HONDA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN QUICKLY AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN TURNING WHEEL, QUICKLY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, IT IS HARD. ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ASSIST FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. UPDATED 7/29/11.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Odyssey steering problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 steering 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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2009 Honda odyssey. Issues on the automatic transmission. On 4th gear just shudders either downshifting or up shifting while driving. And besides all this also makes a knocking sound either backing up or moving forward. Besides makes a humming sound from transmission when driving.
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2009 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 68,130 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.