Honda Odyssey 2010 Problems

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the used 2009-2013Honda Odyssey.

Here's our guide to the five biggest-selling people movers on the market (2010 year-to-date, VFACTS).

Peoplemovers have never been particularly fashionable, they're the ugly ducklings of the motoring world, but there's no denying their practicality when it comes to family transport. There's plenty of reasons to consider buying a peoplemover, particularly one like the Honda Odyssey, instead of an SUV. Honda had done its level best with the Odyssey to make the peoplemover sexy and rid it of the old image of a converted van as most once were. Compared to other peoplemovers the Odyssey is quite a stylish vehicle, it really doesn't evoke images of a delivery van at all. For a family of five or more it makes a lot of sense. The 2009 Odyssey was the result of an extensive makeover, with a new body, improved safety, and better performance and fuel economy. Under the sleek new skin the mechanical platform was basically the same as the previous model. Honda offered two models, the well-equipped entry-level model and the Luxury, which came with leather and a host of other neat features. All it lacked was a parking aid, which would have been a welcome addition in a vehicle of its type. With just 2.4 litres doing the work the Honda is no fireball in the road, but has enough grunt to make for a smooth, comfortable drive with sufficient get and go to get the job done. The five-speed auto is smooth and well matched to the engine. On the road the suspension is supple and delivers a comfortable ride while still giving the feeling that it's clamped to the road. The secret to the Odyssey has always been its comfortable, flexible cabin, which is more like a car than a van. It seats up to seven and the seats can be slid, folded and removed to create the perfect space for your family. IN THE SHOP A Honda specialist mechanic once bemoaned to me that he wished he had of done his apprenticeship on another make as it was tough making a living out of Hondas when they rarely broke down. His mate, who's done his apprenticeship on another make, a German one, was making a nice living from fixing the cars he chose to specialise in. It's not a guarantee that Hondas don't, or won't, break down, but it is testament to their overall level of reliability. They need to be well maintained and service according to the book, but if they are you should enjoy a good run out of them. The Odyssey is no exception. As the Odyssey is primarily aimed at families check the cabin closely for the things that happen when kids are transport, things like stained and torn trim, broken hardware etc. Also look for damage from incidental contact with the scenery because of the lack of parking aids. IN A CRASH With front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, ABS braking the Odyssey is well equipped to handle a crunch. ANCAP gave it a four-star tick when it was tested. UNDER THE PUMP The 2.4-litre engine has to work quite hard to propel the Odyssey, but even so it's quite a frugal unit, with a claimed average of 8.9 L/ 100 km. Carsguide recorded an average of 10.1 L/100 km when testing the stylish wagon, and that might be closer to real life reality. AT A GLANCE Price new: $41,990 to $47,990 Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol; 132 kW/218 Nm Transmission: 5-speed auto, FWD Economy: 8.9 L/100 km Body: 5-door wagon Variants: Base and Luxury Safety: 4-star ANCAP. VERDICT Stylish, comfortable, efficient, and sensible means of transporting a family.

But the really important question is: what do women want in a car? Finding the answer keeps carmakers tossing and turning at night, because they are well aware that women choose more than half the vehicles sold in Australia. There are all the ones they buy for themselves, as well as the deciding vote on most of the ones bought by households. Sorry, fellas. It’s true. No matter how much you want that souped-up sports car, unless the head of household finances agrees you may as well back away from the vehicle now. One of the earliest attempts to deliver a car for women was the mid-1950s Dodge La Femme. It was actually a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer under the skin, but the Detroit designers camouflaged that skin as thoroughly as a make-up artist doing Vogue covers. The car was decked out in pink paint, with an interior covered in pink vinyl, set off by pink rosebud tapestry. And to show that this was not merely a cynical marketing exercise, Dodge kitted the car with accessories they thought reflected the growing independence of post-World War II women moving into meaningful career paths - a pink handbag complete with office essentials like a matching powder compact, lipstick case and comb. Sales estimates run as low as less than 1000 cars. And the pink panderer was quickly dropped from the Dodge range at the end of the following year. Australia’s own Carla Zampatti tweaked a Ford specifically for women in the 1980s, but whether it won women - with accessories including a hanging hook for handbags - is still open to question. However, Dodge and Ford weren’t completely on the wrong track. Women want a car to be stylish, but also practical. Luckily, these days there are quite a few vehicles that fit the bill – without playing the pink paint card. These are the best style picks for women today, from a woman's perspective, with the figures for the basic car. Don’t agree with these? Let us know what YOU think women want in a car in our poll at left. LIGHT Mazda2 Price: from $16,030 Engine: 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 6.4L/km Emissions: 152g/km The baby 2 has cute and slightly edgy looks, is compact with usable space, and the long doors make it easy to get in the back seat. The auto will be preferred by most, but it adds to the weight of the little car. Close calls: Ford Fiesta from $16,990; Peugeot 207 from $22,490. SMALL BMW 1-Series Price: from $38,900 Engine: 160kW/270Nm 2.0-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.2L/km Emissions: 190g/km A pocket-sized entry in German prestige – without breaking the pocket. Looks stunning, an amazing amount of room, and great to drive. Close calls: Mazda3 from $21,330; Hyundai i30 from $20,390. MEDIUM Ford Mondeo Price: from $31,990 Engine: 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 9.5L/km Emissions: 227g/km The best thing Ford has brought to Australia in … ever, possibly. Enough space to make you wonder if you’ll ever need a larger car, elegant design and well built. Close calls: Mazda6 from $31,834; Audi A5 Sportback from $78,400. LARGE Audi A6 Price: from $74,500 Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrol Transmission: automatic Economy: 5.8L/km Emissions: 153g/km There’s not a high chic quotient in this class - where the homegrown Falcon and Commodore lean more to aggressive styling - so the Audi’s restrained elegance makes it a clear winner. Close calls: Honda Accord from $36,381Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80,900. PEOPLE MOVER Honda Odyssey Price: from $46,166 Engine: 132kW/218Nm 2.5-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.9L/km Emissions: 212g/km In a class that’s dominated by lumpy boxes, the Odyssey is a sleek stand-out. It's low-slung, car-like and leading with a fashionable face. Close calls: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from $39,990; Chrysler Voyager $60,990. SPORTY BMW Mini Cooper Clubman Price: from $36,600 Engine: 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol Transmission: automatic Economy: 6.8L/km Emissions: 163g/km A bonsai wagon with go-kart street cred and revamped retro lines, this one will get admiring glances from everybody. Close calls: Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690; Audi S3 from $69,100. CONVERTIBLE Volkswagen Eos Price: from $47,990 Engine: 103kW/320Nm diesel Transmission: automatic Economy: 6.0L/km Emissions: 158g/km The EOS is streamlined and sophisticated, looks equally good with the roof open or closed – and has enough room in the back to get a couple of extra friends in for short trips. Close calls: BMW Z4 from $86,200; Lexus IS250C from $80,150.  SUV Hyundai ix35 Price: from $26,990 Engine: 122kW/197Nm petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.5L/km Emissions: 201g/km There’s heaps of practicality but precious little style in the SUV paddocks. But Hyundai’s new compact ix35 proves you can have both. Ultra-modern lines, trim shape and space to spare. Close calls: Jeep Wrangler (medium) from $31,590; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (large) from $99,900.

Honda Australia is working around the clock to replace 600,000 potentially faulty airbags.