CriticalVery commonTransmission

Honda Odyssey: 3rd Gear Clutch Pack Failure (5-speed Auto)

3rd Gear Clutch Pack Failure (5-speed Auto) is a very common transmission fault on the Honda Odyssey on the 2003–2013 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,800 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 45 documented faults on the Honda Odyssey.

Vehicle: Honda Odyssey
Years: 2003–2013
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Honda Odyssey as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Odyssey faults45 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 5-speed automatic transmission (Honda code BYBA/BDGA) fitted to RB1 and RB3 Odyssey models suffers endemic premature 3rd gear clutch pack failure. The clutch packs overheat due to an undersized transmission cooler and restricted fluid passages in the 3rd clutch circuit that limit heat dissipation under sustained load. Towing, freeway grades and urban stop-start driving accelerate material degradation. Once the clutch material is worn the transmission slips or flares between 2nd and 3rd, eventually dropping into a 2nd-gear limp mode. Honda issued extended warranty coverage in the US following class action litigation, but NZ/AU vehicles were not covered by that settlement and the problem remains endemic in the used market.

What you would notice

Slipping or RPM flare during 2nd-to-3rd upshift
Delayed or harsh engagement when accelerating from low speed
Transmission warning light on dashboard
Shuddering at steady highway speed
Vehicle stuck in 2nd gear limp mode

How to check it

Where to look. 5-speed automatic transmission, 3rd gear clutch circuit — lower centre of engine bay behind the engine

Check transmission fluid colour and smell — dark brown or burnt fluid confirms clutch material contamination. Road-test with moderate throttle and focus on the 2-3 upshift quality at 40-70 km/h. Request documented transmission service history and confirm Honda-spec DW-1 ATF was used at every change. If a workshop inspection is possible: Scan for OBDII codes P0732 or P0733 (gear ratio errors).

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$2,800 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the transmission been rebuilt, remanufactured or replaced?”
“Have you noticed any slipping or delayed shifts, especially between 2nd and 3rd gear?”
“When was the transmission fluid last changed and what fluid type was used?”
“Has a transmission warning light ever appeared?”

Now check the Honda Odyssey you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda Odyssey buyer questions

Is 3rd gear clutch pack failure (5-speed auto) serious on a Honda Odyssey?

We rate it critical and very common on the Honda Odyssey. The 5-speed automatic transmission (Honda code BYBA/BDGA) fitted to RB1 and RB3 Odyssey models suffers endemic premature 3rd gear clutch pack failure. The clutch packs overheat due to an undersized transmission cooler and restricted fluid passages in the 3rd clutch circuit that limit heat dissipation under sustained load. Towing, freeway grades and urban stop-start driving accelerate material degradation. Once the clutch material is worn the transmission slips or flares between 2nd and 3rd, eventually dropping into a 2nd-gear limp mode. Honda issued extended warranty coverage in the US following class action litigation, but NZ/AU vehicles were not covered by that settlement and the problem remains endemic in the used market.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Odyssey?

$2,800 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Odyssey years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2013 Honda Odyssey. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.