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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,720 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 072016

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The tailgate struts on my 2008 Honda Odyssey failed on 3/7/2016. When I open the liftgate on our van now, the struts that cause the liftgate to open easily are not working. This means you have to raise the tailgate manually and use a stick of some kind to keep the tailgate open. I found that a recall was issued around 2012 for liftgate problems on the 2008-2009 Honda Odyssey. The information I found said that the NHTSA campaign for this recall has the id: #12V062000 my Odyssey's VIN number does not appear to be included in that recall. Since I am affected by the same problem identified in the recall, I'd like for the recall to be expanded to include my VIN so we can be reimbursed for the repair. The VIN for my 2008 Honda Odyssey is: [xxx] here is the website where I found out about the recall: www.thecarconnection.com/news/1073272_2008-2009-Honda-Odyssey-recalled-for-liftgate-problem information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #11

Jul 062015

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 129,850 miles
Rear door's struts does not work. The hatchback rear door slams shut and does not hold. There was a recall regarding strut defect in 2012. The recalled Odyssey were manufactured in Alabama factory where our car was manufactured. Just wonder why our vehicle is not on the recall list. Thank you for your time. Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments recall for 2008 Honda Odyssey recall announced February 16 2012 NHTSA reference #12V062000 number affected 45,747 summary: 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. Consequence: Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

problem #10

Mar 072014

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The trunk lift (from an open position) of our 2008 Honda Odyssey ex-L unexpectedly fell on top of my wife's head while she was using the trunk area. Her injury was not serious, and consequently we determined the failure was the gas struts that assist in opening and closing the hatch. Honda already has a recall for the same issue for powered liftgate for 2008-9 models, but it doesn't include manual opening Odyssey, claiming that a degraded strut in a manual liftgate will be noticeable. This was not the case for us. Considering Odyssey are built for families, I feel this is a major safety issue since my older children frequently operate the tailgates without our help. Since the reason for the liftgate failure is the same for manual and powered liftgates, Honda should extend the recall (or at least a notification) to all 2008-9 Odyssey owners. Just because we didn't purchase the top of the line Odyssey, our safety shouldn't be any less than the touring owners.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 062012

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

Paint is peeling from the primer. Coming off in sheets. Roof area. Rust spots popping up. Many complaints. Class action suit has been filed.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #8

Apr 202013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2008 Honda Odyssey. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle tailgate struts issues. The consumer stated the tailgate struts broke and lost their gas due to leakage. The consumer stated a recall was issued for vehicles with power tailgates. He believed even the vans without power tailgates, should be recalled.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #7

Apr 222013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 47,550 miles
The rear tailgate strut failed on my Odyssey ex- important to differentiate from the ex-L, which was affected by a recall for the same thing (NHTSA campaign #12V062000). The recall did not apply to the ex nor LX models. Problem is the ex-L, ex & LX models share the same strut part #74820-shj-A21, price $63.91/each. The parts information is right off Honda's own website. The recall makes no mention of failures to any motors, generators or power locks. The only reference is to the strut itself. If the strut is the problem, why doesn't the recall apply to all '08 Odyssey if all Odyssey share the same part? I called Honda for an explanation & the rep said they would only pay for repairs to models covered by the recall. Since my vehicle wasn't, they wouldn't pay &, as it stands now, I'm out $213.71, which is the cost for both parts & labor. I believe I am entitled to reimbursement of the full cost of replacing the struts & I also believe all '08 Odyssey models should be recalled for this problem as failure of the part poses a serious risk of injury to anyone standing under the door, which happens alot while loading/unloading the vehicle.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 042013

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 111,455 miles

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

Yesterday (3/4/2013), I lifted open the trunk, on my Honda Odyssey 2008 (ex-L). I noticed that it was a little heavy to lift. When I lifted it all the way up and let it go, it immediately came down on my head. Luckily, I was able to catch it before it hit my head. The trunk door would not stay in the open position, and comes down to a hard close if not held open by hand. So far, I have not received any communication from Honda on the below mentioned recall, that is same as the issue I am facing report receipt date: Feb 16, 2012 NHTSA campaign number: 12V062000 component(s): Structure potential number of units affected: 45,747 recall notification :Honda. 2008- early 2009 model year Honda Odyssey ex-land touring models power liftgate gas struts.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 012010

Odyssey

  • miles
Interior of vehicle compartment leaves passengers (four) leaving feeling weak, woozy, unable to stay alert, feeling as if we are going to pass out during vehilce operation. Windows must be rolled down for fresh oxygen. Vehicle under warranty taken to local lynnwood Washington Honda dealer for inspection, repair. Requested maintenance director contact national and international Honda maintenance supervisory personnel for advice on vehicle equipment to check, repair, replace, correct or fix. Initially, Honda dealer has advised us, he has no idea why there is gas leak, carbon monoxide leak or other products leaking into compartment. Honda tsbs and national highway safety administration website reflects multiple other cases of similar reports. We fully expect our local Honda dealership to address our concerns and appropriately take remediative steps to fix, repair vehicle to our satisfaction. Vehicle is currently unsafe to drive with this problem.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #4

Jun 012010

Odyssey

  • 1 miles
Report of safety hazard- on my first drive after purchasing my 2008 Honda Odyssey I was on an interstate and the sun was at an angle which illuminated the light colored trim of the dash panel to the left of the steering wheel. This light colored panel produced a reflection in the shape of the panel which covered my left rearview mirror such that passing vehicles were obscured. I could not depend upon the drivers side mirror due to this. It recurred so often I had to paint the dash trim black on that panel which houses the automatic door switches.

- Henrico, NC, USA

problem #3

Apr 132010

Odyssey

  • 18,181 miles
My niece, age 5, reached for her seatbelt as the door was closing and her hand was crushed between the door and the vehicle. There are sensors on the front side of the door, but it seems that there are no sensors on the back side of the door (where the seatbelt is located).

- Fairhope, AL, USA

problem #2

Nov 092009

Odyssey

  • 20,000 miles
Tailgate lift gate hydraulic failure on the Honda Odyssey - failure could cause significant injuries. Was told by local dealership that it is a "common problem" in both old and new Odyssey. Mine failed at maybe 20K miles (I am guessing) and the car is 1.5 yrs old. Know of another person who's failed at 20K too.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #1

May 062008

Odyssey 6-cyl

  • 8,600 miles
When using the automatic sliding door on my 2008 Odyssey, the door's sensor failed to auto-reverse when my 2 1/2 year old daughter reached her hand towards the door of the van from the inside. Not only were her fingers and upper hand hit by the closing door, but the door failed to open and remained shut on her hand until I manually opened it. This resulted in an obvious injury to her hand and a trip to the emergency room. X-rays did not reveal a break, but she will have to be re-checked with an orthopedic, as it may have damaged the growth plate in her finger. The dealership where the car was purchased checked the sensor and stated that there is no obvious defect.

- Gardiner, NY, USA

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