NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
830 reports39,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Service Brakes, Air
2007 ODYSSEY WITH SOFT BRAKES. THE RECALL FIX WAS DONE IN SUMMER 2010. ABOUT LATE NOVEMBER 2010 EARLY DECEMBER 2010, I NOTICED THE BRAKES FELT SOFT AGAIN. ON 12/13/2010, I TOOK CAR INTO HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR A ROTATION/OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK THE BRAKES. AGAIN, THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE. THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN THAT THE…
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2007 ODYSSEY WITH SOFT BRAKES. THE RECALL FIX WAS DONE IN SUMMER 2010. ABOUT LATE NOVEMBER 2010 EARLY DECEMBER 2010, I NOTICED THE BRAKES FELT SOFT AGAIN. ON 12/13/2010, I TOOK CAR INTO HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR A ROTATION/OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK THE BRAKES. AGAIN, THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE. THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN THAT THE RECALL SOLUTION WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX. SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS FIXED THIS TIME. I DROVE IT HOME, ABOUT 6 MILES, AND PARKED IT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. MY WIFE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE WHEN SHE CALLED SAYING THE BRAKES WERE RANDOMLY GOING FROM REALLY SOFT TO HER NOT BEING ABLE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AN INCH. SHE IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR AND WAS SCARED TO DEATH. ULTIMATELY, WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE SAME HONDA DEALERSHIP. PRIOR TO THE TOW, THE VSA LIGHT AND VSA INDICATOR STAYED ON AND THEN WENT OFF. ALL THIS INFO WAS PROVIDED TO "MIKE" AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP...IMMEDIATELY...AND I MEAN IMMEDIATELY...HONDA AGREED TO PAY THE TOW, FIX THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE ME A RENTAL. THE CAR IS TO BE FIXED ON 12/14/2010. THIS IS NOT GOOD. HONDA CORPORATE.....ARE YOU LISTENING....YOU HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM...YOU KNOW IT....FIX IT BEFORE YOU END UP IN COURT PAYING MILLIONS IN MISERABLE COMFORT TO RELATIVES OF LOST LOVED ONES...BY THE WAY MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE IN THAT VEHICLE EVERYDAY...GET MY POINT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370499
36,079 miles · Dec 8, 2010
EquipmentService Brakes, Air
ON JULY 12, 2010, I TOOK OUR 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY) MEL RAPTON HONDA FOR THE BRAKE RECALL REQUESTED BY HONDA AMERICA. I WAS CALLED AT 12:20 P.M. BY YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. AT 2:00 P.M., I ARRIVED, PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO MAITA TOYOTA TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND WHER…
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ON JULY 12, 2010, I TOOK OUR 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY) MEL RAPTON HONDA FOR THE BRAKE RECALL REQUESTED BY HONDA AMERICA. I WAS CALLED AT 12:20 P.M. BY YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. AT 2:00 P.M., I ARRIVED, PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO MAITA TOYOTA TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND WHERE HE WAS HAVING OUR TOYOTA SERVICED. AS I APPROACHED THE VERY FIRST STOP LIGHT AT FULTON AND THE ENTRANCE TO I-80, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WITH MY FOOT PRESSED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I RAN THE STOP LIGHT, AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYONE. AT THE SECOND LIGHT I CAME UPON AT AUBURN AND FULTON WAS GREEN AND I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I ONCE AGAIN COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER, SCRATCHING THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER. I PROMPTLY CALLED MY HUSBAND AND INFORMED HIM I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE MY ASSUMPTION WAS THE BRAKES WERE FULLY INSPECTED AND FUNCTIONAL PRIOR TO ME LEAVING MEL RAPTON HONDA. I CALLED BACK TO MEL RAPTON SERVICE DEPARTMENT, LEAVING A MESSAGE FOR THE SERVICE ADVISOR ANTHONY MOTLEY THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT WITH MY BRAKES. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME BACK ASKING THAT I DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MEL RAPTON, EVEN THOUGH I STATED I BELIEVED THAT I HAD NO FUNCTIONAL BRAKES BEYOND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I CAUIOUSLY DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK, I HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TWICE IN ORDER STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID RUNNING ANY MORE RED LIGHTS OR HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. I WAS SHOCKED THAT YOUR SERVICE ADVISOR SUGGESTED THAT I DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VSA MODULATOR LIGHT CAME ON AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK. THEY SAID THEY "REPAIRED" THE VSA AND BRAKES, BUT NEVER THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, MEL RAPTON REFUSES TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR REPAIRS AND HONDA AMERICA ISN'T HELPING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369687
47,500 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR STRUT SUPPORT FOR THE REAR HATCHBACK FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND BOTH REAR STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR STRUT SUPPORT FOR THE REAR HATCHBACK FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND BOTH REAR STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,500.
