IllustrationMY HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 HAS VERY SOFT BRAKES. THE DEALER FIRST SAID IT WAS NORMAL BUT ON THE SECOND VISIT IS KEEPING THE CAR TO BLEED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES AND THE CAR TAKES ALMOST 200 FEET TO FULLY STOP AT TIMES. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Odyssey years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1490–25K
15625–50K
12650–75K
7675–100K
105100–150K
60150K+
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 reports2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. ENGINE HAS ALWAYS PINGED AND I'M UNSURE IF HONDA ADMITS THERE'S A PROBLEM AND I'M UNSURE IF THEY'RE WORKING ON A RESOLUTION. SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F153159/59?@558.NZXYAJTFXTG@ EVERYONE COMPLAINS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I HAVE HAD THE VAN CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. EVE…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. ENGINE HAS ALWAYS PINGED AND I'M UNSURE IF HONDA ADMITS THERE'S A PROBLEM AND I'M UNSURE IF THEY'RE WORKING ON A RESOLUTION. SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F153159/59?@558.NZXYAJTFXTG@ EVERYONE COMPLAINS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I HAVE HAD THE VAN CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. EVEN WITH PREMIUM UNLEADED, THERE IS SOME PING WHILE DRIVING UP STEEP HILLS, BUT PREMIUM DOES MAKE THE PINGING SUBSIDE SOMEWHAT. *TR
1. NORMAL DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND FREEWAY. 2. ENGINE PINGING, EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. LONG TERM EFFECT (ENGINE DAMAGE). 3. HONDA HAS TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE 5 TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. TECH LINE STATES THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NO KNOWN RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. THE MOST RECENT LETTER FROM HONDA WAS NOTHING IS…
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1. NORMAL DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND FREEWAY. 2. ENGINE PINGING, EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. LONG TERM EFFECT (ENGINE DAMAGE). 3. HONDA HAS TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE 5 TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. TECH LINE STATES THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NO KNOWN RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. THE MOST RECENT LETTER FROM HONDA WAS NOTHING IS WRONG EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER STATES THE PINGING IS NOT NORMAL. *TR
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN. BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AFTER 10,000 MILES. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND MODULE (TWICE), AS WELL AS BLEEDING THE LINES OVER 4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX. NOW THEY ARE BEGINNING TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR, EVEN THOUGH THE CHANGE WAS SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC AND THE …
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN. BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AFTER 10,000 MILES. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND MODULE (TWICE), AS WELL AS BLEEDING THE LINES OVER 4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX. NOW THEY ARE BEGINNING TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR, EVEN THOUGH THE CHANGE WAS SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC AND THE VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
BRAKES WITH SOFT PEDAL AND FRONT NOISE. PROBLEM WAS FIRST TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 02-02-08. THROUGH RESEARCH FROM CONTACTS AT HONDA I FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A PROPORTIONING VALVE OR ABS MODULATOR. THE FLAW IS ALLOWING AIR TO GET INTO THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING SOFT PEDAL AND DECREASED PERFORMANCE. IT APPEA…
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BRAKES WITH SOFT PEDAL AND FRONT NOISE. PROBLEM WAS FIRST TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 02-02-08. THROUGH RESEARCH FROM CONTACTS AT HONDA I FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A PROPORTIONING VALVE OR ABS MODULATOR. THE FLAW IS ALLOWING AIR TO GET INTO THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING SOFT PEDAL AND DECREASED PERFORMANCE. IT APPEARS THAT MOST OF THE AIR IN THE LINES IS AFFECTING THE REAR BRAKES PERFORMANCE. I'M EXPERIENCING VERY HOT FRONT BRAKES AND I FEEL THIS IS CAUSING GLAZING AND THE NOISE. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AROUND THE 4,000 MILE RANGE. HONDA HAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IN THEIR SYSTEM WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR BLEEDING THE SYSTEM IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS VALVE/UNIT ALSO. IN MY CASE, I'M STILL EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND FRONT BRAKE NOISE. I HAVE FILED A 'LEMON LAW" CLAIM FOR MY VEHICLE WITH THE BBB AND HONDA. I CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF THESE TECHNICAL BULLETINS UPON REQUEST. I HAVE ALSO DONE A "GOOGLE" SEARCH FOR HONDA BRAKE PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ON THE POSTINGS I FOUND. *TR
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 16,450 MILES HAD BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL- NOISE AND GRINDING FEEL TO VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. FAILURE OF BEARING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN WHEEL SEIZING. *TR
HONDA ODYSSEY CONDENSER HAD A HOLE IN IT CAUSED BY "ROAD DEBRIS". REPAIRMAN SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH HONDA'S AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND I AM NOW HAVING TO PAY $1000 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE FORCE HONDA TO RECALL AND PUT A PROTECTION GRILL ON THESE CARS TO PREVENT T…
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HONDA ODYSSEY CONDENSER HAD A HOLE IN IT CAUSED BY "ROAD DEBRIS". REPAIRMAN SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH HONDA'S AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND I AM NOW HAVING TO PAY $1000 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE FORCE HONDA TO RECALL AND PUT A PROTECTION GRILL ON THESE CARS TO PREVENT THIS COMMON OCCURRENCE!!!! *TR
