2005 Honda-Built Transmission Problems

[leogag1]

When I decided to buy a Saturn VUE, it was a difficult decision for me since I had so many problems with my other Saturn cars. I was hoping that, at least, the Honda drivetrain shouldn't be a source of concern. Error!

My transmission seems to be in trouble now. When I drive carefully, accelerating slowly (economy driving style), when the tranny shifts to the 3rd gear, it starts to shake like if the torque converter was slipping. It gives the impression that I am driving on an icy road and a wheel is loosing grip every now and then. It is scary! It shakes a lot!!! Then, the fourth gear is not much better and the fifth one is working like if the tranny is not sure if it should stay locked or not, making the engine to rev up and down at every second or so. It feels like a slipping clutch or problematic torque converter.

Does anyone already have this problem?

The first time I brought my Vue to the dealer, they told me that a simple tranny reprogramming should do the job. Since I know very well the mechanic that worked on my car, he explained that he had a hard time to reprogram it and had to completely reset the computer to get it done. After three attempts, it was done. But, of course, it changed nothing. The problem seems to be mechanical, not electronic. The Vue will go back to the dealer next week...

My very last GM, thrust me! :x

[RL2NV]

torque converters are pretty common on the 3.5L honda vue.

[leogag1]

I would like to have more information on your comment. Where did you heard that? Where does this information come from? Are there some statistics on Honda-built transmission problems? I tried to find some, and I found nothing.

Thanks!

[MrHorspwer]

Start looking over the Honda forums. You'll see that both torque convertors and TCC solenoids are known to exhibit symptoms similar to those you describe. It's not uncommon.

Hope it's the TCC solenoid. Less than $200 in parts and minimal labor should get you out the door. If it's a torque convertor, well...

[burnout]

My very last GM, thrust me! :x

That doesn't make any sense, you already stated you're aware its a Honda transmission. Why does a Honda transmission have anything to do with your future purchase of a GM vehicle? I'm not a HUGE fan of GM either, but I feel you're being unfair.

However, I don't know if you've had any OTHER problems you didn't mention with your Vue in the past, which I can assume is why you wouldn't like it.

[leogag1]

Start looking over the Honda forums. You'll see that both torque convertors and TCC solenoids are known to exhibit symptoms similar to those you describe. It's not uncommon.

Hope it's the TCC solenoid. Less than $200 in parts and minimal labor should get you out the door. If it's a torque convertor, well...

Since the car is still under warranty, it shouldn't cost a penny! I will talk about it to my mechanic. Thank you!

[leogag1]

However, I don't know if you've had any OTHER problems you didn't mention with your Vue in the past, which I can assume is why you wouldn't like it.

You are right! It may look unfair, but yes, I had other problems (minor ones) Rear wiper motor, premature rust (bubbling paint), cracked driver seat vinyl, changed the brakes twice (less than 20000 mi.), refuses to start at -25 °C, difficult to start at normal temperature, and more. Those are minor problems, but when I add them all together...:hmm: I have to admit that it is the "best" GM I had so far. Much better than my previous L200, ION and SL2. But it is not at the level of quality I hoped for.

[RL2NV]

I would like to have more information on your comment. Where did you heard that? Where does this information come from? Are there some statistics on Honda-built transmission problems? I tried to find some, and I found nothing.

Thanks!

I work at a staurn dealer and we've done about 12 or so torque converters on the 3.5L vue in the past year. To me that seems to be a fairly common problem. And to add to that the torque converters are actually backordered right now from saturn.

[leogag1]

I work at a staurn dealer and we've done about 12 or so torque converters on the 3.5L vue in the past year. To me that seems to be a fairly common problem. And to add to that the torque converters are actually backordered right now from saturn.

D'oh! :dazed:

(Maybe my dealer will contact yours, because they never had to change one so far... Mississauga, right?)

Thanks a lot!

[leogag1]

Finally, the torque converter will be changed today. In fact, I am the second one to get this part changed at my dealer and a third one is on the go.

For RL2NV, my mechanic asked me to ask you: "how does your mechanics team conclude that this is the problem, since there is no diagnostic code?" (Honda has one, but GM doesn't seem to have routed it to its code bank...embedded programming :rolleyes:)

Considering the number of vehicles sold, this problem is not as frequent as it may look! And, yes, unfortunately, hardware breaks!:hmm:

:cool: This episode gave me the chance to try the Saturn Astra XE (A4). Nice car! It sticks on the road and it is fun to drive. But the 127 lb-ft engine is working very hard, just to keep the car rolling at legal speed (90 km/h). It feels like the car is too heavy. Some people may say that it is normal since I am used to a vehicle with a oversized engine (250 HP for a small SUV...)

[RL2NV]

When the mechanic did it on the first one he said it felt like it was the torque converter, so he went ahead and replaced it and it solved the problem. You might want to ask your dealer to replace the "4th clutch pressure switch assembly" since it will set a "DTC" after the car has been put together. Just a little heads up since the dealer your going to does not have much experience on this issue.