NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
830 reports18,000 miles · Apr 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF SERVICE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT WHEN I NOTICED IT. THE NEXT DAY, MY VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD A/C. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT A SMALL PEBBLE HAD BROKEN ONE OF …
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF SERVICE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT WHEN I NOTICED IT. THE NEXT DAY, MY VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD A/C. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT A SMALL PEBBLE HAD BROKEN ONE OF THE FINS ON THE AC CONDENSER. IT WOULD COST $850.00 TO FIX IT. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL WEAR AND TEAR NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS. WHAT'S MORE, ONCE I REPLACE THIS, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT ANOTHER PEBBLE WON'T FLY INTO THE GRILLE AGAIN BASED ON IT'S LOCATION. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER LOSES BIG HERE. WE'VE HAD TO DRIVE AND SAVE FOR 6 MONTHS TO GET THIS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264491
42,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Steering
HONDA ODYSSEY. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES, BUZZES OR HUMS. HONDA ISSUED A BULLETIN (HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-005 APPLICABLE TO ALL 05-07 AND SOME 08 VANS) STATING THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR IS DEFECTIVE, REQUIRING A NEW PUMP, FILTER AND FLUID. HOWEVER, THEY WILL ONLY PROVI…
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HONDA ODYSSEY. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES, BUZZES OR HUMS. HONDA ISSUED A BULLETIN (HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-005 APPLICABLE TO ALL 05-07 AND SOME 08 VANS) STATING THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR IS DEFECTIVE, REQUIRING A NEW PUMP, FILTER AND FLUID. HOWEVER, THEY WILL ONLY PROVIDE REPLACEMENT IF UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS THE METAL SHAVING OR OTHER PARTICLES MY IMPACT THE STEERING AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263764
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS ONGOING BRAKE PEDAL PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND IT WOULD DROP FROM UNDER HER FEET. THE DEALER BLED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE REAR HATCH DID NOT STAY UP ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRUTS ON THE HATCH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10262308
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #10260528
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2009
Power Train
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW, 2007, HONDA ODYSSEY I NOTICED A RELUCTANT FEELING WHEN I DROVE IT. EVEN WHEN I DROVE IT AROUND TOWN FOR EVERYDAY ERRANDS OR IF NEEDED TO TAKE LONG TRIPS I STILL FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS FIGHTING ME. EACH TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR IN I WOULD ASK THEM TO LOOK THE CAR OVER FOR A PROBLEM THA…
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ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW, 2007, HONDA ODYSSEY I NOTICED A RELUCTANT FEELING WHEN I DROVE IT. EVEN WHEN I DROVE IT AROUND TOWN FOR EVERYDAY ERRANDS OR IF NEEDED TO TAKE LONG TRIPS I STILL FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS FIGHTING ME. EACH TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR IN I WOULD ASK THEM TO LOOK THE CAR OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT WOULD CONVEY WHY I WAS HAVING THIS BUCKING FEELING. MY FIRST DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT WAS IN APRIL OF 2008. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. MY SECOND COMPLAINT WAS OCTOBER OF 2008 STATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN TO DCH KAY HONDA IN OLD BRIDGE WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR THEY FOUND NOTHING. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MY BROTHER DROVE IN MY CAR IN THE WINTER OF 2009, WHEN HE SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION DEALER AND GET IT CHECKED. I KNEW THAT IF AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION DEALER LOOKED AT IT OR TOOK IT APART MY WARRANTY WOULD BE VOID SO I FOUND ONE WHO TOOK IT FOR A ROAD TEST AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING DOWN TO 4TH AND SOME HOW JUMPING INTO 5TH AUTOMATICALLY. AFTER THIS I TOOK IT TO DCH KAY HONDA IN EATONTOWN AND STATED WHAT WAS FOUND OUT IN FEB. OF 2009. THEY SAID AGAIN THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. I STILL HAVE A RELUCTANT FEELING WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR BUT FEEL AS THOUGH MY TIME IS BEING WASTED BY RUNNING BACK AND FORTH TO THESE DEALERS. I NOT ONLY LOOSE TIME, MONEY BUT MY CAR WHILE EITHER WAITING FOR IT OR BEING WITHOUT AT HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260503
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2009
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
MY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY HONDA ODYSSEY MAY BE MORE OF A MANUFACTURER OVERSIGHT THAT MAY NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE HARM TO ITS OCCUPANTS/OTHER DRIVERS, BUT RATHER POTENTIAL HARM TO ITS OCCUPANTS OTHER DRIVERS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY GO ON MANUALLY. WHILE …
