CarComplaints.com Notes: Aside from peeling paint, the 2008 Honda Odyssey is a pretty reliable, generally trouble-free minivan.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,255 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Honda Odyssey brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Sep 202015

Odyssey

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving about 55 miles per hour and my car started barking without me pressing the brakes. I pulled over and started again. It happened three times within a ten minute period. Apparently there was a recall on the vsa but Honda failed to notify me. I was almost hit the first time it happened.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #40

Jan 012015

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 81,800 miles
When we went down hill on freeway 5 at los angeles and baker field county, ca. The car started shaking with the sound like driving on the deep and bump road, the steering wheel turning left and right vigorously when I tried to apply slightly brake to slow down the speed of the car. It was scared to death when you go down hill with that problem. It is too dangerous for our family. Please recall this van for safety, thank you very much.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #39

Nov 242014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 34,400 miles
On I69E heading North at 65 mph after cresting an overpass hill, vehicle stopped in middle lane no brake lights lit, hit brake pedal to stop but the brakes never reacted as normal. Push the brake pedal as hard as I could but the tires never squealed on the dry payment. Unable to change lanes due to other traffic and ended up hitting stopped vehicle still going about 20mph. $2,700 damage to my Odyssey and other car had heavy rear damage.

- Laguna Vista, TX, USA

problem #38

Nov 142014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased this 2008 Honda Odyssey in 2011, with approximately 45,000 miles on it. During the winter of 2013, I began to experience groaning (and sometimes "humming") noises from the power steering system. Additionally, the steering wheel was hard to turn at low speeds. I assumed the vehicle was low on fluids so with every oil change (at the Honda dealership), I insisted the power steering fluid be filled. The Honda dealer was not able to identify any noises. However, last night on the way home from work at approximately 10pm, the noise re-appears. The steering issue is now following the noise making it difficult to steer the vehicle resulting in a safety issue in operating the vehicle. I know I share these concerns with other Honda Odyssey owners and our complaints are falling on deaf ears with the dealers. I really want to see these concerns addressed before someone gets hurt.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #37

Oct 242014

Odyssey

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the brakes independently engaged without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.

- White Hall, WV, USA

problem #36

Sep 072014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
On 09/07/14, was involved in a 4 car accident. Traveling westbound on route 60, near I605, light traffic at approx. 3:45 pm. # 1 lane was closing, due to fwy work/maintenance. Saw signs and proceeded to move from the #1 lane to the #2 lane, while in the #2 lane noticed the flashing arrow for the lane closure. I estimate I slowed to about 60 mph, since traffic was merging, car in front was approx. 6-7 cars lengths ahead, when I saw brake lights from the car ahead of me and they had come to a complete stop. Which appeared to be from an accident. I immediately applied the brakes hard to stop, but could not stop in time. Ended up hitting the vehicle in from lightly, maybe about 5-10 mph at time of impact. Based upon the distance from the car ahead, I should have been able to stop our vehicle. Did not feel like the anti-lock braking system was working, felt no pulsating or push back in the pedal and car appeared to skid/slide into the car ahead. I found a recall notice for the anti-lock brakes, which stated that air can enter the system and affect the vehicle braking system. Never received any recall notice from Honda about this and I believe the faulty brake system was a factor in our avoidable incident. Another car hit us from behind and the driver was injured very badly.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #35

Apr 012009

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First complaint was described by the dealers as a humming in the transmission. My description is like a kickback or hard downshifting. Next complaint is brakes seem like you apply foot to pedal and it seems like your not going to stop while foot is all the way down. Then there's like a sound of something releasing or letting go.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #34

Jun 012009

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
When braking the front end of the vehicle shakes severely. Honda dealers claim that "these vans just have a bad brake design" and charge to re-surface the rotors approximately every twelve to fourteen thousand miles. I'm amazed that there haven't been more accidents caused by this flaw. With the severe shaking there is also dramatic brake fading, especially driving on any downhill slope. We are always hesitant to take the vehicle on long trips as you never know when the brakes will act up.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #33

Jun 032014

Odyssey

  • 111,000 miles
When stopping at a red light, the car accelerates as if the transmission is surging. I apply the brakes and shift the car into neutral or park to stop the acceleration. This has happened on numerous occasions, I'm afraid of rear ending another car. Honda claims there is no problem.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #32

