NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
84 reportsClear category filter26,000 miles · Dec 24, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND MILES HE HAD TO REPLACE HIS BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAD TO BE ROTATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND MILES HE HAD TO REPLACE HIS BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAD TO BE ROTATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10557189
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V504000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE REQUIRED PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY PART WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 2014. THE CONTACT …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V504000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE REQUIRED PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY PART WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 2014. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10554820
1,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL HAD SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE BRAKE PEDAL RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL HAD SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE BRAKE PEDAL RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
NHTSA ODI #10550971
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2013
Service Brakes
MY VAN SEEMS TO BRAKE BY ITSELF... IT HAS DONE IT ON AND OFF SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.. DON'T REMEMBER FIRST TIME.. IT IS AT LOW SPEED AND IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER CONDITIONS.. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TRACTION CONTROL BUT NOT SURE UNTIL I READ ABOUT OTHER VANS DOING THE SAME THING.. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550607
86,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
APPROX 10/2/13 WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AND WAS ACCELERATING WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THEN ON 10/11/13 I WAS DRIVING A ROAD I TRAVEL ON DAILY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR SLOWED BY ABOUT 30 MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND REALIZED IT WAS ALR…
Read full complaint
APPROX 10/2/13 WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AND WAS ACCELERATING WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THEN ON 10/11/13 I WAS DRIVING A ROAD I TRAVEL ON DAILY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR SLOWED BY ABOUT 30 MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND REALIZED IT WAS ALREADY ENGAGED AND WAS WHY I WAS SLOWING DOWN. 10/16/13 - CAR WENT TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER FOUND SOURCE CODES DTC 26-1 LATERAL ACC SENSOR, AND DTC 27-1 STEERING ANGLE SENSOR BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE AND TOLD ME THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE FIX WAS. 10/17/13 - WAS DRIVING ON THE SAME ROAD AS ON 10/11 - CLANGING/GRATING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN AND THEN BRAKES ENGAGED, WAS ACCELERATING SLOWLY PRIOR TO THIS. SLOWED DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP, THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. WITHIN A QUARTER OF A MILE IT HAPPENED AGAIN (WAS DRIVING SLOWER AT THIS TIME B/C I WAS WORRIED IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN), THIS TIME THE TRIANGLE W/ THE EXCLAMATION POINT ON IT FLICKERED (THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT CAME ON, ALL OTHER TIMES NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING). TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW BUT UNLESS IT HAPPENS TO THEM WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM OF THE INVESTIGATION BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW THE FIX. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME DURING THESE OCCURRENCES BUT IF THEY HAD THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HOW FAST THE CAR DECELERATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548306
91,280 miles · Oct 13, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. SPEED DECREASED BY ABOUT 25MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE ACCELERATOR ENGINE ENGAGED AGAIN AND WE INCREASED SPEED TO ABOUT 45 MPH, WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION …
Read full complaint
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. SPEED DECREASED BY ABOUT 25MPH IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE ACCELERATOR ENGINE ENGAGED AGAIN AND WE INCREASED SPEED TO ABOUT 45 MPH, WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN! POWER WAS REGAINED AT THE SAME SPEED ABOUT 25 MPH. WE SPEEDED UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH AGAIN AND THIS TIME I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED THEMSELVES AGAIN THE BRAKE PEDAL ACTUALLY DEPRESSED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR ONLY! I THEN TOOK THE OVERDRIVE OFF AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN D3 MODE. THE INCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN WHILE IN D3 MODE. I WAS LEFT HAVING TO DRIVE ON FREEWAY AROUND 55MPH SCARED FOR MY AND MY FAMILIES LIVES! THIS VEHICLE SELF ENGAGED BRAKES FULLY THREE TIMES, WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON ACCELERATED ONLY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547786
89,000 miles · Oct 11, 2013
