IllustrationBRAKE DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. IT'S TAKES TOO LONG FOR RESPONSE, SOFT BRAKE AND INCONSISTENT. *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
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
139 reportsTHE BRAKES ON MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, HAVE BEEN CHECKED THREE (3) TIMES BY THE DEALER. BUT THE PROBLEM OF NOT STOPPING IN A SAFE TIME AND THE GRINDING NOISE MADE BY THEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT AND SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND STILL NOT STOPPING IN TIME FOR THE RED LIGHT. THIS STILL OCCURS DA…
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THE BRAKES ON MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, HAVE BEEN CHECKED THREE (3) TIMES BY THE DEALER. BUT THE PROBLEM OF NOT STOPPING IN A SAFE TIME AND THE GRINDING NOISE MADE BY THEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT AND SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND STILL NOT STOPPING IN TIME FOR THE RED LIGHT. THIS STILL OCCURS DAILY. I HAVE HAD THE RECALL DONE FOR THE AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE BUT NOTHING HELPED, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES LOOKED AT AND THE HONDA DEALER STATED "THEY ARE JUST FINE". *TR
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR (WHEN YOU FIRST GET INTO THE ODYSSEY AND PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR) AND IT IS SOFT/MUSHY. [THIS ISSUE WAS PRESENT BEFORE THE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND IS STILL AN ISSUE SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE.] THIS BECOMES AN ISSUE WHEN I DRIVE A DIFFERE…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR (WHEN YOU FIRST GET INTO THE ODYSSEY AND PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR) AND IT IS SOFT/MUSHY. [THIS ISSUE WAS PRESENT BEFORE THE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND IS STILL AN ISSUE SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE.] THIS BECOMES AN ISSUE WHEN I DRIVE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE WHICH HAS A "NORMAL" HARD BRAKE PEDAL AND REQUIRES MUCH MORE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I GET USED TO THE SOFT/MUSHY PEDAL AND DON'T REACT SOON ENOUGH TO STOP WHAT I CALL "NORMAL" BRAKE PEDAL IN OTHER VEHICLES. I VOTE FOR A STANDARD BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIREMENT SO WHEN A PERSON DRIVES DIFFERENT VEHICLES THERE ISN'T THE HAZARD OF NOT PRESSING DOWN HARD ENOUGH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE ONE GETS USED TO A VERY SOFT PEDAL IN THE HONDA ODYSSEY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LEFT SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OR TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, SHE NOTICED REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING; THE VEH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LEFT SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OR TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, SHE NOTICED REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT AND WOULD DRIFT TO THE SIDE. ALSO, PERIODICALLY, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP, AS IF SHE WERE DRIVING ON GRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED REGARDING THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A SEAL ON THE DOOR BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. IN REFERENCE TO THE BRAKE PROBLEM, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT DID ATTEMPT REPAIRS WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER. CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,950. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,500.
AT 21,000 MI. FRONT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. TOLD BRAKE ROTOR WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. HAD THE WORK DONE. AT 30194MI NOTICED FRONT VIBRATION AGAIN AT 65MPH BREAKING. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE SOFT BRAKE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AGAIN. TOLD MY…
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AT 21,000 MI. FRONT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. TOLD BRAKE ROTOR WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. HAD THE WORK DONE. AT 30194MI NOTICED FRONT VIBRATION AGAIN AT 65MPH BREAKING. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE SOFT BRAKE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AGAIN. TOLD MY DRIVING WAS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE. VAN IS USED TO DRIVE 1.5 MILES TO AND FROM WORK AND HIGHWAY DRIVING IN NON-RUSH HOUR TIMES. WAS TOLD THE 1.5 MI. DRIVE EACH DAY WAS CONSIDERED HARD DRIVING BY HONDA AND MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF ROTOR WARP. *TR
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY SOFT BRAKES RECALL HAS BEEN DONE TWICE ABOUT 1000 MILES LATER SOFT AND SQUISHY AGAIN DID NHTSA HAVE ANY REVIEW ON LONG TERM "FIX" THAT HAS NOT WORKED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY HONDA SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND HYANNIS HONDA HAS SAID ALL WAS NORMAL ... NO THE BRAKES REALLY DO NOT WORK WORTH A [XXX]. …
