In February 2008, I purchased a new Honda Odyssey minivan for my family. In the spring of 2010, I began to experience the following problem: After making a turn (right or left),during acceleration, the Odyssey's brakes will automatically engage, immediately slowing the van down. When this happens, the vehicle decelerates from 55mph to 20mph in seconds, engaging the shoulder harness of our seat-belts. Over the past three years, this has happened at least seven to ten times at various speeds and in various seasons of the year. I have returned the van to Honda at least four times. Because an indicator light does not come on and because they cannot duplicate the problem, our service department at Honda tells us there is nothing they can do. In November 2012, however, the computer registered a vsa code after one of several braking incidents. Honda then replaced the vsa module in the steering column. That seemed to have fixed the problem until two weeks ago, when we had yet another sudden halt when pulling out into traffic. When my wife took the van to Honda, the young service man blamed the vsa malfunction on tire wear and then tried to sell her a new set of tires. Honda did re-calibrate the vsa again during this visit. Today, September 2, 2013 the brakes locked down again, this time, when accelerating at a slower speed. It has been very frustrating to deal with the service department of our Honda dealership. I have read online of identical incidents. Having experienced this sudden braking, there will be serious accidents if Honda does not seek to correct this problem.

- Carrollton, GA, USA

My car has been automatically braking as I was accelerating. This occurred several times over the past few years and the dealership has mentioned that there is nothing they can do since there is no recall. I was driving/accelerating at approximately 40 mph and the brakes automatically applied as if I had slammed on the brakes. After I let off the gas, the braking stopped, but as soon as I stepped on the gas, it braked again, almost causing the car behind me to rear-end me. I was very aware that my foot was only on the gas pedal - I am absolutely certain that my foot was not touching the brake pedal. Even my wife who was watching the brake pedal noticed that it was moving towards the floor without touching it. This went on for several minutes and I was able to pull to the shoulder of the road and slowly exit a side street. I turned the engine off, waited a few minutes, and the proceeded back to the road without any additional issue. This is extremely dangerous situation and as I mentioned, this has happened to both my wife and I several times of the last few years that we have owned the vehicle. The first time this occurred, I believe the car was under warranty and Honda did nothing to rectify the issue. Now we are stuck with a dangerous issue. The applied braking isn't subtle - instead it is a very dramatic "slamming" effect while the accelerator is pressed. I noticed that Honda has recalled other vehicle models and years for the exact same issue. This is a known defect - please demand a recall so we don't have to drive our dangerous minivan anymore. This issue has and will continue to cause accidents unless something is done.

- Eagan, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the brakes independently engaged. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no diagnostic was performed. The contact was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 23,000.

- Covington, LA, USA

After about 5-20 minutes of driving when I come to a stop rather it be flat road, parking lot or slight down slope I hear really loud metallic like grinding and squealing noise. This along with my other complaint of the van braking by itself has me very concerned considering that this van does have a wheelchair lift and is primarily used to Transport a disabled adult in a wheelchair.

- Corona, CA, USA

Was on the freeway at around 60-65 mph and although accelerating I could feel the brakes braking even though I was in no way applying my foot to the brake. I have also experienced this just driving locally to the store. Will be driving as normal and you can feel the van slow itself even though I am accelerating with no foot on the brake.

- Corona, CA, USA

My van makes a loud metallic grinding noise after the first 5 to 15 minutes of driving. Repeated visits to dealership (and after a brake pad change) have produced no change. Honda master technicians test drove the vehicle twice and have acknowledged issue and claim that there is no known problem or recall. They have basically said that they cannot do anything. Several websites and discussion boards point to this same issue and lack of action from Honda. My last conversation with Honda was also unproductive - the best they could recommend was to take the matter to the service manager at the dealership. All my vehicle servicing including every recommended oil change and various levels of service have been at Honda dealerships. I believe this is a substantial manufacturing / mechanical defect and could also cause safety issues going forward.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

At random times, usually at about 40 mph, usually accelerating, vehicle will act like the brake is being applied.

- Stewartville, MN, USA

While cruising at about 35 mph on level road the vehicle suddenly decelerated, apparently the brakes came on automatically without depressing the brake pedal. At the time of the occurrence the left rear tire was a few psi less than the other tires and the low tire indicator was on (27 psi on left rear, 33 psi on other tires).

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

The vsa light has been on and off for about two weeks, but user manual says it is okay for "normal driving". when I was driving about 40-45 mph, the vsa lights was on. I kept driving normally. Then we I tried to apply brake to slow down, the brake light turned on. After I released the brake, the car seemed to applied brake on itself even harder. It happened many times during the past few weeks and this time I definitely felt it.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

Brake without the driver pressing the pedal.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

So far, on 3 separate occasions while applying the gas pedal the brakes were engaged and nearly stopped the vehicle. On each occasion it happened during acceleration and speeds went from nearly 40 to 10-15 mph each time. No pressure was applied to the brakes in any of these incidents.

