NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
84 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10522743
60,000 miles · Jun 30, 2013
Service Brakes
I WAS TRAVELING ALONG A WINDY ROAD WHEN MY HONDA VAN STARTED TO BRAKE ALL BY ITSELF. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT PROBABLY HAD TO DO WITH ME BRAKING FREQUENTLY ON THE WINDY ROADS. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING IN TOWN, GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT HAPPEN…
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I WAS TRAVELING ALONG A WINDY ROAD WHEN MY HONDA VAN STARTED TO BRAKE ALL BY ITSELF. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT PROBABLY HAD TO DO WITH ME BRAKING FREQUENTLY ON THE WINDY ROADS. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING IN TOWN, GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR, I WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH AND THE CAR STARTED BRAKING ALL BY ITSELF. IT WAS 2012 WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RESET A SENSOR THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THEN, BUT HONESTLY, I THINK ABOUT IT CONSTANTLY, WONDERING IF IT'LL HAPPEN AGAIN. I FELT EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522493
89,000 miles · Jun 30, 2013
Service Brakes
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AT A STEADY SPEED WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN HIT HARD. ONLY LASTED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND. THIS RECURRED AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHILE ACCELERATING. HASN'T HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522484
106,096 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Service Brakes
THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED UP OVER NIGHT AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE REAR WHEEL. THE ENTIRE BRAKES WERE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR EARLIER ON ALL 4 WHEELS SO THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A 1 YEAR OLD BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR THAT DID NOT LET GO OF THE REAR B…
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THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED UP OVER NIGHT AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE REAR WHEEL. THE ENTIRE BRAKES WERE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR EARLIER ON ALL 4 WHEELS SO THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A 1 YEAR OLD BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR THAT DID NOT LET GO OF THE REAR BRAKE AND IT INSTANTANEOUSLY DESTROYED THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE. THE GRINDING SOUND WAS VERY LOUD AS THE BRAKE DID NOT LET GO AND DESTROYED THE ONE YEAR OLD ROTOR. I RECALL READING ABOUT A RECALL FROM HONDA IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2013 (RIGHT AFTER MY INCIDENT) ON OTHER HONDA VEHICLES AND ALSO SOME ODYSSEY OVERSEAS BUT NOT IN USA. PLEASE LOG MY COMPLAINT AND LET ME KNOW OF THE NEXT STEPS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED AT ALL THE REQUIRED CHECKPOINTS. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520884
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2013
Service Brakes
I HAVE HAD 2 BRAKE RECALLS ON MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. DURING MY LAST VISIT TO A HONDA AUTO CENTER THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND UPON A "VISUAL" INSPECTION ADVISED ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3MM EACH WHICH IS SUFFICIENT. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS WAS WRONG BECAUSE MY CAR MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PA…
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I HAVE HAD 2 BRAKE RECALLS ON MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. DURING MY LAST VISIT TO A HONDA AUTO CENTER THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND UPON A "VISUAL" INSPECTION ADVISED ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3MM EACH WHICH IS SUFFICIENT. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS WAS WRONG BECAUSE MY CAR MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2 RECALLS FOR DIFFERENT BRAKE ISSUES HAVE COMPROMISED MY BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURELY DETERIORATED MY BRAKES. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO TELL SOMEONE THAT THEIR BRAKES ARE FINE WHEN THEY ARE CLEARLY NOT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520559
14,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Service Brakes
DRIVING ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY AT 45-50 MPH, THE CAR SELF-BRAKES CAUSING WHIPLASH. UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. HONDA DEALER REPLACED SENSOR LAST TIME ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT SO THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY STATED THEY CONT…
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DRIVING ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY AT 45-50 MPH, THE CAR SELF-BRAKES CAUSING WHIPLASH. UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. HONDA DEALER REPLACED SENSOR LAST TIME ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT SO THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY STATED THEY CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. EVER. MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF COULD BE KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507515
32,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Service Brakes
THE BRAKES OPERATED ON THEIR OWN AS I MADE A LEFT TURN AND WAS ASCENDING A HIGHWAY RAMP AT 20MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND DROVE 45 MILES TO MY HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. IN FEBRUARY, 2012, I MADE A RIGHT TURN ASCENDING A HIGHWAY RAMP AT ABOUT 25MPH. THE BRAKES OPE…
