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 ↗2009 Honda Odyssey brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 19 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
The 2009 Odyssey has significant brake issues that surface at low mileage and persist through vehicle life. Owners report complete brake failure with pedal loss and grinding sounds as early as 2,000 miles. More commonly, the pedal feels abnormally soft and spongy from new, requiring harder pressure and earlier braking than normal. Some pedals sink all the way to the floor when applied, causing the van to roll through intersections or stop signs with the pedal fully depressed.
Rotor problems are widespread. Rotors warp or wear prematurely—often needing resurfacing by 15,000–20,000 miles while brake pads are still 70–80% worn. One rotor fractured completely at 11,000 miles. When rotors are resurfaced, the vibration and warping return within 5,000 miles. At highway speeds, steering wheel vibration and pulsing are severe enough to concern long-time drivers.
Dealers have been unable or unwilling to fix these issues. Multiple brake bleeds, fluid flushes, pad and rotor replacements, and even ABS module work fail to resolve the soft pedal. Dealers tell owners the operation is normal despite their experience with other vehicles showing otherwise. One dealer admitted the Odyssey has an undersized brake system—brakes designed for smaller vehicles—that is a design flaw and cannot be fixed. Honda's warranty covers rotor defects for only 10,000 miles, leaving owners liable for failures at 15,000+ miles.
Same Honda Odyssey brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Complete Brake Failure / Loss of Braking
Brakes go completely unresponsive or pedal sinks to floor with no braking force, sometimes after a grinding sound. Occurs suddenly and unpredictably at low speeds (20-25 mph turns, intersections). Grinding noise heard at initial failure. One case involved VSA system malfunction; Honda Engineering advised unplugging and reseating VSA module as remedy, though owner questioned validity. Another case involved soft spongy pedal that occasionally goes to floor, leading to vehicle rolling past stop signs and red lights with pedal fully depressed.
When: 2,000 miles to 92,000 miles; incidents reported at various mileages with no clear pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive or goes completely to floor; Grinding sound when brakes fail; Loss of all braking force for 5-10 seconds; VSA light comes on unexpectedly in dry conditions at highway speeds; Pedal becomes soft and spongy; Vehicle rolls through stop signs with pedal fully depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Honda Engineering suggested unplugging VSA module and reseating it; dealers found no visible damage or fluid leaks; some dealers said brakes were in good working condition and operation was normal despite owner complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Engineering acknowledged VSA system issue happens to other owners; Honda refused to provide loaner or tow vehicle
Premature Rotor Wear and Warping
Rotors wear prematurely or warp well before brake pads are significantly worn, requiring resurfacing or replacement at unusually low mileages. Rotor warranty only covers 10,000 miles but failures occur at 15,000–30,000+ miles. Rotors sometimes warp again within 5,000 miles of resurfacing. One rotor failed catastrophically and broke into two pieces at 11,000 miles. Some owners report dealer resistance to warranty coverage, blaming owner driving habits instead.
When: 15,000–55,000 miles; one catastrophic failure at 11,000 miles; repeat failures within 5,000 miles of first rotor turning
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration or shimmy when braking at highway speeds; Brake pulsing sensation; Steering wheel shaking, sometimes severe; Rotors visibly warped or uneven; Brake pad wear minimal (20–30%) while rotors require service; Rotor broken into two pieces
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors resurfaced or replaced multiple times; one owner replaced rotors with Passport brakes/rotors/calipers with better results; upgraded drilled/slotted rotors reduced but did not eliminate vibration; dealership resurfacing ineffective long-term
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Rotor warranty covers only 10,000 miles; dealers blamed poor driving habits and labeled issues as normal wear and tear, not covered under warranty; one dealer told owner the 2009 Odyssey design issue cannot be fixed
Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal Feel
Brake pedal feels abnormally soft, spongy, or requires firmer/longer travel to achieve stopping power. Owners report needing to press pedal harder and earlier than normal. Condition present from new vehicle. Dealers have performed multiple brake bleeds, brake pad replacements, rotor resurfacing/replacement, and even ABS module bleeding without permanent resolution. Dealerships consistently claim operation is normal despite owner experience with other vehicles showing this is not typical.
When: Present from new (early mileage); persists through vehicle life (documented up to 74,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal feels spongy or soft; Pedal requires extra pressure to achieve normal braking; Pedal travel longer than expected; Owners must begin braking earlier than normal; Condition does not resolve after multiple service attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid bled and flushed (sometimes fluid found dirty and very dark); rotors resurfaced and replaced; brake pads replaced; ABS module bled; one dealer installed device claimed to make brakes actuate earlier in pedal travel; none permanently resolved issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers consistently told owners operation is normal despite repeated complaints; no recalls or TSBs mentioned for this issue; warranty claims denied
Undersized Brake System for Vehicle Weight
Owners and mechanics on Honda forums concluded the Odyssey uses smaller brakes/calipers designed for smaller SUVs (CVR) that are inadequate for the heavier minivan. Some owners have reported improved performance after replacing Odyssey brakes with Honda Passport brakes/rotors/calipers. One dealer admitted to owner the 2009 Odyssey has this design issue and cannot be fixed.
When: Design issue affecting all 2009 Odysseys; becomes apparent in normal use
Symptoms owners cite: Soft brakes and poor braking performance overall; Brake issues more pronounced when going downhill; Braking performance inadequate for vehicle mass
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report some success upgrading to Honda Passport brakes/rotors/calipers; no manufacturer brake upgrade or modification mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer told owner issue is a design problem that cannot be fixed; Honda did not address root cause
Brake and Accelerator Pedal Confusion / Proximity Issue
Owners report depressing brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously, causing motor racing and ABS activation. Owners note little difference in height or location between brake and accelerator pedals, increasing risk of unintended throttle application when braking. Two incidents resulted in near-collisions.
When: Early in ownership (low mileage); occurred twice for one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Simultaneous depression of brake and accelerator; Engine racing unintentionally; ABS activating unexpectedly; Pedals close in height and location
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs mentioned; design issue with pedal layout
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response mentioned
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The vehicle, a 2009 Honda odyssey, has a soft spongy brake pedal that occassionally goes all the way to the floor, resulting in the vehicle rolling past stop signs and red lights while the pedal is fully depressed. The most recent episode occurred in a private development, where the vehicle was traveling at less than 25mph. Upon approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal went all the way to the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 11,000 and 32,634 miles, with the median around 19,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 32,634. 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/2009/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.