2008 Honda Odyssey Owner Complaints

I believe that I was sold a car with an unsafe engine. I bought the van from Libertyville Honda in Libertyville on [XXX]. The car had 107K miles on it. A liile over a mounth later the check engine light came on and the van started running bad. When I did some reasearch I found out that a safty report to an iscident dated [XXX] when the car had 107k miles on it. This means that the car was not driven much from the date of the incedent before it was sold to me. The car was sold to me with the same amount of miles as the day of the incent. I believe the issue with the engine was not permently repaired before the car was sold to me. this is the report [XXX]. "Slowing turning into driveway car would not stop RPM at 2k." " Then shifted to neutral where rpm climed to 4k" My safty was at risk because I was driving a car that could have sped up without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11739547

Incident

Mar 10, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Honda Odyssey on April 13,2024. The sale was a private sell. The contact stated at the time of purhcase the odometer was recorded at 129,000. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact attempted to use the vehicle as a trade in. The contact was informed that the CARFAX report last recored the odometer reading on April 6, 2024, at 230,000.

NHTSA ID

11738110

Incident

Apr 13, 2024

Mileage

230,000 mi

The engine malfunctioned, and the car is available for inspection upon request? My safety was put at risk because the car was backfiring in traffic due to the spark plugs filling up with oil. I reported the problem to the Libertyville Honda because they sold me the vehicle about 35 days before the issue started, but I have not heard back from them. I had the Odyssey inspected at Napleton Honda in Oak Lawn. They informed me that piston rings 1-3 needed to be replaced . They also informed me that due to malfunctioning piston rings at least one of the spark plugs was full of oil. The car also needs a new oxygen sensor and this could also be caused by the engine malfunction. No warning lights came on prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11736026

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle was leaking gasoline. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's boyfriend saw and took a video of the vehicle pouring gasoline. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the engine was running during the failure. The vehicle will be towed to the dealer but has not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11644605

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Incident #1: 1/18/2024, 102k miles. Engine surged to 2k while braking coming to a light. Close to hitting stopped car. Shifted to neutral rpm speed up to 4k. Incident #2: 1/31/2025: 107k miles. Slowing turning into driveway car would not stop rpm at 2k. Then shifted to neutral where rpm climbed to 4k.

NHTSA ID

11640237

Incident

Jan 18, 2024

The passenger side door of my 2008 Honda Odyssey fell off when attempting to close it and nearly fell onto my child. The automatic sliding door was closing and around halfway closed it fell off of the track and started opening back up unprompted, thus damaging the rear right quarter panel as well. This is a major safety issue as it nearly crushed my [XXX] daughter, but thankfully was caught in time. A man parked near us in the parking lot helped us pick the door back up and said the same thing happened to him, also in a 2008 Honda Odyssey! Prior to the incident, the door would occasionally hesitate to open when button was pressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11619754

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

235/65/R16. Tire blew out throwing car to the left in a ditch going around a curve . Air bags went off from impact. Car front had significant damage.

NHTSA ID

11604419

Incident

Jul 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at 45 MPH the front passenger tire flew off which caused the driver's front air bag to deploy with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the air bag deployed his vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a cement block wall. The contact sustained injuries and was transported to the Banner Baywood Emergency Room. The local sheriff's department was on the scene after the accident but the contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The contact stated that he sustained injuries from the accident such as his lips were swollen, and received cuts on his face. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11593154

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a grinding noise was present coming from the front brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front brake rotors but after retrieving the vehicle the failure persisted. Additionally, while driving, the braking system would erroneously activate causing the vehicle to suddenly stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle continued to experience the failures and the Vehicle Stability Assistance (VSA) light started to continually flash off and on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired due to the part being on backorder. The failure mileage was 209,000.

NHTSA ID

11512394

Incident

Jan 15, 2023

Mileage

209,000 mi

My doors wasn't latching or shutting all the way. The power doors and windows wouldn't work sometimes. Then the back sliding door fell off. Engaged the automatic door and damaged the side of the van. I seen there were recalls but none for my Vin I don't know what to do.