NHTSA ODI #10369366
28,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE ACCELERATING ABOUT 45 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR CAME TO A DEAD STOP THEN STARTED GOING AGAIN. THERE WAS NO TIME TO REACT AND THINGS FLEW FORWARD IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #10370009
2,000 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Steering
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY STEERING CONTINUALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THREE YEARS, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS THE INTERNET, ESPECIALLY THE FORUM ON EDMUNDS: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F17A7B3/0 …
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY STEERING CONTINUALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THREE YEARS, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS THE INTERNET, ESPECIALLY THE FORUM ON EDMUNDS: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F17A7B3/0 (REFER TO POST #23 AND MORE SPECIFICALLY IT LOOKS LIKE THE STRUTS WERE ASSEMBLED WRONG FROM THE FACTORY AS SEEN ON POST #103). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368029
68,265 miles · Nov 26, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
THE ALTERNATOR FROZE UP CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP AND GENERATE HEAT. A BURNING SMELL WAS THE FIRST DETECTION OF A PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH. AS A PRECAUTION, THE CAR WAS RETURNED HOME. THE PLASTIC CASING ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER IMMEDIATELY. THE FIRE DEPARTM…
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THE ALTERNATOR FROZE UP CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP AND GENERATE HEAT. A BURNING SMELL WAS THE FIRST DETECTION OF A PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH. AS A PRECAUTION, THE CAR WAS RETURNED HOME. THE PLASTIC CASING ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER IMMEDIATELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND RESPONDED TO CONFIRM THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE PART WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367867
15,000 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES NUMEROUS TIMES WITH BRAKES, AND STEERING. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES NUMEROUS TIMES WITH BRAKES, AND STEERING. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. HE HAD TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURES. THE DEALER REMOVED AIR FROM THE HYDRAULIC FLUID, BUT THE REPAIR DIDN'T CORRECT THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE WHEELS WERE ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE STEERING FAILURE WASN'T CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10367311
30,000 miles · Nov 22, 2010
Steering
DRIVING LONG DISTANCE (>100 MILES) CAR MAKES LOW BUZZING - WHINING NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367128
30,000 miles · Nov 22, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
BRAKES ACTIVATING ON THEIR OWN. IN EARLY 2010 (AROUND FEBRUARY/MARCH), THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR THE FIRST TIME. MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WITH OUR THREE KIDS AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. SHE PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION. I WAS ABOUT 1 MILE BEHIND HER IN MY VEHICLE AND SHE CALLED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT HAP…
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BRAKES ACTIVATING ON THEIR OWN. IN EARLY 2010 (AROUND FEBRUARY/MARCH), THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR THE FIRST TIME. MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WITH OUR THREE KIDS AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. SHE PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION. I WAS ABOUT 1 MILE BEHIND HER IN MY VEHICLE AND SHE CALLED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I PULLED OVER AT THE GAS STATION AND HAD MY WIFE AND KIDS SWITCH CARS WITH ME. MY WIFE NEVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF WHEN SHE STOPPED. I CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE 3 OR 4 MORE TIMES AS A DROVE THE VAN TO THE CLOSEST HONDA DEALER (ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES FROM WHERE THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED). MANY MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON 11/8/2010 AND 11/16/2010. ON THE 11/8/2010 INCIDENT, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED AND THE VSA INDICATOR FLICKERED AND THEN STAYED ON. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VAN HOME. I DROVE THE VAN TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY - NO INCIDENT. THE DEALER REPORTED 8 CODES INDICATED WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER, BUT ALL CHECKED OUT OK. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 11/16 AND NO VSA LIGHT - DEALER INDICATED NO CODES INDICATED WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER. DEALER HAS HAD THE VAN SINCE 11/16/2010 - WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THE DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367094
1,000 miles · Nov 21, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EVEN DEALER HAS BEEN CHANGED ABS MODULE TWICE. THE LAST TIME IN SERVICE TO SEAL THE AIR LEAKED INTO ABS MODULE AS RECALL BUT IT WON'T HELP. BRAKE IS STILL SOFT AND NOT STOP AS DRIVER DESIRED. THIS VAN HAS BEEN IN 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND 5TH IN JOHN EAGLE HONDA IN HOUSTON TX. DEALER COULDN'T FIX THI…
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BRAKE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EVEN DEALER HAS BEEN CHANGED ABS MODULE TWICE. THE LAST TIME IN SERVICE TO SEAL THE AIR LEAKED INTO ABS MODULE AS RECALL BUT IT WON'T HELP. BRAKE IS STILL SOFT AND NOT STOP AS DRIVER DESIRED. THIS VAN HAS BEEN IN 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND 5TH IN JOHN EAGLE HONDA IN HOUSTON TX. DEALER COULDN'T FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367024
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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