NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
63 reportsClear category filter110,348 miles · Mar 1, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire
I WAS DRIVING TO A SUPERMARKET, I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND THEN I SAW A LOT OF SMOKE COMING UNDER THE HOOD, I HAD MY THREE CHILDREN INSIDE THE CAR AND IN MINUTES MY CAR WAS TOTALED COMPLETELY BURNED. HONDA SHOULD PAY MY VAN, NONE NOTICED ANY PROBLEM BEFORE. SIDE DOORS WON'T OPEN AT THE MOMENT OF THE FIRE, VERY DANGEROUS DESIG…
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I WAS DRIVING TO A SUPERMARKET, I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND THEN I SAW A LOT OF SMOKE COMING UNDER THE HOOD, I HAD MY THREE CHILDREN INSIDE THE CAR AND IN MINUTES MY CAR WAS TOTALED COMPLETELY BURNED. HONDA SHOULD PAY MY VAN, NONE NOTICED ANY PROBLEM BEFORE. SIDE DOORS WON'T OPEN AT THE MOMENT OF THE FIRE, VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FOR AN EMERGENCY LIKE THIS, IMAGINE I MOTHER WITH CHILD ON A CAR SEAT AND NOT HAVING ACCESS TO THE REAR SEATS, WHEN THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION TAKES MINUTES TO BURN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691314
156,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Electrical System
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR ELECT. TRIED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HAVE CHECKED THE GAS ENTRY FLAP AND SWITCHES NO PROBLEMS THERE. MY PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE TRANSPORTS OUR GRAND CHILDREN, THE CHILD'S CAR SEAT HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THERE WOU…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR ELECT. TRIED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HAVE CHECKED THE GAS ENTRY FLAP AND SWITCHES NO PROBLEMS THERE. MY PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE TRANSPORTS OUR GRAND CHILDREN, THE CHILD'S CAR SEAT HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THERE WOULD BE NO ESCAPE FOR THEM. I NEED AN ANSWER. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE THE DEALERS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY RE-SURFACE A SHORT TIME LATER. THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW, THE MECHANICAL SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM FOR SAFETY. I WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM SOMEONE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEATH TRAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683942
18,000 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SAFETY ASSIST SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SAFETY ASSIST SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V500000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #10669757
91,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure
THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING REAR DOOR BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY HAVING ISSUES CLOSING-IT WOULD CLOSE ABOUT 75% OF THE WAY, THEN BEEP AS IT DOES IF THERE IS AN OBJECT BLOCKING IT'S PATH, THEN OPEN BACK UP. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE DOOR TO HELP GUIDE IT CLOSED. BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE HONDA DEALER, THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDI…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING REAR DOOR BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY HAVING ISSUES CLOSING-IT WOULD CLOSE ABOUT 75% OF THE WAY, THEN BEEP AS IT DOES IF THERE IS AN OBJECT BLOCKING IT'S PATH, THEN OPEN BACK UP. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE DOOR TO HELP GUIDE IT CLOSED. BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE HONDA DEALER, THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING REAR DOOR BEGAN DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR. IT WOULD CLOSE ONLY ABOUT 90%, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO PULL IT FULLY CLOSED. I FLIPPED THE SWITCH TO TURN THE DOORS FROM POWER OPERATION TO MANUAL OPERATION, THINKING EVERYTHING WOULD BE OK. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR CLOSED MANUALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION, I TRIED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR (SWITCH WAS STILL IN THE MANUAL POSITION), AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN IT ABOUT 8-10 INCHES. I COULD NOT GET MY 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I PUSHED WITH ALL OF MY STRENGTH, AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I RAN BACK AROUND, FLIPPED THE SWITCH BACK TO AUTO, AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN THAT WAY. HOWEVER, THIS ORDEAL HAS SHOWN ME A SEVERE SAFETY FLAW WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2007 ODYSSEY. IF WE HAD BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE--POSSIBLY FROM THE NOW RECALLED FUEL MECHANISM THAT CAN CATCH FIRE--I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THEM OUT. IN AN EMERGENCY, WHEN EVERY SECOND COUNTS, THE DOOR ISSUE COULD LITERALLY HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE DOOR THAT EVENING, AND HE, TOO, WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO BUDGE WHEN SET TO MANUAL OPERATION. HE HAD TO LIFT THE BACK OF IT AND PULL IT OPEN. ALSO, HE LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND NOTICED METAL SHAVINGS ON THE DOOR WHERE METAL HAD LITERALLY BEEN GRINDING ON METAL. THE ROLLER MECHANISM IS NO LONGER WORKING. I AM TAKING IT IN TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652833
98,000 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10651344
139,383 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED TOO OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V500000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V112000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). PRIOR TO THE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED TOO OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V500000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V112000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,383.
NHTSA ODI #10651316
123,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior LightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER INTERIOR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER INTERIOR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,105....UPDATED 08-26-14-*BF THE CONSUMER STATED AS THE FIRE WAS TAKING PLACE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE DASH AND PANEL CONTROL LIGHTING FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND PULLED THE WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 09/04/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616766
123,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR BOARD AND DOOR JAMB. PRIOR TO FIRE STARTING THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND DASH PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING SPORADICALLY. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS MELTED TOGETHER IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES ACROSS THE WIRING HARNESS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616759
67,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V500000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VSA MODULE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VSA MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V500000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VSA MODULE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VSA MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,400. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10610848
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
MY TENANT'S 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BURNT IN THE DRIVEWAY NEXT TO THE DECK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRIC FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN FOR 3 DAYS. DOES HONDA HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR MY DAMAGES, OVER THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE? THE DAMAGE WAS CLOSE TO $2500. I HAD A $1,000. DED. IT …
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MY TENANT'S 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BURNT IN THE DRIVEWAY NEXT TO THE DECK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRIC FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN FOR 3 DAYS. DOES HONDA HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR MY DAMAGES, OVER THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE? THE DAMAGE WAS CLOSE TO $2500. I HAD A $1,000. DED. IT SEEMS THE INSURANCE COMPANY JUST WRITES IF OFF. HOW CAN I GET HELP FROM HONDA FOR MY LOSS. THE TENANT SAYS HE HAD LOST ON VAN AND CONTENTS. SHOULD I CONTACT HONDA (HOW) SHOULD I CONTRACT HIS CAR INSURANCE? IF HIS CAR HIT THE HOUSE I GUESS CAR INSURANCE WOULD FOR THE DECK. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587622
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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