HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Honda Odyssey brakes problems
severe 139 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
139
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
19crashes
2fires
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 139 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 139 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Honda Odyssey in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2008 Honda Odyssey report a cluster of brake system problems centered on soft, spongy pedals with excessive travel. Most commonly, the brake pedal feels mushy and requires depressing nearly halfway to the floor—or past the accelerator pedal—before braking engages. Many owners describe having to pump the brakes to restore stopping power, as though air repeatedly enters the system. Some complain the pedal travel is so long that during panic braking, their foot catches the accelerator, causing the vehicle to lurch forward when released.
A second major failure mode is intermittent complete brake loss. Owners report instances where brakes simply don't respond at all—the pedal becomes unresponsive at low and highway speeds, forcing them to downshift, steer away from traffic, or coast to a stop. After engine shutdown and restart, braking returns. This has led to crashes and near-misses.
A third pattern involves spontaneous, unintended braking while accelerating. Owners report the vehicle applies the brakes hard on its own, with the pedal visibly moving toward the floor without driver input, sometimes accompanied by buzzing or vibration. This has happened during highway merges and parking maneuvers, creating hazardous situations.
Brake noise—grinding, scrubbing, or metallic sounds—appears throughout complaints, often accompanied by shuddering or vibration at speeds above 30 mph. Some owners report rotor replacement at relatively low mileage (20,000–35,000 miles) yet the shuddering and noise persist. Many describe being told by dealers that the problem is normal or that the ABS modulator needs replacement or rebleeding. Even after recall work (NHTSA Campaign 10V098000, addressing air in the VSA modulator), owners report the soft-pedal condition returns within weeks or months.
Same Honda Odyssey brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Soft, spongy brake pedal with excessive travel
Brake pedal requires depressing halfway to the floor, or past the accelerator pedal, before braking engages. The pedal feels mushy and allows the driver's foot to contact the accelerator when fully depressed.
When: Present from new or shortly after purchase; recurring months or years after recall repairs; especially notable in first few thousand miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal depresses 1–3 inches or more before braking starts; Pedal feels spongy or mushy, not firm; Excessive pedal travel nearly to floor; Pumping pedal temporarily restores braking (suggests air in system); Foot contacts accelerator when brake pedal is fully depressed; Difficulty stopping in normal driving; must apply excessive pressure
Codes mentioned: Defect Code 03214, Symptom Code 04907
Repairs/costs cited: Honda dealers have bled brake systems repeatedly, replaced master cylinders (cost ~$600), replaced ABS modulators, and adjusted pedal position—but symptom recurs. Owners report the issue returns within weeks to months after repair. Some replaced rotors and pads at 20k–35k miles yet pedal remains soft.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaign 10V098000 (Service Brakes, Air) addressed air entrapment in VSA modulator by resealing and rebleeding. Honda issued Technical Service Bulletin 07-045 and TSB 09-053. Despite recalls and TSBs, owners report the condition recurring and dealers often stating the symptom is 'normal' for the Odyssey or claiming no further action is possible.
Intermittent complete brake failure
Brakes suddenly become unresponsive; pedal does not work or does not feel the brake pedal. Vehicle coasts or requires emergency steering to avoid collision. Problem resolves after engine shutdown and restart.
When: 2,800 miles to 130,000+ miles; typically after several weeks or months of ownership; some reports at 30,000+ miles after initial purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not respond; vehicle continues at speed despite brake application; No brake feel in pedal; pedal may go to floor with no stopping power; Occurs intermittently, not always reproducible; Resolves after turning engine off and restarting; Occurs during downhill driving, highway merging, or parking maneuvers; No warning lights or sounds preceding failure
Codes mentioned: ABS module fault (suspected)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate failure in most cases. One owner reports ABS module replacement. Some owners report dealer cannot identify cause or perform repairs. One case mentions brake fluid being present and brake system examined but no root cause identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers typically report inability to duplicate; some claim no known defect or recall applies. One owner reports Honda engineers were called but found nothing. Recall Campaign 10V098000 does not appear to address complete brake loss in manufacturer response narratives. One owner received partial brake system replacement at no cost, with parts sent to manufacturer for testing.
