing out dirt dust occasionally has kept me from replacing them, which looks like a total PITA. I think the trans upgrade is in 06MY but is vin specific, and later in the run.
Avoid VCM. It kills motor mounts which are expensive. The delete kits are very wonky, but better than VCM.
Our '07 has a PS hose, PS pump, Alternator, Engine mounts, and a few other things go bad. In the span of about 20k miles. All of these things were expensive. When I joked about this with the parts guy he was like "oh, you have had to do the power doors or xxxx yet? 
".
With no exceptions, every non-OEM Honda part I tried on the van was utter garbage.
bluebarchetta said:Ideally, you want a 2007-10 EX. 2007 and newer gets you the good Ridgeline/Pilot transmission; 2010 or older EX means no VCM (cylinder deactivation) that leads to excessive oil consumption. It took some searching, but I just bought a 2008 EX.
2005-10 EX-L and Touring, and all 2011 and newer, have VCM.
The earlier VCM doesn't have the ring issue, that's just the 2011+.
ProDarwin said:
With no exceptions, every non-OEM Honda part I tried on the van was utter garbage.
Also, THIS
I love this place. We have a 2014 Odyssey and have had no real issues. But I just learned about a potential issue with VCM - that I didn’t even know the van had. (I’m a bit embarrassed...).
Now I have a vcm deleter on its way and hopefully will avoid issues that others have had that spurred the development of the device.
2010 EX-L is my wife’s daily driver. I’ve done front and rear brakes, VCM delete, both power door roller assemblies, and transmission cooler hardline replacement as it rusted through and was leaking. I hear a rear wheel bearing going bad now. Not bad for ~90k miles.
As others have stated 2007-2010 had the better trans.
wheelsmithy said:See if the rings were a problem, and if it has been resolved.
The cylinder deactivation allowed the gaps of rings to line up, causing oil consumption, as I recall. The solution was new pistons with some kind of pin to keep ring gaps in place on the front bank only, again, as I recall. Speaking of recalls, I don't think there was one. TSB, maybe.
The warranty was extended.
I have a customer who has one with oil consumption and misfire problems. He comes in every couple weeks in the morning, I replace the fouled out #3 plug, he goes back out there making deliveries.
#3 isn't the WORST plug to get to, but it's not terribly fun on a hot engine at first thing in the morning o'clock. I'm experimenting with smaller plug gaps to see if it can extend how long he can drive it before it misfires. NGK technically makes a hotter heat range plug (it's a weird 12mm thread extra long reach plug) but it was only used on some Hyundais not sold in North America, so I can't try that route.
I haven't swapped a Honda transmission in years. I also haven't seen any other V6s with this issue. I do work in a Honda specialty shop now, so I see a lot of Hondas nowadays 
bluebarchetta said:Ideally, you want a 2007-10 EX. 2007 and newer gets you the good Ridgeline/Pilot transmission; 2010 or older EX means no VCM (cylinder deactivation) that leads to excessive oil consumption. It took some searching, but I just bought a 2008 EX.
You can also avoid VCM by getting a 2007-10 LX, but the LX lacks power doors and some other goodies the EX has.
2005-10 EX-L and Touring, and all 2011 and newer, have VCM.
I wouldn't get the power doors. I wouldn't say they are "problematic", but things wear and I've de-cabled enough of them to not want that mess in my life.
Knurled. said:bluebarchetta said:Ideally, you want a 2007-10 EX. 2007 and newer gets you the good Ridgeline/Pilot transmission; 2010 or older EX means no VCM (cylinder deactivation) that leads to excessive oil consumption. It took some searching, but I just bought a 2008 EX.
You can also avoid VCM by getting a 2007-10 LX, but the LX lacks power doors and some other goodies the EX has.
2005-10 EX-L and Touring, and all 2011 and newer, have VCM.
I wouldn't get the power doors. I wouldn't say they are "problematic", but things wear and I've de-cabled enough of them to not want that mess in my life.
What! That's the best thing on a van hands down! Worth whatever headache they cause down the road.
jfryjfry said:I love this place. We have a 2014 Odyssey and have had no real issues. But I just learned about a potential issue with VCM - that I didn’t even know the van had. (I’m a bit embarrassed...).
Now I have a vcm deleter on its way and hopefully will avoid issues that others have had that spurred the development of the device.
Right? Me too! Which delete did you get? I was looking at VCM Tuner II.
Edit: S-VCM seems to be the only one that is not just a resistor on the VCM circuit. So maybe that is the one to get?
I got the one that is self learning and doesnt have the manual trim pot. I am usually pretty diy but things that go on the swmbo mobile need to be pretty, lets say, simple. Extra cels are not appreciated.
I think there was a year/model (i.e. EX or Touring or something) that you want to be aware of because they came with the Michelin PAX system that makes tire replacement a PITA. Obviously this can be avoided by putting new wheels on the car, but some shops won't do it.
In any case, my cousin had an 05ish Oddity put through ungodly amounts of abuse and probably 200k miles. She replaced it with a new Pacifica which she says is better in every way, but it is also a 15 year newer car. My aunt is on her 2nd, her first was an 05ish traded in at 288k miles for a new Oddity. She wouldn't even consider something else, but my uncle (her husband) wanted the Kia. He said the Oddities have the worst road noise.
In reply to Paul_VR6 :
Thanks. Just ordered that too.
Ex-l and Touring have PAX and no spare tire which is a fun surprise.
Dave M said:Knurled. said:I wouldn't get the power doors. I wouldn't say they are "problematic", but things wear and I've de-cabled enough of them to not want that mess in my life.
What! That's the best thing on a van hands down! Worth whatever headache they cause down the road.
It depends on what you're gonna do with the van. Transporting kids (especially infants/toddlers) and you absolutely want the power doors. If it's just for hauling stuff around then I can see how they migbt be more trouble than they're worth.
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