BRAKES HAVE A VERY SOFT AND SPONGY FEELING. BRAKES HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO ALLOW EXTRA DISTANCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED WITH BRAKES APPLIED, VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. *TR
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
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
139 reportsHONDA ODYSSEY 2007 EXL: BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT REQUIRING PRESSING ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM TO STOP THE CAR. DEALER DID REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER BUT NO DIFFERENCE, THE SAME SCARY FEELING ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY. COUPLE TIMES I EVEN MANAGE TO PRESS BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WHILE TRYING TO STOP A CAR. THE FIRST TIME I…
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HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 EXL: BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT REQUIRING PRESSING ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM TO STOP THE CAR. DEALER DID REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER BUT NO DIFFERENCE, THE SAME SCARY FEELING ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY. COUPLE TIMES I EVEN MANAGE TO PRESS BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WHILE TRYING TO STOP A CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (IT WAS IN CANADA AND ROAD WAS SLIPPERY) I HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP A CAR. *TR
VERY HARD TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT UPON SLOWING THE VAN. AFTER DOWNSHIFT THE VAN HAS A SHARP JERK AND SEEMS TO HAVE TO CATCH THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE GOING INTO A LOWER GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED NEW AN MAY 28, 2007. NOW DEALER AND HONDA FACTORY SERVICE REP IS SAYING THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERIS…
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VERY HARD TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT UPON SLOWING THE VAN. AFTER DOWNSHIFT THE VAN HAS A SHARP JERK AND SEEMS TO HAVE TO CATCH THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE GOING INTO A LOWER GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED NEW AN MAY 28, 2007. NOW DEALER AND HONDA FACTORY SERVICE REP IS SAYING THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THIS VAN, EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST NEW TRANSMISSION WAS AT 3321 MILES AND SECOND WAS AT 12,281 MILES. BRAKES: SLOPPY AND WEAK BRAKES SINCE PURCHASE. ROTORS TURNED AND PAD REPLACED AT 166 MILES, THREE DAYS AFTER BUYING NEW. STILL SOFT AND VIBRATING UPON STOPPING. DEALER SAYS THIS IS ALSO NORMAL. BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS, WE DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFE VAN FOR OUR CHILDREN TO RIDE IN. AMERICAN HONDA HAS BEEN MORE THAN UNCOOPERATIVE. THERE IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT WITH THIS VAN AND WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
2007 HONDA LX BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT AND VARIABLE WHEN APPLIED. SOMETIMES IT 'BRAKES' NEAR THE TOP OF THE PEDAL, SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PUSH OF THE PEDAL, AND HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS GONE INEXPLICABLY TO WITHIN 1/2 INCH OF THE FLOOR. *TR
TOO SOFT BRAKES ON 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. WITH MODERATELY INCREASING PRESSURE WHILE AT A FULL STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PUSH ALL THE WAY TO THE FIREWALL. *TR
HONDA ODYSSEY-07- HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL FEELS WEAK AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER,BUT THAT PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED YET. ODYSSEY HAS ONLY 1,400 MILES. *TR
SOFT, SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLED BRAKES TWICE ON ADVISE OF TECH LINE WITHOUT NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED BELOW HEIGHT OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HAVE TWICE CAUGHT THE EDGE OF MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN BRAKING CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. HAVE CASE OPEN WITH HONDA …
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SOFT, SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLED BRAKES TWICE ON ADVISE OF TECH LINE WITHOUT NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED BELOW HEIGHT OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HAVE TWICE CAUGHT THE EDGE OF MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN BRAKING CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. HAVE CASE OPEN WITH HONDA OFFICE IN TORRANCE, CA...THEY CANNOT TELL ME IF OR WHEN THERE WILL BE A FIX. DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THESE BRAKES. *TR
WHILE PARKING AT DAYCARE, TURN INTO PARKING SPOT, BRAKES FAIL. BRAKES ARE PUMPED TO THE FLOOR 5 TIMES BEFORE HITTING A LARGE BOULDER CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO SUSPENSION AND FRAME. ALSO, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, YET SEATBELT LOCKED IN PLACE. DEALER IS DOING REPAIR SINCE THERE IS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. HOWEVER A…
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WHILE PARKING AT DAYCARE, TURN INTO PARKING SPOT, BRAKES FAIL. BRAKES ARE PUMPED TO THE FLOOR 5 TIMES BEFORE HITTING A LARGE BOULDER CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO SUSPENSION AND FRAME. ALSO, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, YET SEATBELT LOCKED IN PLACE. DEALER IS DOING REPAIR SINCE THERE IS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. HOWEVER AFTER 55 DAYS, STILL WAITING FOR RETURN OF VEHICLE. TURNS OUT COMPUTER REGULATING AIRBAGS FAILED AS WELL. 2 DEFECTS THAT IF THE BRAKES HAD FAILED JUST 3 MINUTES SOONER WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR
SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKE CHATTERING WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB
WE CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 7,000 MILES ON A 2007 AND THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE ODYSSEY'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKES HAVE A VERY SOFT FEEL AND NEED TO BE DEPRESSED AT LEAST 3/4 OF THE WAY FOR THE BRAKES TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BITING. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS HAD A RELATIVELY SOFT FEELING TO THEM AND IT HAS CAUSED SOME…
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WE CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 7,000 MILES ON A 2007 AND THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE ODYSSEY'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKES HAVE A VERY SOFT FEEL AND NEED TO BE DEPRESSED AT LEAST 3/4 OF THE WAY FOR THE BRAKES TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BITING. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS HAD A RELATIVELY SOFT FEELING TO THEM AND IT HAS CAUSED SOME DICEY SITUATIONS WHERE YOU NEED TO ATTEMPT TO SWERVE AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS A DEFINITE LACK OF CONFIDENCE WHEN YOU NEED TO INDUCE A PANIC STOP. OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKES WILL HAVE A LITTLE CHATTER TO THEM WHICH YOU CAN FEEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. WE HAVEN'T PEGGED THIS DIRECTLY TO THE LOAD OF THE VEHICLE OR HOT BRAKES/BRAKE PADS, BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS ISSUE LOOKED INTO WITH OUR DEALER. *JB
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.
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