In 2011 after we bought the vehicle we took a trip to colorado where our brakes failed, I was pushing the brakes gently down a hill and after about 1 minute the car started to shake violently, I thought I had a flat so I pulled over and checked but the tires were fine, than I realized that the disc brakes have warped making the car difficult to slow down, after we made it back home we took the…
2011 Honda Odyssey brakes problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 34 brakes complaints filed for the 2011 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 34 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.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Honda Odyssey has a well-documented front brake rotor durability problem that shows up as early as 12,000–20,000 miles with violent steering wheel vibration when braking above 45 mph, requiring repeated resurfacing or rotor replacement. Some owners report soft brake pedal issues and master cylinder failures as well; Honda has quietly redesigned the rotors but will not recall the originals or cover repair costs beyond the initial 12,000-mile warranty.
The most consistent complaint across 34 narratives is premature warping of front brake rotors starting as early as 12,000 miles, with most cases clustered between 16,000 and 38,000 miles. Owners describe violent vibration in the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking above 45 mph, particularly on downhill stretches and mountain roads. A Honda dealership technician stated he routinely sees this pattern repeat every 30,000–40,000 miles on recent Odysseys and has resorted to installing larger aftermarket rotors to avoid it.
Many owners report having their rotors resurfaced or replaced multiple times before 50,000 miles—one had three rotor jobs and three sets of pads in 16 months; another went through two complete rotor replacements and multiple resurfacing operations before 46,000 miles. Brake pads glaze and wear unevenly, sometimes requiring replacement twice per year even under normal city driving. One owner discovered a Honda technical bulletin documenting the defect and revealing that the original rotor design was discontinued in favor of a thicker, redesigned part with different ventilation.
A separate group of complaints describes soft brake pedals that travel near or to the floor, persisting even after master cylinder replacement. One owner experienced complete brake failure in reverse that required use of the parking brake.
Honda and dealers consistently attributed the problem to owner driving habits (excessive braking, insufficient driving, or mountain driving), denied it was a safety issue despite customer reports of loss of braking effectiveness, and refused warranty coverage after the initial 12,000-mile wear warranty expired.
Same Honda Odyssey brakes reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Warped Brake Rotors with Premature Wear
Front brake rotors warp excessively early in vehicle life (as early as 12,000–32,000 miles), forcing repeated resurfacing or replacement. Owners report rotors warping after downhill braking, with one dealer technician stating the pattern repeats every 30,000–40,000 miles across most 2011 Odysseys he sees. A Honda technical bulletin acknowledges the issue, introducing redesigned rotors (part 45251-TK8-A02) with greater internal thickness and reduced air vents to replace the defective original part (45251-TK8-A01), which was discontinued.
When: 12,000–50,000 miles (most common 16,000–38,000 miles); acceleration after downhill braking, extended mountain descents
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration and shuddering in steering wheel when braking above 45 mph; Vibration and pulsation in brake pedal during deceleration; Vehicle shakes violently during emergency stops or braking from highway speeds; Shaking increases with steeper road grades and higher speeds; Reduced stopping effectiveness during prolonged braking (mountain descent)
Repairs/costs cited: Resurfacing at dealer every 12,000–13,000 miles; replacement of front rotors (multiple instances); front brake pad replacement (often 2–3 times before 50,000 miles). One owner installed aftermarket high-performance rotors as permanent fix after factory rotors continued to warp. Estimated cost ~$350–$800 per service including pads.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda introduced updated rotor design (part 45251-TK8-A02) with increased internal thickness and different ventilation; original rotor (45251-TK8-A01) discontinued but no formal recall issued. Honda told owners rotors are a 12,000-mile wear item and not covered beyond that; refused to acknowledge systemic defect despite field service bulletins. Dealers blamed driving behavior (excessive braking, insufficient driving, mountain driving) and sometimes denied the problem existed.
Soft Brake Pedal / Loss of Hydraulic Pressure
Brake pedal goes soft and travels near or to the floor, reducing braking effectiveness or causing complete brake failure requiring manual engagement of parking brake. Multiple owners reported the issue persists even after master cylinder replacement.
When: Various mileages; one instance at 39,000 miles; instances throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal soft, travels close to or all the way to floor with gentle pressure; Requires pumping brakes to build pressure and slow vehicle; Complete loss of braking force (pedal stuck to floor, unable to pump); Inability to stop during reverse operation; Reduced stopping distance and increased difficulty slowing vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement (performed at least twice on one vehicle in 2018 and 2021); brake fluid system bleed. Issue recurred after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed brake master cylinder failure; Honda contacted but denied prior incident reports despite owner forums showing at least two similar failures on same model year.
Brake Pad Glazing and Uneven Wear
Brake pads glaze over from excessive heat, depositing material onto rotors or wearing unevenly, reducing braking performance. Pads require replacement more frequently than expected (up to 2–3 sets before 50,000 miles).
When: Recurring; as early as 19,000 miles in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding sound when braking, especially downhill; Uneven pad wear requiring frequent replacement; Pads glaze over from overheating, causing vibration and loss of grip; Braking effectiveness reduced despite pad material present
Repairs/costs cited: Pad replacement 2–3 times before 50,000 miles; resurfacing of rotors at same intervals. One owner stated brake pads and rotors required service twice per year even under light use.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owners this is normal wear and refused warranty coverage on subsequent brake jobs, citing 12,000-mile wear warranty on rotors.
ABS Indicator Illumination with Sudden Braking
ABS warning light illuminates and vehicle brakes abruptly without driver input, sometimes accompanied by unintended acceleration.
When: 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS indicator light illuminates; Vehicle brakes abruptly without brake pedal application; Vehicle accelerates without accelerator pedal being pressed
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced; failure recurred the following day, requiring return to dealer for further diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted; follow-up repair outcome not detailed in narrative.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda odyssey. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Soft brake pedal goes to the floor. Took to shop brake system had to be reveled. After 2 weeks doing same problem. Master cylinder been checked with no issues
Had brakes trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 17,000 and 40,300 miles, with the median around 28,413. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,000; a quarter make it past 40,300. 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/2011/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.