RoadVitals

2001 Honda Odyssey Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jun 8, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 619 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Honda Odyssey submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2016

SOFT BRAKE PEDALS. BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING.

NHTSA ID
10873161
Incident
Jun 7, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed May 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLUCTUATED UP AND THEN DOWN TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,700.

NHTSA ID
10862963
Incident
Nov 4, 2015
Mileage
166,700 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2012

THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH VERY LITTLE APPARENT THRUST THEN WOULD SUDDENLY "KICK" INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND LURCH FORWARD, THEN SLOWLY MOVE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. ALSO THE TCS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THE GREEN DRIVE (D) INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH. THIS PROBLEM IS PRIMARILY WITH THE DRIVE GEAR AND NOT SO MUCH THE REVERSE GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO AND HAS REMAINED ON. AN OBD CODE READER ON 22 FEB 2012 INDICATED 3 DIFFERENT FAULT CODES -2 GENERIC AND 1 MANUFACTURER- WITH THE MAJORITY OF EXPLANATIONS INDICATING SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION FAULTS AND ONE- A TCC CODE -ELECTRICAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449053
Incident
Feb 21, 2012
Mileage
101,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 25, 2011

THE CAR STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND, 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TCS LIGHT CAME ON AND D4 WAS FLASHING. THE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED MINUTES LATER. TCS LIGHT WAS OFF AND D4 STOPPED FLASHING, BUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I WENT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10437266
Incident
Nov 21, 2011
Mileage
75,137 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2011
Crash reported

I HAD A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 169,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS THE ONLY OWNER, AND IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. ON JAN, 6, 2011 AT 12:50 IN THE AFTERNOON I WAS SOUTHBOUND ON I-43 IN MILWAUKEE AND EXITED AT THE MCKINLEY/FOND DU LAC EXIT. DESPITE REPEATEDLY PUMPING AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VAN. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN WITH GREAT EFFORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FULLY STOP IT. IN ORDER TO AVOID DRIVING INTO CROSS-TRAFFIC ON FOND D LAC AVE. AT THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM ON THE EXIT RAMP, I TURNED UP ONTO A SIDEWALK/GRASSY AREA. THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND, IN ORDER TO STOP IT, I INTENTIONALLY DROVE IT INTO AN ABUTMENT/CONCRETE WALL THAT IS PART ON AN UNDERPASS THAT GOES UNDER I-43. I WAS IN NO WAY IMPAIRED, AND AM CERTAIN THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IN FACT, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I LOOKED DOWN TO MAKE SURE AND MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WAS TOTALED AND EVENTUALLY DESTROYED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS. A FIELD ADJUSTOR FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID HE CHECKED THE CABLE AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE FLOOR MATS. NEITHER WAS A CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10376873
Incident
Jan 6, 2011
Mileage
169,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. SHE HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10314111
Incident
Jun 25, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 18, 2010

I HAVE BOUGHT MY USED SALVAGE REREGISTED HONDA ODYSSEY 2001 EX IN SEPTEMBER 2009. IT APPEARS THAT MY CAR HAVE THE SOFT BRAKE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FEELS SPONGY AND TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE, ESPECIALY WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED RIGHT BEFORE IT IS RELEASED IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND ALSO IN SLOW SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311886
Incident
Sep 30, 2009
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2008

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP OUR 2001 ODYSSEY IN MY SON'S SCHOOL PARKING LOT THE BRAKE PEDAL--WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING--WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COASTED PAST MY INTENDED STOPPING POINT BY ABOUT 20 FEET. LUCKILY NO PERSON OR VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT TIME. I WAS ABLE TO RESTORE BRAKE FUNCTION BY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE NEXT DAY MY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE SEALS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAK THE FLUID COLLECTS IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MASTER CYLINDER. HE THOUGHT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY VERY UNUSUAL. HE SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTED VEHICLES AND HAD NEVER BEFORE REPLACED A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER ON A HONDA ODYSSEY OF ANY MODEL YEAR. OUR ODYSSEY IS A 2001 MODEL, IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 64,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243996
Incident
Sep 25, 2008
Mileage
63,067 mi
Brakes
Filed May 29, 2008

