NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
32 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructureCrash
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO FAULTY VSA SYSTEM IN HONDA ODYSSEYS. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AS A RESULT OF A SINGLE DRIVER ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED ON CT-15 MERRIT PARKWAY IN JANUARY 2011. IT SNOWED THAT DAY IN CONNECTICUT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SNOW ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND AT A PARTICULAR TURN, THE VEH…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO FAULTY VSA SYSTEM IN HONDA ODYSSEYS. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AS A RESULT OF A SINGLE DRIVER ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED ON CT-15 MERRIT PARKWAY IN JANUARY 2011. IT SNOWED THAT DAY IN CONNECTICUT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SNOW ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND AT A PARTICULAR TURN, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED (NO BREAK WAS APPLIED), AND AFTER TRYING TO CONTROL THROUGH TURNING THE STEERING HIT THE ROAD DIVIDER BARRICADES FACING FORWARD AND THEN SIDEWAYS RESULTING INTO DAMAGE TO RADIATOR SYSTEM AND ACTIVATING ALL AIR BAGS. I SPOKE WITH HONDA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY WHO ADVISES THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST ME FURTHER BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND THEY CANNOT THEREFORE CONFIRM OR DENY WHETHER THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED DUE TO THIS MATTER. MY REQUEST TO SPEAK TO THE SUPERVISOR WAS DECLINED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT MY CONCERNS WERE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592385
45,661 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Air BagsEngineService BrakesCrashInjury
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVVED, BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING A MEDIAN AND RAMMING INTO A TREE AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ENGINE CUT-OFF. THIS LEFT ME WITH BURNS ON THE SKIN OF MY ARMS AND NECK AREA. I HAVE …
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WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVVED, BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING A MEDIAN AND RAMMING INTO A TREE AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ENGINE CUT-OFF. THIS LEFT ME WITH BURNS ON THE SKIN OF MY ARMS AND NECK AREA. I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN THIS VAN FOR SIX YEARS AND AM CERTAIN THAT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AS THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WAS LEFT INOPERABLE. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR DEALERSHIP THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WITHIN THE COLUMN, BUT DID NOT ENTER THE CABIN AS IT WAS NOT VISIBLE AND WAS CAUGHT WITHIN THE SEAT BELT PILLAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533676
77,000 miles · Feb 16, 2013
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS RIGHT FRONT SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. IT DID NOT FIX IT AND NOW THEY SAY THE CONTROL SYSTEM IS BAD AND AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK. PERHAPS THIS IS RELATED TO OTHER HONDA AIR BAG RECALLS. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES (RECALLED), STEERING (RECALLED) AND A…
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS RIGHT FRONT SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. IT DID NOT FIX IT AND NOW THEY SAY THE CONTROL SYSTEM IS BAD AND AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK. PERHAPS THIS IS RELATED TO OTHER HONDA AIR BAG RECALLS. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES (RECALLED), STEERING (RECALLED) AND AIR BAGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498359
60,000 miles · May 22, 2012
Air BagsService BrakesCrash
TYPICAL HONDA ODYSSEY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. WE'VE HAD THIS BRAKE ISSUE SINCE NEW. MULTIPLE RECALLS, ADJUSTMENTS, ETC... HONDA FOR SOME REASON CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. OUR VAN WAS WRECKED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID BRAKE PROBLEM. THE FIRST WRECKED HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED A FRON…
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TYPICAL HONDA ODYSSEY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. WE'VE HAD THIS BRAKE ISSUE SINCE NEW. MULTIPLE RECALLS, ADJUSTMENTS, ETC... HONDA FOR SOME REASON CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. OUR VAN WAS WRECKED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID BRAKE PROBLEM. THE FIRST WRECKED HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED A FRONT END COLLISION. I TOOK IT TO HONDA AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEN THE SECOND WRECK OCCURRED. SAME REASON AS THE FIRST. THAT'S TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN 1.5 YEAR TIME SPAN. EACH TIME THE DAMAGE EXCEEDED $10,000. BOTH ACCIDENTS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE SOFT AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN FAST ENOUGH. OH, DID I FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN EITHER ACCIDENT. WHAT'S THE POINT IN HAVING AIRBAGS IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN A MAJOR FRONT END COLLISION. THIS VEHICLE IS FLAT OUT DANGEROUS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459209
43,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Air BagsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 30 MPH, THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 30 MPH, THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK. THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10458903
72,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ANIMAL AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO THE CONTACTS NOSE AND LEFT ARM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ANIMAL AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO THE CONTACTS NOSE AND LEFT ARM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 07/27/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11
