NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
78 reportsClear category filter33,500 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Power Train
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 33,500 MILES AND SAME PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN. NOTICEABLE FLUTTER AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND A SERIOUS SHIFTING DOWNGRADE AT 20 MPH WHEN FOOT IS OFF ACCELERATOR. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THEY WOULD UPDATE COM…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 33,500 MILES AND SAME PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN. NOTICEABLE FLUTTER AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND A SERIOUS SHIFTING DOWNGRADE AT 20 MPH WHEN FOOT IS OFF ACCELERATOR. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THEY WOULD UPDATE COMPUTER AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK THEN THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312673
10,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION JUDDERING AND HESITATES BETWEEN 30MPH-50MPH. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY OR MAKING MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRES A QUICK INCREASE IN SPEED. THE HESITATION AND JUDDERING CREATES A VERY LARGE VIBRATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE MINIVAN. OUR ODYSSEY HAS HAD TWO SOFTWARE UPDATES AND IT APPEA…
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TRANSMISSION JUDDERING AND HESITATES BETWEEN 30MPH-50MPH. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY OR MAKING MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRES A QUICK INCREASE IN SPEED. THE HESITATION AND JUDDERING CREATES A VERY LARGE VIBRATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE MINIVAN. OUR ODYSSEY HAS HAD TWO SOFTWARE UPDATES AND IT APPEARS THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED NEXT. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE IT HAD 5,000 MILES. WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AT THE 10K SERVICE, HOWEVER, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ISSUE WAS PROBABLY FUEL RELATED. HOWEVER, ONE SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT IS MOST LIKELY A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN FIX FOR IT AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN HONDA HAS IDENTIFIED TWO SOFTWARE UPDATES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND IF THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED NEXT. WHAT WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD IS THAT IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN BAD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START PUTTING OUT METAL SHAVINGS THAT WILL GET INTO THE GEARS OF THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, HONDA WILL NOT COVER A NEW TRANSMISSION UNLESS IT CAN BE PROVEN THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED, THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS TRULY SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE OR ENOUGH OIL SHAVINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL. IT SEEMS THAT THE CONSENSUS IS THAT ODYSSEYS WITH THIS PROBLEM WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE A SHORTEN LIFE SPAN OF THEIR TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON OUR ODYSSEY. MY OPINION IS HONDA IS TRYING PATCH A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES MAJOR SURGERY WITH BAND AIDS, HOPING THEY CAN GET BEYOND THEIR REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I GUESS UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED, THIS WILL NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THIS IS A SHAME WE HAVE OWNED A HONDA OR ACURA FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS AND THEIR REPUTATION HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311602
200 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LUNGING FORWARD AND HESITATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED GEARS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 55 MPH. SHE NOTICED A LOW PITCH NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE DELAY IN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE VEHIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LUNGING FORWARD AND HESITATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED GEARS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 55 MPH. SHE NOTICED A LOW PITCH NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE DELAY IN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2007. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HER HARMONICS WAS THE EXPLANATION FOR THE NOISE BUT DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.
