I don't know if they break alot. I have changed my tranny oil twice (with Honda MTF) just to be on the safe side. I do know that when it is cold (like it was today in Cleveland, 26 degree high), it does tend to shift a little hard at first. Doesn't grind or anything, its just a little stiff untill it warms up. I was at my parrents for turkey day, and the car was outside all day (it's garaged most of the time), and the shifting on my way home took some time to get smooth, but no major problems. Been like that since I bought it.