THE VEHICLE WE ARE REPORTING AN ISSUE WITH IS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED LAST OCTOBER SO IT IS LESS THEN 1 YEAR OLD AND HAS LESS THEN 5,000 MILES ON IT. ON TUESDAY 8/12/2008 THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR CLOSED ON MY 2 YEAR OLDS HAND. THE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED IN 2 WAYS A) THE DOOR HAS A SENSOR…
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THE VEHICLE WE ARE REPORTING AN ISSUE WITH IS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED LAST OCTOBER SO IT IS LESS THEN 1 YEAR OLD AND HAS LESS THEN 5,000 MILES ON IT. ON TUESDAY 8/12/2008 THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR CLOSED ON MY 2 YEAR OLDS HAND. THE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED IN 2 WAYS A) THE DOOR HAS A SENSOR BUILT IN THAT IF IT MEETS RESISTANCE IT BOUNCES BACK OPEN. IN THIS CASE THE DOOR DID NOT BOUNCE BACK OPEN AS IT SHOULD HAVE AND CLOSED ON MY KIDS HAND. B) ONCE THE DOOR HAD ALREADY CLOSED ON HIS HAND WE COULD NOT GET IT TO OPEN BACK UP AND MY KIDS HAND WAS STILL STUCK IN THE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE HIT THE OPEN BUTTON OR PULLED ON THE HANDLE. WE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE FOR HELP WHO IN TURN SENT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN EITHER EVEN WITH 4 BIG GUYS PULLING ON IT, THE FIRE MAN HAD TO USE A CROW BAR TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN. WE TOOK MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL FOR XRAYS AND THEY SAID THAT DUE TO HIS AGE IT IS THE ONLY REASON HE HAS NO BROKEN BONES (AT AGE 2 THE BONES ARE STILL SOFT AND ABLE TO FLEX) THEY DO SUSPECT HE MIGHT HAVE SOME FRACTURES SO THEY PUT HIM IN A SOFT CAST AND TOLD US TO SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH A HAND SURGEON TO INSPECT THE HAND TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO FRACTURES AND TO CHECK HIS GROWTH PALATES. THE FIREMAN, HOSPITAL, AND DOCTORS ALL TOLD US THE SAME THING THAT IF IT HAD BEEN MY 6 OR 4 YEAR OLD WHOSE HAND GOT STUCK WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH BROKEN BONES. NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US I DID A SEARCH ON LINE AND SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOORS ON HONDA ODYSSEY'S ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2000. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HONDA HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH UP UNTIL NOW. HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUES THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT AND NOT SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. *TR
ON 12/26/07, I HAD A VERY BAD ACCIDENT HITTING 2 CARS AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN OUR NEW 07 HONDA ODYSSEY DEPLOYED. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR, I WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE EXITING THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND TURNED ONTO THE OFF RAMP WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED; I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES REPEATEDLY AND THEY WERE SO …
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ON 12/26/07, I HAD A VERY BAD ACCIDENT HITTING 2 CARS AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN OUR NEW 07 HONDA ODYSSEY DEPLOYED. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR, I WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE EXITING THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND TURNED ONTO THE OFF RAMP WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED; I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES REPEATEDLY AND THEY WERE SO SOFT THEY WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE RAMP WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS LONG, SO WE WOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP IF THE BRAKES WORKED. THE RAMP WAS UPHILL AND BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT GO OFF, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WE WERE GOING FASTER AND FASTER UP THE OFF RAMP. WE HAD NO PREVIOUS WARNING AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PRIOR. AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP WAS A LIGHT THAT STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD, WE WERE THE FIRST OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE RAMP AND BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP, WE REACHED THE LIGHT (GREEN) FOR US, CROSSED OVER A MEDIAN AND HIT TWO CARS ON OTHER SIDE WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE AND CRASHED. I COULD NOT TURN DUE TO THE SPEED AND WE WOULD HAVE ROLLED IF I DID. EVERY AIR BAG IN OUR ODY DEPLOYED, THE SEAT BELTS HELD US BACK AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT HURT. DRIVER OF ONE OF THE CARS WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL; UNSURE OF HER INJURIES. AFTER 7 MONTHS OF OUR CAR BEING REPAIRED, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A HONDA DEALER WHO FINALLY TESTED THE CAR AND BRAKES AND DETERMINED THAT THE ABS/VSA MODULATOR CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND BRAKE LINES HAD AIR IN THEM. THEY REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY, BLED THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 ODYSSEY BRAKES. WE HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND CHECKUP JUST 2 DAYS BEFORE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. OUR BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER -- WE OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, AS THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, RATHER THAN BEING TOTALED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY LEADS TO EVENTUAL AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE AS CONDENSER IS NOT PROTECTED FROM DEBRIS (SUCH AS ROCKS) HITTING IT AND PUTTING A HOLE IN IT. HUNDREDS, IF NOT MORE, OF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Official recalls
414V112000 · 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
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.