Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the brakes felt abnormally spongy when depressed. While stopped at a traffic stop on an incline, the contact depressed the brakes when the brakes failed and caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. There were no injuries and the police were not contacted. One week prior to the crash, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for replacement of the brake pads and the resurfacing of the rotors. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Front brakes and rotors were changed several times. Last with drilled/slotted rotors. Vibration is less with those, but still there. This seems to be a problem with other people as well. So speed little vibration, higher speed increases vibration. Has been going over the years, is worse when in the mountains.
My brakes went completely out on my new 2009 Honda Odyssey ex-l while on vacation with only 2,000 miles on the vehicle. On a few occasions over the last month and a half that I have owned my Odyssey the vsa light (vehicle stability assistance) has come on for no reason and could not be turned off. Normally the vsa is on all times but the light does not come on unless the conditions are bad. (ice, snow, rain, rocks) when this light has come on I have been traveling at approx. 50mph, not braking, and the conditions were sunny and dry. Then the horrible day, with my 5 year old in the back seat I was turning left at a light at approx. 20-25 MPH when I pushed down my brake and heard a grinding sound and no brakes. I began pumping the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor. After a few seconds (maybe 5) the brakes engaged. I immediately pulled over and looked under the car. …
First time noticed soft brakes then pedal went down almost to the floor which ended up making girding noise. This now has occurred many times over especially going down hill of any grade low or high. I have complained to my local Honda dealer but no action but to say they have heard of others complaints but can't re-duplicate nor has fix for that. I went to the Honda forum and there were many complaints regards to these soft brakes and similar issues. In that forum many mechanically minds have concluded that Odyssey uses same small brakes/calipers as smaller SUV- cvr. Comparing that these are just too under powered brakes for our heavy minivan. Some have found easy solution by replacing them with Honda passport's brakes/rotors/calipers to satisfaction. I believe this is a big safety issue. They know about it on same model on yr 07 & 08. …
2009 Honda Odyssey, problem started on Monday 04/26/10. Early morning as I was leaving my place for work, I noticed that the brakes were 'soft'; at the first stop sign, it took the brake to stop the van a longer distance than usual, speed is below 20mph. I was still able to drive to work without further incident that time. Then at noon I went out to have lunch, I drove to a nearby place about 10 miles, while I'm driving the vsa off signal lamp came on, driving speed at 35mph, good driving/weather condition, road is well paved; when I got to my destination, I turned off the engine, waited a few minutes, and started the engine again, the vsa signal lamp is now off. No further incident that time again. The next instance that the vsa signal lamp went on while I was driving on my way home, it stayed on for a few minutes, then it went off. …
We have an ongoing issue with violent brake vibration at highway speeds. Earlier this year when the van had approx. 15,000 miles we started experiencing the vibration. When we brought it to the dealer around 18,000 miles and pointed the problem out and they said the rotors were warped and we need to have them turned and we did. Well here we are at 23,000 miles and the brake vibration is back with a vengeance. We are headed to the dealership this week but I already know what they are going to tell me - to turn the rotors. Well, I have been driving all makes of cars for over 30 years and I have never needed rotors turned at such low mileages and absolutely never had them turned twice within 5000 miles!! In the day, the only reason to turn rotors was to remove the grooves created by the rivets that held the brake pads to the rotor. …
The vehicle, a 2009 Honda Odyssey, has a soft spongy brake pedal that occassionally goes all the way to the floor, resulting in the vehicle rolling past stop signs and red lights while the pedal is fully depressed. The most recent episode occurred in a private development, where the vehicle was traveling at less than 25mph. Upon approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and there was uncommanded engine acceleration, resulting in the vehicle traveling well past a stop sign. Operator took the vehicle to the local Honda dealership and discussed possible brake problems, including reports of faulty vsa modular pumps, and possible accelerator linkage problems. …
Driving on highway felt strong vibration on the steering wheel when stepping on brakes at 50 MPH. The vibrations is felt stronger at 50 MPH or above. It causing a high vibration on the steering wheel. No crashes at this time. Took vehicle to the dealer because is on warranty, dealer informed defective rotors and rotors were uneven and need resurface, rotors are covered by warranty for just 10kmiles, vehicle has 20K miles, dealer blames bad rotors on bad driving. I believe they are wrong I have two other Honda and I have no problems with rotors at that early stage of driving mileage.
We were coming down a mountain and even though I was using the engine to slow down the brakes started pulsing and the steering wheel started shaking. Since that time the problem has gotten worse and now happens at highway speeds. The problem does not go away until the brakes have cooled completely down. I checked on line and found out that this has been a problem with the Odyssey's for years and happens even after replacing the pads and rotors. Our vehicle now has 74,000 miles on it and when the problem occurs the shaking of the steering wheel can be severe.
2009 Honda Odyssey lx. 2 times I was stopping and pushed the brake and accelerator at same time. Motor was racing and ABS was coming on - very frightening as I did not know what the problem was and motor is very powerful. Almost rolled into busy 55 MPH intersection first time and almost hit basketball post in driveway second time. Have never had this problem with a vehicle and have been driving for over 30 years. Plain sneakers were being worn - not winter boots. Seems to be little difference in height or location of brake pedal with respect to gas pedal.
Related recalls
Parking brake › Driveline › Hydraulic › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Honda is recalling 421 my 2009 odyssey vehicles. During assembly, incorrect front brake hoses were installed. The brake hose can contact the caliper bolt and over time a hole May develop which will allow brake fluid to leak. This would eventually result in reduced brake system performance.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front brake hoses and replace with the correct brake hoses free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2009. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Brake complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Honda Odyssey, 11% of the model year's 198 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Honda Odyssey brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-057 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 18, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Odyssey brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.