VERY NOISY SQUEAL REAR BRAKES WHEN NOT WORN. STARTLING WHEN BRAKING. SO LOUD THAT THEY MASK THE WARNING NOISE THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE WHEN THEY WERE ACTUALLY WORN, THUS MAKING WARNING NOISE INEFFECTIVE. LOCAL HONDA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS AN OBNOXIOUS PROBLEM ON 01 ODYSSEYS. HONDA AMERICAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TSB BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS ON GROUNDS THAT IT WAS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE". *TR

NHTSA ID
10229258
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2008

RIGHT FRONT CALIPER STUCK TOGETHER, PRODUCING LOTS OF HEAT ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220884
Incident
Jun 7, 2007
Body & structureBrakesTransmission
Filed May 16, 2006

2001 HONDA ODYSSEY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND SLIDING DOORS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158387
Incident
May 1, 2006
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2004

HONDA IDENTIFIES THAT DRUM BRAKES ON HONDA ODYSSEY ARE PROBLEMS. FOR OVER TWO YEARS, WE FOUGHT WITH DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND THEY ESSENTIALLY KEPT IGNORING COMPLAINTS OF LOUD SQUEELING (LIKE A SEMI-TRUCK) WHEN BRAKING. WE PAID FOR PADS AND THEY PAID FOR DRUMS IN FEB. AS OF SEPT., WE HAVE THE SAME CONDITION BACK WITH THE SQUEELING. HONDA HAS KEPT THIS PROBLEM SILENT AND WE NEED TO BRING THIS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10090676
Incident
Aug 17, 2004
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2004
Crash reported

VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK TO GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. EVENTUALLY COMPLETE FAILURE OF SWITCH MEANT USING THE MANUAL RELEASE FOR TH ENGAGEMENT OF GEAR. UPON IDENTIFYING THIS FAILURE, IT IS NOTED THIS SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE REAR EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE, AND PRESENTED A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. NEW SWITCH WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED, PROBLEM ELIMINATED. EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURED AT SAME MILEAGE ON 1999 VEHICLE FROM SAME MANUFACTURER, AND WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING THE SAME PART. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083112
Incident
Jul 23, 2004
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2004

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED DUE TO BULB BEING DEFORMED FROM HEAT BUILD-UP. *LA *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10057297
Brakes
Filed May 21, 2003

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR REAR BRAKES GROAN WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *CB

NHTSA ID
10021560
Incident
Mar 19, 2003
Mileage
35,597 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 2003

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP WITH OUT WARNING. *JB IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TIGHT WHEN DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. MECHANIC NOR DEALER COULD FIND PROBLEM HOWEVER FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND PROBLEM DID NOT RESURFACE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10015124
Incident
Apr 2, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jan 24, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ID
10004583
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 25, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS STARTED TO WARP AT 12,000 THE ROTORS WERE NEVER REPLACED ONLY CUT DOWN TO REDUCE WARPAGE, CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ROTORS ARE CUT IT WOULD ONLY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF THE ROTORS, ALSO THE REAR HATCH SPOILER WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING CRACKED. TS *JB

NHTSA ID
8023227
Incident
Nov 1, 2002
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2002

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE WEARING OF THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES ARE WARPED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA ID
8020891
Incident
Oct 1, 2002
BrakesTransmission
Filed Oct 9, 2002

THE VAN NEEDED TO BE JUMPED STARTED TWICE A WEEK. ALSO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ERRATIC PERFORMANCE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ID
8020510
Brakes
Filed Mar 29, 2001

BRAKE SYSTEM OVERHEATED AFTER REPEATED APPLICATION OF BRAKES. THIS RESULTED IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF BRAKES. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
884582
Incident
Jan 15, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .