2008 Honda Odyssey: soft or spongy brake pedal

Filed Jun 4, 2020 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · TX

Dangerous braking due to soft brake pedal; relative to the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 17, 2016 · Brakes · CA

Soft brake pedal have to drive extra cautious pedal goes way down before brakes start to grab, was taken in for vsa recall but brakes still dont feel right, most likely will never buy another honda due to this experience. Planning on contacting honda to see if they have a fix yet for this big safety issue car only has 60k.

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 50,000 miles · MI

Persistent problems with the brake system since the 2010 vsa/ABS modulator recall. They system continues to have a soft pedal which requires pumpung the pedal to get effective braking, resulting in extended stop distances. The system requires periodic bleeding of the brakes despite repeated assurances from honda dealers that the system is/was fixed correctly under the recall. The vsa modulator has now failed and honda is quoting over $1,600 to repair the system despite ongoing service documentation illustrating the system apparently was not fixed under the recall - at least not effectively.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 26,600 miles · CA

With less than 27,000 miles of driving the brakes continue to accumulate air into the brake lines through the vsa module. Bleeding the brakes reverses this problem. I took the car to the dealer 3 times. Twice the performed the "recall" service which temporarily restored the brake pedal to like new service. The recall fix bled the brake lines to purge the air and cover the cap which admitted the air with a silicone substance. The third time the dealer said the soft pedal was "normal" despite the fact that bleeding the brakes reversed the problem. Now the van with recurring bad brakes problem has a failed vsa module, the source of the problem. The module now needs replacement at a cost over $1400. This is a faulty part which the dealer or honda did not correct. I have several close calls when pressing the brake pedal to the floor barely stopped the vehicle before an accident occurred. After several frightening near accident incidences I have been driving the van as though there was a problem with the brakes and increased stopping distances. The failed vsa module also affects steering the vehicle. It works in the background and I don't know how much the steering has been affected. I know minivans are hard to stop. My dodge caravan had a long stopping distance and wore the brake pads down in 15,000 to 20,000 miles. There never was a soft pedal problem with those brakes. I was very pleased to buy a van that had "good brakes" but am disappointed that this odyssey defect has jeopardized myself, my family and others by repeated problems with the brake functions and honda's inability to acknowledge this recurring problem or to fix the issue by replacing the integral but faulty part of the vehicles safety systems. Taking the air out of a hydraulic system without preventing recurrence is irresponsible. Placing customers lives at risk is shameful.

Filed Nov 5, 2011 · Brakes · 21,500 miles · FL

I have a 2008 honda odyssey and have experienced an extremely soft brake pedal. On a number of occasions as my right foot put normal pressure on the brake pedal, the pedal went almost down to the floor of the vehicle, causing my toe to put pressure on the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lurched forward. This has happened numerous times. I did receive a recall notice from honda in may 2010 pertaining to the soft brake pedal problem. I have now had my pedal adjusted three times by honda service and it does not improve the problem. Each time the honda service personnel have explained the "2007 and 2008 odyssey models have an inherent "soft brake" problem. I fear an emergency braking of the odyssey can result in a serious highway collision and or serious injury or death. My opinion is that honda is not concerned with the danger this problem is to my family or others who might suffer injuries or death due to the braking problem.

Filed Sep 10, 2011 · Brakes · 46,800 miles · OR

Brakes are extremely soft and spongy, pedal sometimes has to be pressed completely to the floor to engage proper braking, nearly causing a crash on multiple occasions. Takes much longer than it should to stop the vehicle. Pumping brake pedal allows for better braking, as if there was air in the line. Recall work completed in august 2011 for a similar issue where air could build up in system, but it did not fix issue. Two visits to honda service center and they indicate nothing wrong with the system after multiple tests. Dealer advised that previous recall repair was completed correctly. Dealer advises that they tested against other odyssey's and all appear to brake the same, so there is no issue. Google internet search revealed hundreds of similar complaints on this model year and similar claims from various honda dealers that there is nothing wrong with the braking system.

