2010 Honda Odyssey: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Brakes · TX

I am reporting a recurring and dangerous brake system failure in my 2010 Honda Odyssey. Intermittently, when the vehicle is first started, the brake pedal becomes completely stiff and cannot be depressed at all. During these events, the brakes are effectively non-functional until the condition resolves, creating a serious safety hazard. This issue occurs without warning and has happened on multiple occasions. This defect is especially dangerous because it prevents normal braking operation at startup, increasing the risk of a collision if the vehicle is moved or if immediate braking is required. I have attempted to repair this issue extensively. The vehicle has been inspected by three separate repair facilities, including a Honda dealership. The following components have been replaced in an effort to resolve the problem: •Master cylinder •Brake booster •Rotors •Brake lines •ABS system Despite these repairs, the issue persists unchanged. I have spent over $2,500 attempting to fix what appears to be a systemic defect. The Honda dealership suggested the issue may be caused by air entering the brake lines when the vehicle is parked on a slope. However, this explanation is not consistent with normal automotive function, and similar vehicles do not exhibit this behavior under the same conditions. Given the repeated failure of major brake system components to resolve the issue, I believe this represents a defect in the vehicle’s braking system that could affect other vehicles of the same model. I am submitting this complaint due to the serious safety risk posed by intermittent loss of braking function and request that this issue be investigated.

Filed Oct 3, 2015 · Brakes · 68,000 miles · OH

After front brakes were replaced pedal height felt decent. When stopping on a rainy day I felt the ABS kick in. It made a different sound than I've heard before. Ever since then the pedal height has not felt normal. Feels soft. If you pump it a couple times its not too bad but who has time for that in a sudden stop. The pedal feels as though it travels farther before engaging and when it does, it is still not hard like my ford. For a vehicle like this with 4 wheel disc brakes it should stop on a dime like it used to. Had the brake fluid changed at the dealer. No difference. They could not give me a spec for the pedal height. Interesting. I guess the pedal can never be too low if there's no spec, only subjective to what honda wants to admit is bad or not. Interestingly enough I have a 1989 lincoln mark vii with the orginal ford service manual. There is a specific range for the pedal height when measured from the floor board. Surprising how ford has had it since 1989 and honda is not required. Again - we can all think the pedal is too low but it's ultimately honda's opinion since there's nothing to measure it against. I have owned this vehicle since it was brand new so I know how the brakes used to, and should feel. Given the number of complaints on the web with similar stories from the dealers and honda I hope the federal safety agency will finally force this issue into a recall by reassessing the vehicles stopping distance against what was advertised. Or is this only applicable for the 3/36 warranty? The federal safety agency, in the wake of the vw scandal, please finally force honda to pull their head of the sand, admit and correct these issues so many customers are complaining about. Especially as it pertains to something as critical as brakes.

Filed Mar 27, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 98,000 miles · NY

Traction control / ABS activates while turning at 10 - 30 MPH regardless of road conditions. Honda dealer indicates the yaw rate cluster sensor for ABS requires replacement. This is a know defect that was recalled on 2008 and earlier honda odyssey products. It appears that the same part is used up to 2011. Honda says this is my problem, there is no defect.

Filed Mar 24, 2012 · Brakes, Suspension · 7,800 miles · NJ

At low speeds from 20-35 miles per hour, the vehicle ABS causes braking to fail to halt the vehicle in the anticipated distance of other cars. It takes 3.5 car lengths at 18-20 MPH, which can lead to rear end collision with the vehicle in front of you. You are forced to keep double the normal number of car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you. And your front wheels start sort of 'hopping' causing partial loss of traction, during the ABS cycle that probably shouldn't be engaging. I had the same experience with my prior 2007 honda accord hybrid, only worsened by the various hybrid components kicking in and out, including the regen braking, and the engine cutoff, as well as the ABS and the transmission downshifting. I had two minor rear end front end accidents but frequently found myself skidding into intersections. Both vehicles also suffered from difficulty regulating speed without using the brakes, and very sensitive speed braking. Nonetheless, I think the ABS, suspension and the braking are combining to cause the vehicle to partly lose traction and leads to extended braking distances at low speed. I have not only repeatedly written and called honda about this particular problem, I've even threatened to terminate my lease agreement over it. Honda's only response to my calls and letters since 2008 is that 'there is no outstanding recall regarding the condition you are reporting', to which my comment: "there darn well should be!" falls on very deaf corporate ears.

Filed Sep 19, 2011 · Electrical · 11,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 honda odyssey. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the ABS lamp and the SRS lamp illuminated then all of the gauges on the instrument panel stopped working. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that there was a problem with the computer communication system and the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repaired the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to file a complaint. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 11,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 25, 2011 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · NC

We bought a new 2010 honda odyssey from the honda dealer last year and started to notice that the brake makes grinding sound occasionally when I step on it. And the passenger side can feel the shaking when the brake is engaged. I tool to the dealer last month. They told me the break is fine. It is probably the ABS system causing the grinding and shaking. There is no need to fix. But the problem persists and we need to get it fixed before an accident happens.