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY, I WAS GOING AROUND 40MPHS WHEN THE CAR FELT LIKE AN EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED UP. THE CAR BRAKED VERY QUICKLY FROM 40 TO ABOUT 5 -10MPHS. I STOPPED ,TESTED THE BRAKES AND BEGAN TO GO AGAIN VERY SLOWLY. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MINS SLOWLY I BEGAN TO GO FASTER WHEN I HIT ABOUT 35 MPH IT RAPIDLY BRAKE…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY, I WAS GOING AROUND 40MPHS WHEN THE CAR FELT LIKE AN EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED UP. THE CAR BRAKED VERY QUICKLY FROM 40 TO ABOUT 5 -10MPHS. I STOPPED ,TESTED THE BRAKES AND BEGAN TO GO AGAIN VERY SLOWLY. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MINS SLOWLY I BEGAN TO GO FASTER WHEN I HIT ABOUT 35 MPH IT RAPIDLY BRAKE AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I WAS VERY SCARED, MY KIDS THOUGHT I HIT A ANIMAL. SO I DECIDED TO STOP, BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO FIND A ROAD TO PULL OVER ONTO IT REPEATED IT 3 MORE TIMES ONLY GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO PRIORITY HONDA IN CHESAPEAKE, VA TO HAVE TESTING DONE. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 24 HRS EARLIER I WAS TRAVELING FROM RICHMOND, VA AND I WOULD HAVE CAUSE A CRASH. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND FELT THAT IT HAD PUT MY CHILDREN ALONG WITH MYSELF IN GRAVE DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547598
132,000 miles · Oct 5, 2013
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control
I ENTERED A HIGHWAY AND WAS ACCELERATING TO A SPEED OF APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED, AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN SLAMMED ON, CAUSING ME TO LURCH FORWARD, TRIGGERING THE SEAT BELTS TO TIGHTEN. I MAINTAINED STEERING CONTROL, REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WIT…
Read full complaint
I ENTERED A HIGHWAY AND WAS ACCELERATING TO A SPEED OF APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED, AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN SLAMMED ON, CAUSING ME TO LURCH FORWARD, TRIGGERING THE SEAT BELTS TO TIGHTEN. I MAINTAINED STEERING CONTROL, REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT MY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS. I'M STATING THIS MILDLY WHEN I SAY THE EXPERIENCE WAS TERRIFYING. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND CALLED OUR MECHANIC WHO ADVISED I SLOWLY AND SAFELY DRIVE THE VAN TO THE SHOP, WHICH WASN'T TOO FAR AWAY, OR CONSIDER HAVING IT TOWED. I CHOSE TO DRIVE SLOWLY TO THE MECHANICS AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. UPON DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, OUR MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A STEERING SENSOR THAT LOST ITS MEMORY AND NEEDED RESET, AN EASY FIX AND THAT WHILE THIS PROBLEM IS RARE, IT'S NOT UNHEARD OF, YET IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. (WE HAD RECENTLY HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THE MECHANIC SUSPECTED THAT WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING CHANGED, THE SENSOR'S MEMORY MUST HAVE BEEN WIPED.) THE SECOND EVENT WAS THIS PAST WED., OCT. 2, THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS BEFORE HAPPENED AGAIN. ONLY ON THIS OCCASION, OUR MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DID NOT PROVIDE A CODE AS IT HAD BEFORE, BUT RECOGNIZING THE COMPLAINT, THEY RESET THE SENSOR AGAIN. IN BOTH EVENTS, THE ROADS WERE DRY, CLEAR WEATHER, WE WERE DRIVING ON NEW TIRES AND AT LOW SPEEDS, HAVING JUST MOMENTS BEFORE TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND BEGUN ACCELERATING. WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD THAT OUR VEHICLE HAS TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS. WE HIGHLY SUSPECT THIS IS DUE TO THE SUDDEN JERKING BACK AND FORWARDS FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY DECELERATION/ACCELERATION ISSUE; IT'S AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR! HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL AND GET A FIX ASAP. WE ARE THANKFUL THIS HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT--YET. *WE BOUGHT THIS VAN USED IN 2010. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546832
160,000 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Service Brakes
DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT ON VERY HARD BUT NOT IN A SKID. EVERY ONE WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THEIR SEATBELTS. THE CAR BEHIND NEARLY CRASHED INTO US. I PUT 4-WAY FLASHERS ON AND WENT SLOWER - 35-40MPH AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME GOING SLOWER YET. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AT A STORE AND …
Read full complaint
DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT ON VERY HARD BUT NOT IN A SKID. EVERY ONE WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THEIR SEATBELTS. THE CAR BEHIND NEARLY CRASHED INTO US. I PUT 4-WAY FLASHERS ON AND WENT SLOWER - 35-40MPH AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME GOING SLOWER YET. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AT A STORE AND WHEN WE STARTED OFF AGAIN IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. HOW CAN THIS DANGEROUS HONDA MALFUNCTION BE FIXED? THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543427
65,000 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INCREASE ACCELERATION AND REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INCREASE ACCELERATION AND REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10537499
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.
Illustration