NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
139 reportsClear category filter41,167 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
1. DRIVER IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, HOWEVER, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND RESULTED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. THIS OCCURRED ON 11/30/2009. 2. VEHICLE OWNER REPORTED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THERE IS A LACK OF RESPONSE. BRAKING TIME AND DISTANCE BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN NORMA…
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1. DRIVER IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, HOWEVER, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND RESULTED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. THIS OCCURRED ON 11/30/2009. 2. VEHICLE OWNER REPORTED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THERE IS A LACK OF RESPONSE. BRAKING TIME AND DISTANCE BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST OBSERVED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER ON 11/27/2009, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME ON THAT DATE, AND THE VEHICLE THEN FUNCTIONED NORMALLY UNTIL THE COLLISION THAT OCCURRED ON 11/30/2009. 3. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON 11/30/2009, THE VEHICLE OWNER REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE BRAKES HAD FAILED TO THE AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE BRAKING ISSUE, AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY OFFERED TO COVER THE REPAIR AT 90% AND INSTRUCTED THE OWNER TO COLLECT THE REMAINING 10% OF THE COST DIRECTLY FROM HONDA. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS LEAKING AIR INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ALL OTHER BRAKING COMPONENTS WERE OPERATIONAL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ABS MODULE, AND BLED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE OLD PARTS WERE DISPOSED OF BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO INSURANCE CARRIER BEING AWARE OF ISSUE. SERVICE RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE OWNER HAD VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE COMPLETED ON 8/19/2009 AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312005
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES MAKE CONSTANT GRINDING/SQUEAKING. KNOWN PROBLEM TO HONDA FOR ALL 2005-2008 MODELS OF ODYSSEY VAN. HONDA CLAIMS THERE IS NO FIX, BUT THEY'RE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE ALL THE TIME, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMERS TO DETERMINE IF THERE'S ACTUALLY A PROBLEM, WHICH MAY LEAD TO PEOPLE IGNORIN…
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REAR BRAKES MAKE CONSTANT GRINDING/SQUEAKING. KNOWN PROBLEM TO HONDA FOR ALL 2005-2008 MODELS OF ODYSSEY VAN. HONDA CLAIMS THERE IS NO FIX, BUT THEY'RE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE ALL THE TIME, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMERS TO DETERMINE IF THERE'S ACTUALLY A PROBLEM, WHICH MAY LEAD TO PEOPLE IGNORING ACTUAL BRAKE ISSUES. I OWN A 2007, AND PERSONALLY KNOW OF PEOPLE WITH 2005 AND 2006 MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IN FACT, EVERYONE I MEET THAT DRIVES ONE, I ASK IF THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS YES. I FIND IT AMAZING THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT IS SO WIDESPREAD AND AFFECTS A MAJOR SAFETY FUNCTION ON THE VEHICLES, BUT NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308133
40,433 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BOUGHT HONDA 2007 ODYSSEY FROM DEALER.VEHICLE HAD 40,433MI. WINDOW STICKER SHOWED IT AS A HONDA (150 POINT INSPECTED) CERTIFIED VEHICLE. NOTICED SPONGY BRAKES DURING TEST DRIVE AND THOUGHT BRAKES JUST NEEDED TO BE BLEED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND AFTER ONLY 400MILES THE PEDAL STARTED GOING DOWN TO FLOOR. AFTER 700MI THE CAR WAS T…
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BOUGHT HONDA 2007 ODYSSEY FROM DEALER.VEHICLE HAD 40,433MI. WINDOW STICKER SHOWED IT AS A HONDA (150 POINT INSPECTED) CERTIFIED VEHICLE. NOTICED SPONGY BRAKES DURING TEST DRIVE AND THOUGHT BRAKES JUST NEEDED TO BE BLEED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND AFTER ONLY 400MILES THE PEDAL STARTED GOING DOWN TO FLOOR. AFTER 700MI THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SEARCHING THE NET I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SPONGY BRAKES CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE VSA MODULE BUT NO RECALL. CHECKING MY WINDOW STICKER I SAVED AND IT SAID IT WAS A HONDA CERTIFIED VEHICLE BUT IN LOW LEFT CORNER SHOWED 90 DAY/1K MILE WARRANTY. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEM AND WAS GIVEN CONSIDERATION AND VSA MODULE REPLACED FOR A REDUCED COST TO ME OF $600.00 INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL $1200.00. THIS IS NOT RIGHT, I SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND HOPE THAT THERE IS A RECALL SOON BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10307833
45,000 miles · Feb 6, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS TWICE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES IT WAS IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE (PRESUMABLY) ENGAGED: ONCE COMING TO STOP ON A VERY WET STREET IN RAIN, AND THE SECOND ON A VERY SNOWY, POOR TRACTION STREET. BOTH TIMES I WAS BRAKING HARDER THAN USUAL WHILE DECELERATING TO COME UP TO A …