NHTSA ODI #10307925
30,000 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT SHE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY TO ALLOW A POLICE VEHICLE TO PASS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT SHE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY TO ALLOW A POLICE VEHICLE TO PASS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, SHE BEGAN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE TO MERGE OUT OF TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT FULL SPEED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED OVER THE MEDIAN ONTO THE GRASS. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND ADVISED THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENTS THEREAFTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10303067
41,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. IN MARCH 2009, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AROUND THE WHEEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPAIRED. IN DECEMBER 2009, SHE NOTICED THE SAME SOUND ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WHICH SHE NOTED AS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. SHE STATED THAT AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE ACTUALL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. IN MARCH 2009, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AROUND THE WHEEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPAIRED. IN DECEMBER 2009, SHE NOTICED THE SAME SOUND ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WHICH SHE NOTED AS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. SHE STATED THAT AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE ACTUALLY LOST POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AND HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE; THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AS WELL IN REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING AT NO CHARGE. THEY OFFERED HER 25% OFF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 02/13/10 *BF UPDATED 02/16/10.*JB UPDATED 02/18/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10302211
53,956 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Power Train
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. HAD 2 MANUFACTURE SOFTWARE UPDATES DONE AND THE RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY UNSTABLE AT MAINTAINING SPEED AT 25-45 MPH AND AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. WET ROADS AND RAINY CONDITIONS MAKE THE PROBLEMS VARY DANGEROUS IN TRYING TO KEEP ROAD TRACTION AND CON…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. HAD 2 MANUFACTURE SOFTWARE UPDATES DONE AND THE RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY UNSTABLE AT MAINTAINING SPEED AT 25-45 MPH AND AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. WET ROADS AND RAINY CONDITIONS MAKE THE PROBLEMS VARY DANGEROUS IN TRYING TO KEEP ROAD TRACTION AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10301750
53,000 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. SHE NOTICED A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO HESITATE WHENEVER IT REACHED 40 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. SHE NOTICED A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO HESITATE WHENEVER IT REACHED 40 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HER SINCE THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,068. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
NHTSA ODI #10296664
41,200 miles · Nov 1, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
BOUGHT A HONDA ODYSSEY 07. AT 2722 NOSTRAND AVE, BROOKLYN. NY. 11210. ENGINE PINGING, TRANSMISSION IS INTERMITTENT JUDDER,DEALER SAID USES 93 OCTANE GAS FOR PINGING, JUDDER CAN'T FIND , THERE ARE BIG THING ABOUT HONDA ENGINE PINGING AND TRANSMISSION JERKING, BUT THEY DENIED TO FIX IT.....IT SHOW ON WWW. HONDAPROBLEMS.COM OR O…
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BOUGHT A HONDA ODYSSEY 07. AT 2722 NOSTRAND AVE, BROOKLYN. NY. 11210. ENGINE PINGING, TRANSMISSION IS INTERMITTENT JUDDER,DEALER SAID USES 93 OCTANE GAS FOR PINGING, JUDDER CAN'T FIND , THERE ARE BIG THING ABOUT HONDA ENGINE PINGING AND TRANSMISSION JERKING, BUT THEY DENIED TO FIX IT.....IT SHOW ON WWW. HONDAPROBLEMS.COM OR ODYCLUB.COM I HAD BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER FOR THE LAST TWO MONTH, AND PROBLEM STILL DIDN'T GET FIX...I SPEND ALL MY MONEY ON A PIECE OF JUNK....AND THEY IGNORE THE PROBLEMS..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290496
58,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Power Train
HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILED (TORQUE NEEDS REPLACEMENT). IF THIS IS NOT REPLACED IN TIME THEN IT MAY FAIL WHOLE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING (WHEN CHANGING GEAR - AUTO) IT SHAKES THE VAN LIKE CRAZY. IMAGINE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FAILS AND THROWS THE VAN TO COMPLETE STOP OR IN DIFFERENT LANE. THE CAR…
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HONDA ODYSSEY TRANSMISSION FAILED (TORQUE NEEDS REPLACEMENT). IF THIS IS NOT REPLACED IN TIME THEN IT MAY FAIL WHOLE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING (WHEN CHANGING GEAR - AUTO) IT SHAKES THE VAN LIKE CRAZY. IMAGINE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FAILS AND THROWS THE VAN TO COMPLETE STOP OR IN DIFFERENT LANE. THE CAR/TRUCK BEHIND ME MAY RUN OVER ME. WHEN I ASK THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY HE GIVES US EXCUSES TO DELAY AND HAVE THE 60000 MILES MARKUP TO PASS. WE ARE SOME 200 MILES LEFT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. HE SAYS WE CAN DRIVE IT IS OKAY. BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE DEALER. WHEN I ASKED CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT NOTHING WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING HIS REPLY WAS A BIG SMILE. I ALSO ASKED TO GIVE US THE WARRANTY AFTER THEY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THE HONDA PARTS - HE DENIES, SAYING I HAVE TO BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289972
47,000 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Power Train
RANDOM MISSED SHIFTS AND ENGINE REVVING. WHICH WOULD FOLLOW WITH VARIOUS VIBRATIONS, SKIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION, LOST OF POWER, AND A SUDDEN DROP TO A LOWER GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286424
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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