I have been experiencing a front creaking noise on my vehicle when I'm turning at low speeds. I've add the van in twice for the repair and was covered under the warranty. My van needs to now go in again for the third time and it's not under warranty. There is a service bulletin out for this, 11-038
2011 Honda Odyssey steering problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2011 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 steering 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
The complaints break into two critical patterns. First, several owners describe engine stalling without warning while driving—the engine cuts off, steering wheel locks or becomes nearly impossible to turn, and brakes fail to respond or lock completely. Radio and lights stay on in accessory mode. One owner reported five stalls over a year; another had three stalls in four days in December 2013. Dealerships couldn't identify the cause with diagnostic tools showing no error codes, though one eventually recommended Engine Control Module replacement.
Second, owners consistently report violent steering wheel vibration and brake pulsation during braking at highway speeds, caused by premature rotor warping. This starts as early as 30,000 miles and recurs every 10,000–15,000 miles even after rotor replacement or resurfacing. One owner said the condition progresses rapidly and becomes dangerous. Owners also report a loss of power steering during an alternator fault, creaking during low-speed turns (covered by service bulletin 11-038), clicking noises from the steering wheels, and unusual steering noise tied to low battery warnings. Multiple owners noted online forums with over 100 similar complaints but questioned why no recall has been issued.
Same Honda Odyssey steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Stalling with Loss of Power Steering and Brakes
Engine shuts down without warning while driving, causing steering wheel and brakes to lock or become extremely difficult to operate. Radio and lights remain on (accessory mode). Occurs multiple times over months; dealers unable to identify cause despite no diagnostic codes. One dealer suggested ECM replacement.
When: Multiple incidents 2013-2017; complaint #1 reports 5 stalls over 1 year; complaint #2 reports 3 incidents within 4 days in December 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off abruptly without warning while driving or at stop lights; Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely difficult to turn; Brakes lock or require excessive pressure to operate; Radio and lights stay on (vehicle in accessory mode); Check charge system light illuminates (complaint #5); Engine light comes on during some failures
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer fuel system cleaning performed (complaint #2) without resolving issue; one dealer recommended Engine Control Module replacement at their expense; no successful repair documented
Brake Pulsation and Steering Wheel Vibration During Braking
Excessive wheel vibration and steering wheel shake when braking, particularly at highway speeds. Caused by premature brake rotor warping or failure. Occurs as early as 30,000 miles and recurs every 10,000–15,000 miles despite multiple rotor replacements or resurfacing.
When: Starts as early as 30,000–42,000 miles; complaint #3 at 60,000 miles reports rotor replacement every 10,000–15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes violently when braking at 40+ mph; Excessive pulsation during braking; Loss of vehicle control during hard braking; Condition worsens progressively; Vehicle wobbles at almost any speed when braking
Repairs/costs cited: Front rotor and pad replacement; rotors resurfaced; complaint #7 paid $219.34 for pad/rotor resurfacing; rotors can be resurfaced only once more per dealer advice
Loss of Power Steering During Alternator Fault
Complete loss of power steering when check charge system light comes on, indicating alternator failure. Power restored after approximately one minute, then fails again. Hazard during active driving.
When: 10/29/2017; occurred twice within minutes on rainy, hilly road
Symptoms owners cite: Check charge system light illuminates; Complete loss of power steering for approximately one minute; Power steering restored intermittently; Occurs during wet driving conditions on hills
Creaking Noise When Turning at Low Speeds
Front-end creaking noise occurs when making low-speed turns. Service bulletin 11-038 exists for this issue. Complaint recurs after warranty repair.
When: Recurring; warranty covered first two repairs; third repair out of warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noise from front end during low-speed turns
Repairs/costs cited: Covered under warranty for first two repairs; third repair not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin 11-038 issued (complaint #9)
Clicking Noise from Steering System
Clicking sound emanates from steering wheels during stationary parking and low-speed movement.
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from steering wheels at low speeds; Occurs while parked and while moving slowly
Steering and Suspension Noise with Battery Charge Warning
Unusual noise from steering and suspension components accompanied by repeated low battery charge warnings on instrument panel. Dealer unable to provide solution.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery charge low warning message repeatedly displays; Unusual noise from steering and suspension during 90-degree right turns
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
12/23/13-while driving on i95 at 65mph the vehicle engine shut off without warning but the radio/lights remained on, vehicle became difficult to steer and brakes had to be pushed to the floor, vehicle came to a stop on the side of the road approx 300 feet later. Vehicle restarted and was driven to dealership, dealer stated could not be replicated and that fuel system needed to be cleaned, service…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2011 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 41,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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 $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/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.