Spontaneous, unintended brake application while accelerating
Brakes apply hard on their own while driver has foot only on accelerator, with no driver contact with brake pedal. The brake pedal visibly moves toward the floor independently. Brakes may apply and release multiple times in succession.
When: At variable mileage (reported at 5,000–65,000 miles); occurs during highway driving, merging, parking, and acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes apply hard ('slamming' effect) without driver input; Brake pedal visibly depresses toward floor without driver touching it; Repeated brake applications and releases in quick succession; Occurs while accelerating or during normal cruising; Driver foot only on accelerator; witness confirms pedal moving independently; Vehicle rapidly decelerates or lurches forward then brakes hard; No VSA or warning lights reported in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate in most cases. One owner reports Honda replaced all brake system parts at no cost and sent original parts for testing but found no cause. Most repairs: none, as dealers cannot reproduce.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service advisors write up complaint as soft pedal instead of unintended braking. Owners state dealers acknowledge the issue is known but claim no recall or repair available. One owner references Honda recalling other model years for the same problem, requesting a recall for the 2008 Odyssey.
Brake noise (grinding, metallic, scrubbing sounds)
Grinding, metallic, or scrubbing noise from brakes, especially upon first braking of the day or during initial 5–15 minutes of driving. Noise may be accompanied by shuddering or vibration felt in steering wheel.
When: Early in ownership; some occurring within first 5–15 minutes of driving each day; consistent throughout vehicle life; present at 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard grinding or metallic noise when braking; Grinding sound heard after first 5–15 minutes of driving; Scrubbing or squealing noise; Noise present during normal and emergency braking; Shuddering or vibration in steering wheel when braking at speeds >30 mph; Noise persists after brake pad replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attribute to warped rotors and recommend resurfacing or replacement at 50k miles (cost ~$645 for rotors and pads). One owner replaced front rotors at 20k miles, then again at 60k; rear rotors also replaced; grinding noise continued. Owner reports finding black sludge and air in system while bleeding brakes themselves. Most repairs: rotor/pad replacement with no long-term resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda dealers acknowledge the problem is common ('very common for pads and rotors to be replaced at 35k') but no recall or TSB addressing the noise appears in these narratives. American Honda reportedly unhelpful when contacted directly.
Brake shuddering and vibration; warped rotors at low mileage
Brakes shudder or vibrate significantly when applied, especially at speeds above 30 mph. Vehicle shakes violently, affecting steering. Rotors warp or develop hot spots at unexpectedly low mileage (20k–60k miles), despite adequate pad thickness remaining.
When: At 20,000–60,000 miles; shuddering can occur early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Significant vibration/shuddering when brakes applied above 30 mph; Steering wheel shakes noticeably; Vehicle feels unstable during braking; Rotors develop hot spots or warp despite >50% pad remaining; Rotors require resurfacing or replacement at low mileage; Shaking subsides after rotor replacement but soft-pedal symptom may remain
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors resurfaced or replaced, sometimes repeatedly. One owner replaced front rotors at 20k miles (dealers claim 'normal'), again at 60k miles, plus rear rotors; also replaced pads. Cost ~$380–$645. Owner reports finding black sludge and air when manually bleeding brakes. Shuddering resolved after rotor replacement but soft pedal persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB cited for rotor warping. Dealers claim the condition is normal wear and common on the model. One dealer suggested the hot spots indicate abuse, but owner disputes this on a low-mileage vehicle.
Synthesized from 139 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
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…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Honda Odyssey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 112 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,700 and 61,000 miles, with the median around 27,480. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,700; a quarter make it past 61,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Odyssey.
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.