NHTSA ID

11461628

Incident

Apr 14, 2022

On my car there was a recall on the fuel pump filter housing. I've been to a dealer with this where they didn't replace the case. The car started to smell like gasoline. I opened the pump cover and saw a crack in the pump filter housing(is in the picture).I reported it to the dealer(honda Hamilton NJ) but they dismissed me saying it was not their problem because they did not replace the part. I reported it to honda usa where after three weeks they told me the same thing. On their website it clearly states "HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SET ON THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY...". My question is why they don't replace the filter housing when it says it's a fire hazard. Thank You

NHTSA ID

11450015

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 10 mph. A driver alerted the contact that the rear of the vehicle had caught fire. Another driver passing by informed the contact to get into his vehicle for safety, and the contact exited her vehicle and went into the other driver's vehicle. The police and fire department was contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a used car lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11435757

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

Mileage

180,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that when opening the rear driving sliding door, the door detached. The door ended up falling to the ground onto the contact's foot causing permanent injury. Medical attention was needed. The dealer was contacted who stated they were no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated they noticed that the door was attached by two small arms on the front end of the door (none on the rear end of the door) and a wheel with the track. There was nothing else there to hold the door. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11435385

Incident

Sep 29, 2021

2008 Honda Odyssey with issue with piston rings confirmed by mechanic. There are known issues with the piston rings in certain cylinders may rotate and align, leading to engine oil consumption and spark plug fouling. Honda has agreed to settle a massive class-action lawsuit brought against it for engine trouble potentially affecting nearly 1.6 million vehicles. The lawsuit includes Accord (2008-12), Odyssey (2008-13), Pilot (2009-13) and Crosstour (2010-13) models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management, which might experience engine misfire, excessive oil burning and premature spark plug fouling issues.

NHTSA ID

11425111

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

VAN SIDE SLIDING DOORS HAVE REAR LOCKING LATCH ACUATOR THAT FAILS. UNDER POWER CLOSE, THE REAR OF THE DOOR WILL PULL IN, LATCH, THEN UNLATCH AND RELEASE THE REAR OF THE DOOR. WITH POWER TO DOORS OFF (FUSE #13 REMOVED) THE DOOR REAR LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE DOOR WITH A FAILED REAR LATCH WILL ALLOW THE DOOR TO SLIDE OPEN COMPLETELY ON ACCELERATION, SLAM FORWARD BUT NOT LATCH ON BRAKING, AND WILL ALSO SLIDE OPEN AROUND A CORNER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE I HAD 2 CHILDREN IN THE CENTER SEAT, AT THE SLIDING DOOR OPENINGS. DEALER WANTS $511 PLUS TAX, AND THERE IS A REBUILD SERVICE FOR THE REAR LATCH ON EBAY FOR AROUND $90, PROVING IT IS A CHRONIC, WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, IF THE 7.5 AMP FUSE IS LEFT INSTALLED IN SLOT 13 FOR SLIDING DOOR POWER, THE BATTERY WILL DISCHARGE OVER NIGHT. THE DEALER WILL NOT GUARANTEE I WILL NOT HAVE A POWER DISCHARGE AFTER THE REAR LATCH (MY LEFT SIDE DOOR IN MY CASE) IS CHANGED, AND FUSE 13 IS REINSTALLED. I'M GLAD MY KIDS WERE STRAPPED IN WHEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN THE FIRST TIME. THE DOOR WOULD CHOP OFF A HAND IF IT SLAMS SHUT WHILE BREAKING THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE, AND HONDA SHOULD BE MADE TO RECTIFY THE REAR LATCH (UNLATCHED) ISSUE. A SEARCH OF EBAY FOR "2008 HONDA ODYESSY REAR DOOR LATCH" RETURNS OVER 30 LISTINGS FOR REAR SLIDING DOOR LATCH ACTUATOR UNDER THE FOLLOWING HTTP: ADDRESS - HTTPS://WWW.EBAY.COM/SCH/I.HTML?_FROM=R40&_TRKSID=M570.L1313&_NKW=2008+HONDA+ODYESSY+REAR+DOOR+LATCH+REPAIR+SERVICE&_SACAT=0&LH_TITLEDESC=0&_OSACAT=0&_ODKW=2008+HONDA+ODYESSY+REAR+DOOR+LATCH+REPAIR

NHTSA ID

11414497

Incident

Jul 20, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY, AND SOMEONE HIT IT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND SPED OFF. THEY BACKED INTO ME HARD THOUGH AND MESSED UP THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR OFF WON'T OPEN

NHTSA ID

11403804

Incident

Mar 4, 2021

Mileage

244,567 mi

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS NEAR 40F MY STEERING MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND LOOSES FLUID.

