1998 Accord Transmission Problem

Hello, I agree with Jim Beam. Take it to a local certified transmission shop and have them take a look at it. Honda wants to make as much money as possible from you so would prefer to replace it with a NEW one. A local transmission shop supervisor might be able to make some adjustments or at least arrange to get a rebuilt transmission or to rebuilt or replace any defective parts. I don't know of any recalls or reports related to your transmission but you could check these two sites: nhtsa.com

My wife insisted we buy a Honda because she wanted a "reliable" car. Ours is a

1998 Accord EX that just recently passed 90K miles. Now we're both stunned that the automatic transmission has failed.

About a month ago she noticed the transmission was having a hard time shifting gears during acceleration (engine would rev up as if it had slipped into neutral) and would make the car buck when coming to a stop. The Honda service center said it was diagnostic code 704 (low fluid pressure?) or something like that and recommended it be replaced ... apparently they want nothing to do with repairing transmissions.

We then got a recommendation on a local transmission repair center and had them look at it. They have found that a part called the cushion ring broke, sending metal pieces into the clutches and gears, which certainly isn't a good thing. The master overhaul we now need for our "reliable" auto transmission will set us back $2600, and this is after we just spent $900 doing the major 90K mile engine service (new timing belt, water pump, etc.)

I'm going to call Honda America too and see where that leads. I hear they did extend the transmission warrantees to 7 years and 100K miles on some of their vehicles because of unexpected failures. I imagine Honda would not like the public hearing their cars are not as reliable as promised and will hopefully cover the cost of our overhaul.

Anyway, I'll be watching this thread and would appreciate hearing any advice on how to get satisfaction from Honda.

You're gonna blackmail Honda in to paying for your new transmission? LOL! Good luck!

Good luck on that one. Be forceful but nice and leave out the blackmail/going to the public thing. They don't care and it will put you in a disfavorable light.

However, if you have had your major services done at a Honda dealer they may look more favorably on you. I don't know about the Honda transmission warranty on your year and model. Check out

to see if there are any secret warranties.

If you bought it used as a certified used Honda from a Honda dealer then you would have the 7 year 100,000 mile warranty available to you I believe.

Does the extended transmission warranty only apply to the original owner? I would have thought it would transfer as long as the paperwork was legit.