- Maryville, TN, USA

Brakes automatically applied during acceleration from 20-50 while entering busy highway slowing vehicle nearly to a stop. Managed to avoid approaching traffic and limp off the highway at the next exit. Problem recurred as I took side road back home. Problem also recurred as I took vehicle to dealer to diagnose the following morning. Dealer was unable to recreate the problem or provide solution. Problem persisted and vehicle was returned to the dealership two more times in 2011 with no resolution as well. Now 2013 with over 40,000 miles on the vehicle (out of 36,000 mile warranty), problem persists. Driver has learned to pull over and turn engine off to reset electronics necessary to temporarily overcome the issue. Still no diagnosis or resolution by dealership or Honda. This is not an issue caused by warped brake rotors, worn brake pads, or air in brake lines. ECM/PCM software updates in Apr and May 2011 were fruitless. I suspect that the problem is in either a sensor, a primary control unit, or software operating such.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

I was driving down the street about 40mph with my foot only on the gas pedal, when all of a sudden the brakes slammed on, slowing me down rapidly. Luckily there was nobody behind me. This happened on my way home 2 more times. The subsequent times I was driving slower. Thee were never any warning lights. There was no smells. After the 3 times during that 1 trip, it did not happen again. I dropped the car off at Honda dealership today and am afraid that they wont be able to replicate the problem again. I am terrified that this will happen again with my children in the car. It was like the car was completely out of my control. What happens if I am merging onto the freeway, in front of a semi and the brakes get slammed on again?

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Continue to have soft brakes even after vsa recall. Brake did tighten up and the became soft again. Brakes still continue to become soft after recall work. Brakes have been replaces along with new brake fluid and bleeding of brake lines. No change after work was completed.

- Joliet, IL, USA

I brought the Odyssey to Honda, spoke with service advisor. I told the advisor that the brake pedal travel was too far, about 75% of range to initiate braking. This was the same condition that the van was in about a year ago when the ("air in brake system" recall was applied). I asked Honda to bleed the brakes and re-apply the seals called out in the recall. Honda refused to inspect the vehicle or apply the recall a second time (as a recall condition). Honda did recommend that I pay for a brake inspection and service. Honda's recall repair was insufficient and has left the vehicle in the same dangerous condition of leaking air into the brakes as it was before the recall. I plan to bleed the brakes myself rather than pay Honda a small fortune to do something they should be doing free of charge for there faulty design. Please let me know if NHTSA would like to examine the vehicle to document the recurring problem, before I bleed the brakes. In the future I would urge the NHTSA to hold manufacturers liable to either implement a real fix, such as a new vsa modulator that doesn't leak or that they should require the manufacturer to apply their 'band-aid fix' recall of bleeding the brakes and adding seals as many times as the customer requests. Bleeding the brakes is only a temporary fix, this needs to be implemented on a regular basis, its not a one time fix.

- Manchester, CT, USA

While driving with my foot on the accelerator, my 2008 Honda Odyssey spontaneously braked. I quickly looked to make sure the parking brake had not engaged and that no other warning lights were on. After a moment, the brakes released. Then they braked again even harder, slamming me against the seatbelt. This happened about five or six times. I immediately slowed down to about 25 miles/hour and managed to limp the couple of miles left to get home without further incident. About eight months later, the same thing happened, almost exactly like the first time. When I took it in the dealership, both times they could not duplicate nor determine the problem.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

I merged on to the highway going approx. 50mph when my Odyssey minivan started to brake on it's own. I looked at my panel to make sure I was in 'd' (drive and not 1 or 2) and checked my emergency brake, then the van accelerated and then braked a couple times then it braked really hard making the van do a nose dive. This all happened within about a minute or less. I was not in control of the van, it did all this on it's own. I had just picked up my 2 year old from preschool and I had my 10 month old rear facing as well. If there was something I could have done, I would have. I hit my flashers and pulled over. But like I said, I was on the freeway and I felt like a sitting duck with my babies in the back so I started driving because there was an off ramp just a little ahead of me, and when I reached approx 25mph the van dove on the brakes again. Once I was safely off the highway, I called aaa and had it towed to the Honda dealership. We bought the van 12/11 certified used.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

Brakes automatically applied while foot was on the gas pedal - the vehicle was going about 35 miles an hour and the brakes applied forcing you into the seat belt until the vehicle was almost to a stop. It happened again about 300 feet later. The brakes applied on their own without touching the brake pedal or E-brake. This is the second time in 15,000 miles it happened - the first time it happened we did not take it to the dealer thinking it was human error or a one time issue. Now that it happened again and I found 7 or 8 other Odyssey owners file complaints with the NHTSA we know there is something else going on. Took vehicle to the dealer but could not duplicate. Called Honda and they sent 3 engineers to look at vehicle but could not find anything. Honda replaced all braking system parts with new parts, provided a rental car all at no charge. They have no answers to what caused the issue but plan on putting the parts from my vehicle onto another vehicle so they can do more tests. Hopefully the new parts will resolve the issue.

- Westerville, OH, USA

Brake is soft only 40,000 mile very soft brake Honda does not wanna replace parts so please help me on this issue thanks.

- Eldon, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the brake pedal stuck to the floor. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection who located the failure at the brake pedal. The brake pedal was replaced. The failure mileage was 5,690 and the current mileage was 16,000.

- Schaumberg , IL, USA