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 2006 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently reversed while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The mechanic replaced the transmission however, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) failed and the brakes locked up. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 - 25 MPH, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed and failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear brake caliper failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the rear brake caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
When braking for an intersection the engine revved after lifting foot from the accelerator and brakes were not able to stop the vehicle until I was in the middle of the intersection. Luckily no other vehicles were in the intersection at the time otherwise it would have caused a crash.
The brakes acted as a term stated soft brake pedal. The brakes should have stopped the vehicle in a shorter distance than they actually did. From a speed of approximately 50 MPH it took about 150 ft to stop and it still required hitting the car infront of me to stop at about 5 MPH. I felt the ABS kick in but for pushing the pedal as hard as I could the wheels did not even squeal or chirp. It felt like the vehicle was just coming to a slow stop.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. While driving 25 MPH, the rear brake locked up and made the vehicle difficult to drive. The dealer stated that the wheel bearing and backing plate were worn. The dealer performed the repair and also replaced the rear disc brakes and rear shoes. Approximately seven days later, the contact experienced the same failure while driving 45 MPH. The dealer replaced the rotors, backing plate, shoes, and springs. The contact stated that she experienced the same failure on the day she picked up the vehicle. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to skid to the side of the road, causing her to crash into a highway sign. The ABS and abi lights illuminated and remained illuminated after the crash. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. There is a police report available. The current mileage is 10,233 and failure mileage was 9,933. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. While driving 40 MPH in traffic the vehicle in front of her crashed into another vehicle. When she engaged the brakes, the vehicle continued to accelerate causing her to crash into the vehicle in front of her. The vehicle was damaged on the front end. She did not sustain any injures. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The entire front end of her vehicle was repaired. She referenced recall 10V504000, service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder and stated that the recall was directly related to her failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 49,000. Updated 3/14/11 the consumer stated the vehicle had to be taken back to the repair shop, because the vehicle would not stop. It was discovered air was in the brakes. Updated 05/05/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front brakes. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate and the rpms increased. The vsc and ABS warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while entering a drive way, the brakes failed and no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact crashed into the front right side of the house and the air bags failed to deploy. No police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver sustained injuries to the hand, arm, neck, and shoulder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 134,448.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. While driving 65 MPH, the all the instrument panel lights illuminated and the brake pedal engaged without being depressed. The contact stated that the warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was parked and unable to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Rear end collision by Honda Odyssey where brakes locked up. Anti-lock brakes did not engage and soft spongy feel to brakes. Brake applied all the way to floorboard. Confident in use of anti-lock brakes from BMW driving school (other car a BMW). Dealer investigated and found nothing wrong.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 odyssey and Acura rl vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during December 2010. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA investigations
Air in brake system
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 69 complaints, and Honda has received 613 complaints and field reports, alleging low/soft/spongy brake pedal travel in model year (my) 2006 through 2008 Honda odyssey minivans.twenty-six odi complaints were also reported to Honda, resulting in a total complaint count of 656.some complaints allege that the condition resulted in extended stopping distances,…
Brake complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Honda Odyssey, 11% of the model year's 703 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › pads (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Odyssey brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-504 (master cylinder, Oct 22, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Odyssey brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 31% 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.