NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
58 reportsClear category filter133,000 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Engine
ON 04/18/14 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TAMERON HONDA BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN JERKING AND NOT RESPONDING. I PAID $5940.01 BECAUSE THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED REBUILDING. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY BUT I DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE IN THAT THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NOT GET ANYTHING ON …
Read full complaint
ON 04/18/14 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TAMERON HONDA BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN JERKING AND NOT RESPONDING. I PAID $5940.01 BECAUSE THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED REBUILDING. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY BUT I DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE IN THAT THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NOT GET ANYTHING ON A TRADE IN AND I REALLY COULDN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE AND THE NEXT DAY I WAS AT A STOP TRYING TO MERGE ACROSS A 4 LANE ROAD. THE ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AGAIN AND I COULDN'T GET ABOVE ABOUT 10 MPH. NO ONE HIT ME BUT IT COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO TAMERON 4 MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME SCENARIO. TWICE I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER TO ABOUT 10 MPH. AGAIN I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE WITHOUT GETTING HIT. JUST A LOT OF HORN BLOWING. THE DEALERSHIP REALLY DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION. THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO MY "FUEL". THEY CONTINUED TO LET ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I WAS TELLING THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE CAR. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A SWITCH HAD BEEN PULLED. I HIT MY HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON AND MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK.THE EXPLANATION GIVEN WAS THE FUEL TANK INDICATOR HAD BROKEN AND I WAS OUT OF GAS. THEY REPLACED THE INDICATOR AND ALSO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED. THEY DIDN'T MENTION THE RECALL. I KNOW MY VEHICLE HAS 133,000 MILES BUT THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. I AM SUPPOSE TO HAVE A REBUILT ENGINE AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT INCIDENT. NEXT TIME THERE MAY BE A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608150
75,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
EngineStructureSuspension
IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE 3 OUT OF THE 4 MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED ON MY ENGINE AND THEN LAST WEEK I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE 2 OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN 4 YEARS LATER. I'VE ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE COM…
Read full complaint
IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE 3 OUT OF THE 4 MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED ON MY ENGINE AND THEN LAST WEEK I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE 2 OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN 4 YEARS LATER. I'VE ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT VARIOUS MODELS OF HONDA ODYSSEYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. YOUR ENGINE SHAKES TERRIBLY AT START AND WHILE IDLING AND HAS A HARD KICK WHEN YOU START TO GO FROM BRAKING AND IDLING AND JERKS FORWARD WHICH I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT CAUSED ME TO BRAKE BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT OF MY VEHICLE OR WAS ABOUT TO AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY THIS CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY HONDA AS I'VE SEEN IT MENTIONED ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND I HAVE NOTIFIED HONDA MYSELF JUST RECENTLY. I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED AS IT COSTS NEARLY 1200$ EVERY TIME THIS OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10606728
78,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED AND DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY ASSIST SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10604367
96,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT, THE TIMING BELT AND MOTOR MOUNTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER SUGGESTED HAVING A TUNE-UP PERFORMED, AS THERE WERE SEVERAL MISFIRE CODES GENERATED WHEN DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CONTINUED TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE AS THE CYLINDER ONE COIL HAVING MELTED INTO THE CYLINDER. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE SPARK PLUG BECOMING LOOSE AND FUEL LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER HEAD CHAMBER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10573414
68,500 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED TO REGAIN ACCELERATION POWER. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISED THE CONTAC THAT THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ASSEMBLY S…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED TO REGAIN ACCELERATION POWER. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISED THE CONTAC THAT THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,500.
NHTSA ODI #10563340
110,000 miles · Jan 20, 2014
Engine
DEALER IS CLAIMING THAT I NEED 2 NEW ENGINE MOUNTS TO PASS THE NEXT STATE INSPECTION, QUOTING ME 2300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. I HAVE OVER 800K MILES ON SEVERAL CARS, NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE MOUNTS. I NEVER HEARD OF THESE MOUNTS FAILING EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560679
48,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AS THE VSA WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE RADIATOR THAT AFFECTED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AS THE VSA WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE RADIATOR THAT AFFECTED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #10557707
70,125 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Engine
THE LARGE BOLT THAT GOES THROUGH THE BELT TENSIONER ROLLER INTO THE BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HAS SHEARED OFF TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5000 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE WHEN DRIVING AT 50+ MPH AND MOST RECENTLY WHEN DRIVING 25MPH. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER A HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING…
Read full complaint
THE LARGE BOLT THAT GOES THROUGH THE BELT TENSIONER ROLLER INTO THE BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HAS SHEARED OFF TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5000 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE WHEN DRIVING AT 50+ MPH AND MOST RECENTLY WHEN DRIVING 25MPH. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER A HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, T-BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT. I'M UNSURE IF THEY REPLACED THE BOLT IN QUESTION AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, WITHIN 500 MILES OF DRIVING THE BOLT SHEARED OFF. THEN A DIFFERENT HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE BROKEN BOLT, TENSIONER ROLLER AND SERPENTINE BELT ALL OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE BOLT FAILED. ONCE AGAIN AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5000 MILES THE SAME BOLT HAS BROKEN. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WELL AS BEING COSTLY. THE DEALER IS CLAIMING NO FAULT, YET THESE ARE PARTS THAT HONDA DEALERS ARE INSTALLING IN THEIR OWN SHOPS. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER AND AVOID POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554124
96,200 miles · Sep 29, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING ON FLAT, LEVEL SURFACE STREETS AT ROUGHLY 40MPH, CAR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT (TO 1ST GEAR?) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW VERY QUICKLY/LOTS OF DRAG (LOCKING UP SEATBELTS) AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN RESHIFT BACK INTO A HIGHER GEAR WITH LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE AGAIN. THIS MA…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON FLAT, LEVEL SURFACE STREETS AT ROUGHLY 40MPH, CAR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT (TO 1ST GEAR?) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW VERY QUICKLY/LOTS OF DRAG (LOCKING UP SEATBELTS) AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN RESHIFT BACK INTO A HIGHER GEAR WITH LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE AGAIN. THIS MAY HAPPEN 1-4 TIMES WITHIN A 60 SECOND PERIOD. PULLING THE CAR OVER, TURNING OFF AND TURNING ON AGAIN SEEMS TO FIX ISSUE. SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR, SEEMED TO FIX ISSUE. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, POWER CYCLING CAR SEEMED TO FIX ISSUE. OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO, THIS HAS HAPPENED ~2X MONTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546072
50,000 miles · Aug 28, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT DRIVER ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH; THE VAN SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO NEARLY A DEAD STOP. ONCE THE VAN RETURNED TO A NORMAL SPEED THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED WITHIN MINUTES OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. WEATHER WAS RAINY; DRIVER WAS ALONE. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE …
Read full complaint
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT DRIVER ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH; THE VAN SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO NEARLY A DEAD STOP. ONCE THE VAN RETURNED TO A NORMAL SPEED THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED WITHIN MINUTES OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. WEATHER WAS RAINY; DRIVER WAS ALONE. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10537726
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.
Illustration