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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

830 reports
65,000 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INCREASE ACCELERATION AND REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INCREASE ACCELERATION AND REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10537499

20,771 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR A POWER TRAIN SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR A POWER TRAIN SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,771. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537470

102,810 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE MAINTAINING A SPEED OF APPROX. 40 MPH WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT SUDDENLY FELT AS IF SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE ON THIS DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO CODES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKING SYSTEM THOROUGHLY BUT COULD N…

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WHILE MAINTAINING A SPEED OF APPROX. 40 MPH WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT SUDDENLY FELT AS IF SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE ON THIS DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO CODES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKING SYSTEM THOROUGHLY BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF MY ISSUE. ONE MONTH LATER (8/17/13), THE SAME "SEVERE UNINTENDED BRAKING" HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN 1/2-3/4 OF A MILE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME OR THEY WOULD HAVE HIT ME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT MY INVOLVEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536034

50,902 miles · Aug 9, 2013
EngineStructureSuspension

IN A ROUTINE VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION A HONDA DEALER FAILED MY WIFE'S 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN (50902 MILES) FOR TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS (FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE) AND A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT. I DID NOT AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A NEW, LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY …

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IN A ROUTINE VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION A HONDA DEALER FAILED MY WIFE'S 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN (50902 MILES) FOR TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS (FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE) AND A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT. I DID NOT AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A NEW, LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY WIFE DROVE THE VAN GENTLY SINCE IT WAS NEW. BECAUSE THE PROJECTED REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS, "CRACKED" COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS AND OTHER UNSPECIFIED BUSHINGS WERE EXPECTED TO BE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, I TOOK THE VAN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP DID ESTABLISH THAT THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND THAT THE OTHER ISSUES, HOWEVER, WERE SPURIOUS. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP AGREED TO REPAIR THE VAN FOR $368. I THINK THAT HONDA HAS IN THIS CASE DESIGNED AND PRODUCED FAULTY MOTOR MOUNTS (I THINK THAT EACH HONDA ODYSSEY ENGINE HAS 5 MOTOR MOUNTS). I ALSO THINK THAT HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY MOTOR MOUNTS AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNERS AND SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS (CURRENT AND PRIOR) FOR ANY RELATED REPAIR COSTS. SINCE A FAULTY MOTOR MOUNT TRIGGERED A REJECTION IN A VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, THIS HONDA MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE ISSUE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534501

41,886 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

VSA INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VSA SYSTEM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. DEALERSHIP STATES DOES NOT KNOW REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. NOW DEALERSHIP ORDERS "REPLACE VSA CONTROL U…

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VSA INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VSA SYSTEM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. DEALERSHIP STATES DOES NOT KNOW REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. NOW DEALERSHIP ORDERS "REPLACE VSA CONTROL UNIT, REPLACE 47 PIN VSA CONNECTOR, BLEED SYSTEM, PERFORM SENSOR NEUTRAL MEMORIZATION PROCEDURE, AND TEST DRIVE." I AM CONCERNED THAT CURRENT PROBLEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH PREVIOUS RECALL PROBLEM OR THAT REPAIR MADE DURING RECALL DID NOT ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP DENIES THIS BUT CANNOT EXPLAIN REASON FOR CURRENT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME THE DAMAGED PART(S). CONCERN: CAR HAD 41866 MILES AND WAS SERVICED AS REQUIRED. DEALERSHIP CANNOT IDENTIFY REASON FOR BREAKDOWN OF VSA PART OR SYSTEM. AS THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS PART IT APPEARS THAT THE CURRENT PROBLEM AND NEEDED REPAIRS MAY INDEED RELATE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534489

116,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WHILE PULLING OUT FROM WORK PARKING LOT, VSA LIGHT CAME ON, D LETTER GEAR WAS BLINKING, AND ENGINE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. RPM COULD NOT GET PASSED 3000. ALSO, CHECKED ENGINE OIL WHEN GOT HOME AND IT APPEARED TO BE LOW. THE VEHICLE JUST GOT OIL CHANGED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533962

45,661 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Air BagsEngineService BrakesCrashInjury

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVVED, BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING A MEDIAN AND RAMMING INTO A TREE AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ENGINE CUT-OFF. THIS LEFT ME WITH BURNS ON THE SKIN OF MY ARMS AND NECK AREA. I HAVE …

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WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVVED, BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING A MEDIAN AND RAMMING INTO A TREE AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ENGINE CUT-OFF. THIS LEFT ME WITH BURNS ON THE SKIN OF MY ARMS AND NECK AREA. I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN THIS VAN FOR SIX YEARS AND AM CERTAIN THAT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AS THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WAS LEFT INOPERABLE. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR DEALERSHIP THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WITHIN THE COLUMN, BUT DID NOT ENTER THE CABIN AS IT WAS NOT VISIBLE AND WAS CAUGHT WITHIN THE SEAT BELT PILLAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533676

54,000 miles · Aug 4, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING BEHIND SOMEONE THAT STOPPED SHORT AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND FELT LIKE NOTHING WAS THERE!!! IT TURNED INTO A THREE CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY THREE CHILDREN, AGES 10, 2 AND 1. IT STOPPED VERY LIGHTLY. I ALSO FIND THAT I CAN'T STOP WHERE I INTEND TO AND THAT THE CAR CONTINUALLY ONLY LETS ME DO "ROLLING" STOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533534

800,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS JUST ENTERING HIGHWAY VIA RAMP AND ACCELERATING TO MERGE. AS SOON AS THE SPEED HIT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, IT SUDDENLY PUT THE BRAKE AND DROPPED THE SPEED TO ABOUT 40MPH. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO GO BEYOND THE SPEED, IT SUDDENLY PUT THE BRAKE. I COULD NOT GET THE SPEED TO GO BEYOND 55MPH. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND ALSO…

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I WAS JUST ENTERING HIGHWAY VIA RAMP AND ACCELERATING TO MERGE. AS SOON AS THE SPEED HIT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, IT SUDDENLY PUT THE BRAKE AND DROPPED THE SPEED TO ABOUT 40MPH. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO GO BEYOND THE SPEED, IT SUDDENLY PUT THE BRAKE. I COULD NOT GET THE SPEED TO GO BEYOND 55MPH. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND ALSO FOR THE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. I EVENTUALLY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE KEY OFF TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 5MINUTES AND THEN I STARTED THE CAR. THAT TIME, NO PROBLEM. THE EXACTLY SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED THREE OTHER TIMES RATHER RANDOMLY. EVERY TIME, I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR FEW MINUTES IT RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO ON THE PHONE TO HONDA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR, HE JUST SAID THAT THE RECALL IS FOR PILOT ONLY AND THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ODYSSEY HAVING THIS ISSUE. SO, I AM ADDING MY NAME TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINS WITH THE HOPE THAT HONDA TAKES THIS SERIOUSLY. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531735

61,170 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Service Brakes

CAR BRAKES SPONTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS CLOGGED. THEY CLEANED IT AND DID SOMETHING TO THE ROTORS, AND I HAD NO TROUBLE FOR A YEAR. THEN TODAY, 7/24/13, IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. IT WAS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE I WAS…

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CAR BRAKES SPONTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS CLOGGED. THEY CLEANED IT AND DID SOMETHING TO THE ROTORS, AND I HAD NO TROUBLE FOR A YEAR. THEN TODAY, 7/24/13, IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. IT WAS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE I WAS GOING ABOUT 45-50 AND THE BRAKES JUST SLAMMED ON ALL BY THEMSELVES! I AM TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW, BUT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531610

Official recalls

4

14V112000 · 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

3

PE13024 · 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.