Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Honda Odyssey brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Honda Odyssey have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 28,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Odyssey | 32 |
| 2011 Odyssey | 34 |
| 2012 Odyssey | 41 |
| 2013 Odyssey | 41 |
| 2014 Odyssey (this page) | 40 |
| 2015 Odyssey | 4 |
| 2016 Odyssey | 5 |
| 2018 Odyssey | 19 |
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What stands out
Owners have filed 40 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.
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.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016 CR-Zs, 2010-2014 Insights, & 2011-2017 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to any repair attempts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report rotors warping and causing severe steering wheel shaking and vibration starting as early as 10,000 miles and typically by 30,000–35,000 miles. The vibration worsens at highway speeds and when braking downhill. Dealers usually resurface rotors at no cost the first time, but the problem recurs within 5,000–15,000 miles. Owners describe the shaking as violent and dangerous, especially during longer drives or mountain descents where brakes heat up.
Honda has designed replacement vented rotors (part numbers 45251-TK8-A02 and referenced in TSB A14-00080) to fix cooling issues, yet dealers often decline warranty replacement, attributing warping to "driving habits" or "driver wear." One dealer manager admitted seeing the problem frequently—one of his own Pilots needs brakes every 40,000 miles. Owners report multiple rotor services on the same vehicle, some at 10k, again at 20k, and again at 36k–54k miles. Several experienced temporary total brake loss during hard downhill braking, when overheated rotors caused pedal fade and steering vibration until the brakes cooled. One rare incident involved engine surge when applying brakes at low speeds, causing unintended acceleration into obstacles. A factory assembly defect involving a misaligned caliper bracket also appeared in one report. Owners consistently stress this isn't about their driving habits—many have owned multiple Hondas or other vehicles without similar problems.
Same Honda Odyssey brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Warped rotors and vibration during braking
Front and rear brake rotors warp at low mileage (typically 10,000–35,000 miles), causing severe steering wheel vibration and shaking when braking, especially at highway speeds or downhill. The vibration increases over time and recurs even after dealer resurfacing.
When: 10,000–35,000 miles; repeatedly after initial diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking or shimmying of steering wheel when braking; Vibration worse at higher speeds and when braking downhill; Vibration increases over time and becomes more pronounced; Recurs within 5,000–15,000 miles after rotor resurfacing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically resurface (turn) rotors initially, cost cited as ~$120–$170; replacement of rotors with updated vented rotors (part #45251-TK8-A02, #45250-TK8-A02) costs ~$400–$562 labor + parts. Some owners replaced with aftermarket rotors after Honda refused.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda has designed replacement vented rotors (referenced in TSB A14-00080) to address heat dissipation. Dealers often refuse to replace under warranty, citing driver wear or driving habits; resurfacing offered as courtesy repair. Honda rep stated no standard brake lifespan exists.
Brake overheating and loss of braking power
During extended downhill braking or after panic stops, rotors overheat, causing temporary loss of braking effectiveness and loss of pedal feel. Driver must stand hard on brake pedal with minimal response; braking function returns after cooling.
When: During mountain descents or after sudden hard braking; no specific mileage cited
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of brake pedal response during extended downhill braking; Steering wheel vibration and shuddering intensifies with brake use; Pedal depresses with minimal braking force; Grinding noise audible as brakes finally grip; Braking function returns after cooling period
Repairs/costs cited: No repair provided in narratives. Dealer attributed to overheating due to driving conditions (steep grades, mountain descents). No parts replaced or upgraded in reported incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer investigation ongoing in at least one case; no root cause identified. Honda has designed new vented rotors to improve cooling.
Engine surge/unintended acceleration when braking
Engine revs unexpectedly when brake pedal is applied during low-speed maneuvers or parking, causing unintended acceleration and vehicle movement despite driver foot on brake only.
When: During low-speed parking and turning maneuvers; one recent report in 2024 (approximately 6 occurrences)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs suddenly when brake pedal is pressed; Vehicle accelerates despite brake pedal application; Occurs during slow turns or parking (under 5 mph); Driver confirms foot only on brake, not throttle
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; vehicle moved to garage after incident. One incident resulted in collision into garage wall.
Brake caliper bracket misalignment and caliper damage
Front brake caliper bracket installed incorrectly at factory, causing misalignment and caliper damage. Results in excessive brake squeal and burnt brake pad smell.
When: Present from new; discovered during post-purchase service visit
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive front brake squeal during stop-and-go traffic; Squealing continues when foot released from brake pedal; Burnt brake pad odor detectable when stopped; Caliper bracket visibly misaligned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced caliper bracket and caliper under factory warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under manufacturer warranty; service technician identified as assembly defect.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 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 18,000 and 35,000 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 35,000. 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/2014/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.