IllustrationA MISFIRE, PISTON RINGS. MECHANIC SAID ITS THE PISTON RINGS. I RAN A COMPRESSION TEST. PUT NEW COLI PACK. AS SOON AS I START THE VAN IT STARTS THE PROBLEM.
2007 Honda Odyssey
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Odyssey years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Honda Odyssey are substantially higher than the model-year median of 249.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Odyssey years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1490–25K
15625–50K
12650–75K
7675–100K
105100–150K
60150K+
672 reports with mileage · 158 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
38 crash reports15 fire reports48 injury reports
Engine complaints
58 reportsSIDE AND FRONT ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE COMING APART. THIS IS AN ARIZONA VEHICLE, NOT SUBJECT TO ACCELERATED SALT RUST. ACCORDING TO HONDA OWNER FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. CONSIDERING THE CONDITION AND MILEAGE OF MY VEHICLE, MOTOR MOUNTS SHOULD NOT BE COMING APART.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 MODEL HONDA ODESSEY, ON JUNE 5TH 2018 WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS, VEHICLE SHUT OFF, DASH WENT OFF. TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE, IT DIDN'T WORK. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PUT THE PARK GEAR TO PULL OVER TO A LEFT TURN LINE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. 911 WAS ALERTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BLOCKING THE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 MODEL HONDA ODESSEY, ON JUNE 5TH 2018 WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS, VEHICLE SHUT OFF, DASH WENT OFF. TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE, IT DIDN'T WORK. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PUT THE PARK GEAR TO PULL OVER TO A LEFT TURN LINE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. 911 WAS ALERTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BLOCKING THE LEFT TURN LINE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR TO COME OUT OF THE VAN. AFTER FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON AND THERE WAS NO ENGINE SIGN. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE VAN HOME. AFTER TWO WEEKS THE ENGINE SIGN CAME UP AND WE TOOK IT TO THE HONDA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHICH CAUSES THIS ENGINE SHUTDOWN ABRUPTLY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER TWO DAYS THE BATTERY WENT DOWN. SO WE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE. ON JULY 21, MY COUSIN WAS DRIVING THE VAN AND THE SAME HAPPENED AGAIN. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND AFTER FEW ATTEMPTS IT STARTED AGAIN AND HE RODE BACK AND PARKED AT HIS HOUSE. ON JULY 24TH, WE TRIED TO TURN IT ON BUT THE BATTERY WAS DOWN. WE JUMP STARTED IT ON 27TH AND TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT IT DOING SEVERAL TESTS UNTIL JULY 31ST AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY OK'D US TO TAKE THE VEHICLE SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE . WE ARE VERY MUCH CONCERNED TO RIDE IT AGAIN FEAR OF SAFETY TO OUR OWN LIFE AND THE OTHER INNOCENT FELLOWS ON THE ROAD. WE REPORTED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SUGGESTED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN WE DRIVE THE VAN. WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND FEW OTHERS HAS REPORTED THE SAME KIND OF INCIDENTS FOR THE SAME MODEL BUT DIFFERENT YEAR. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA INVESTIGATE ON THIS ISSUE AND GIVE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
WE BOUGHT THIS 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT, IT WILL JUST KEEP GOING FOR AWHILE AT THE SAME SPEED WE HAD IT AT, EVEN THOUGH WE TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS. WE HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP, OR IT WILL PULL A BIT HARD ON THE BRAKES. WE CAN STOP IT LIKE THIS, BUT IT WILL WEAR THE BRAKES OU…
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WE BOUGHT THIS 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT, IT WILL JUST KEEP GOING FOR AWHILE AT THE SAME SPEED WE HAD IT AT, EVEN THOUGH WE TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS. WE HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP, OR IT WILL PULL A BIT HARD ON THE BRAKES. WE CAN STOP IT LIKE THIS, BUT IT WILL WEAR THE BRAKES OUT FAST. ALSO, WHEN WE PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AFTER A FEW SECONDS, IT SPEEDS UP A LITTLE. IT WILL JUST GO DOWN THE ROAD SLOWLY WITHOUT PUTTING OUR FOOT ON THE GAS. IF WE LEAVE IT IN REVERSE, IT WILL ACCELERATE RIGHT THROUGH THE GARAGE, IF WE LET IT. AFTER IT IS IN NEUTRAL FOR A FEW SECONDS, IT FINALLY GOES BACK DOWN TO A REGULAR RPM, BUT GOES BACK UP EVERY 6 SECONDS OR SO, THEN BACK DOWN, ETC... ALSO, WHEN IT IS IDLING, AND I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT REVS UP AGAIN ON IT'S OWN. WE HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, AND HAD IT COMPLETELY CHECKED ON A SCANNER, AND NOTHING CAME UP; EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD ON THE SCANNER.
