Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving around a bend, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the wheels locked up, and the parking brake was engaged to stop vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that failure was similar NHTSA campaign number: 02V226000 (Engine and Engine and Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal seized in the depressed position and prevented the contact from depressing it any further. The vehicle failed to stop and rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy because the speed did not warrant deployment. The bumper on the contact's vehicle fractured. The vehicle was not towed nor was a police report filed. There were no injuries. The contact stated that the brakes suddenly began to function correctly. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to identify the cause of the failure the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. Updated 06/02/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While backing up out of a parking space, the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depessed. As a result, the contact struck a parked vehicle and moved it three parking spaces. No warning indicators were illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. When appyling pressure to the brake pedal, the contact heard and felt a loud grinding noise. The dealer changed the brake shoes, but the problem still persists. The vehicle was inspected by two additional professional technicains and they advised her that nothing was wrong with the brake system. On two occasions, the sliding door would spontaneously open, allowing her children to exit the vehicle while in motion. The dealer could not duplicate the failure; however, they greased the rollers on the sliding door, which remedied the failure. Several months later, the vehicle was rear ended directly in the center of the vehicle by another vehicle traveling 35 MPH. None of the air bags deployed. There were no warning lights prior to the crash. The dealer was not notified. …
The first time while driving engine drive belt broke engine shut down suddenly could not stop hit vehicle in intersection second time similar situation my son driving to much oil on the belt, belt jump from tensioner and wrap around every thing vehicle too hard to stop engine not running ran in the back of some one mechanic diagnostic says it is the tensioner ,water pump,oil failed causing a over heating internally in the motor blowing the head gasket with only 70,000 miles I notified my dealer and no reply because you cant drive the vehicle in to the dealership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. In addition, the ABS and the TCS (traction control sensor) warning light illuminated. The air bag warning light remained illuminated after a Takata air bag recall remedy was performed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed for the TCS and ABS lights and it was determined that the wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,122.
Hi. I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey with a "sinking brake" problem. I am being told that the problem is normal per a "1995" Honda service news. The brake pedal moves towards the floor when the van is stopped and feels like a faulty master cylinder. Honda of America has been unresponsive to my concerns. I am told it is common yet no mention is made in the handbook and the repairman at the local dealer where I bought the van had no immediate knowledge of the problem. My biggest concern is that since a brake pedal that sinks is a sign of a failing master cylinder, when do I (or my wife who is the primary driver)get concerned. If we treat the sinking brake pedal as normal and the master cylinder does fail, we could be involved in a rearend accident. Why has not Honda engineered this problem out since 1995? Please get Honda of America to answer my concerns. Sincerely, [redacted].
2002 Honda Odyssey brakes make noise when backing up and stopping. Transmission shifts hard. Mechanic also determined there was a problem with the weld near transmission mount. The consumer was told that the noise created by the rear disc brakes was by design. When the brakes wore out the consumer replaced all four pads and had the rotor turned. After that the noise was no longer present. The consumer noticed that the transmission was shifting hard and occasionally the RPM's would jump between shifts. Around this time the consumer received a recall referencing the automatic transmission. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer and the problem was repaired. After repair the problem worsened with increasingly hard shifts and more frequent slips where the engine revved up the vehicle didn't move. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Dt*: the contact stated that prior to having transmission problems a recall letter # 04V176000 was received pertaining to the transmission 2nd gear inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealers who stated that the recall was on a voluntary basis only and that they would inspect the vehicle. Upon inspection, the dealer determined that transmission only needed to have an additional cooling line run through the transmission and a flushing. After the recall remedy began having problems with the transmission. While driving, there have been several almost accidents due to a malfunction of the transmission stalling. After the most recent incident, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon examination, the dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced but they will not replace the transmission under recall. The consumer also experienced brake problems. Updated 09/13/06.
After spending money to get car fix. Found out there are at least 60 recalls on this vehicle. I only gotten 7 or 8 recall letter from Honda. Accord8ng to the mechanic friend, I could have gotten a new car after all the repairs from the recall. Call Honda on this and they said it's your responsibility to ensure you take the car for recall repair. We are not responsible for missing recall letters, even if I never receive them
Brake complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Honda Odyssey, 3% of the model year's 960 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Odyssey brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Honda Odyssey, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda Odyssey brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.