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THE BRAKES OPERATED ON THEIR OWN AS I MADE A LEFT TURN AND WAS ASCENDING A HIGHWAY RAMP AT 20MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND DROVE 45 MILES TO MY HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. IN FEBRUARY, 2012, I MADE A RIGHT TURN ASCENDING A HIGHWAY RAMP AT ABOUT 25MPH. THE BRAKES OPERATED ON THEIR OWN. AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE MOTOR AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS TIME I DROVE IT 100 MILES TO THE PLACE WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND LEFT IT THERE (IT WAS A SATURDAY NIGHT). NEITHER THE AGENCY WHERE I PURCHASED IT NOR THE HONDA AGENCY 60 MILES FROM MY HOME COULD FIND A PROBLEM. IN APRIL, 2012 THE BRAKES OPERATED ON THEIR OWN AFTER MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN. I WAS GOING 20-25MPH. I PULLED OVER, TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. AGAIN, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN JUNE, 2012 AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. IN NOVEMBER, 2012 IT BRAKED AGAIN. I LEFT THE MOTOR RUNNING AND CALLED THE PLACE WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THEY CAME AND DROVE IT TO THEIR SHOP (IT TRIED TO BRAKE 5 TIMES DURING THE 10 MILE DRIVE BUT DID NOT SUCCEED). A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED PER THE CODES. MARCH, 2013, 250 MILES FROM HOME IT DID IT AGAIN. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND DROVE 250 MILES HOME. HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A "HISTORY", BUT PILOTS AND ACURAS HAD A RECALL IN MARCH, 2013 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. DO I HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE HONDA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507018
74,920 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WE HAVE A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 76,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2012 WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MINUTES, EXITING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO REACH 65 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND WERE STILL ACCELERATING THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, LURCHI…
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WE HAVE A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 76,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2012 WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MINUTES, EXITING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO REACH 65 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND WERE STILL ACCELERATING THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, LURCHING US FORWARD. WE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER. IT AGAIN SPONTANEOUSLY BRAKED AS WE WERE SLOWING DOWN. WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE SLOWLY ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ONCE WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO STOP IN A SAFE PLACE WE TURNED OFF THE CAR. WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DID NOT DO IT AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ONLY FOUND ONE CODE - THE STEERING SENSOR. THEY RE-CALIBRATED IT BUT WERE NOT CONVINCED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE WERE NOT GOING QUITE AS FAST AND IT DID NOT LURCH QUITE AS SEVERE. AFTER IT DID THIS THREE TIMES I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED THE SWITCH TO TURN THE VSA OFF. IT DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO CODES. THEY DROVE 17 MILES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BOTH TIMES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30-40 DEGREES WITH SOME SNOW OR WETNESS ON THE GROUND FROM PRIOR PRECIPITATION. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE IT SHOWS NO CODE AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INSTRUCTED DEALER TO DRIVE AGAIN AND TRY TO DUPLICATE. THEY DENY ANY OTHER INCIDENTS DOCUMENTED (DESPITE LISTINGS ON THIS WEBSITE THAT SAY THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SAME PROBLEM.) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502592
85,550 miles · Jan 13, 2013
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING NORMAL NOT ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, THE VAN ALL THE SUDDEN APPLIES THE BRAKE BY ITSELF ON ALL FOUR BRAKES, REDUCING THE SPEED TO 15 MPH, WHILE I DID NOT ENGAGE BRAKE AT ALL, THE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FOR THE CAR BEHIND ME, THERE WAS VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, AND I WAS WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON.. THE BRAKE THEN DISEN…
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I WAS DRIVING NORMAL NOT ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, THE VAN ALL THE SUDDEN APPLIES THE BRAKE BY ITSELF ON ALL FOUR BRAKES, REDUCING THE SPEED TO 15 MPH, WHILE I DID NOT ENGAGE BRAKE AT ALL, THE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FOR THE CAR BEHIND ME, THERE WAS VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, AND I WAS WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON.. THE BRAKE THEN DISENGAGE BY ITSELF COMPLETELY WITHIN SECONDS, PLEASE DO INVESTIGATE AS I HAVE SEEN THIS MYSELF TIMES AND PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING SAME SYMPTOM IN THE FORUM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492387
25,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOURS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED THREE TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOURS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED THREE TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN UPDATED 02/22/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10490888
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.
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