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MY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY HONDA ODYSSEY MAY BE MORE OF A MANUFACTURER OVERSIGHT THAT MAY NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE HARM TO ITS OCCUPANTS/OTHER DRIVERS, BUT RATHER POTENTIAL HARM TO ITS OCCUPANTS OTHER DRIVERS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY GO ON MANUALLY. WHILE THIS IS FINE DURING THE DAY, IT POSES THE POTENTIAL HARM AT NIGHT WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND THEY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT. I LIVE IN A CITY AND A FEW TIMES AT NIGHT WHILE LEAVING A VERY LIT AREA, I HAVE FAILED TO TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE WITH THE DASHLIGHTS ON I HAVE FORGOTTEN. WHILE THESE OCCURRENCES WERE MY ERROR, I FEEL THAT WITH CAR LIGHTING IT NEEDS TO BE ALL OR NOTHING. WHILE THE MANUFACTURERS MAY SEE THIS FEATURE AS A CONVENIENCE I SEE IT AS A HAZARD. IF THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME, THEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE ON. DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT IS HAZARDOUS TO ALL AROUND AND AS I SAID, I LIVE IN A CITY WHERE IT IS BRIGHTLY LIT AND MANY TIMES THE STREETS ARE SO BRIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE FOR MY LIGHTING BUT RATHER JUST MAKE ME NOTICEABLE TO OTHERS. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED. I KNOW THAT OTHER CARS HAVE AN AUTO FUNCTION, WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS CAN BE LEFT ON ALL OF THE TIME TO GO ON WHEN IT GETS DARK AND THIS WOULD BE A SAFER FEATURE THAN HAVING THEM MANUALLY OPERATED WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME. OR THEY CAN MAKE IT SO THAT THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. LIKE I SAID, WITH LIGHTS IS NEEDS TO BE ALL OR NOTHING (ALL MANUAL OR ALL AUTOMATIC, NOT HALF AND HALF). IT IS JUST TOO CONFUSING AND IN MY CASE, LIKELY TO BE FORGOTTEN. WHILE THIS ISSUE MAY NOT HAVE CAUSED HARM YET, I DO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS SUFFICIENT POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS A FAILURE ON THE MANUFACTURERS PART TO SAVE MONEY, BUT IT HAS MADE A MINI VAN (WHICH IS KNOWN FOR SAFETY) TO FEEL UNSAFE. ESTIMATED DATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259802
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OUR 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE FAILURE AT 2,700 MILES DUE TO RUST BUILD-UP ON THE ROTORS. THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE REAR ROTORS AGAIN FAILED AT 17,820 MILES AND HAD TO BE RESURFACED. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUED FAILURE CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258474
15,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Wheels
GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WAS VERY AUDIBLE IN THE CABIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ONCE AND DEALERSHIP ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SIX MONTHS LATER THE GRINDING NOISE GOT WORSE. TOOK IT IN A SECOND TIME AND THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 15K MILES …
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GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WAS VERY AUDIBLE IN THE CABIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ONCE AND DEALERSHIP ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SIX MONTHS LATER THE GRINDING NOISE GOT WORSE. TOOK IT IN A SECOND TIME AND THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 15K MILES SO IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256615
15,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CAR WILL NOT STOP UNLESS THE DRIVER EXERT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND STATED THAT IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR FOR THE REMAINING VISITS. HONDA POSTED A FIX ON JANUARY 14, 2009 ON SERVICE BULLETIN 07-045…
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THE CAR WILL NOT STOP UNLESS THE DRIVER EXERT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND STATED THAT IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR FOR THE REMAINING VISITS. HONDA POSTED A FIX ON JANUARY 14, 2009 ON SERVICE BULLETIN 07-045. THE FIX SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT REDUCES THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256113
24,000 miles · Jan 17, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN STOPPING AS I APPROACHED AN ALREADY STOPPED VEHICLE. I BEGAN MY STOP EARLY TO MAKE SURE I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS FELT SOFT/SPONGY. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE MINI VAN SLOWED DOWN BUT THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THE MINI VAN…
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I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN STOPPING AS I APPROACHED AN ALREADY STOPPED VEHICLE. I BEGAN MY STOP EARLY TO MAKE SURE I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS FELT SOFT/SPONGY. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE MINI VAN SLOWED DOWN BUT THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THE MINI VAN HAS ABS AND SO I CONTINUED TO PRESS HARDER. THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WAS ROLLING AS IF THE PEDAL WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED. THEN THE MINI VAN ROLLED AS IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT ON AT ALL. I HAD TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AND DEPRESS IT AGAIN. AT THIS TIME I HAD TO STEER THE MINI VAN TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME TO AVOID HITTING IT. AFTER THAT EVENT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND TO THE DEALER. AFTER TELLING MY WIFE ABOUT THE EVENT SHE SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT IT HAD HAPPENED TO HER BEFORE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. THEY CALLED HONDA AND HONDA HAD THEM REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR AND BLEED THE SYSTEM. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY INCIDENT AND I COULD ONLY HOPE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. I DO FEAR FOR OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH THIS PROBLEM DOES SEEM TO HAPPEN OFTEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255386
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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