Honda engineers didn't make a mistake.  Honda in Japan made a
mistake--by removing the engineers from key decisions, replacing them
with beancounters.

The results were dramatically bad:  horrible designs over about a 10
year period as well as transmission problems that make Chrysler's
reliability look like Toyota's.  Honda cheapened out on the transmission
supplier, and got what they paid for.

They fell into the trap that they'd rather do it completely wrong and
pay for it twice than do it right up front.  In the end they dumped
YEARS of customer loyalty and satisfaction, despite their efforts to fix
things.

I will never pay for a transmission in my 02 Odyssey.  Period.  If it
fails and Honda tells me to go blow, that van will sit at the side of
the road with a huge sign on it, explaining that to anyone who drives by.