NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
109 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,461.
NHTSA ODI #10478379
54,000 miles · Feb 2, 2012
Steering
VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS ALSO DURING COLD WEATHER WE HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AND TOLD US IF WE HEAR THE WHINING NOISE AGAIN IT IS PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING RESO…
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VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS ALSO DURING COLD WEATHER WE HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AND TOLD US IF WE HEAR THE WHINING NOISE AGAIN IT IS PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING RESOVIOR WHICH WAS NOT REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHICH THEY SAY IS THE RACK AND PINION AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BUT BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED WE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE POPPING NOISE BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MAGICALLY NOW THEY HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM. WITH THEM NOW WANTING TO CHARGE $2000 TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS MUCH TROUBLE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE NEEDING THIS MUCH WORK THIS SOON. ALTHOUGH I DO LOVE MY VEHICLE I CAN HONESTLY SAY I AM HAVING DOUBTS OF EVER OWNING ANOTHER ONE. IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10446296
58,583 miles · Dec 26, 2011
Steering
AFTER DRIVING APX. 50 MILES MOST OF THEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND WAITING TO MAKE A TURN I HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DO SO. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AT TIMES AS IF YOU HAD LOSS POWER ASSIT. I PARKED THE VAN AND C…
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AFTER DRIVING APX. 50 MILES MOST OF THEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND WAITING TO MAKE A TURN I HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DO SO. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AT TIMES AS IF YOU HAD LOSS POWER ASSIT. I PARKED THE VAN AND CKECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, LEVEL WAS GOOD, BUT IT LOOKED FOAMY. THE VAN SAT FOR APX. 3 HOURS I CHECKED THE FLUID AGAIN AND IT LOOKED NORMAL. AFTER STARTING THE VAN THE NOISE WAS NOT AS PRONOUNCED AND STEERING SEEMED OK, BUT AFTER MAKING THE 50 MILE RETURN TRIP HOME THE SAME PROBLEM RETURNED. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET I FIND THIS IS A PROBLEM HONDA IS AWARE OF SINCE THEY HAVE ISSUED AT LEAST TWO SERVICE BULLETINS 07-005 AND 10-076 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK ANY PROBLEM THAT WOULD AFFECT THE STEERING OF A VEHICLE AT SLOW OR HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. YOU COULD LOOSE THE ABILITY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT EITHER SPEED OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT AS IF THIS IS DUE TO POOR OR LACK OF MAINTANCE, OR HIGH MILAGE. THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO HAPPEN WAY BEFORE A VEHICLE OF THIS COST AND PRECEIVED QUALITY SHOULD START HAVING PROBLEMS, TO A SYSTEM THAT AFFECTS IT'S SAFE OPERATION. SOME HAVE OCCURED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MY VAN, BUT IT HAS BEEN SERVICED BY A HONDA DEALER SINCE NEW. I HOPE HUMAN LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LOST OR SERIOUS INJURY OCCUR BEFORE THIS ON GOING PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. HONDA KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM IF THEY WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING, THEN SOMEBODY NEEDS TO MAKE THEM, AND FIX THE POWER STEERING PUMPS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441234
68,700 miles · Dec 8, 2011
SteeringSuspension
2007 - 2010 HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS ARE TARGETED TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF A "WARRANTY EXTENSION" TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. I RECEIVED THE NOTICE FOR MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, SUFFERED WITH THE "HARD TO TURN" CONDITION (SEE TSB 10-076) AND ASSOCIATED PUMP WHINING NOISE THAT IS DESCRIBED IN TSB 07-00…
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2007 - 2010 HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS ARE TARGETED TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF A "WARRANTY EXTENSION" TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. I RECEIVED THE NOTICE FOR MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, SUFFERED WITH THE "HARD TO TURN" CONDITION (SEE TSB 10-076) AND ASSOCIATED PUMP WHINING NOISE THAT IS DESCRIBED IN TSB 07-005 (DEFECTIVE PUMP RESERVOIR). ALTHOUGH THE PUMP WAS EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED AT UNIVERSITY MOTORS (MISSOULA) I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RESERVOIR ($66.08). MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE RESERVOIR DEFECT IS WHAT CAUSES THE PUMP TO FAIL. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED AND ALL OWNERS THAT HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE RESERVOIR (OR PUMP) SHOULD BE 100% REIMBURSED. AMERICAN HONDA AUTOMOBILE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT STATING THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY TO THE PUMP. PLEASE REVIEW HUGE COMPLAINT DATA BASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439069
61,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Steering
POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AT LOW ENGINE SPEEDS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED (NOT INTERMITTENT). CONDITION MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND SLOW TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE DURING PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE CONDITION WAS WHILE PARALLEL PARKING IN THE CITY DURING A TIME OF HEA…
