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: power train
41 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Mar 2, 2011
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH VCM. THE TRANSMISSION CHRONIC JERKING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 39-41, 49-51, 59-61, 69-71 MPH. COMPLAINED TO HONDA DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THE MASTER MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *TR
Power train, Jan 27, 2011
I OWN A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR LATER I RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE JUDDER FAILURE FROM HONDA ADVISING ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPGRADE. THE DEALER MADE UPGRADES TO THE VEHICLE SOFTWARE. THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THE VIBRATIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING AT 47 ' 55 MPH. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS UPGRADED. AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. BUT THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY TEST DROVE MY VEHICLE AND A DEALER'S 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH ME AND THEY FELT THE VIBRATION FROM BOTH VEHICLES. THE VIBRATION FROM MY VEHICLE WAS WORSE THAN THE DEALER'S VEHICLE. BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE HONDA PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALLED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,100. *TR
Power train, Jan 26, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR LATER THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTICE ADVISING HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPGRADE. THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THE VIBRATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS UPGRADED. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,100.
Power train, Jan 20, 2011, crash
I HAVE A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. WAS PREPARING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKES. HAD TO PUT CAR INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. RPMS WERE UP TO 6. THAT WAS 2 1/2 WEEKS AGO. YESTERDAY 1/19/11 THE SAME THING HAPPENED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKE TO STOP FOR A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN TO WHERE I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE TO STOP THE CAR FROM EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION. BROUGHT THE CAR TO HONDA THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY ITS AT THE DEALER WHERE I HAD IT TOWED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO THE ROAD. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Aug 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM ACTIVATION INDICATOR AND VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM CODE WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON A THIRD OCCASION AND THE YAW SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,253.
Power train, Jul 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 20-45 MPH, THE JUDDER WOULD FAIL, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL PERTAINING TO THE JUDDER FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE UPGRADES TO THE VEHICLE SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO FIRST ADAPT TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATES BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Power train, May 26, 2010
MY 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS SIGNIFICANT LURCHING WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROX ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. HONDA REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. HONDA JUST RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" - HONDA BULLETIN #09-053 (LOCK UP CLUTCH FUNCTION). THIS PROBLEM SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO ON-GOING COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE LEXUS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Apr 21, 2010
THE CAR HAS BEEN VIBRATING WHEN ACCELERATING FOR ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT IS 3X WORSE THEN BEFORE. I HAVE 33,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THE NEXT STEP IS FOR ME TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND IF THAT DOES NOT FIX IT THEN THEY WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS UNDER WARRANTY, IF THEY ARE JUST DELAYING FIXING THE REAL ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Air, Parking brake, Power train, Service brakes, Electric, Nov 20, 2009, crash
BRAKES ARE TOO SOFT. HAD ACCIDENT TWICE ALREADY BECAUSE BRAKES DONT REACT LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE DOWN REALLY HARD. WITH THAT ALSO SAID TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY 1. YOU HEAR A LOUD NOISE WHEN YOU CHANGE GEARS. WENT TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NORMAL. I DONT THINK THIS SHOULD BE MAKING LOUD GRUNTING NOISE. *TR
Power train, Oct 22, 2009
TRANSMISSION ERROR VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DOWN SHIFTING THE GEARS. DEALER TOLD US IT WAS AN RECALL AND EXCHANGED THE TRANSMISSION BUT STILL HAD THAT PROBLEM.WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THIRD TIME IT STARTED HAVING SAME PROBLEMS. *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.
Power train, Oct 22, 2008
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 4000 MILES/ 3 MONTHS OLD DUE TO LEAK. DEALERSHIP TRIED REPLACING FRONT CASE SEAL BUT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. SERVICE WRITER SAID THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH HONDA AND THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT THEY ALWAYS TRY REPLACING SEAL FIRST THEN REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2008, crash
TWO WEEKS AGO WE PURCHASED A 2008 ODYSSEY. SATURDAY MORNING, IT DROVE ITSELF INTO A SHED AFTER TRAVELING UP A HILL AND STILL IN PARK! SITUATION: I WAS UNHOOKING A TRAILER, MY SON WAS HELPING. I GOT IN THE VAN TO PULL THE TRAILER FORWARD A BIT AS WE WERE ON A HILL AND THE TRAILER WAS STUCK, SEEN AS IT WAS NOT LATCHED DOWN.. MY FAULT, AS SOON AS I MOVED IT UNHOOKED AND STARTED ROLLING AWAY, I SLAMMED THE VAN INTO PARK, GOT OUT AND RAN AFTER THE TRAILER, GOT THE TRAILER STOPPED, I THEN TURNED AROUND AND THE VAN WAS DRIVING OFF, NOT JUST SLOWLY BUT PICKING UP SPEED AS IT WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND THEN DROVE INTO THE NEIGHBORS SHED. I RAN AFTER IT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CATCH IT, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN GOING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR. I GOT TO THE VAN AND IT WAS IN PARK. I HAD TO TURN THE KEY OF TO GET IT TO QUIT TRYING TO INCH IT'S WAY FORWARD. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY BASICALLY SAID NO KNOWN ISSUES SO YOU ARE SCREWED.. I CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA ND THEY WERE NOT REALLY WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE MATTER. I DO HAVE A CLAIM TICKET OPEN WITH THEM AT THIS TIME. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2008
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY LEASED ON MAY 27, 2008 AT PS HONDA (LONG ISLAND). CAR BROKE DOWN ON AUGUST 15 AT I-95 CT TPKE. CAUSE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND CLUTCH GOT BURNED. UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN WILL IT BE FIXED. HONDA WESTPORT AND PS HONDA REFUSED TO SHOULDER CAR RENTAL. FILED A COMPLAINT AT AMERICAN HONDA ABOUT THE NEW VAN THAT BROKE DOWN AND REFUSAL TO PAY CAR RENTAL. *TR
Power train, Apr 28, 2008
ON 4/28/08, THE VEHICLES THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC AND THEN HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. WHILE THIS HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VSA LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN DUE TO THIS IN TRAFFIC. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST FOR 4 OTHER TIMES. HERE ARE THE DATES AND DESCRIPTION OF EACH EVENT. 1.ON 12/30/2008, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VSA LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE CAME ON WITH WEIRD ENGINE NOISE AND I CALLED THE DEALER (AUTO WEST HONDA) IMMEDIATELY TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER REQUESTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/02/2008. 2.ON 01/13/2008, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSA LIGHT AND SLIDE DOOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE REAR RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER PERFORMED REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND REPLACED THE RELAY UNIT. 3.ON 01/26/2008, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSA LIGHT AND THE SLIDE DOOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE, VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY. DEALER ATTEMPTED A REPAIR AND SAID ECM WAS REPLACED. 4.ON 04/11/2008, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSA LIGHT AND THE SLIDE DOOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TILL 4/19/08. DEALER PERFORMED A REPAIR WITH ADVICE FROM HONDA TECH SUPPORT AND SAID THAT THE MULTIPLEX UNIT WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM SHOULD NOT RE-OCCUR. *TR
Power train, Feb 29, 2008
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATION SHIFTING 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. HESITATION IS PRONOUNCED DURING COLD STARTS. *TR