NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
35 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 7, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I HAD NO PROBLEM W/ THE VSA. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAD THE PART REPLACED. THIS OCT,2014 I WAS DRIVING ON US-2 IN NW MT ON A SLUSHY ROAD WHEN THE VSA WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO HONDA. THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKE PART OF THE VSA UNIT WAS NOW FAULTY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T PART…
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I HAD NO PROBLEM W/ THE VSA. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAD THE PART REPLACED. THIS OCT,2014 I WAS DRIVING ON US-2 IN NW MT ON A SLUSHY ROAD WHEN THE VSA WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO HONDA. THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKE PART OF THE VSA UNIT WAS NOW FAULTY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL.(REPLACEMENT COST OF THIS UNIT WAS QUOTED AS $1,100.00 W/O LABOR !!! ) WAS THIS REPLACEMENT PART ALSO DEFECTIVE?? WAS IT INCORRECTLY REPAIRED?? IS THIS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS RECALL??? WHO NOW PAYS THE REPAIR COST? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662650
80,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITH SLIGHT HESITATION & STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO POWER (NO LIGHTS, NO BEEPS NOTHING NEW BETTER WAS INSTALLED ON 11/13). AFTER 30 MI…
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OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITH SLIGHT HESITATION & STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO POWER (NO LIGHTS, NO BEEPS NOTHING NEW BETTER WAS INSTALLED ON 11/13). AFTER 30 MIN. JUMP STARTED & ON THE WAY HOME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM ON 4/1/14 AT 12AM EST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. ALSO THE WARNING FOR THIS PROBLEM IS THE SECURITY SYSTEM GOING OF RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON (LIKE DOORS LOCKING OR CLOSING HORN GOING OFF). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576274
137,000 miles · Jan 2, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheelsCrashInjury
ON THE ABOVE I WAS REAR ENDED IN TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY HONDA ODYSSEY SUDDENLY STOPPED. I INFORMED THE OFFICER, BUT THE OTHER WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT. (AT FAULT). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558274
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
I FORGOT TO ADD THE RECALL NUMBER ON THE VSA DEVICE THAT LOCKS UP WITHOUT DRIVERS INVOLVEMENT AND CAUSES ACCIDENTS. I WAS TOLD BY HONDA IT IS 13-098 IN MY FORMER COMPLAINT TODAY. BOTTOM LINE, IF I DRIVE IT WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND IT LOCKS UP AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT, WHO IS LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ETC? IF I DON'T DRIVE IT I HAV…
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I FORGOT TO ADD THE RECALL NUMBER ON THE VSA DEVICE THAT LOCKS UP WITHOUT DRIVERS INVOLVEMENT AND CAUSES ACCIDENTS. I WAS TOLD BY HONDA IT IS 13-098 IN MY FORMER COMPLAINT TODAY. BOTTOM LINE, IF I DRIVE IT WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND IT LOCKS UP AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT, WHO IS LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ETC? IF I DON'T DRIVE IT I HAVE NO CAR UNTIL REPAIRED. DOES OR IS HONDA RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE US A CAR UNTIL OURS IS REPAIRED AND SAFE AGAIN. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND NOW TOM SCOTT HONDA IN NAMPA ID SAID THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET PARTS UNTIL THEN. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCK UP DO TO THE VSA DEVICE MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE GETTING HURT. WHAT IS THE ANSWER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556429
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I RECEIVED A VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2013 AND WENT INTO TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT TOM SCOTT HONDA IN NAMPA ID. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT 12/18/13 FOR THE REPAIR. I RECEIVED A CALL AT APPROXIMATELY 5PM STATING HONDA DOSE NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND WON'T UNTIL NEXT YEAR SOMETIME. WHAT ARE WE …
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I RECEIVED A VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2013 AND WENT INTO TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT TOM SCOTT HONDA IN NAMPA ID. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT 12/18/13 FOR THE REPAIR. I RECEIVED A CALL AT APPROXIMATELY 5PM STATING HONDA DOSE NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND WON'T UNTIL NEXT YEAR SOMETIME. WHAT ARE WE AS CONSUMERS TO DO WHEN WE BEEN NOTICED OF THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND DON'T WANT TO DRIVE WITH THIS CONDITION. IS THE DEALER RESPONSIBLE TO PROVED US A CAR UNTIL OURS IS FIXED AND SAFE TO DRIVE? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556422
86,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
APPROX 10/2/13 WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AND WAS ACCELERATING WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THEN ON 10/11/13 I WAS DRIVING A ROAD I TRAVEL ON DAILY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR SLOWED BY ABOUT 30 MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND REALIZED IT WAS ALR…
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APPROX 10/2/13 WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AND WAS ACCELERATING WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THEN ON 10/11/13 I WAS DRIVING A ROAD I TRAVEL ON DAILY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR SLOWED BY ABOUT 30 MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND REALIZED IT WAS ALREADY ENGAGED AND WAS WHY I WAS SLOWING DOWN. 10/16/13 - CAR WENT TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER FOUND SOURCE CODES DTC 26-1 LATERAL ACC SENSOR, AND DTC 27-1 STEERING ANGLE SENSOR BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE AND TOLD ME THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE FIX WAS. 10/17/13 - WAS DRIVING ON THE SAME ROAD AS ON 10/11 - CLANGING/GRATING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN AND THEN BRAKES ENGAGED, WAS ACCELERATING SLOWLY PRIOR TO THIS. SLOWED DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP, THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. WITHIN A QUARTER OF A MILE IT HAPPENED AGAIN (WAS DRIVING SLOWER AT THIS TIME B/C I WAS WORRIED IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN), THIS TIME THE TRIANGLE W/ THE EXCLAMATION POINT ON IT FLICKERED (THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT CAME ON, ALL OTHER TIMES NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING). TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW BUT UNLESS IT HAPPENS TO THEM WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM OF THE INVESTIGATION BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW THE FIX. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME DURING THESE OCCURRENCES BUT IF THEY HAD THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HOW FAST THE CAR DECELERATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548306