MY VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE BUT WAS NOT LISTED AS RECALLED IN 2014. IT STARTED TO SMELL FUNNY AND WHEN I PULLED OVER, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ALREADY IN FLAMES.
ON OCTOBER 16, 2013, MY HONDA ACCELERATED AT A FAST SPEED UP MY DRIVEWAY AND CAUSED $6,178.37 IN REPAIR COSTS AND SLAMMED INTO MY FRONT PORCH. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR. WE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED HONDA AND OUR INSURANCE CARRIER OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HONDA IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ, AS IT COULD NOT BE DR…
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ON OCTOBER 16, 2013, MY HONDA ACCELERATED AT A FAST SPEED UP MY DRIVEWAY AND CAUSED $6,178.37 IN REPAIR COSTS AND SLAMMED INTO MY FRONT PORCH. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR. WE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED HONDA AND OUR INSURANCE CARRIER OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HONDA IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ, AS IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO DAMAGE. ON 11/15/2013, SEE CLAIMS SUMMARY, HONDA COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THIS AN ACCELERATION ISSUE. THEY NEVER INFORMED US OF WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HONDA DID NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL CAR, SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR FROM 10/21/13 TO 11/26/13, WHICH I PAID $603.96 OUT OF POCKET (RECEIPTS ENCLOSED). THE AMOUNT OF TIME HONDA WAS WAY TOO LONG FIX MY CAR AND I HAD PAY ADDITIONAL RENTAL COSTS DUE TO THEIR UNREASONABLE DELAY. SHORTLY, AFTER HONDA REPAIRED MY CAR, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE BRAKES WERE RECALLED. REALLY? THIS IS WHY MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY HONDA. A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN. I WROTE TO NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO WROTE BACK AND ASKED THAT I WRITE TO YOU. I AM ALSO ATTACHING PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE TIRE MARKS IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO THE HIGH SPEED OF THE ACCELERATION. PHOTOS FLUIDS RUNNING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, AND THE DAMAGED FRONT END. I HAVE ALSO ENCLOSED NJ MANUFACTURER'S, COPY OF THE CLAIM SUMMARY DATED 11/15/13. THIS MATTER IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME AND THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED BY HONDA. MY HUSBAND, ALSO PURCHASED A NEW PILOT, AND MY HONDA WERE BOTH PURCHASED NEW AT THE SAME HONDA. I KNOW THERE ARE ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS HONDA AND THIS WAS AN ACCELERATION ISSUE AND A MECHANICAL ISSUE ON THE FAULT OF THE BRAKES I AM REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE CAR RENTAL, INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND A REFUND OF THE COST I PAID FOR THE HONDA IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,931.46. MY CAR HAS NEVER DRIVEN THE SAME SINCE THE ACCIDENT.
BAD ENGINE MOUNTS FOR THE 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL MODEL. WILL COST OVER $2000 TO REPAIR.