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY SOFT BRAKES RECALL HAS BEEN DONE TWICE ABOUT 1000 MILES LATER SOFT AND SQUISHY AGAIN DID NHTSA HAVE ANY REVIEW ON LONG TERM "FIX" THAT HAS NOT WORKED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY HONDA SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND HYANNIS HONDA HAS SAID ALL WAS NORMAL ... NO THE BRAKES REALLY DO NOT WORK WORTH A [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I OWN A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L. LAST MAY, I RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE RECALL NOTICES FOR PCM UPDATE FOR LOCK-UP CLUTCH FUNCTION AND FOR LOW AND SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS A DELAY IN TAKING MY VAN TO A DEALER BECAUSE I WAS ON A MILITARY DEPLOYMENT. MY DEPLOYMENT ENDED LAST MONTH AND THAT'S WHEN I TOOK MY VAN TO GET SERVICE (RE…
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I OWN A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L. LAST MAY, I RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE RECALL NOTICES FOR PCM UPDATE FOR LOCK-UP CLUTCH FUNCTION AND FOR LOW AND SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS A DELAY IN TAKING MY VAN TO A DEALER BECAUSE I WAS ON A MILITARY DEPLOYMENT. MY DEPLOYMENT ENDED LAST MONTH AND THAT'S WHEN I TOOK MY VAN TO GET SERVICE (RECALLS). A MONTH HAD PAST SINCE I TOOK MY VAN FOR THE RECALL BUT THE BREAK PROBLEM STILL PERSIST AND I THINK IT'S GETTING WORST. THE BREAKS IS VERY SOFT AND THE PEDAL IS VERY LOW WHEN I STEP ON IT. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUMP MY BRAKES TWICE JUST TO FEEL THE BRAKE. I SENT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE A LETTER REQUESTING ANOTHER AUTHORIZATION TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECK AND SERVICE AGAIN. HONDA'S SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM DID NOT WORK. THE HONDA DEALER BLED, SEAL AND CAP THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY VAN BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOK AT AGAIN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSE THEIR LIVES. *TR
POWER STEERING LOSS AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
ON MARCH 2010 I FIRST TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER (BEAVERTON HONDA) TO INDICATE THAT WHENEVER I APPLY BRAKES GOING SLOWER THAN 25MPH THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN BACK AT THE SAME DEALER FOR SAME ISSUE NOW FOR THE 6TH TIME. AND ON LAST FRIDAY (SEP. 2010) WHEN I WE…
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ON MARCH 2010 I FIRST TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER (BEAVERTON HONDA) TO INDICATE THAT WHENEVER I APPLY BRAKES GOING SLOWER THAN 25MPH THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN BACK AT THE SAME DEALER FOR SAME ISSUE NOW FOR THE 6TH TIME. AND ON LAST FRIDAY (SEP. 2010) WHEN I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND HE SAID HE KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND LIKELY TO BE COMING FROM REAR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE PARKING BRAKE AS PER TECH LINE SERVICE ARTICLE FROM JUNE 2009 BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. HENCE HONDA TECH LINED INFORMED THE DEALER THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT AND IF THERE IS A FIX THEY WILL NOTIFY ME. UNFORTUNATELY, WHATEVER THEY DID ON FRIDAY MADE IT 10X WORSE AS NOW IT'S HAPPENING 90-95% OF THE TIME. EVEN WHEN I AM LET GO OF THE BRAKES FROM STOP AND THEN APPLY THE BRAKES GOING 1-2MPS IT MAKES THAT AWFUL NOISE. SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEAR TODAY. THEY JUST CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY THINK THAT REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND THE FRONT ROTORS SHOULD FIX IT BUT NO GUARANTEES SINCE HONDA TECH LINE SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE SAME DEALER ABOUT A MOTH AND HALF AGO (6/23/2010) TOLD ME THAT REPLACING ALL FRONT/BACK BREAK PADS WILL FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT DIDN'T. SO NOW WITHIN 1.5 MONTHS THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE FRONT BREAK PADS ALONG WITH THE FRONT ROTORS AND THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEEING IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED AMERICAN HONDA ON OPENED A CASE AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MY WIFE SAYS SHE WON'T DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED. THIS ISSUE STARTED AFTER THEY APPLIED THE SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2007 ODYSSEY REGARDING "SOFT BRAKES". JUST BEFORE THEY APPLIED THAT SAFETY RECALL THE DEALER HAD ALSO FOUND MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PREMATURELY WRAPPED AND RESURFACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THUS, IT SEEMS THERE IS A CONTINUED ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR OF HONDA ODYSSEY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD BEGAN TO VIBRATE, SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD BEGAN TO VIBRATE, SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24000. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER AS SHE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY LOCKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN VIBRATED AND THEN MADE A SCRAPPING NOISE. SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES THEN THEY SEEMED TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 03/28/11
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.