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POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AT LOW ENGINE SPEEDS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED (NOT INTERMITTENT). CONDITION MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND SLOW TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE DURING PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE CONDITION WAS WHILE PARALLEL PARKING IN THE CITY DURING A TIME OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. NOTE: POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP DUE TO AIR INGESTION PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A ONE OWNER AND I CAN CONFIRM THAT ONLY HONDA POWER STEERING FLUID HAS EVER BEEN USED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435088
86,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringUnknown Or Other
DERA SIR: WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE (HONDA ODYSSEY, 2007) IN MAY 2007 IN MICHIGAN. SINCE LAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE ISSUE WAS POWER STEERING (NOT ABLE TO MANEUVERING), I WENT TO HONDA. THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING UNIT TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS (I PURCHASED EXTENEDE WARRAN…
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DERA SIR: WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE (HONDA ODYSSEY, 2007) IN MAY 2007 IN MICHIGAN. SINCE LAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE ISSUE WAS POWER STEERING (NOT ABLE TO MANEUVERING), I WENT TO HONDA. THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING UNIT TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS (I PURCHASED EXTENEDE WARRANTY, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPENSIVE THING FOR ME). AGAIN, I HAD SAME ISSUE THIS WEEK, THEN I WENT TO HONDA. THEY MENTIONED "RIGHT SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS LOOSE AND WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT". THEY DID MENTIIONED TO ME THAT IT IS DANGAEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT AND INSTALLED A NEW PART. I BELIEVE THERE IS SERIOUS FLAWS IN THE DESIGN OF THIS PARTICLE YEAR MODEL. TODAY I AM EXPERIENCEING DIFFERENT PROBLEM, SHAKING ENGINE AT 40 MPH. THEY DID UPDATE THE SOFTWARE BUT STILL THERE IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE. I APRECIATE IF NHA WOULD TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. I ALMOST SPENT MORE THAN $10000 ON THIS VEHICLE AND I REALIZED I BOUGHT A PIECE OF JUNK FROM HONDA WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A RELIABLE MAKER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
NHTSA ODI #10425703
47,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Steering
HAVE CHRONICALLY REPORTED EXCESSIVE FORCE NEEDED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. CORRECTION: HONDA IS REQUESTING THAT I FLUSH POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHANGE THE RESERVOIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422636
72,265 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Steering
VEHICLE FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS INEFFECTIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. MY DAUGHTER IS LEARNING TO DRIVE, AND WE CANNOT LET HER USE THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE CANNOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHILE MOVING BELOW 5 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM IS DETAILED IN 2 HONDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 07-005 AND 10-076, BUT HONDA APP…
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VEHICLE FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS INEFFECTIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. MY DAUGHTER IS LEARNING TO DRIVE, AND WE CANNOT LET HER USE THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE CANNOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHILE MOVING BELOW 5 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM IS DETAILED IN 2 HONDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 07-005 AND 10-076, BUT HONDA APPEARS TO BE RELUCTANT TO ADMIT A PROBLEM TO CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA ODI #10418728
25,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Steering
I AM A OWNER OF HONDA ODYSSEY 2007. WE START TO HEAR NOISE AROUND 2008 WINTER AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. THEN, WE BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFICULTY TO TURN WHEEL OCCASIONALLY BETWEEN 2008 TO 2010. IN 2011, THE DIFFICULTY OF TURNING WHEEL BECOME MORE FREQUENT AT LOW SPEED, BUT MANAGEABLE. IN JUNE 2011, WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TO T…
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I AM A OWNER OF HONDA ODYSSEY 2007. WE START TO HEAR NOISE AROUND 2008 WINTER AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. THEN, WE BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFICULTY TO TURN WHEEL OCCASIONALLY BETWEEN 2008 TO 2010. IN 2011, THE DIFFICULTY OF TURNING WHEEL BECOME MORE FREQUENT AT LOW SPEED, BUT MANAGEABLE. IN JUNE 2011, WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TO TURN WHEEL DURING A TRIP ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT MADE US TO AWARE THE PROBLEM OF POWER STEERING PUMP. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEBSITE, MANY HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS COMPLAINED THE SAME PROBLEM AND MENTIONED THAT HONDA INSTALLED THE PROBLEMATIC POWER STEERING PUMP FOR THEIR CAR SINCE 2004, THEREFORE A SERVICE BULLETIN 10-076 WAS ANNOUNCED BY HONDA. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL SERVICE FROM HONDA TO PROTECT HONDA OWNERS' SAFETY DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THANKS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413582
33,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AND WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AND WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 2/9/2012 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10413503
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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