[Eight]

I've had my 07 SC @ 60,000 miles for about a month now, and ever since I got it the car will hesitate to shift from 2nd to 3rd at a very slow speeds, like rolling off a stop light in traffic.
This will happen maybe 2 times in a week when its at the right speed at the right rpm.
The car pretty much starts shaking while its trying to make up its mind whether to go into 3rd or stay in 2nd, like its changing gears up and down a couple times a second.
I've checked the AT fluid and it seems to be clean, since the car has been tuned up while certified.
Is there anybody else with the same problem?

 

[37090]

I have the same problem when I am in the top gear and start to ease down on the gas to speed up slightly. It isn't trying to shift gears, but it does shake and jerk until I let off the gas, or give it a little more gas and hit the passing gear. I have no clue why this happens, and would appreciate any advice on it.

 

[ElementALAW]

I have been having the same problem for a few months now and can't figure it out. It doesn't happen all the time. Maybe twice a day while cruising through town. I've searched the forums and can't find any solutions.

 

[snowdreams1080]

mine is doing it in the opposite direction from 2 to 1 on stops. will also seem to slam from 1 to 2 when accelerating sometimes also. mine also seems to do it more often when the ac is on. Changed fluid twice and the filter. I am at 55k miles.

 

[Eight]

Wow, I'm surprised that nobody really came up with this problem on here.
Thought I was the only one...

Anyways, it might have something to do with the newer 5 speed transmissions, since we all have 07s and 08s. or maybe the mounts.

 

[John Gaquin]

Wow, I'm surprised that nobody really came up with this problem on here.
Thought I was the only one...

Anyways, it might have something to do with the newer 5 speed transmissions, since we all have 07s and 08s. or maybe the mounts.

I have an '04 (89K miles), and we had a similar problem a few years ago when it was my son's car (at about 45-50K). Transmission wouldn't upshift, and the car was clearly in what I now know to be fail-safe, or "limp" mode. Xmission fluid looked ok, and quantity was adequate.

Took it to the dealer, who flushed the tranny and cleaned the filter. Problem gone, never to return.

 

[ppr7997]

Ditto on my 2008 Element. The town we live in has cross walks w/stop signs every 400 feet or so along the Main street. I really notice it then since I am basically creeping in between stop signs. My symptoms are consistent, roughly between 2-3k RPM and somewhere between 17-27 MPH.

On an unrelated topic, I also hear that "whoosh/zing" type noise when accelerating in between gears. Sounds like a solenoid or clutch letting in. Done it since I had the car and no problems so far. At 37k right now.

 

[tkobrian]

Hmmm...another '08 with hesitation then slammin 2nd to 3rd shifts both up & down at times. Brought it in a while back and got the "can't duplicate problem" B.S. It's got a little over 40k on it so maybe I'll bring it in again and see if the tranny fluid needs changing.

I'm wondering if it is a quirk/issue w/07 & 08's which got the first 5 sp AT's. I got the same B.S. about my brakes not being too soft and 2 weeks later they announce the recall.

 

[tkobrian]

So when I brought in the E for an oil change Tuesday I said the hesitation problem on 2nd to 3rd shifts seems to be getting worse. It's really racking it in stop & go traffic. So they took a look at it again.

FINALLY, they call me back later and said they COULD duplicate the issue but hadn't run across this before in an Element. They had calls in to Honda to try to figure out the problem. I told them to keep it and try to nail down the issue. Next day, Wednesday, they call me and say they've been running all sorts of test and relaying the results to Honda but still don't have it resolved. They give me a loaner and say they will get an answer today, Thursday.

End result, Honda is sending them a new transmission, but they want mine to figure out what's going on. I had reported the issue earlier, but at 45k I'm glad I have the extended warranty so it's covered for sure.

Those with the same issue, stick to your guns. Hopefully they can take apart mine and resolve this for more of you out there.

Sooooooo...with the holidays I'll be without the E until at least next Tues/Wed. :-(

 

[tkobrian]

Got back my E today (yaaaaaaaaah!). It was actually done last Thursday but I was still out of town. I tried making it hesitate all the way from the dealer to the office and it shifted so much better.

So I talked a bit to the service tech this a.m. He said he still wasn't sure what the deal was. Honda doesn't pay for them to rebuild tranny's so they just yank them and get a new one. Honda has a sub that specializes in tranny rebuilds or something. I can see how on warranty work Honda would prefer not to pay all the dealer labor costs and just swap tranny's.

