NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
139 reportsClear category filter12,500 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY LOW AND FEELS SOFT. HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-045 ISSUED ON MARCH 5, 2009 DOES NOT REALLY FIX THE SOFT BRAKE ISSUE. IT IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN A MATTER OF TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ACCIDENTS REPORTED AND SHARED IN THE HONDA ODYSSEY FORUM .THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDED TO BE A…
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BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY LOW AND FEELS SOFT. HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-045 ISSUED ON MARCH 5, 2009 DOES NOT REALLY FIX THE SOFT BRAKE ISSUE. IT IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN A MATTER OF TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ACCIDENTS REPORTED AND SHARED IN THE HONDA ODYSSEY FORUM .THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED TO HONDA TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP US AND OTHERS AS WELL. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A BUZZ/WHINE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES. UPDATED IVOQ 02/24/11
NHTSA ODI #10302321
1 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY IN JUNE OF 2007. FROM THE DAY I TOOK IT OFF THE LOT I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SQUISHY/SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. I ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DID. THEY ALSO SAID THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND FEEL TH…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY IN JUNE OF 2007. FROM THE DAY I TOOK IT OFF THE LOT I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SQUISHY/SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. I ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DID. THEY ALSO SAID THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY'RE NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302169
10,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringTraction Control System
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING GOOD ONLY LESS THAN 10K. MILE STEERING START SHAKING AND DEALER TOLD US IT IS WARP THEY CHARGE ME $99 FOR RESURFACING ROTOR BUT AFTER ANOTHER 10K IT COME BACK AGAIN AND MY CAR STEERING IS GETTING HEAVY AGAIN EVEN DEALER REPLACE THAT ALREADY. I ASSUME THAT HONDA VSA OR ABS NOT WORKIN…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING GOOD ONLY LESS THAN 10K. MILE STEERING START SHAKING AND DEALER TOLD US IT IS WARP THEY CHARGE ME $99 FOR RESURFACING ROTOR BUT AFTER ANOTHER 10K IT COME BACK AGAIN AND MY CAR STEERING IS GETTING HEAVY AGAIN EVEN DEALER REPLACE THAT ALREADY. I ASSUME THAT HONDA VSA OR ABS NOT WORKING PROPERLY SOME HOW WHEN HONDA LOST VERY IMPORTANT LIFE AT HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS MIGHT THEY DO SOMETHING ON THIS MISERABLE HAPPEN. WHAT KIND CAR NEED TO BE RESURFACING ROTOR EVERY 10K MILE AND EVEN I DID THAT STILL ON HIGHWAY 70 MILE DRIVE STEERING MAKE SHAKING AND VIBRATING EVEN IT'S RESURFACED ROTOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300212
30,000 miles · Jan 14, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT VSA MODULAR WILL BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10299739
24,900 miles · Jan 12, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2007 ODYSSEY LX HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR 40 MINUTES WHEN WE CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND BRAKED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SOFT BRAKES FOR A WHILE SO I HAVE ADJUSTED MY BRAKING, GIVING IT A LONG RUN TO STOP, BUT THIS TIME EVEN THAT…
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2007 ODYSSEY LX HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR 40 MINUTES WHEN WE CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND BRAKED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SOFT BRAKES FOR A WHILE SO I HAVE ADJUSTED MY BRAKING, GIVING IT A LONG RUN TO STOP, BUT THIS TIME EVEN THAT WASN'T ENOUGH. THE HONDA DEALER TOLD US THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS WORKING FINE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299560
10,000 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKES WERE SPONGY FROM DAY ONE. INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NORMAL 10K. I HATE THE BRAKES ON THE VAN SINCE THEY DO NOT STOP WHEN YOU WANT THEM TOO. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS NOW WHICH ARE WARPED I GUESS AT 20K.THE STEERING VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING. IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A NEWER CAR. ALL O…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY BRAKES WERE SPONGY FROM DAY ONE. INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NORMAL 10K. I HATE THE BRAKES ON THE VAN SINCE THEY DO NOT STOP WHEN YOU WANT THEM TOO. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS NOW WHICH ARE WARPED I GUESS AT 20K.THE STEERING VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING. IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A NEWER CAR. ALL OWNERS NEED TO CONCERN THIS PROBLEM WITH HONDA FOR AN RECALL FOR SAFETY AND PRODUCT FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297565
20 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SOFT BRAKE WITH 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. COULDN'T STOP THE CAR WITHOUT SLAMMING THE BRAKE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE IS FINE. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY BLED THE BRAKE BUT NO IMPROVEMENT. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL OR REFUND UNDER LEMON LAW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297516
18,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SHUDDERING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PULSING STARTING AT 18K MILES. DEALER SAYS THE ROTORS ARE WARPED, THOUGH BRAKE PADS HAVE OVER 75% LIFE LEFT. IN ALL OUR YEARS OF DRIVING WE'VE NEVER HAD ROTORS NEEDING TURNING OR REPAIRING IN LESS THAN 40K MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME THAT HONDA WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296034
18,000 miles · Dec 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A HONDA ODYSSEY 2009. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY LAST WINTER APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY BRAKED. I WAS ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HELPLESSLY SAW MY VAN MOVING TOWARDS THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED. HOWEVER, IT SCARED ME A LOT. I WENT AND COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THERE …
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I HAVE A HONDA ODYSSEY 2009. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY LAST WINTER APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY BRAKED. I WAS ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HELPLESSLY SAW MY VAN MOVING TOWARDS THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED. HOWEVER, IT SCARED ME A LOT. I WENT AND COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WHEN I APPLY BRAKES. IT APPEARS THAT SOME THING IS JERKING OR VIBRATING WHEN I BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294221
20,000 miles · Nov 30, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SPONGY BRAKES ON 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293973
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.