May 232014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vsa warning light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the 60,000 mile service was performed. The contact was advised by the mechanic that a pressure sensor in the control unit (part number: 6601) had failed, which resulted in the vsa modulator needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired at that time. The contact later received notification that her vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V500000 (electrical) and took the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The dealer installed and updated the yaw rate sensor under the recall but did not perform the calibration. The vsa warning light continued to illuminate and the dealer advised the contact that the yaw rate sensor could not be calibrated with the system until the vsa modulator was replaced at her expense. The vsa modulator was not replaced. There was a second recall initiated prior to the recent recall under NHTSA campaign number: 10V098000 (service brakes, air) which involved repairs to the vsa modulator by removing any existing air in the braking system, followed by the application of sealant and caps to prevent air from entering the braking system. The contact's vehicle was not included in the recall campaign pertaining to the vsa modulator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. Kmj updated 9/11/14 updated 1/20/2015

- York, PA, USA

problem #31

May 152014

Odyssey

  • 61,177 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the stability assist modulator sensor illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the stability assist modulator sensor and the brake pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,177.

- Fairlawn, VA, USA

problem #30

Mar 052013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
During braking between 20 - 40 mph, the vehicle surges forward. This has been most noticeable when going downhill and braking. It seams as the automatic transmission is downshifting prematurely (to high engine RPM) thus causing the vehicle to surge (jump) forward. This has occurred multiple time (more than 6) over the past 3 years. Note: Mileage and speed are estimated.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #29

Mar 262014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 93,028 miles
When braking, even press the brake very hard, the car is making squeaking noise, and it will not stop. Had to release and press the brake three times, to finally stop the car. Good thing we were doing only 20mph.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

problem #28

Nov 262013

Odyssey

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the brake engaged independently. The vehicle stability control warning light illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 98,000.

- Miami , FL, USA

problem #27

Apr 172013

Odyssey

  • 80,560 miles
I was driving on the interstate when suddenly for no reason the brakes came on bringing the cars speed down to under 20 mph. I pulled over to the side of the road to catch my breath. After a few minutes, I proceeded slowly until I felt safe to try it again. No further incidents until last may, as I was pulling out of a parking lot unto a city street, as I approached 40mph, the brakes suddenly came on. No one was behind me. Honda says they will not be able to correct this until March 2014? (it happened 1 more time).

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #26

Nov 012013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the brakes engaged without any warning and as a result, the vehicle came to a complete halt. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the yaw sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that recall NHTSA campaign number: 13V500000 (electrical system) will begin spring of next year. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 115,000. Updated 02/11/14 the vehicle was repaired. Updated 02/20/14

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #25

Dec 052012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Car brakes apply abruptly and with great force without driver input. Occurs at speeds of approximately 40 mph and rpms between 1500-2000. Usually happens as transmission is in the process of downshifting from 5th to 4th gear. When condition occurs, vehicle will slow approximately 20-30 mph from original speed prior to braking. This condition has presented itself several times in the past year. Honda dealer examined vehicle and found no defect.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #24

Oct 022013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 65,738 miles
We were accelerating on a main road and we got up to about 25 mph and the vehicle automatically braked by itself and we came to almost a complete stop with no control. The brake pedal automatically went down like someone was pushing the pedal to brake. Fortunately there was no one behind us or we would have been hit. The brake then automatically released, no interior lights came on to indicate any issues, and the vehicle is working fine. This has happened twice in a year on this vehicle.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #23

Sep 092013

Odyssey

  • 100 miles
As I was driving on the highway going 60 mph my car started to brake on its own and jerked the car back to 40 mph within seconds.

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #22

Sep 072013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
My husband, myself and my 3 children (ages 7, 4, and 1) were coming home from the phillies game at approximately 10:30 pm Saturday, September 7th, 2013. Upon entering the on ramp for a major roadway, my husband began accelerating to approximately 50 mph. He had his foot on the gas pedal, when the van braked spontaneously. In a matter of seconds, our speed decreased from 50 to 25-30. Our seatbelts all locked as we were lunged forward. There was a car directly behind us, who had to swerve into another lane to avoid rear ending us. It was as if someone slammed on the brakes, however no one did. This happen 3 or 4 more times within a 5-7 minute time frame, so we immediately pulled over to try and figure out what was happening. I immediately googled this issue and found that there was an ongoing investigation for 2007 and 2008 Odyssey for the same issue. I read that this has something to do with the vehicle stability system, so we pressed the vsa off button and drove home at a speed of 30 mph in case it happened again. No further spontaneous braking occurred once the vsa was off. I took the car into hamilton Honda this morning and spoke to service manager. They are currently evaluating the van. I am waiting to hear what they find.

- Chesterfield, NJ, USA

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