2019 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 51owner reports
- 13,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 31, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
122 of the 948 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 51 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 51 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Loose battery terminal connections or a degraded battery may cause the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) to unexpectedly reboot. Upon rebooting, the TCU may shift the transmission to the "Park" position, possibly damaging the parking rod.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will ensure the battery terminal connections are secure and will update the TCU software, free of charge. Additionally, the parking rod effectiveness will be checked. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Z4J, Y4K.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,547 and 27,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle has hard shifting up and down. Loud clank when up shifting or down shifting at random times.”
Filed Jan 10, 2025
“Currently own a honda odyssey 2019. The transmission is unstable at times. From a speed of 25-30mph, it performs hard shifts i think from the 3rd gear. We can really feel the jerk of the van along with a sound like metals slipping or something. It doesn't always happen therefore the dealer could not fully diagnose it and called it normal or wait for it to get worse. Yeah right!”
Filed Dec 27, 2024
“- Step on accelerator and no acceleration, - When at stop then gas there is hesitation with extra slow accelerator. - Shifting from 1st to 2nd there a jerking and hard shift which something cause loud noise. - Reported multiply times to dealer and indicated its normal (Replace purge valve) no help.”
Filed Dec 10, 2024
“Step on accelerator and no acceleration, hesitation and have to push farther down on accelerator. Sometimes that works other time I have to let of accelerator and push again to go. Nearly cause accident multiple times.”
Filed Jul 30, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 51 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 123 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 122 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 112 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 105 reports
- Fuel pump failure 48 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 48 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 48 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 46 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 40 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports