2008 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 499 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 37 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 44 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 28, 2014
Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC (Delphi) is recalling certain replacement fuel pump modules, part number FG1155-11B1, sold for use in 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The affected fuel pump may send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel. The fuel gauge will always read 3/4 full to full regardless of the actual level.
A vehicle that runs out of fuel and stalls has an increased risk of a crash.
Delphi has begun notifying dealers and distributors, and will replace the fuel pump modules, free of charge. Owners may contact Delphi customer service at 1-877-411-8770. Delphi's number for this recall is GL14-004.
Campaign 14E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMar 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.
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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).
Campaign 14V112000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareNov 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.
The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.
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.
Campaign 13V500000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateFeb 16, 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 ODYSSEY VEHICLES, THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HELP TO RAISE AND SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM MAY BE PRONE TO EARLY LIFE FAILURES DUE TO A MANUFACTURING FLAW. THE FLAW CAN RESULT IN A LEAK OF THE PRESSURIZED GAS, LEADING TO REDUCED STRUT PERFORMANCE.
STRUTS WITH DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED CLOSURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH POWER LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V062000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, airMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V098000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2010
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN - BOUGHT BRAND NEW OCTOBER 2008 3 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, CRUISING TO A MAX SPEED OF ONLY 25 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE TO PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CRUISE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY TO EXIT ON THE NEAREST RAMP AND HAVE TO DRIVE BACK HOME USING SIDE STREETS ON A SPEED OF ONLY 25 MPH, NO MORE, NO LESS. BROUGHT THE SAID VAN TO THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER SINCE IT IS BRAND NEW AND STILL COVERED WITH THE WARRANTY. RELEASED AFTER 1 WEEK, AND WAS WORKING ON THE WAY HOME WITHOUT GLITCH. THEN THE DAY AFTER, UPON STARTING THE ENGINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, AND THE MOTOR GIVES OFF A WEIRD HUMMING SOUND AND WON'T ACCELERATE TO NO GREATER THAN 25 MPH AGAIN. BROUGHT THE VAN BACK FOR SERVICE AND AFTER 1 WEEK WAS RELEASED AND WAS WORKING FINE WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN AS FOREMENTIONED. HAVE TO LET THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TOW IT BACK FOR SERVICE AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME AND HAVE TO DEMAND A LOANER CAR AT THIS TIME WHILE THEY PONDER (OR GUESS) WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS VAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND, AFTER A FEW DAYS, THEY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN SHE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,450 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2009
DRIVING MY HONDA ODYSSEY 2008. IN THE MORNING OF 2/5/09, ENGINE REVVED UP TO 3000 RPM WHILE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. I CHECKED TO SEE IF I WAS PUMPING GAS OR IF CARPET WAS STUCK BUT NONE APPLIED. CAR FINALLY SETTLED DOWN AND DROVE NORMALLY. IN THE EVENING IT STARTED AGAIN GOING UP TO 3000 AT A STOP (ACTUALLY RISING AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN) COULD BARELY CONTROL CAR. HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT HAD REVVED UP TO 5, 000 RPM. COULDN'T STOP THE CAR - THOUGHT I WOULD HIT SOMEONE. THREW IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IF OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS, DRIVING IT ALL OVER AND THIS DID NOT OCCUR. OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THE CAR WOULD REV UP TO 1500 OR SO AT A STOP SIGN BUT NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS AS IT WASN'T DANGEROUS. LAST THURSDAY, THANK GOD PEOPLE JUMPED OUT THE WAY OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2008
NEW 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L MINIVAN / MAY 28, 2008 TOOK DELIVERY A FEW DAYS LATER, IN JUNE. TWO WEEKS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT MYSTERIOUSLY CAME ON FOR 1/2 A DAY AND THEN TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. A WEEK LATER THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. ON WED ( NOV 12, 2008) WHILE DRIVING MY 3 YEAR OLD & 8 YEAR OLD SONS TO SCHOOL, THE THROTTLE STARTED TO STICK. IT DID IT ONCE LIGHTLY - DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I APPLIED THE BRAKE & THE CAR STOPPED. THE ENGINE SETTLED DOWN AND WE SET OUT AGAIN & IT DID THE SAME THING. WE STOPPED BUT WERE ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM SCHOOL & THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AGAIN, SO WE SET OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME, WHILE GOING UP A FAIRLY STEEP HILL, THE ENGINE TOOK OVER AND THE THROTTLE WENT ON FULL BLAST - THE REGULAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR ! I APPLIED THE BRAKE- MASHING IT TO THE FLOOR & WE KEPT GOING FORWARD ! I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL & PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT BEFORE HITTING THE PARKING LOT FENCE BUT THE ENGINE WAS SCREAMINGLY HIGH & I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BLOW. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY & IT STOPPED. WE HAD AAA TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 30 MIN LATER. THE SERVICE DEPT. DID INVESTIGATE & WAS ABLE TO SEE THE ENGINE LIGHT ERROR MESSAGE FROM TWO WEEKS AGO - BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS "AN ODD UNRELATED SENSOR CODE" THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE. THAT CODE WAS A SENSOR MALFUNCTION & IT WAS RESET. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND & ON MONDAY WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WERE GIVING THE CAR BACK TO US WITH NOTHING FIXED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT TRACK ANY OTHER ERROR MESSAGES & COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED HONDA WHO DECLINED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER. THE DEALERSHIP ASKED IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER AS GOOD WILL & HONDA TOLD THEM THE DEALERSHIP WOULD ASSUME ALL RISK FOR LIABILITY - SO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER. WE ARE NOW FACED WITH THIS NEW/LEMON CAR THAT HAS A LIFE THREATENING COMPUTER GLITCH/VIRUS AND NO RECOURSE. *TR