I took a glimpse at the dealer's invoice and lets just say it was about 4 times what my extended warranty cost, and that wasn't including the markup to retail on the brand new tranny. I first complained about the issue before the original warranty was up, so I may have had it covered but with the Honda Care Warranty there was no issue of coverage. Whew! I literally just got the title in the mail 2 weeks before bringing it in so I was not going to be happy if it cost me more money JUST after paying it off!

Well, hopefully I'll put my usual 100k + on this tranny and keep my E for at least a decade!

 

[07lmnt]

Glad it was finally resolved. Mine has been doing the exact same jerking/bumping since it was new. The problem is so intermittent, can go weeks with out a problem, and then all of a sudden it will have a temper tantrum. Took it in for the cluster recall and test drove with a tech, of course it was on good behavior that day. I suppose I could leave it there until it's fixed but they wont give me a loaner. Really thinking of just dumping it and move on to something else. If i wanted a vehicle with transmission problems, would have bought a GM product. Should have taken my own advice, never buy a first year product, in this case it was the first year for auto 5-speed turd.

 

[shelburne_k2]

Powertrain warranty

Based upon what they replaced shouldn't they be covered under the Powertrain Warranty?

 

[07lmnt]

bump

auto 5 speed sucks

 

[Eight]

I just took my element for the auto recall and mentioned the hesitation and they said, can't duplicate so there was no problem... Explained everything in detail but they said it should be fixed now because of the reprogram, like they knew what they were talking about... I've took the car home for now since I'll be needing it this weekend, but I'll be taking it back next week.

Any tip on what I should say so they will look at it more seriously?

also anybody else got their transmission replaced successfully other than tkobrian?

Thanks

 

[Rick92040]

He had an extended warranty. Did you try changing the fluid? Some transmission problems people were having were fixed simply by changing the fluid. I change mine every 20k using Honda fluid. It isn't hard and the least expensive thing to do to the transmission.
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51749

 

[Eight]

Yes, I have 100000 mile extended powertrain warranty, with my certified element.
I have flushed the system no more than a year ago, and they told me today the ATF was too dirty, which is weird since ATF should last a good 30k only for a typical drain and top off.

 

[Rick92040]

Honda specifically does not recommend flushing the transmission.
I wonder if that's the problem. Good thing you have the extended warranty.

 

[Eight]

Weird, the dealer told me I need to do a ATF flush that is due with the 90k mile tune-up.
I told them I did it all myself using Genuine ATF with the Element shop manual a year ago, and the guy says "oh we do it differently..." and he told me the new AT program should do its thing and fix all those AT problems....
Anyways, I'm heading back tomorrow and ask a different service rep.
Hope he/she is more enthusiastic about finding the problem....

 

[07lmnt]

Last fall Honda finally replaced the torque converter. Been fine since.

 

[ramblerdan]

dealer told me I need to do a ATF flush that is due with the 90k mile tune-up.

Please identify the dealership that gave you this misinformation. Not only is an ATF flush not called for in the 90K maintenance schedule, Honda specifically says not to do it.

Honda Service News, February 2006, page 4:

Flush Systems: A Big Taboo

In Honda vehicles, the transmission, as well as the systems that handle lubrication, cooling, fuel, and power steering, are designed to give thousands of miles of trouble-free service if you follow the maintenance schedule to the letter.

Flush systems are a popular aftermarket offering these days. These products look impressive and make lots of claims, but American Honda strongly recommends you avoid using them on any Honda vehicle. Here’s why:

• The maintenance schedule neither requires nor approves of aftermarket flush systems.
• Flush systems take time to do; this adds to your service customer’s wait time.
• Flush systems haven’t demonstrated an improvement in vehicle performance or reliability.
• Flush systems using solvents may leave solvent in the system you’re flushing. This will dilute the fluid or lubricant and degrade its performance.
• Flush systems using filters can filter out vital additives and degrade the fluid’s or lubricant’s performance. This is particularly true for coolant.
• Any damage caused by flush systems isn’t covered by warranty.

If by "flush" the shop really means repeatedly draining and filling, fine. Otherwise, in the January 2008 Service News Honda reiterates that it "still strongly recommends that you avoid using" flush systems on any Honda vehicle.