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: hydraulic
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 23, 2009
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY LX, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. SOFT PEDAL. VAN DOES NOT STOP EASILY. WE HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MISSES WHERE THE VAN DID NOT STOP AS NORMALLY EXPECTED. THE VAN WAS TAKEN BACK TO LEHIGH VALLEY HONDA AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WERE NORMAL. I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THIS VAN AND HONDA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS VAN OR ANY OTHER HONDA VANS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2009
NOTHING HAS FAILED YET, BUT THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY ARE WAY TOO SOFT. I HAVE TOLD SEVERAL SERVICE PEOPLE WITH MY DEALERSHIP, INCLUDING THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND THEY DON'T SEEM CONCERNED. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED 7 NEW HONDA'S AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE FEEL THIS WAY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2008
2007 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION WHEN APPLYING NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN. VEHICLE HAS SOFT BRAKES AND NO DEFINITE BRAKE ENGAGEMENT ZONE. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND CAN RESULT IN SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. MUST MAINTAIN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE BETWEEN CARS AT HIGHWAY SPEED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING MARGIN. HAVE DESCRIBED PROBLEM TO DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" BEHAVIOR. WE HAD A 2005 ODYSSEY THAT DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 28, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 AND HAS LOGGED 2800 MILES. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS SOFT BRAKES WITH EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL OF 3 INCHES WITH A SPONGY FEEL AT THE END AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PRODUCE AN ABRUPT STOP. HE HAS HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING BEFORE CROSSING A LINE AT AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST BROAD SIDED A VEHICLE AT 15 MPH BECAUSE IT TOOK SO LONG TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, CHECKED THE ABS AND BLED THE BRAKE LINE WITH NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE OR REFUND WAS RECEIVED FROM THEM OR THE DEALER. HE IS FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2800.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Oct 14, 2008
HAVE THREE COMPLAINTS. COMPLAINT ONE: THERE IS EXTREMELY LONG PEDAL TRAVEL FOR BRAKE PEDAL. THIS TRAVEL GIVES THE DRIVER A SENSE OF BRAKE FAILURE, AS THOUGH THE BRAKES DON'T WORK OR WILL NOT STOP VEHICLE. HAS BEEN NOTED IN VEHICLE FORUMS AS A COMMON PROBLEM COMPLAINT TWO: WIND NOISE ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER PILLAR THAT SEPARATES THE FRONT SEAT AND THE MIDDLE SEAT COMBINATION. HAS BEEN NOTED IN VEHICLE FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. COMPLAINT THREE: THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DIRT IN PAINT AND PAINT SHADING WHERE IT DOESN'T MATCH REST OF VEHICLE (PAINT SHADING CAN BE SEEN IF THE SUN SHINES ON THE VEHICLE JUST RIGHT). HONDA HAS OFFERED TO REPAINT AFFECTED PARTS. I FEEL THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE OWNER SHOULDN'T BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A NEW CAR REPAINTED WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES. HAS BEEN NOTED IN VEHICLE FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 8, 2008
BRAKE PEDAL MUST TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES BEFORE ANY BRAKING STARTS TO OCCUR. EVEN THEN THE PEDAL MUST BE PUSHED EXCESSIVELY FAR BEFORE REAL BRAKING STARTS TO HAPPEN. THIS OCCURS ALL OF THE TIME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKES LIKE THIS. OWN 2 OTHER HONDAS AND HAVE HAD PROBABLY 25 DIFFERENT CARS IN LIFETIME. NOTHING CLOSE TO THIS UNLESS BRAKES ARE FAILING. HONDA ODYSSEY FORUM GROUPS ALL REPORT THIS AS A PROBLEM ON THE NEWER (2007-2008) ODYSSEYS. BIGGEST CONCERN IS AT SLOWER SPEEDS WHERE I HAVE PUSHED THE PEDAL A "NORMAL" AMOUNT AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND ALMOST HIT CAR/OBJECT/GARAGE. WORRIED THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SLUGGISH BRAKES AND WAY TO MUCH PLAY IN THE PEDAL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 6, 2008
MY 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS TERRIBLE BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT TWICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND OUT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. LOTS OF GRINDING SOUNDS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY FEB 27 2008 AND THE BRAKES WERE WORKING RIGHT, AFTER 2000 MILES THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED GOING TO THE FLOOR WITH LIGHT PRESSURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULATOR. THIS DID NOT HELP. THREE HUNDRED MILES LATER THEY SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REPLACED IT. THAT DID NOT HELP. THEY BLED THE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO HONDA ENGINEERS. THIS DID NOT HELP. THE DEALER NOW SAYS IT IS NORMAL UNDER HONDAS SPECS. THE PEDAL STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND AT TIMES I HAVE TO PUMP THE PEDAL. IT TAKES A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VAN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2008
SOFT BRAKES RESULTING IN OTHERS HAVING ACCIDENTS AS DETAILED IN EDMUNDS.COM HONDA ODYSSEY FORM. DEALER HAS NO PERMANENT SOLUTION. HAVE CASE OPEN WITH HONDA AND THEIR ONLY RESPONSE IS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX. THIS IS TAKING WAY TOO LONG AS THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE FEBRUARY 2007. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2008
BOUGHT A NEW 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY LX ON 5/15, SALESMAN WAS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE SO HE SHOWED ME THE CAR AND A FEW THINGS AND WAS GONE. IT WAS AROUND 8PM WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT, FIRST TIME I HAD EVER BEEN IN AN ODYSSEY. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND IT FELT GREAT, PRESSED THE BRAKES AND WAS AFRAID THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY. BEEN VERY SPONGY SINCE DAY 1. TOOK IT TO FIRST HONDA IN SIMI AND THEY SAID THEY'RE ALL LIKE THAT. HARD TO BELIEVE, HAVE TO SIT CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET LEVERAGE ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THEY HONESTLY FEEL LIKE THE PEDAL HITS THE FLOOR AND VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. I HAVE A 11-YEAR-OLD CRV THAT FEELS GREAT AND STOPS ON A DIME. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG, MY INTERNET SEARCHES SEEM TO REVEAL A HISTORY OF UNRESOLVED SPONGY BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH RECENT ODYSSEYS, BUT THE DEALER SAID NOTHING TO FIX. IT WILL TAKE A DEADLY ACCIDENT TO GET THEM OFF THEIR REARS AND LOOK IN TO WHAT'S GOING ON, VERY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR AN OTHERWISE GREAT COMPANY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 25, 2008
MY BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND REQUIRE ME TO APPLY EXTRA PRESSURE TO STOP. MY BRAKES ALSO MAKE A GROANING NOISE WHEN I COME TO A REGULAR STOP. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO FOR REPAIRS SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, EVEN THOUGH THEY HEARD THE NOISE. I THEN DROVE AN 08 OFF THE LOT TO COMPARE AND NOTICED A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE IN PEDAL FEEL AND NO GROANING NOISE. THEY SAID THEY WILL CALL HONDA NEXT WEEK FOR ADVISE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 29, 2008
I AM EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 ODYSSEY TOURING IN WHICH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT, FEELS SPONGY, AND LONG BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS 2,132 MILES CURRENTLY AND IT WAS NOT LIKE THIS BEFORE 2,000 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR EACH TIME IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 918 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 914.