41,886 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
VSA INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VSA SYSTEM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. DEALERSHIP STATES DOES NOT KNOW REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. NOW DEALERSHIP ORDERS "REPLACE VSA CONTROL U…
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VSA INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VSA SYSTEM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. DEALERSHIP STATES DOES NOT KNOW REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. NOW DEALERSHIP ORDERS "REPLACE VSA CONTROL UNIT, REPLACE 47 PIN VSA CONNECTOR, BLEED SYSTEM, PERFORM SENSOR NEUTRAL MEMORIZATION PROCEDURE, AND TEST DRIVE." I AM CONCERNED THAT CURRENT PROBLEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH PREVIOUS RECALL PROBLEM OR THAT REPAIR MADE DURING RECALL DID NOT ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP DENIES THIS BUT CANNOT EXPLAIN REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME THE DAMAGED PART(S). CONCERN: CAR HAD 41866 MILES AND WAS SERVICED AS REQUIRED. DEALERSHIP CANNOT IDENTIFY REASON FOR BREAKDOWN OF VSA PART OR SYSTEM. AS THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS PART IT APPEARS THAT THE CURRENT PROBLEM AND NEEDED REPAIRS MAY INDEED RELATE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534489
116,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM WORK PARKING LOT, VSA LIGHT CAME ON, D LETTER GEAR WAS BLINKING, AND ENGINE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. RPM COULD NOT GET PASSED 3000. ALSO, CHECKED ENGINE OIL WHEN GOT HOME AND IT APPEARED TO BE LOW. THE VEHICLE JUST GOT OIL CHANGED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533962
74,750 miles · Jul 23, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
FOOT ON GAS PEDDLE WHEN CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AND THEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR MOVED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT DID THIS ABOUT FIVE TIMES IN THE DISTANCE OF ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE. IF SOMEONE WHERE TRAVELIN…
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FOOT ON GAS PEDDLE WHEN CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AND THEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR MOVED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT DID THIS ABOUT FIVE TIMES IN THE DISTANCE OF ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE. IF SOMEONE WHERE TRAVELING CLOSE BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED ME. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, BUT I GUESS IT'S CALLED THE "EVA" (?) LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY THE LIGHT DID NOT SHOW. MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS WITH US IN THE CAR AND LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON HER PHONE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AND SAW THAT HONDA ODYSSEY HAD THIS BREAKING PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS WHERE TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I LUCKILY WAS A FEW MILES FROM HOME AND LIMPED HOME, BUT WAS ON THE INTERSTATE SHORTLY BEFORE THIS BREAKING PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO YOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10526369
74,920 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WE HAVE A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 76,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2012 WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MINUTES, EXITING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO REACH 65 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND WERE STILL ACCELERATING THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, LURCHI…
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WE HAVE A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 76,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2012 WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MINUTES, EXITING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO REACH 65 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND WERE STILL ACCELERATING THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, LURCHING US FORWARD. WE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER. IT AGAIN SPONTANEOUSLY BRAKED AS WE WERE SLOWING DOWN. WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE SLOWLY ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ONCE WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO STOP IN A SAFE PLACE WE TURNED OFF THE CAR. WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DID NOT DO IT AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ONLY FOUND ONE CODE - THE STEERING SENSOR. THEY RE-CALIBRATED IT BUT WERE NOT CONVINCED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE WERE NOT GOING QUITE AS FAST AND IT DID NOT LURCH QUITE AS SEVERE. AFTER IT DID THIS THREE TIMES I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED THE SWITCH TO TURN THE VSA OFF. IT DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO CODES. THEY DROVE 17 MILES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BOTH TIMES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30-40 DEGREES WITH SOME SNOW OR WETNESS ON THE GROUND FROM PRIOR PRECIPITATION. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE IT SHOWS NO CODE AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INSTRUCTED DEALER TO DRIVE AGAIN AND TRY TO DUPLICATE. THEY DENY ANY OTHER INCIDENTS DOCUMENTED (DESPITE LISTINGS ON THIS WEBSITE THAT SAY THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SAME PROBLEM.) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502592
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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