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

100,100 miles · Jul 11, 2012

Structure

TRUCK TAILGATE HOLDER FAILED AND HIT DRIVER ON THE BACK. IT SLAMMED CLOSED AND WOULD NOT STAY OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465255

41,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012

Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE CONDENSER WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERE…

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NHTSA ODI #10463457

106,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012

Structure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE AND NOTICED THAT IT HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HEAVY AND WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V062000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: SUPPORT DEVICE) BUT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED THE 2008-2009 HONDA ODYSSEY VEHICLES AND NOT THE 2007 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462307

35,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012

Structure

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THE REAR TAILGATE STRUTS ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY VAN FAILED ONCE I OPENED IT. THE HEAVY TAILGATE BEGAN TO CLOSE ON ME WHILE I WAS UNDER IT AND HAD I NOT NOTICED IT COMING DOWN IT WOULD HAVE CRUSHED ME. I'M ELDERLY AND STRUGGLED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE TAILGATE AS I CAUGHT IT. THE PASSENGER-SIDE STRUT COMPLETELY FAILED, LEAKING SOME KIND OF FLUID OUT OF IT AND THE DRIVER-SIDE STRUT IS ALSO LEAKING. THESE LEAKS AND FAILURES WERE SUDDEN AS I HAD RECENTLY WASHED THE VAN A DAY BEFORE AND DID NOT FIND ANY LEAKS WHEN I CLEANED THE TAILGATE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462204

35,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012

TiresWheels

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GOING SOUTH ON HWY 5 FROM JUST OUTSIDE SACRAMENT, (BY FREEPORT) WE STRUCK SOMETHING NOT VISIBLE IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WARNED US WE HAD A FLAT AND NOT TO EXCEED 50 MPH. OUR MINIVAN WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PAX SYSTEM RUN FLAT TIRES AND NO SPARE. WE PULLED OF THE HWY AT ELK GROVE AND CALLED THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. IT WAS ALMOST 5PM AND THEY SAID COULD NOT HELP UNTIL TUESDAY. THE MANUAL SAID WE COULD GO 125 MILES WITH A FLAT TIRE AND OUR HOME WAS LESS THAN 60 MILES AWAY SO WE PUT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 50 MPH ON HWY 5, THEN HWY 12 WEST, AND THEN HWY 160 SOUTH. JUST NORTH OF THE ANTIOCH BRIDGE THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SHREDDED AND WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE FOR OVER AN HOUR UNTIL AAA PROVIDED ASSISTANCE. I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND HONDA ON TUESDAY FOLLOWING AND MICHELIN OFFERED TO PAY 30% OF THE COST OF A NEW TIRE BUT NOTHING TOWARDS THE COST OF REMOVING THE TIRE AND PUTTING A NEW ONE ON. HONDA OFFERED NOTHING. I REJECTED MICHELIN'S OFFER AND THEY RAISED IT TO 50 % AND I STILL REJECTED IT AND WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS AND TIRES BECAUSE WE FEEL THE RUN FLAT SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460307

60,000 miles · May 22, 2012

Structure

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER INTERMITTENLY FAILS TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THIS OCCURS WHEN USING THE REMOTE, DRIVER BUTTONS, OR THE DOOR HANDLES (INTERIOR & EXTERIOR). IT APPEARS TO JUMP OFF THE TRACK. WE HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A HONDA DEALER NO LESS THAN 3 TIMES. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2007 O…

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NHTSA ODI #10459320

60,000 miles · May 22, 2012

Air BagsService BrakesCrash

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TYPICAL HONDA ODYSSEY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. WE'VE HAD THIS BRAKE ISSUE SINCE NEW. MULTIPLE RECALLS, ADJUSTMENTS, ETC... HONDA FOR SOME REASON CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. OUR VAN WAS WRECKED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID BRAKE PROBLEM. THE FIRST WRECKED HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED A FRONT END COLLISION. I TOOK IT TO HONDA AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEN THE SECOND WRECK OCCURRED. SAME REASON AS THE FIRST. THAT'S TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN 1.5 YEAR TIME SPAN. EACH TIME THE DAMAGE EXCEEDED $10,000. BOTH ACCIDENTS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE SOFT AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN FAST ENOUGH. OH, DID I FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN EITHER ACCIDENT. WHAT'S THE POINT IN HAVING AIRBAGS IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN A MAJOR FRONT END COLLISION. THIS VEHICLE IS FLAT OUT DANGEROUS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459209

95,000 miles · May 21, 2012

Structure

PAINT ON THE ROOF PEELING ON TOP. CAN SEE METAL NOW AND STARTED AS BUBBLE. WORRIED ABOUT RUSTING. CONTACTED DEALER THEY ARE DOING NOTHING. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459151

43,000 miles · May 18, 2012

Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 30 MPH, THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND…

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NHTSA ODI #10458903

40,000 miles · Apr 20, 2012

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUBMITTED A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTUR…

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NHTSA ODI #10455850

Official recalls

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

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.