Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Following a service in which my timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, and power steering pump were changed, the tensioner bolt was sheared off twice while I was driving. The first time that this happened, the mechanic reported that he had never seen this particular problem before. The second time that the bolt was sheared off (both events were within a week of the servicing), the mechanic informed me that he had done research and this seemed to have happened to numerous Honda Odyssey owners. As state above, this has happened twice in the past week while I was driving, once on a ramp, entering the interstate and once turning right onto a main road from a parking lot.
Loss of power steering when turning at low speeds. At times, there are very scary sounds coming from the power steering pump. This is going on for a while and my local dealer refused to service it under the warranty.
On August 6, 2011 I took my 2008 Honda Odyssey (33,2281 miles) in to be looked at because there was a leak under my vehicle. It was determined that the front torque oil shaft converter/transmission was leaking. Upon repair, I got home, and was experiencing the same problem. I took my van back to Honda on August 11, 2011, only to have them determine that during the initial repair they had broke one of the seals during the install. They kept my vehicle for another 3 days, and gave me a rental car during this time. On November 4, 2011 (33,946) I took my car back in to Honda because my steering wheel had become difficult to turn, and there was oil leaking from under my van again. The steering issue and the oil were both repaired again. My vehicle was returned to me on November 7, 2011. …
Back in December of 2010, my Honda Odyssey (VIN# [redacted]) began to become difficult to steer. This problem occurred randomly and intermittently, and seemed to occur more often at slow speeds. On 12/21/10, I took the vehicle to bloomfield Honda, an authorized Honda dealer, and was told that the steering pump system had failed and had to be replaced. Since the vehicle was out of warranty (41,200 miles on the odometer), Honda refused to take responsibility for the replacement of this system and refused to take responsibility for this defect. In 2008 I had the same problem with my 2005 Honda Odyssey (virtually the same body style and model of vehicle, VIN#[redacted]). At approximately 36,000 miles, the steering pump system had to be replaced. I consider this to be a defect in the steering system of this model, and I believe it to be a safety hazard.
I purchased this 2008 Honda Odyssey in 2011, with approximately 45,000 miles on it. During the winter of 2013, I began to experience groaning (and sometimes "humming") noises from the power steering system. Additionally, the steering wheel was hard to turn at low speeds. I assumed the vehicle was low on fluids so with every oil change (at the Honda dealership) , I insisted the power steering fluid be filled. The Honda dealer was not able to identify any noises. However, last night on the way home from work at approximately 10 pm, the noise re-appears. The steering issue is now following the noise making it difficult to steer the vehicle resulting in a safety issue in operating the vehicle. I know I share these concerns with other Honda Odyssey owners and our complaints are falling on deaf ears with the dealers. I really want to see these concerns addressed before someone gets hurt.
Vehicle became increasingly difficult to steer at low speeds (1-5 MPH) and began making loud noise when wheel was turned all the way left or right. This is a serious safety issue because the driver is not expecting to suddenly experience difficulty turning the wheel. I complained to Honda service center where the service advisor claimed he couldn't find any problem. However, my research located that a service bulletin (10-076) and many, many, references on various forums, showing that Honda is clearly aware of the issue. However, since the problem has generally occurred outside of the warranty coverage, Honda has essentially escaped responsibility for the repairs unless/until customers indicate they will complain. Upon my third visit to the dealer, the service advisor "noticed" the problem and covered the repair under our extended warranty.
I just bought the van it is a carfax one owner pre owned 2009 Honda Odyssey bought at the same dealer it came from so they were the ones to service it it's whole life 72,000 when I got it. I have to keep taking it back because it won't go straight down the road without pulling even after they put new tires on it plus did an alignment. Add this to the other problems I'm having like a vibration between 45 and 52, oil smoke coming out the exhaust when you first it up. Honda says its OK to use 1 quart of motor oil every one thousand miles now to me that's not acceptable. I'm very disappointed in this van and Honda for letting people drive there vehicles like this. I have looked at so many problems with this Honda minivan that online with even more problems than I have and enough is enough this is just not right.
Issue with power steering rack and pinion leak. As part of power train, the rack and pinion leak creates safety issue while driving. Turning effects driving and pings, knocks are heard @ 52,000 miles. We have lifetime unlimited miles and years warranty from dealer. Warranty company and dealership parted ways so brandon Honda verbally refuses to fix problem. This should be a recall. Other Odyssey owners with this issue. Since it's not a recall, dealer should fix under our warranty. While sitting, power steering fluid leaks from rack and pinion. Seals/gaskets, whatever else reason for leak which is expensive to fix. We replaced a cv joint at our expense this year. All the steering and powertrain parts are listed under powertrain on Honda website's parts page.
While turning into traffic at a stoplight my power assist for the steering died completely for 4-6 seconds. Throughout the winter I would hear a whine from the power steering when making the two turns out of my garage and onto the street. After those two turns it was silent and worked as it's supposed to. This failure was obviously unexpected and could have resulted in more than a close call if traffic had been heavy. I took the vehicle in to the dealer today and they said the power steering pump was shot because of contamination in the reservoir. The vehicle has 21,383 miles on it and is less than two years old.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. While driving the vehicle will drift to the left and right. This condition reduces his ability to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the vehicle was realigned five times, the power steering system was replaced, and a set of tires were replaced. After all of the repairs the technicians stated that the failure was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. He was advised by the manufacturer to pursue the lemon law. The failure mileage was 5. The current mileage was 24,000. Updated 01/20/10 updated 01/22/10.
Steering complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Honda Odyssey, 5% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Odyssey steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2008 Honda Odyssey, though it has 4 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 2008 Honda Odyssey steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
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.