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 18,000 miles · MD

Minivan was brought to dealer to fix an overly-soft brake pedal, per a recall letter. Car was returned with brakes equally soft (or worse), so that even a "panic brake" procedure (using 240 lb of foot strength) could not trigger the ABS, brake assist, or other brake safety features. Car was returned to the (same) dealer twice more, with no improvement. Calls to honda brought no results. Although there may be a simple fix (e.g., bleeding the brake fluid), honda made no attempt to diagnose and repair the problems that arose during a recall procedure.

Filed Apr 17, 2010 · Brakes · 30,500 miles · MD

While driving my 2008 honda odyssey touring, I experienced a brake failure after initially experiencing spongy pedal while driving. Brake pedal went completely to the floor and brakes begin to grind, nearly causing the vehicle to go through a on coming traffic light. As a repeat honda odyssey owner, I experienced the same braking issue with my 2006 honda odyssey ex prior to trading it in. I never experienced this issue with 2001 honda odyssey.

Filed Mar 23, 2010 · Brakes · 24,731 miles · KY

Brake pedal goes to floor (spongy). Concerned that it is getting worse, have parked vehicle and driving another till recall is completed. Sick auto mall (honda dealer) in hopkinsville, ky was not knowledge about problem so I did not feel comfortable about taking it to them for a check. They also did not seem concerned about my problem. When recall is received I will take it to another dealer for work.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · MA

In february I purchased a 2008 honda odyssey with 25k miles, brakes pedal seems inconsistent, spongy with excessive pedal travel before brakes respond. Feels like air in lines which requires the driver to pre-think braking and leave additional space between them and the vehicle in front of them. Abrupt stops are difficult and delayed due to the inconsistency. Returned van to dealer immediately and was told it there is nothing wrong with the vehicle, "this is how the odyssey brakes feel".

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Brakes · 18,000 miles · CA

2008 odyssey van brakes have been shaking the steering wheel for about 12,000 miles and I have also complained the pedal feels soft. Honda dealer in dublin say their is nothing wrong. Finally took it to el cerrito honda and they said the pads have more than 50% left and we have hot spots in the front rotors and it would cost 380 dollars to fix. My question is if I have over 50% of my pads left at 34,000 miles which seem good then how did the hot spots get in the rotors. Hot spot or wrapped rotors are a sign of abuse. I have changed the front rotors myself and the shaking went away but the soft pedal is still present. You can pump the brakes and they will work better!!!!!!

Filed Jan 21, 2010 · Brakes · 4,721 miles · MD

07/22/08 - spongy brake pedal can be depressed to 1/2 inch of floor with moderate pressure and can be pumped to restore height and effectiveness. Honda dealer service tech "did not really feel any abnormality - but brakes were bled to address client concern and brakes feel better" 07/09/09 - brake pedal feels soft. Honda dealer service "brake pedal feels soft - see bulletin 07-045 verified and ordered ABS modulator" 07/23/09 - honda dealer service "client states brake pedal feels soft. Install sop ABS modulator - defect code=03214, symptom code=04907 replaced ABS modulator unit manually bleed brake system" comment: this repair restored brakes to normal - not spongy, and high pedal. 01/21/10 - honda dealer service "client states brakes are feeling spongy again. Please check and advise. Cannot duplicate customer concern at this time. May be due to A/C system cycling in and out" comment: was told this is "normal brake pedal feel" for this car, which is an unsatisfactory response, as the ABS modulator replacement and brake bleeding on 07/23/09 temporarily corrected this symptom. The spongy pedal symptom was temporarily repaired by removing trapped air from the brake system and replacing the part (ABS modulator) that was thought to be the cause of the air . However, there is a flaw in the brake system because the spongy/low pedal recurs when air again becomes entrapped within the system. The result is an unsafe braking system which has not yet been repaired..