I pulled my service records and mapped out the non-maintenance-related issues we've had since purchasing the van.
• June 11, 2011: AC Failure. Replaced clutch and stator. Mileage: 56,606
• June 18, 2013: Timing belt tensioner replaced, PS Pump replaced (making some noise, but
not impacting performance), early timing belt service performed while
replacing related components. Mileage: 92,419
Note: Started noticing subtle transmission irregularities and reported them. No problem found by tech. I embarked on a strategy of reporting the issue every few weeks to establish a pattern in case a failure occurred after the warranty expiration date.
• July 27, 2013: Returned for suspected transmission issues, none confirmed Mileage: 93,274
• August 14, 2013: Returned for suspected transmission issues. Tech determined there was a problem
after extended test drive (he had the van for over a week and actually drove it to/from home multiple
times). Transmission replaced under warranty. Mileage: 93,364
• December 5, 2013: AC-related failure. Replaced relay and valve assembly. Mileage: 96,951
So, this year was the only bad year. The repairs were not as numerous as I remembered. Except the transmission, most of the repairs wouldn't have been terribly expensive at an independent shop. The timing belt would have been an expensive job, but 92k miles is not all that early (official change interval is 110k).
I sent a letter to Honda America and CCed the GM and Cust Service Manager for the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. I've received great service from that dealership and have no complaints with them.
If Honda comes back and offers an extended warranty for another 2-3 years and 40k-50k miles, we'll probably keep it. There's no promise that the next vehicle will be any more reliable. Not only that, the totality of these repairs, absent the transmission, would have cost less than car payments for a year.
Fingers crossed...
Chris