NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
109 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE . THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE . THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,439.
NHTSA ODI #10341260
36,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Seat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 DRIVER SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING, DEALER AT FIRST WANTED TO SEND ME HOME WITHOUT SEAT BELT, AFTER I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR , THEY GAVE ME A RENT A CAR FOR REPAIRS. ALSO BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY , MULTIPLE PREVIOUS MENTIONS TO THE DEALER THAT BREAKS ARE SOFT, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT ANY THING BAD AN…
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HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 DRIVER SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING, DEALER AT FIRST WANTED TO SEND ME HOME WITHOUT SEAT BELT, AFTER I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR , THEY GAVE ME A RENT A CAR FOR REPAIRS. ALSO BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY , MULTIPLE PREVIOUS MENTIONS TO THE DEALER THAT BREAKS ARE SOFT, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT ANY THING BAD AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO ALSO STEERING PUMP PROBLEMS WENT BAD AT 34,000 ,MILES AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST 700 DOLLARS TO FIX , STEERING VERY HARD AND NOT SAFE, UNABLE TO STEER QUICKLY AND AVOID OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339809
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2010
Steering
NOTICED A TICKING NOISE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING IN THE A.M. FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO TIGHT SPOTS OR SHARP TURNS FOR A WHILE. HAVE ALWAYS EQUATE IT TO BAD TIRES (WHICH WAS RECENTLY REPLACED) OR LOW TIRE PRESSURE. ON A VISIT TO HONDA FOR ANOTHER REPAIR, HAD ASKED THEM TO LO…
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NOTICED A TICKING NOISE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING IN THE A.M. FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO TIGHT SPOTS OR SHARP TURNS FOR A WHILE. HAVE ALWAYS EQUATE IT TO BAD TIRES (WHICH WAS RECENTLY REPLACED) OR LOW TIRE PRESSURE. ON A VISIT TO HONDA FOR ANOTHER REPAIR, HAD ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE NOISE ISSUE. WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD. HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DOES NOT MAKES SENSE THAT WE'VE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR WELL OVER A YEAR THAT IT'S NOT A PART ISSUE. CAN NOT RECALL WHEN THE STEERING WAS EVER AS GOOD AS IT IS ONCE THE PUMP WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335532
42,000 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Steering
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY- FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PARKING AND TURNING, THE POWER STEERING APPEARS TO QUIT WORKING. WHEN YOU GET UP TO SPEED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE ROADWAY FROM A DEAD STOP AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK OR LEAVE A PARKING SPOT. I FEAR BEING REAR ENDED OR WORSE. LOC…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY- FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PARKING AND TURNING, THE POWER STEERING APPEARS TO QUIT WORKING. WHEN YOU GET UP TO SPEED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE ROADWAY FROM A DEAD STOP AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK OR LEAVE A PARKING SPOT. I FEAR BEING REAR ENDED OR WORSE. LOCAL DEALER "KNOWS OF NO PROBLEMS REPORTED". VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (46,000 MILES). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334072
42,000 miles · May 11, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING IS NON-EXISTENT AT PARKING SPEEDS. WHILE PARKING, TURNING OR MANEUVERING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE CAR IS TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL AROUND. POWER STEERING ENGAGES AS SPEED INCREASES. MENTIONED NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THAT IS THE WAY A VAN DRIVES. THIS IS MY 3RD ODYSSEY …
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POWER STEERING IS NON-EXISTENT AT PARKING SPEEDS. WHILE PARKING, TURNING OR MANEUVERING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE CAR IS TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL AROUND. POWER STEERING ENGAGES AS SPEED INCREASES. MENTIONED NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THAT IS THE WAY A VAN DRIVES. THIS IS MY 3RD ODYSSEY AND NONE HAS EVER DRIVEN THIS WAY. SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN AND LACK OF MANUFACTURER RESPONSE WILL MAKE THIS MY LAST HONDA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330012
50,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Power TrainSteering
POWER STEERING ISSUE ON 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. NO POWER STEERING ABILITY IN PARKING, K TURN OR PARALLEL PARK. FASTER SPEEDS IT KICKS IN, SLOWER SPEEDS YOU HAVE TO MUSCLE IT THROUGH. TOLD BY HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO RECALL TO DATE, NEED TO REPLACE PUMP AND RESERVOIR. IT'S ONLY 3 YRS OLD... THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND T…
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POWER STEERING ISSUE ON 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. NO POWER STEERING ABILITY IN PARKING, K TURN OR PARALLEL PARK. FASTER SPEEDS IT KICKS IN, SLOWER SPEEDS YOU HAVE TO MUSCLE IT THROUGH. TOLD BY HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO RECALL TO DATE, NEED TO REPLACE PUMP AND RESERVOIR. IT'S ONLY 3 YRS OLD... THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. GOOGLE RESULTED IN SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON POWER STEERING. ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IT IS CERTAINLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PLEASE RESEARCH FURTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327939
14,998 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY, THE STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T MAKE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY, THE STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T MAKE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELATED WARRANTY OR RECALL AND TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER MORE THAN ONE TIME AND THEY STILL CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,998.
NHTSA ODI #10314554
35,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
SteeringSuspensionTires
2 COMPLAINTS, FIRST ONE IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT AT 35000 MILES. HONDA DID REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THE PUMP IN NOW AT 60,000 MILES IS GOING BAD. SECOND COMPLAINT, THE FRONT LEFT HUB BEARING WENT BAD WAY TOO EARLY, 50,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. CALLED HONDA AND THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP SEVE…
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2 COMPLAINTS, FIRST ONE IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT AT 35000 MILES. HONDA DID REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THE PUMP IN NOW AT 60,000 MILES IS GOING BAD. SECOND COMPLAINT, THE FRONT LEFT HUB BEARING WENT BAD WAY TOO EARLY, 50,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. CALLED HONDA AND THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND RECEIVED NO HELP AT ALL. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS PART OR THE WORKMANSHIP TO REPLACE IT. NOW AT 65,000 MILES THE VAN IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE SO I AM ASSUMING ANOTHER HUB BEARING IS GOING BAD. I HAVE NEVER PURCHASE A HONDA BEFORE THIS ONE, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312155
25,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHEN AT A SLOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY NOT BE OPERATING AT POWER AND YOU LOSE ALMOST ALL, IF NOT ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FOR ME TURNING INTO DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING SPACES MULTIPLE TIMES ALREADY (AT LEAST 3 INCIDENTS THAT WERE NEAR-MISSES). UPON REPORTING THE…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHEN AT A SLOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY NOT BE OPERATING AT POWER AND YOU LOSE ALMOST ALL, IF NOT ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FOR ME TURNING INTO DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING SPACES MULTIPLE TIMES ALREADY (AT LEAST 3 INCIDENTS THAT WERE NEAR-MISSES). UPON REPORTING THE ISSUE TO HONDA, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE IN A LIMITED TEST AND I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT WAS "NORMAL" IN MY VEHICLE. THERE ARE DOZENS OF REPORTS WITH OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE JUST IN ONE INTERNET FORUM FOR HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS AND THIS IS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE WITH 2006 THROUGH 2009 MODELS, AND POSSIBLY EVEN 2010 MODELS. HONDA HAS REPORTEDLY REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMPS, POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIRS, AND A FEW OTHER COMPONENTS FOR THOSE WHO HAD WARRANTIES, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THE ISSUE REMAINS OR IS ONLY RESOLVED UNTIL 10K - 20K MILES LATER WHEN IT RESURFACES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311570
12,500 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
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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