'95 Odyssey Reliability
 

I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.

Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
(cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
Odyssey.

- Phil

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is

Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?

Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my losses
and moving that out of my driveway.

Regards
The Artful Codger
The Artful Codger

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is

Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?

Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my losses
and moving that out of my driveway.

Regards
The Artful Codger
The Artful Codger

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is

Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?

Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my losses
and moving that out of my driveway.

Regards
The Artful Codger
The Artful Codger

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is

Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?

Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my losses
and moving that out of my driveway.

Regards
The Artful Codger
The Artful Codger

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

On 11/17/03 10:27 PM, in article fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil
>
>

I had a '96 Odyssey from new that I passed down to a daughter at 95k miles.
She still has it & is at about 120k miles now. The only problem on your
list that we had with the '96 is the ABS failure which seems to be common in
Hondas of that vintage. If you remember how to pump the brakes in an
emergency, there is no need to fix it, as the main brakes are unaffected.
There have been no other maintenance issues with the car. I have spent
about $500 on it since new, most of which was for replacing the timing belt
at 90,000 (obviously we did not replace the ABS).

I think yours must have been abused before you got it, or it lives in a very
inhospitable environment. Time for a new car.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

On 11/17/03 10:27 PM, in article fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil
>
>

I had a '96 Odyssey from new that I passed down to a daughter at 95k miles.
She still has it & is at about 120k miles now. The only problem on your
list that we had with the '96 is the ABS failure which seems to be common in
Hondas of that vintage. If you remember how to pump the brakes in an
emergency, there is no need to fix it, as the main brakes are unaffected.
There have been no other maintenance issues with the car. I have spent
about $500 on it since new, most of which was for replacing the timing belt
at 90,000 (obviously we did not replace the ABS).

I think yours must have been abused before you got it, or it lives in a very
inhospitable environment. Time for a new car.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

On 11/17/03 10:27 PM, in article fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil
>
>

I had a '96 Odyssey from new that I passed down to a daughter at 95k miles.
She still has it & is at about 120k miles now. The only problem on your
list that we had with the '96 is the ABS failure which seems to be common in
Hondas of that vintage. If you remember how to pump the brakes in an
emergency, there is no need to fix it, as the main brakes are unaffected.
There have been no other maintenance issues with the car. I have spent
about $500 on it since new, most of which was for replacing the timing belt
at 90,000 (obviously we did not replace the ABS).

I think yours must have been abused before you got it, or it lives in a very
inhospitable environment. Time for a new car.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

On 11/17/03 10:27 PM, in article fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil
>
>

I had a '96 Odyssey from new that I passed down to a daughter at 95k miles.
She still has it & is at about 120k miles now. The only problem on your
list that we had with the '96 is the ABS failure which seems to be common in
Hondas of that vintage. If you remember how to pump the brakes in an
emergency, there is no need to fix it, as the main brakes are unaffected.
There have been no other maintenance issues with the car. I have spent
about $500 on it since new, most of which was for replacing the timing belt
at 90,000 (obviously we did not replace the ABS).

I think yours must have been abused before you got it, or it lives in a very
inhospitable environment. Time for a new car.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

In article <fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I advise you to trade it in on a new or used vehicle that is newer. Run a
carfax on any used vehicle that you plan to buy. You will have to decide
on the brand.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

In article <fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I advise you to trade it in on a new or used vehicle that is newer. Run a
carfax on any used vehicle that you plan to buy. You will have to decide
on the brand.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

In article <fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I advise you to trade it in on a new or used vehicle that is newer. Run a
carfax on any used vehicle that you plan to buy. You will have to decide
on the brand.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

In article <fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle has
> been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
> typical, or maybe I should get rid of it ASAP.
>
> Besides typical maintenance, I have noticed that it goes through brake pads
> noticeably faster than my previous '91 Accord. It has always used oil at a
> rate much faster than my previous Accord. The engine is sound with 191 lbs.
> compression in all cylinders. Otherwise, it has not been impressive. The
> plastic door panel cracked on the driver's side, and that is over $400. The
> ABS gave up, and that will cost $1000 or so to get fixed. The top plastic
> tank on the radiator began leaking, setting me back another $330. Today,
> the service people (at a very good shop), said the brakes are worn out yet
> again ($135). They also found the "A" pipe exhaust hanger or bracket broken
> causing the rattling under the car ($56). One of the motor mounts was
> broken ($113). The front axle boots are about gone (2 x $119). The
> transmission has a several second delay before engaging "Drive". The heater
> can now never be completely turned off, the temperature control lever
> (cable) stiffened up, resulting in the lever end breaking off (we use a key
> to adjust the temperature now), the wipers never stop chattering and the
> radio freaks out with static at times. Other than that, and the
> non-existent power, it is a good vehicle. Seriously, it is a good runabout,
> but was '95 a bad year for Hondas? I have a '98 BMW M3 which I thought
> would cost me a lot in maintenance and be so-so in reliability, but it has
> been stone reliable, costs LESS in regular maintenance than any Honda I have
> had. Just wondering if I got the short end of the stick this time with the
> Odyssey.
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I advise you to trade it in on a new or used vehicle that is newer. Run a
carfax on any used vehicle that you plan to buy. You will have to decide
on the brand.

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

I am pretty sure it isn't a Chrysler van, as I had one of those and it was
worse!

- Phil
"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:hulub.31014$j1d.6234@news04.bloor.is.net.cabl e.rogers.com...
>
> "Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> > I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> > Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle
has
> > been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> > seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
>
> Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?
>
> Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
> vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my
losses
> and moving that out of my driveway.
>
> Regards
> The Artful Codger
> The Artful Codger
>
>
>

Re: '95 Odyssey Reliability
 

I am pretty sure it isn't a Chrysler van, as I had one of those and it was
worse!

- Phil
"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:hulub.31014$j1d.6234@news04.bloor.is.net.cabl e.rogers.com...
>
> "Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:fdhub.177376$ao4.592925@attbi_s51...
> > I just took my '95 Odyssey van in for a major service at 120,000 miles.
> > Since I bought it used at 43,000 miles, the reliability of the vehicle
has
> > been disappointing. Previous Hondas have been pretty good, but this van
> > seems to have all kinds of reliability problems. I wonder if this is
>
> Are you sure that isn't a Chrysler van?
>
> Seriously whether or not a "bad" year it sounds like a "bad"
> vehicle. Only a personal opinion but were it me I would be cutting my
losses
> and moving that out of my driveway.
>
> Regards
> The Artful Codger
> The Artful Codger
>
>
>