Who makes Hondas 10 speed transmission?
The 10-speed automatic transmission used in some Honda models is made by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, developed in collaboration with Honda.
Honda and ZF publicly aligned on a joint development program to create a high-efficiency 10-speed automatic that could be integrated into Honda’s drivetrains. Under this arrangement, ZF supplies the transmission hardware, while Honda handles calibration, integration, and certification for its vehicle lineup.
Origins and partnership
The alliance between Honda and ZF dates to a period when the automaker sought more gears to boost both performance and fuel economy without increasing transmission size or weight. The resulting 10-speed design leverages ZF’s advanced transmission technology, adapted to Honda’s engines and propulsion systems.
The following key facts summarize who makes the Honda 10-speed and how the arrangement works.
- Supplier: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (the engineering and manufacturing partner for the 10-speed unit)
- Collaboration: Joint development program between Honda and ZF to design, calibrate, and implement the 10-speed automatic
- Production role: ZF manufactures the transmission for Honda; Honda integrates and certifies it for its vehicles
- Deployment: Used in select Honda and Acura models as part of the brand’s drive-train strategy
- Objective: Improve acceleration feel, shift smoothness, and overall fuel efficiency across a range of driving conditions
In short, ZF is the primary maker of Honda’s 10-speed transmission, with Honda guiding its application in the brand’s vehicle lineup.
Where it appears in Honda’s lineup
The 10-speed automatic has been deployed across multiple Honda models and, by extension, within related Acura applications over the years. The arrangement reflects a broader trend toward multi-gear automatics aimed at reducing fuel consumption while preserving responsive performance.
Technical and performance notes
ZF’s 10-speed family provides the underlying architecture, while Honda tailors calibration to its engines and drivetrains. The result is a transmission that aims to deliver smooth gear changes, a wide gear spread for efficiency, and reliable performance across daily driving and highway cruising.
Summary
The Honda 10-speed transmission is manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen AG as part of a collaborative development program with Honda. This partnership positions ZF as the supplier for the 10AT used in several Honda and Acura models, aligning advanced transmission technology with Honda’s engineering goals to balance performance and efficiency.
Who makes Honda's 10 speed transmission?
The new automatic was designed and developed by Honda R&D in Tochigi, Japan, and is being manufactured for the Odyssey by Honda in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Using planetary gearsets also reduces friction, noted Sladek. The new transaxle is barely 15 inches long, 1.7 inches shorter than the six-speed it replaces.
Is the Honda 10 speed transmission good?
The Honda 10-speed automatic transmission is generally considered good, offering strong acceleration, good fuel economy, and smooth shifts, especially in sportier models with the 2.0T engine. However, some models and years have been criticized for occasional jerking or hesitation at low speeds, and there have been some reports of premature failures, particularly in minivans like the Odyssey.
You can watch this video to learn about the Honda 10-speed transmission and potential issues: 58sLegend17YouTube · Aug 19, 2019
Benefits
- Performance: It is praised for quick and decisive shifts, especially when using sport mode or paddle shifters.
- Fuel Economy: The wide range of gears helps keep the engine in its most efficient RPM range, leading to better fuel economy, particularly during highway cruising.
- Smoothness: Many owners report that shifts are smooth and the transmission is unobtrusive, making the driving experience more refined.
Drawbacks
- Potential for low-speed issues: Some owners report inconsistent or jerky shifts at lower speeds.
- Reliability concerns: While many models are reliable, there have been reports of premature failures in some applications, particularly in earlier models like some of the 2018-2021 Odysseys.
- Cost of repairs: When a failure does occur, the repair costs can be significant.
What to consider
- Model and year: Reliability seems to vary by model and year. For example, the 10-speed in the 2.0T Accord is generally viewed more positively than in the Odyssey.
- Maintenance: Some issues can potentially be mitigated with proper and timely transmission fluid changes.
- Extended warranty: Given the higher potential repair costs, purchasing an extended warranty may be a wise consideration for some buyers.
Does Honda use ZF transmission?
Transmission is actually not specific just to Honda uh it's used by Honda Acura uh Fiat uses it Chrysler uses it uh Land Rover uses it and I think even Nissan uses it uh in one of their SUVs.
Who manufactures Honda transmissions?
Honda makes most of its transmissions through its subsidiaries, Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America in Ohio and the Georgia Transmission Plant. These facilities produce a variety of automatic and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for the North American market. The only notable exception is when Honda sourced a ZF 9HP nine-speed transmission for some Acura and Honda models between 2014 and 2015.
- Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc.: Located in Russells Point, Ohio, this plant produces a wide range of automatic transmissions and other related components for vehicles built in North America.
- Georgia Transmission Plant: Situated in Georgia, this facility manufactures automatic transmissions for models like the Honda Odyssey and Acura MDX, and is the global leader for the 10-speed automatic transmission.
- Other exceptions: Occasionally, Honda has used transmissions made by other companies, with the most notable example being the ZF 9HP nine-speed transmission used in some Acura TLX, MDX, Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline models around 2014-2015.
