MINIVAN WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX AN OVERLY-SOFT BRAKE PEDAL, PER A RECALL LETTER. CAR WAS RETURNED WITH BRAKES EQUALLY SOFT (OR WORSE), SO THAT EVEN A "PANIC BRAKE" PROCEDURE (USING 240 LB OF FOOT STRENGTH) COULD NOT TRIGGER THE ABS, BRAKE ASSIST, OR OTHER BRAKE SAFETY FEATURES. CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE (SAME) DEALER TWICE MORE, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. CALLS TO HONDA BROUGHT NO RESULTS. ALTHOUGH T…
2008 Honda Odyssey brakes problems
severe 139 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
139
Recalls
0
Crashes
19
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 ODYS…
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 139 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.