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MY 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS TWICE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES IT WAS IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE (PRESUMABLY) ENGAGED: ONCE COMING TO STOP ON A VERY WET STREET IN RAIN, AND THE SECOND ON A VERY SNOWY, POOR TRACTION STREET. BOTH TIMES I WAS BRAKING HARDER THAN USUAL WHILE DECELERATING TO COME UP TO A STOP SIGN/LIGHT AND THE ABS ENGAGED. THE INITIAL SLOWING WAS FINE, NO SLIPPING, BUT AS I DECELERATED THROUGH ABOUT 3-5 MPH, THE BRAKES REFUSED TO WORK. I PRESSED THE PEDAL HARDER BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE. I WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY, BUT UNABLE TO STOP (AND THIS WAS NOT DUE TO ROAD SURFACE, IT WAS DUE TO THE BRAKES REFUSING TO ENGAGE). THE FIRST TIME I NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SECOND TIME I JUST CONTINUED FORWARD HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I AM A COMMERCIAL PILOT AND IT FELT LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAD RELEASED, AND THEN REFUSED TO RE-ENGAGE. I TRIED PUMPING THEM AS WELL. NO RESPONSE. THE PEDAL STILL HAD BRAKING FEEL, JUST NO BRAKE ENGAGEMENT. PERHAPS THE ABS SHOULD CUT OUT BELOW 2 MPH OR SOME PRESET NUMBER AND THIS DID NOT HAPPEN? ANYWAY, IN THOSE CONDITIONS, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO STOP...EVEN IF YOU'RE TRAVELING EXTREMELY SLOWLY, BEING UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ENTERING THE INTERSECTION THROUGH THE RED LIGHT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10307003
1,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
NHTSA ODI #10306325
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SPONGY BRAKES. SOMETIMES AN ISSUE STOPPING WHERE THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES FEEL VERY SOFT. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO HONDA FOR A CHECK ON THE BRAKES. WE WERE TOLD THAT ALL THE BRAKES ARE THAT WAY ON THE MINIVANS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305767
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09-024 --- (BRAKING PROBLEM) 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX - WITH BRAKING PROBLEM - A STEALTHY INTERMITENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT 12/2006. I TRADED IT 08/2009. VERY DANGEROUS BRAKING PROBLEM... BY LUCK, I WAS MADE AWARE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM YOUR WEB SITE -- THANK YOU!! TRIED TO GET THE BRAKING PROBLE…
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NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09-024 --- (BRAKING PROBLEM) 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX - WITH BRAKING PROBLEM - A STEALTHY INTERMITENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT 12/2006. I TRADED IT 08/2009. VERY DANGEROUS BRAKING PROBLEM... BY LUCK, I WAS MADE AWARE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM YOUR WEB SITE -- THANK YOU!! TRIED TO GET THE BRAKING PROBLEM CORRECTED THROUGH SERVICE. NO LUCK. TEST DROVE A NEW 2010 INSIGHT HAD SIMILAR BRAKING PROBLEM (THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT AS PRONOUNCED AS IN THE ODYSSEY). - THE SERVICE MANAGER JOINED ME AND DROVE THE INSIGHT, HE ALSO FELT THE BRAKING GLIDE. TRIED TO RESOLVE THE ODYSSEY BRAKING PROBLEM WITH HONDA SERVICE FOR MONTH OF JULY.. HONDA REPLACED THE VSA MODULAR 7/29/2009. WAS WORSE. DIDN'T FEEL LIKE ABS WAS WORKING. DOCUMENTED THE ATTEMT TO GET IT FIXED (THE AMBER LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO SAY THERE WAS A PROBLEM). THE BRAKES IN THE ODYSSEY WERE STILL "DOING THE GLIDE". COMMUNICATED WITH HONDA THROUGH JULY 2009 -- I ASSUMED HONDA SENT MY INFO TO NHTSA TO ADD THIS ODYSSEY TO THE COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304432
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS UNUSUALLY FARTHER TO THE FLOOR THAN NORMAL, AND LEADS TO IMPROPER AND EXTRAORDINARY BRAKING TECHNIQUES NECESSARY TO SAFELY EXECUTE A STOP. PUTTING THIS VEHICLE INTO THE HANDS OF A MINIMALLY EXPERIENCED YOUNG DRIVER COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND LOSS OF CONTROL…
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WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS UNUSUALLY FARTHER TO THE FLOOR THAN NORMAL, AND LEADS TO IMPROPER AND EXTRAORDINARY BRAKING TECHNIQUES NECESSARY TO SAFELY EXECUTE A STOP. PUTTING THIS VEHICLE INTO THE HANDS OF A MINIMALLY EXPERIENCED YOUNG DRIVER COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS BY NO MEANS "STANDARD" OR "NORMAL" AS MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER SAYS IT IS. THIS IS NOT IN LINE WITH OTHER HONDA VEHICLES, EITHER; IT IS AN ABERRATION THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING. THE RESULTING CUSTOMER DISSATISFACTION IS MOUNTING, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY OUR TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS TO FORCE HONDA TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304321
24,000 miles · Jan 29, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS SOFT WITH LOW PEDAL. DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT TIMES, FREQUENT PROBLEMS FOR LAST SEVERAL MONTHS DEALER SAID: FAULTY ABS MODULATOR, REPAIR COST: 1200 USD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303269
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL IN 07 HONDA ODYSSEY BOUGHT NEW (I AM THE FIRST OWNER) IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE BRAKE FUNCTION IS STILL OKAY BUT THERE IS A LOT OF "PLAY" OF THE PEDAL BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE AND THIS HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS NOR INCIDENTS SO FAR BUT AS A CAUTIOUS DRIVER I KNOW THAT …
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BRAKE PEDAL IN 07 HONDA ODYSSEY BOUGHT NEW (I AM THE FIRST OWNER) IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE BRAKE FUNCTION IS STILL OKAY BUT THERE IS A LOT OF "PLAY" OF THE PEDAL BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE AND THIS HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS NOR INCIDENTS SO FAR BUT AS A CAUTIOUS DRIVER I KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ESCALATING. *CW
NHTSA ODI #10302550
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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