NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
830 reports16,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Structure
BOTH REAR TAILGATE STRUTS HAD LEAKED FLUID, CAUSING AUTOMATIC TAILGATE TO OPEN BUT THEN SLAM SHUT RATHER THAN STAY OPEN. SERVICE ADVISOR EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM ONLY BECAME EVIDENT AFTER BOTH OF THE STRUTS HAD FAILED BUT, UNTIL THEN, ONE FUNCTIONING STRUT MAY HAVE BEEN CONCEALING THE FAILURE OF THE OTHER. PROBLEM MANIFESTED A…
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BOTH REAR TAILGATE STRUTS HAD LEAKED FLUID, CAUSING AUTOMATIC TAILGATE TO OPEN BUT THEN SLAM SHUT RATHER THAN STAY OPEN. SERVICE ADVISOR EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM ONLY BECAME EVIDENT AFTER BOTH OF THE STRUTS HAD FAILED BUT, UNTIL THEN, ONE FUNCTIONING STRUT MAY HAVE BEEN CONCEALING THE FAILURE OF THE OTHER. PROBLEM MANIFESTED AT 16,000 MILES, AND WAS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE FAILED HATCH STRUTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355676
40,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
POWER STEERING LOSS AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355653
29,752 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON MARCH 2010 I FIRST TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER (BEAVERTON HONDA) TO INDICATE THAT WHENEVER I APPLY BRAKES GOING SLOWER THAN 25MPH THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN BACK AT THE SAME DEALER FOR SAME ISSUE NOW FOR THE 6TH TIME. AND ON LAST FRIDAY (SEP. 2010) WHEN I WE…
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ON MARCH 2010 I FIRST TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER (BEAVERTON HONDA) TO INDICATE THAT WHENEVER I APPLY BRAKES GOING SLOWER THAN 25MPH THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN BACK AT THE SAME DEALER FOR SAME ISSUE NOW FOR THE 6TH TIME. AND ON LAST FRIDAY (SEP. 2010) WHEN I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND HE SAID HE KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND LIKELY TO BE COMING FROM REAR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE PARKING BRAKE AS PER TECH LINE SERVICE ARTICLE FROM JUNE 2009 BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. HENCE HONDA TECH LINED INFORMED THE DEALER THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT AND IF THERE IS A FIX THEY WILL NOTIFY ME. UNFORTUNATELY, WHATEVER THEY DID ON FRIDAY MADE IT 10X WORSE AS NOW IT'S HAPPENING 90-95% OF THE TIME. EVEN WHEN I AM LET GO OF THE BRAKES FROM STOP AND THEN APPLY THE BRAKES GOING 1-2MPS IT MAKES THAT AWFUL NOISE. SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEAR TODAY. THEY JUST CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY THINK THAT REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND THE FRONT ROTORS SHOULD FIX IT BUT NO GUARANTEES SINCE HONDA TECH LINE SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE SAME DEALER ABOUT A MOTH AND HALF AGO (6/23/2010) TOLD ME THAT REPLACING ALL FRONT/BACK BREAK PADS WILL FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT DIDN'T. SO NOW WITHIN 1.5 MONTHS THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE FRONT BREAK PADS ALONG WITH THE FRONT ROTORS AND THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEEING IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED AMERICAN HONDA ON OPENED A CASE AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MY WIFE SAYS SHE WON'T DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED. THIS ISSUE STARTED AFTER THEY APPLIED THE SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2007 ODYSSEY REGARDING "SOFT BRAKES". JUST BEFORE THEY APPLIED THAT SAFETY RECALL THE DEALER HAD ALSO FOUND MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PREMATURELY WRAPPED AND RESURFACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THUS, IT SEEMS THERE IS A CONTINUED ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR OF HONDA ODYSSEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355548
24,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD BEGAN TO VIBRATE, SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD BEGAN TO VIBRATE, SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24000. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER AS SHE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY LOCKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN VIBRATED AND THEN MADE A SCRAPPING NOISE. SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES THEN THEY SEEMED TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 03/28/11
NHTSA ODI #10354184
38,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS VERY SOFT AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP IN A NORMAL TIME. THIS CAR WAS ALREADY SERVICED FOR HONDA'S 2010 SOFT BRAKE REPAIR ON THE 2007-08 ODYSSEY. IT SEEMS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL ARE STILL EVIDENT AS THIS RECALL RELATES TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE OVER TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354115
56,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
SteeringSuspension
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY PULLS HARD RIGHT AFTER RIGHT TURN AND HARD LEFT AFTER LEFT TURN. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVING HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PULL OFF THE ROAD VERY QUICKLY OR INTO OTHER VEHICLES IF THE STEERING IS NOT CONSTANTLY CORRECTED. I BOUGHT A USED CPO HONDA ODYSSEY IN AUGUST OF 2010, AND WE NOTICED THIS PULL…
