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Honda has been hit with a federal class action lawsuit that claims its 2005-2009 Odyssey minivans have defective torque converters that make the vehicles “violently vibrate” at low speeds or on a grade, and then hesitate before violently accelerating like a slingshot.
Honda Odyssey Defective Torque Converter Class Action Lawsuit
By Kimberly Mirando
Honda has been hit with a federal class action lawsuit that claims its 2005-2009 Odyssey minivans have defective torque converters that make the vehicles “violently vibrate” at low speeds or on a grade, and then hesitate before violently accelerating like a slingshot.The Honda Odyssey class action lawsuit claims American Honda Motor Company (NASDAQ: HMC) has known about the Odyssey’s defective torque converters since at least 2005, but has never corrected the problem and, in fact, has “actively concealed” the torque converter defect.
A torque converter transfers power from the engine to the transmission of an automatic transmission vehicle. In the defective Honda Odysseys, the defect causes the minivans to suddenly, and without warning, prevent the vehicles from accelerating or maintaining their speed.
“The torque converter defect affects the Class Vehicles’ ability to accelerate and decelerate under the driver’s control, as well as overall transmission performance. As a result of this defect, the Class Vehicles vibrate or judder while being driven typically at 20-45 mph or while being driven on an up or down grade. While the Class Vehicles violently vibrate or judder, the transmission slips causing the Class Vehicles to hesitate for an interval of time in its forward trajectory before abruptly and violently kicking forward with a sudden burst of acceleration akin to a slingshot effect,” the Honda Odyssey class action lawsuit states.
This presents a safety hazard to drivers and renders the vehicle “unreasonably dangerous,” the suit continues.
The Honda Odyssey torque converter class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all U.S. residents who purchased or leased a 2005 through 2009 Honda Odyssey. It is seeking damages for Class Members in addition to a Court order requiring Honda to halt sales of the Odyssey until the defective torque converters are repaired.
A copy of the Honda Odyssey Defective Torque Converter Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Laura Heintz v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., et al., Case No. 11-cv-09311, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Western Division.
Updated November 10th, 2011
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59 thoughts onHonda Odyssey Defective Torque Converter Class Action Lawsuit
My 2003 van did the same thing. I just discovered that it was the torque converter when the check engine light and TSC light came on..
My ’05 Odyssey started this at 103,000 with meticulous maintenance records and upkeep. I noticed a judder / transition in the gear transfer at around 35-45 MPH on roughly a 10% grade. On our 100,000 Service we had all four engine mounts, water pump, and timing belt replaced. I am interested to see what is to come of this. One owner vehicle with all records.
Torque converter went at 1000 KM passed warranty. They would not give me as much as a penny. This is the third Honda we have and all 3 have severe problems. It will be the last Honda ever coming in here.
Our 2008 Odyssey had the “shutter” after some 30,000 miles and the Honda dealer informed us that the rear engine mount was casusing this, but it was not a safety problem. With 60,000 + miles a private garage replaced the rear engine mount. At 65,000+ they recommended a transmission flush to help the problem, but finally replaced the tourqe converter. Garage indicated that old tourqe converter would not engage and hold speed, thus the shutter. New converter is Honda,s new and improved version and seems to work much better. (new converter installed $2300.)
I have a 06 Odyssey. I am also experiencing the shuddering around 30-44mph. I have to let up on the accelerator for the shuddering to stop. It was intermittent at first, but now becoming more frequent. I have been searching the internet and found many posts complaining of same issue. It is discouraging to read many of the same issues without any resolve.
I plan to take the van to the Honda dealer and hope the shuddering can be reproduced. More importantly, I hope the service rep or Honda do not give me the run-around claiming the shuddering is normal as I have read on some post.
Does anyone the progress of the class action suit concerning shuddering. This article is indicating Torque convertor.
Hi Glenn, your comment sounds exactly like what I’m experiencing now with my 06 Odyssey. If I may ask, what did you end up doing for your vehicle?
Thanks,
Nancy
1/16/13
This morning, while driving my 2008 Honda Odyssey Minivan on an upgrade about 10-15 mph. I stepped on the brake to stop behind cars in front of me that were stopped at a red light. To my horror, my vehicle would not stop. It accelarated like a rocket. Through God’s grace and blessings my quick thinking made me veer onto a sidewalk into a snow bank which stopped my vehicle. My youngest daugther was in the back seat screaming and telling me I am going to crash. This was one of the most frightening experiences I have had in a long time. I have owned 4 Hondas and I must say I am extremely disappointed that Honda is selling these vehicles with these problems. They are putting families lives at risk. Please Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist with this class action law suit.
Our ’05 Odyssey started shuddering violently on our way back from ski vacation last week. The shudder occurs most violently at slight uphill grades at highway speed and causes the van to vibrate violently. I had just checked the van by our local dealership and they diagnosed a faulty torque converter and quoted a $2k repair. We had the factory recall done a while ago. That recall supposedly fixed a low speed shudder, but that was a software fix only and did not fix this issue.
2006 Honda Odyssey Touring. My Honda van has the the “shudder” that many Honda owners are complaining about. I see that a class actions suit has been filed but I want to know when the case is won…clearly this is Honda’s problem…so I can take my vehicle in to be repaired with a new torque converter that is not defective. So far I have had the time to avoid the worse of the “shudder” but I have wondered how I would manage to maintain control of my vehicle should I find myself in a life-threatening situation.
2005 Honda Odyssey Touring. Our vehicle has the “shrudder” that everyone talks about but is more noticeable when under engine braking up hill or down hill.
Dealer checked our engine mounts and the were OK. Balanced tires and checked brakes, but the problem remain.
the vehicle is well past the power train warranty 5 years/60K miles.
At this point we just want it fixed as the car has lost value and we would lose a lot of money on trade in due to devaluation caused by this problem
My ’06 Odyssey started vibrating back in October of last year. I could be driving on a straight-away around 40-45MPH and it would start shaking like crazy. I took it to the dealership and they checked the vehicle and said that the rear-engine mount was gone. So, the rear-engine mount was replaced, but within the next day or two the shaking was back. I don’t think it was the engine-mount at all. I think it’s the torque converter and I want it fixed.