NHTSA ODI #10407580
25,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Air Bags
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ILLUMINATES ON DASH. THIS HAPPENS SPORATICALLY. USUALLY WHEN SOMEONE MOVES AROUND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (LIKE MY GRANDCHILDREN).. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397073
60,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2007 AND HAVE NOTICED SPONGY, SOFT, HARD TO STOP BRAKES FROM THE BEGINNING. DEALERSHIPS, WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO MORE THAN ONE, ALWAYS SAY IT'S FINE, NO FAILURE, NO PROBLEM CAN BE REPEATED. WE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED JUST IN CASE AND HAVE HAD BOTH RECALL JOBS FIXED, O…
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BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2007 AND HAVE NOTICED SPONGY, SOFT, HARD TO STOP BRAKES FROM THE BEGINNING. DEALERSHIPS, WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO MORE THAN ONE, ALWAYS SAY IT'S FINE, NO FAILURE, NO PROBLEM CAN BE REPEATED. WE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED JUST IN CASE AND HAVE HAD BOTH RECALL JOBS FIXED, ONE JUST LAST WEEK. THIS WEEK CARS STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF MY HUSBAND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING, HE COULD NOT STOP, TRIED TO SLAM BRAKES AND THE VAN WOULD NOT STOP, HE PUT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING. HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. WE HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH TRYING TO STOP SHORT IN THE PAST BUT HAVE AVOIDED A CRASH BEFORE. A RECALL IS JUST NOT ENOUGH, IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OUR VAN. ALSO THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #10396496
10,500 miles · May 18, 2008
Air BagsService Brakes, ElectricService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, I BECAME INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OVER THE RECENT WEEKS I THOUGHT IT WAS TAKING LONGER TO STOP MY VAN, BUT HAD MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE THE WEEK BEFORE. I WAS ASSURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE CORRECT. ***NOTE: ON MY FIRST SERVICE VISI…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, I BECAME INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OVER THE RECENT WEEKS I THOUGHT IT WAS TAKING LONGER TO STOP MY VAN, BUT HAD MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE THE WEEK BEFORE. I WAS ASSURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE CORRECT. ***NOTE: ON MY FIRST SERVICE VISIT THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT BRAKE FLUID LEVELS THAT THE VAN WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND THAT THE VAN WAS DESIGNED TO DO SO. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. I COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE ACCIDENT AND THE OFFICER COAXED ME IN TO SAYING THAT I HAD BEEN DISTRACTED. I WAS IN SHOCK. MY SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND I COULD NOT THINK MUCH OF ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN WHETHER HE WAS SAFE. I BELIEVE I HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE CONTINUED TO NOTICE THAT I MUST PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES TO STOP THE VAN AND OTHER TIMES I DON'T IN NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. ALL ALONG I HAD BELIEVED THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH MY VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE DAMAGES TO PAY AND A TICKET I AM FACING AS A RESULT OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE BREAK FAILURE. I WILL BE MAKING A FOLLOW-UP REPORT WITH MY LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, FAXING A COPY OTHER SIMILAR BREAK FAILURE COMPLAINTS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, CONTACTING HONDA AND HOPEFULLY WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOME ANSWERS ON THE PROBLEM WITH MY VAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228103
34,000 miles · Dec 17, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. A TEN YEAR OLD WAS SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK PAINS. THE DEALER REPLACED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. A TEN YEAR OLD WAS SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK PAINS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BUMPER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #10212051
Official recalls
4Mar 14, 2014
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 23, 2004, through September 4, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Parts to permanently repair the affected vehicles are not currently available. Honda will notify owners with an interim letter during May 2014. A second notice was mailed to owners October 6, 2014 when the remedy became available. Any vehicles that are currently leaking from the fuel pump cover will get a replacement, original cover. All vehicles, including those receiving the interim repair, will get an improved cover when they are available. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. The recall numbers associated with this campaign are JD9 (inspection and/or preliminary part replacement) and JE0 (final parts replacement).
Nov 1, 2013
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 8, 2006, through September 8, 2008. Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may apply the brakes unexpectedly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.
Remedy: Parts to remedy these vehicles will not be available until the spring of 2014. Honda will send owners an interim letter notifying them of the issue and instruct them how to prevent unintended braking. A second notification will be sent when the parts become available. Interim notification was mailed in December 2013. The recall began on April 29, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC5.