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY PULLS HARD RIGHT AFTER RIGHT TURN AND HARD LEFT AFTER LEFT TURN. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVING HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PULL OFF THE ROAD VERY QUICKLY OR INTO OTHER VEHICLES IF THE STEERING IS NOT CONSTANTLY CORRECTED. I BOUGHT A USED CPO HONDA ODYSSEY IN AUGUST OF 2010, AND WE NOTICED THIS PULLING PROBLEM RIGHT OFF THE LOT. ON A FLAT SURFACE AFTER A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WILL CHANGE LANES IN 3 SECONDS IF NOT CORRECTED. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES, AND THEY TRIED MANY THINGS TO NO AVAIL (TIRE ROTATIONS, ALIGNMENT, TIRE DEFLATIONS, ETC...). I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION AND STRUTS BECAUSE A PERSON POSTED AN UNOFFICIAL FIX ONLINE THAT DEALS WITH IMPROPERLY ALIGNED STRUTS THAT WORKED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED THAT THEY REMOVED THE STRUTS AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, AND ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE NOW. I AM PRETTY SURE THEY DID NOT REMOVE THE STRUTS AT ALL SINCE I REQUESTED TO SEE THE STRUTS WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED AND THEY DID NOT SHOW THEM TO ME AT ALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND TWO TECHNICIANS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THEY RODE ALONG ON TEST DRIVES WITH ME, BUT THE ARE CLAIMING THAT THE ISSUE WELL WITHIN THE SPECS DEFINED BY HONDA. THEY CONTINUE TO EXCLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO FIX THIS, BUT IT SEEMS THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM PROPERLY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND I AM WORRIED THAT MY FAMILY OF FIVE MAY BE INVOLVED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE PULLING PROBLEM IS SO BAD. PLEASE HELP MY FAMILY AND ALL THE OTHER HONDA ODYSSEY OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THIS PULLING / ALIGNMENT PROBLEM GET A PROPER FIX BY ISSUING A RECALL THAT REQUIRES HONDA TO CONFESS TO THE ISSUE OFFICIALLY AND FIX THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL BEFORE SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353430
13,176 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY BRAKES ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 VAN FAILED LAST WEEK. THE VAN HAS ONLY 13K MILES ON IT. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP (CAPITOL HONDA, SAN JOSE, CA) TOLD ME THAT THE POWER BOOSTER ON THE BRAKES WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY SAID IT WAS VERY RARE. LAST MONTH, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE THE VAN SERVICED TO PREVENT A BRAKE PROBLEM CALL…
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MY BRAKES ON MY HONDA ODYSSEY 2007 VAN FAILED LAST WEEK. THE VAN HAS ONLY 13K MILES ON IT. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP (CAPITOL HONDA, SAN JOSE, CA) TOLD ME THAT THE POWER BOOSTER ON THE BRAKES WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY SAID IT WAS VERY RARE. LAST MONTH, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE THE VAN SERVICED TO PREVENT A BRAKE PROBLEM CALLED "SOFT BRAKE." I TOOK IT IN AND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO GIVE WAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN INSIDE. I COULD HEAR A HISSING SOUND AND THE BRAKE FELT SPONGY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD "HARD BRAKE," NOT "SOFT BRAKE." THE DEALERSHIP CALLED HONDA AND HONDA AUTHORIZED A "ONE-TIME COMPLIMENTARY" FIX. I WRITE THIS IN THE HOPES OF PREVENTING A TRAGEDY AS THESE VANS ARE MOSTLY FAMILY VEHICLES--MULTIPLE CHILDREN ON BOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352908
100 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Steering
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY STEERING CONTINUALLY PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THREE YEARS, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP. ISSUES HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED OR RECOGNIZED TO DATE BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351616
38,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Structure
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. WE NOTICED TWO SMALL STAINS ON THE CARPET IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA, WHERE THE 3RD ROW SEATS CAN BE STORED. WE TRIED TO CLEAN THE CARPET WITH RESOLVE, BUT THAT MADE THE STAINS BIGGER. WHEN WE VACUUMED THE CARPET, WE FOUND AN OILY RESIDUE WITH THE CONSISTENCY OF LITHIUM GREASE IN THE VACUUM ATTACHMENT. …
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2007 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. WE NOTICED TWO SMALL STAINS ON THE CARPET IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA, WHERE THE 3RD ROW SEATS CAN BE STORED. WE TRIED TO CLEAN THE CARPET WITH RESOLVE, BUT THAT MADE THE STAINS BIGGER. WHEN WE VACUUMED THE CARPET, WE FOUND AN OILY RESIDUE WITH THE CONSISTENCY OF LITHIUM GREASE IN THE VACUUM ATTACHMENT. WE REMOVED THE REAR SEATS AND FOLDED THE CARPETING BACK. THERE'S A GRAY PANEL OF SOUNDPROOFING OR SOMETHING ELSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREA, AND THAT PANEL IS DISINTEGRATING, LEAVING BEHIND A TARRY RESIDUE. THE TARRY RESIDUE IS WHAT REACHED UP THROUGH THE CARPET TO CAUSE THE STAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PANEL ITSELF IS DISINTEGRATING. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER IN APRIL 2010, AND FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN JULY 2010. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351590
48,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN RAINY WEATHER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED BEFORE MAKING ANY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN RAINY WEATHER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED BEFORE MAKING ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,007.
NHTSA ODI #10351244
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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