NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
139 reportsClear category filter11,266 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SEPT. 2007 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY - PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT. 2006 -DROVE VEHICLE FOR AWHILE AND FELT THE BRAKES WEREN'T OPERATING PROPERLY. - NEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET BETTER RESPONSE - JULY 6, 2007 BROUGHT TO DEALER TO CHECK BRAKES DEALER SAID NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS TO CONTACT ENGINEERS IN CA TO HEL…
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SEPT. 2007 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY - PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT. 2006 -DROVE VEHICLE FOR AWHILE AND FELT THE BRAKES WEREN'T OPERATING PROPERLY. - NEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET BETTER RESPONSE - JULY 6, 2007 BROUGHT TO DEALER TO CHECK BRAKES DEALER SAID NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS TO CONTACT ENGINEERS IN CA TO HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM - HAD CAR FOR 10 DAYS - COULDN'T LOCATE PART/OR ON B/O -DLR HAD TO REPLACE ABS MODULATOR AND BLEED THE BRAKES (DLR MECHANIC TOLD US THEY HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ACCORD AND ENGRG HAD TO REDESIGN THE PART. - JULY 16, 2007 HAD IT FOR ABOUT 45 DAYS - AUG 30, 2007 CONTACTED DEALER SAME PROBLEM - DEALER REPLACED THE SAME PART(S) HAD IT FOR 8 DAYS THEY WANTED TO DRIVE IT FOR A 300 MILES - AGAIN , NEVER HEARD OF PBLM(OTHER THAN ABOVE MENTIONED INCIDENT) - INFORMED DLR NOT CONFIDENT IN BRAKES. DLR SAID "I UNDERSTAND. I'VE EMAILED HONDA AND THEY WILL PROBABLY DO SOMETHING FOR YOU, AS YOU HAVE BEEN PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING." - DLR DROVE CAR FOR 300 MILES SAID VAN OK. - TOOK CAR SEPT. 7, 2007 - SEP. 14, 2007 CAR BACK TO DLR SAME PROBLEM - DLR GAVE US AMERICA HONDA TEL NUM TO CALL REGISTER COMPLAINT -CONTACTED AMERICA HONDA STATED PBLM WAS TOLD MY COMPLAINT FORWARDED TO DIST CASE MGR. I WOULD BE CONTACTED IN 1-2 BUS. DAYS -DLR SAID THAT "HONDA" SAID THAT THE 2006/2007 ODY HAVE A "SOFT PEDAL" - NEVER HEARD THIS COMMENT THE TWO PREVIOUS TRIPS WENT ON INTERNET LOOKED UP HONDA ODY BRAKE PBLM FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS W/SAME PBLM DATING FROM MARCH, 2007 - AUG. 2007 OUR DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THIS PBLM? - SEP 18, 2007 GEN'L MGR TOLD ME NEXT STEP MEET WITH THE DIST REP. AVAILABLE OCT. 3, 2007. - I TOLD GEN'L MGR. I WAS RETURNING TO FL WEEK OF9/22/07. - THE GEN'L MGR. TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DLR IN FL. TO PURSUE ISSUE FURTHER THERE. (I'M NOT TOO HAPPY WITH THAT) - ALL PARTIES AT THE DLRSHP FEEL BRAKES ARE OK. - I'M STILL NOT CONFIDENT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203384
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN AND HAVE NOTICED SINCE ITS PURCHASE THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS VERY SOFT. HARD PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH MUCH LONGER THAN EXPECTED BRAKING DISTANCES. I AM PLANNING ON SPEAKING WITH HONDA TO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A RESOLUTION TO…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN AND HAVE NOTICED SINCE ITS PURCHASE THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS VERY SOFT. HARD PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH MUCH LONGER THAN EXPECTED BRAKING DISTANCES. I AM PLANNING ON SPEAKING WITH HONDA TO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10201619
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PURCHASED A NEW 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L. VAN IS EXPERIENCING "SOFT BRAKES", I.E. HAVE TO BRAKE HARD AS IF BRAKE PADS ARE LOW SINCE DELIVERY OF VAN FROM BURNS HONDA, NJ. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200216
3,000 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WE OWN A NEW 5 MONTHS 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, AND THE BRAKES ARE VERY MUSH. WE HAVE USE LOTS OF FORCE ON THE FOOT TO GET THIS CAR STOP. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO HONDA DEALER IN SAN MARCOS, TEXAS. THEY SAID THERE NO SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MY WIFE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE MIGHT REAR END SOME ONE. P…
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WE OWN A NEW 5 MONTHS 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY, AND THE BRAKES ARE VERY MUSH. WE HAVE USE LOTS OF FORCE ON THE FOOT TO GET THIS CAR STOP. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO HONDA DEALER IN SAN MARCOS, TEXAS. THEY SAID THERE NO SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MY WIFE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE MIGHT REAR END SOME ONE. PLEASE CONTACT US ANY HELPFUL INFORMATION OR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET THIS FIX. I SEARCH THE INTERNET AND IT SEEM MANY OTHER HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200203
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES...TOO SOFT. TOOK TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN AGREED. BLED BRAKES... TOLD THAT THERE WAS AIR IN THE LINE. APPEAR TO BE BETTER. IT HAD BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASE IN MAY OF 07. SERVICED AUGUST OF 07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199994
2,100 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. SHE CAN FEEL THE ABS AS SHE DRIVES AND HEARS A POPPING SOUND WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN, BUT IT FAILS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING FOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. SHE CAN FEEL THE ABS AS SHE DRIVES AND HEARS A POPPING SOUND WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN, BUT IT FAILS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO FEELS A VIBRATION, WHICH SHE BELIEVES IS DUE TO THE ROTORS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,100. THE CONSUMER STATED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES AT THE TIME SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10198587
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE IS WAY TOO SOFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10197609
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES ARE NOT RESPONDING SAFELY. THEY ARE SUPER SOFT HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP RECENTLY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196650
32 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES SOMETIMES SEEM INADEQUATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE -- HAVE ROLLED THROUGH STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM -- DON'T KNOW WHEN EXCESSIVE PEDAL PRESSURE WIL BE REQUIRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10195909
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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