NHTSA ID

11386203

Incident

Dec 17, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

STARTED 2019 PEEL OFF THE PAINT BODY BETWEEN MOONROOF AND WINDSHIELD. AREA IS BIGGER, BIGGER...

NHTSA ID

11383563

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

01-017 BRAKE PETAL SOFT GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11363929

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

131,046 mi

FROM THE LAST 5-6 MONTHS (NOT EXACTLY WHEN I REALIZED BUT PROBABLY AROUND MAY 2020 I'M FEELING THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT GETS HEATED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING CONTINUOUSLY MORE THAN 10 MILES (AS ITS EQUIPPED WITH THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE) EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS OFF. THIS IS REALLY STRANGE AS WITHOUT TRUING THE HEATED SEAT INTO HI/LOW POSITION IT SHOULDN'T HEAT THE SEAT. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE IF WE GO ON A LONG DRIVE. NOTE: I DIDN'T CHECKED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IF THAT BEHAVES IN THE SAME WAY.

NHTSA ID

11363756

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED EIGHT DAYS PRIOR AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A BURNING ODOR OCCURRED INSIDE THE CABIN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND HER FAMILY WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY. AFTER, EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED FIRE AND LIQUID WAS DRIPPING UNDER THE CHASSIS. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS WERE HEARD AND PIECES OF THE VEHICLE FLEW OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PARK RANGER AND THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 196,000. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 8/11 FOR A LEAKING POWER STEERING HOSE. *JS

NHTSA ID

11352817

Incident

Aug 22, 2020

Mileage

196,000 mi

THE SEAL PLASTIC AROUND SMALL WINDOW ON THE SLIDING DOOR BOTH SIDES IT'S RIPPING APART, I REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I HAD TWO KIDS 9 AND 11 YEARS OLD, THE ACTUAL PLASTIC DIAL IT'S MELTING AND I WORRY ABOUT KIDS CAN PUT THAT OUT IN THEIR MOUTH AND BE DANGERS FOR IF THEY EAT BY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11352763

Incident

Aug 30, 2020

DANGEROUS BRAKING DUE TO SOFT BRAKE PEDAL; RELATIVE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V098000. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED ON THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO ROLL THROUGH STOP SIGNS OR STOP LIGHTS IF DRIVER IS NOT CAREFUL TO BEGIN STOPPING EARLIER THAN NORMAL. VEHICLE HAS A NEW MASTER CYLINDER INSTALLED YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS. ELEVATED VEHICLE ON JACK STANDS TO CHECK CALIPER FUNCTION. DISCOVERED ONLY TWO WHEELS ARE BRAKING. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, WHILE ON JACK STANDS, I HAD MY WIFE PRESS AND HOLD THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO ROLL EACH WHEEL; THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR WHEELS ROLLED FREELY WITH BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED, AND THE RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR WERE UNABLE TO BE ROLLED WITH BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED. WITH BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED AND A PROPER BLEEDING SEQUENCE, I OPENED THE BLEEDER VALVE ON THE CALIPERS. THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR CALIPERS EXHIBITED NO FLUID PRESSURE. IT IS KNOWN THIS VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS MADE UP OF TWO HYDRAULIC CIRCUITS LINKING THE LEFT FRONT WITH THE RIGHT REAR, AND LINKING THE RIGHT FRONT WITH THE LEFT REAR. SOMETHING LINKED TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL IS CAUSING THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL AND CONTINUE TO EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327221

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

THE LIFT GATE STRUTS QUIT WORKING AND THE LIFT GATE KEPT FALLING ON MY HEAD EVERY TIME I OPENED IT. I KNOW THAT THE STRUTS ARE A RECALL ITEM FOR THE 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY, BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PERHAPS IT SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325080

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

90,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE LEAK IN ONE OF THE FUEL VALVES WHICH THEN LEAKED ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AT RANDOM SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A LEAKING SPOOL VALVE COVER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11300714

Incident

Jan 1, 2018