MY HONDA ODYSSEY SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, AT THAT TIME YOU CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL (OR IT IS VERY VERY HARD TO TURN). THIS IS PRECEDED BY USUALLY THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS FLASHING. SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT OFF (DASHBOARD WILL GO BLACK) AND COME RIGHT BACK AFTER FEW SECONDS. OTHER TIMES THE I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN …
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MY HONDA ODYSSEY SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, AT THAT TIME YOU CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL (OR IT IS VERY VERY HARD TO TURN). THIS IS PRECEDED BY USUALLY THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS FLASHING. SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT OFF (DASHBOARD WILL GO BLACK) AND COME RIGHT BACK AFTER FEW SECONDS. OTHER TIMES THE I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN IT ON AGAIN AND IT WORKS. YESTERDAY IT TURNED OFF AND THE CAR CAME TO STOP THEN I MOVED THE BATTERY LITTLE AND THE HAZARD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD EVEN HAZARD LIGHT WOULD NOT BLINK. TODAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND EVEN AFTER MOVING THE BATTERY IT DID NOT GET POWER BACK. I HAD LEFT THE HAZARD LIGHT ON BUT IT WAS NOT BLINKING. HOWEVER AFTER AROUND 5 MINUTES OR SO ON IT'S OWN THE HAZARD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND I COULD DRIVE OFF.
THE TENSIONER BOLT HAS SHEARED OFF 3 TIMES SINCE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS. IN ALL CASES OUR MECHANIC USED ORIGINAL FACTORY PAR…
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THE TENSIONER BOLT HAS SHEARED OFF 3 TIMES SINCE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS. IN ALL CASES OUR MECHANIC USED ORIGINAL FACTORY PARTS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WIFE AND 5 CHILDREN. IT APPEARS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT CAN BE REFERENCED ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.ODYCLUB.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=152628
ON 25-AUG-2016 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY VAN HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 IN THE HIGHWAY 210 WEST BOUND, THE SPARK PLUG BROKEN INTO PIECES AND WENT INTO ENGINE MADE ENGINE DAMAGE. MY CAR HAS CLEAN MAINTENANCE HISTORY AND IT HAS RUN ONLY 56K. WE DIAGNOSED WITH HONDA DEALER (ROCK HONDA, FONTANA, CA) AND SUGGESTED ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BROK…
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ON 25-AUG-2016 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY VAN HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 IN THE HIGHWAY 210 WEST BOUND, THE SPARK PLUG BROKEN INTO PIECES AND WENT INTO ENGINE MADE ENGINE DAMAGE. MY CAR HAS CLEAN MAINTENANCE HISTORY AND IT HAS RUN ONLY 56K. WE DIAGNOSED WITH HONDA DEALER (ROCK HONDA, FONTANA, CA) AND SUGGESTED ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BROKEN SPART PLUG AND WE NEED FIX THE ENGINE. AND COST IS $3900. I HAVE ASKED HELP FROM HONDA NORTH AMERICA, TORRENCE, CA AND HONDA NA NOT WILLING TO HELP WITH FULL PRICE, THEY WILL PAY $600 AS GOOD WILL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, HONDA NEEDS TO BUILD SAFETY TO PREVENT ANY BROKEN PIECES GOING INTO ENGINE AND SPOILING ENGINE. ALSO THIS VAN PUT OUR LIFE IN DANGER DURING DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SO, HONDA NEEDS TO MAKE SURE CUSTOMER'S SAFETY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY HAVE COVER FULL COST FOR REPAIRING MY ENGINE. MY VIN NUMBER: [XXX] HONDA DEALER ADDRESS: 16570 S. HIGHLAND AVE, FONTANA, CA 92336 PH:909-770-8400 DAN RESHAW'S MOBIL: 9315 BASELINE RD, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, 91730 PH: 909-944-5100 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Official recalls
414V112000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Mar 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).
13V500000 · Electrical System:software
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.
10V504000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
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.
10V098000 · Service Brakes, Air
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.