Oct 22, 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ODYSSEY AND ACURA RL VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS A LUBRICANT FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Mar 16, 2010
HONDA HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 ODYSSEY AND ELEMENT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 28, 2006 AND AUGUST 21, 2008. AIR CAN ENTER THE VSA MODULAR PUMP DURING AN INITIAL SELF-CHECK PROCESS THAT OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ENOUGH AIR TO ENTER THE SYSTEM TO RESULT IN A BRAKE PEDAL THAT FEELS SOFT OR LOWER TO THE FLOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS OR YEARS, THE SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH AIR TO AFFECT BRAKING PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNER AND HONDA DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VSA MODULATOR BY REMOVING ANY EXISTING AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THEN APPLY SEALANT AND CAPS TO PREVENT AIR FROM ENTERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE13024 · Inappropriate Autonomous Braking
Opened Jun 25, 2013 · Closed Nov 4, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electronic Stability Control
In a letter dated October 31, 2013, Honda Motor Company (Honda) submitted a recall notice to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation describing a defect in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system in approximately 344,187 model year (MY) 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles produced from August 8, 2006 through September 8, 2008 (NHTSA Recall 13V-500, Honda Recall JC5).The report describes a defect condition caused by a combination of VSA system components and software that is unique to the MY 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles.The condition may result in unexpected brake application by the VSA system with no brake lamp illumination.The braking forces resulting from the condition can approach the maximum braking capability of the vehicle.Honda's investigation determined that (1) if the yaw rate sensor off-set exceeds a certain value, (2) the sensor calibration is not completed before the vehicle starts moving after start-up, and (3) the vehicle is driven in a specific manner; the VSA system may build hydraulic pressure in the brake system resulting in heavy, unexpected braking without the driver applying the brake pedal.Honda estimates that the parts necessary to correct this condition will not be available until March 2014.Pending part availability, Honda will send interim letters to affected owners including instructions to avoid the defect condition using a procedure to ensure proper VSA system calibration after each vehicle start-up, as well as instructions about what to do if unexpected brake application occurs while driving.Once the remedy parts are available, Honda will send a second notice advising owners to bring their vehicle to their dealer for installation of a redesigned yaw rate sensor.This investigation is closed.
EA09014 · Air In Brake System
Opened Oct 19, 2009 · Closed May 11, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
By letter dated March 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Corp. (HMC) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-098) to address a defect in approximately 412,000 model year (MY) 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssey and Element vehicles equipped with an ABS/VSA/TCS modulator. The recalled Odyssey vehicles were built from August 2006 August 2008.The recalled Element vehicles were built from July 2006 to July 2008. According to Honda, during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each engine ignition cycle, the self-diagnostic software for the VSA modulator allows a vacuum condition that can exist for several hours, allowing air to enter the VSA modulator pump.Over time, and thousands of engine ignition cycles, it is possible for enough air to enter the system to result in a brake pedal that feels soft or lower to the floor.If the customer does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the system can continue to accumulate enough air to affect braking performance.To correct the safety defect, Honda dealers will remove existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to the VSA modulator to prevent air from entering the brake system, free of charge. The action taken by Honda is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
PE09024 · Air In Brake System
Opened May 13, 2009 · Closed Oct 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 69 COMPLAINTS, AND HONDA HAS RECEIVED 613 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS, ALLEGING LOW/SOFT/SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2006 THROUGH 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVANS.TWENTY-SIX ODI COMPLAINTS WERE ALSO REPORTED TO HONDA, RESULTING IN A TOTAL COMPLAINT COUNT OF 656.SOME COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE CONDITION RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, INCLUDING SOME REPORTS OF ROLLING PAST STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS.THERE ARE 14 ALLEGED CRASHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION RELATED TO LOW/SOFT PEDALS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-024, HONDA INDICATED THAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF AIR MAY ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS OF THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) MODULATOR WHILE THE PUMP IS BRIEFLY ACTUATED FOR SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED.THE AMOUNT OF AIR GRADUALLY INCREASES WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE ENGINE START CYCLE, RESULTING IN PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING BRAKE PEDAL STROKE.ACCORDING TO HONDA, THE CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY BECAUSE THE PEDAL STROKE GRADUALLY INCREASES, PROVIDING THE DRIVER WITH INFORMATION THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT IS CHANGING AND REQUIRES ATTENTION.HONDA HAS FURTHER INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO DETERIORATION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE CAUSED BY THE SUBJECT CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH THE PEDAL HEIGHT AND FEEL ARE DIFFERENT, UNTIL PEDAL STROKE HAS REACHED THE END OF TRAVEL AND THE DRIVER CANNOT PRODUCE ANY ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE PRESSURE.HONDA STATES THAT IT IS UNAWARE OF ANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE REACHED SUCH A CONDITION AND HONDA TESTING USING A LEAKING FIELD RETURN MODULATOR INDICATES THAT IT WOULD TAKE OVER A YEAR BEFORE THE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD REACH ITS LIMIT DURING HARD STOPS WITH 200 N (45 LBF) OF PEDAL EFFORT - THE NOMINAL FORCE REQUIRED TO REACH ABS BRAKING MODE. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THE MY 2007-08 ODYSSEY VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT A RATE OF 0.67%.THE MY 2006 ODYSSEY VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RATE (0.04%) THAN THE MY 2007-08 ODYSSEY.HONDA IMPLEMENTED A DESIGN CHANGE IN THE MY 2007 VEHICLES TO CHANGE THE VSA DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-014) FOR THE MY 2007-08 ODYSSEY VEHICLES TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
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