2008 Honda ODYSSEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
499 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 421 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 85 of 499 complaints (17.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 184 | 36.9% |
| Steering behavior | 39 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 34 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 85 |
| Structure:Body | 75 |
| Service Brakes | 62 |
| Engine | 40 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 30 |
| Unknown Or Other | 29 |
| Power Train | 26 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 85; Structure:Body: 75; Service Brakes: 62; Engine: 40; Electrical System: 32; Vehicle Speed Control: 30; Unknown Or Other: 29; Power Train: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 117 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 85 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 74 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 49 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 72 |
| 150,000 and above | 24 |
Under 25,000: 117; 25,000 to 49,999: 85; 50,000 to 74,999: 74; 75,000 to 99,999: 49; 100,000 to 149,999: 72; 150,000 and above: 24
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (117). 78 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2012 | 44 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2008: 24; 2009: 42; 2010: 70; 2011: 46; 2012: 44; 2013: 75; 2014: 44; 2015: 27; 2016: 28; 2017: 23; 2018: 25; 2019: 24; 2020: 10; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 184 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 34 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10214725 · 2008-01-14 (January 14, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR EACH TIME IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 918 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 914.
Owner-reported narrative. 914 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219726 · 2008-02-29 (February 29, 2008)
I AM EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 ODYSSEY TOURING IN WHICH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT, FEELS SPONGY, AND LONG BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS 2,132 MILES CURRENTLY AND IT WAS NOT LIKE THIS BEFORE 2,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231673 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)
BOUGHT A NEW 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY LX ON 5/15, SALESMAN WAS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE SO HE SHOWED ME THE CAR AND A FEW THINGS AND WAS GONE. IT WAS AROUND 8PM WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT, FIRST TIME I HAD EVER BEEN IN AN ODYSSEY. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND IT FELT GREAT, PRESSED THE BRAKES AND WAS AFRAID THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY. BEEN VERY SPONGY SINCE DAY 1. TOOK IT TO FIRST HONDA IN SIMI AND THEY SAID THEY'RE ALL LIKE THAT. HARD TO BELIEVE, HAVE TO SIT CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET LEVERAGE ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THEY HONESTLY FEEL LIKE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 111 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258543 · 2009-02-13 (February 13, 2009)
NEW 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES, WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED 1. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING. HAPPENED EVERY TIME WHEN STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPT. IDENTIFIED IT TO BE A WARPED MOTOR AND THEY HAD TO RESURFACE IT. THEY MENTIONED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED IN SOME OTHER VEHICLES TOO, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. 2. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES UP WHILE DRIVING EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPT. HAS LOOKED AT…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219748 · 2008-02-29 (February 29, 2008)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATION SHIFTING 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. HESITATION IS PRONOUNCED DURING COLD STARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238566 · 2008-08-17 (August 17, 2008)
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY LEASED ON MAY 27, 2008 AT PS HONDA (LONG ISLAND). CAR BROKE DOWN ON AUGUST 15 AT I-95 CT TPKE. CAUSE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND CLUTCH GOT BURNED. UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN WILL IT BE FIXED. HONDA WESTPORT AND PS HONDA REFUSED TO SHOULDER CAR RENTAL. FILED A COMPLAINT AT AMERICAN HONDA ABOUT THE NEW VAN THAT BROKE DOWN AND REFUSAL TO PAY CAR RENTAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257503 · 2009-02-04 (February 4, 2009)
2008 HONDA ODYSSEY 5 DOOR TOURING MODEL FAILED TO STOP WHILE AT SLOW MANEUVERING SPEEDS, FORCING THE DRIVER TO JAM ON THE BRAKE AND SWERVE TO MISS VEHICLE IN FRONT, LANDING UP ON THE MEDIAN STRIP OF A BUSY SIX LANE HIGHWAY. SOME ENGINE ACCELERATION WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THIS MANEUVER, ADDING TO THE BRAKING FORCE THAT WAS REQUIRED. THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT ENGAGED DURING THE INCIDENT. A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED A MONTH LATER IN A PARKING LOT, WITH A SUBSTANTIAL REVVING OF THE ENGINE AS THE CAR ENTERED A PARKING SPOT REQUIRING HARD BRAKING AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332327 · 2010-05-26 (May 26, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NEW BATTERY IN JANUARY 2010; HOWEVER, THE FAILED RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253171 · 2008-12-30 (December 30, 2008)
THE VAN WAS OPERATING NORMALLY UNTIL PARKED OVER NIGHT IN DRIVE WAY. OUR DRIVEWAY IS SLIGHTLY INCLINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE FACING FORWARD. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR STARTED FINE AND WAS WARMING UP. 5 MINUTES LATER IT STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 2 DAYS THEY SAID THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE VAN IS AGAIN SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE THIS WEEK. I NOTICED A SIMILAR POSTING ON THIS WEB SITE CLAIMING THAT THE FUEL PUM…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280235 · 2009-08-12 (August 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND,…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235796 · 2008-07-25 (July 25, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WITH A HALF A TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PUMP IS AT THE REAR OF THE TANK; THEREFORE, IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FACING DOWNHILL, FUEL CANNOT FLOW BACK TO THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO START. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235796 at NHTSA ↗