2008 Honda Odyssey: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Honda Odyssey: 4 recalls, 499 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (air) Vehicle recall #10V098000 · 2010 · 412,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007 and 2008 odyssey and element passenger vehicles manufactured between July 28, 2006 and August 21, 2008. Air can enter the vsa modular pump during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each time the engine is started. It is possible for enough air to enter the system to result in a brake pedal that feels soft or lower to the floor.
Why it matters: If the owner does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the system can continue to accumulate enough air to affect braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owner and Honda dealers will repair the vsa modulator by removing any existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to prevent air from entering the brake system free of charge. The safety recall began on May 3, 2010.
Body & structure, Body & structure Vehicle recall #12V062000 · 2012 · 45,747 vehicles
What's wrong: The flaw can result in a leak of the pressurized gas, leading to reduced strut performance.
Why it matters: Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both power liftgate gas struts free of charge. The safety recall began on March 12, 2012.
Electrical Vehicle recall #13V500000 · 2013 · 344,187 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a combination of system components and software, the vehicle safety assist system (vsa) May apply the brakes unexpectedly.
Why it matters: The vehicle May suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.
The fix: Parts to remedy these vehicles will not be available until the spring of 2014. Honda will send owners an interim letter notifying them of the issue and instruct them how to prevent unintended braking. A second notification will be sent when the parts become available. Interim notification was…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #14V112000 · 2014 · 886,815 vehicles
What's wrong: American Honda motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2005-2010 Honda odyssey vehicles manufactured June 23, 2004, through September 4, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover May deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
Why it matters: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Parts to permanently repair the affected vehicles are not currently available. Honda will notify owners with an interim letter during May 2014. A second notice was mailed to owners October 6, 2014 when the remedy became available. Any vehicles that are currently leaking from the fuel pump cover…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #14E049000 · 2014 · 280 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected fuel pump May send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel. The fuel gauge will always read 3/4 full to full regardless of the actual level.
Why it matters: A vehicle that runs out of fuel and stalls has an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Delphi has begun notifying dealers and distributors, and will replace the fuel pump modules, free of charge.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 44 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (123): the most common themes are door / lock issues (62), leaks (11), noise or vibration (7).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (88): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (30), noise or vibration (20).
- Brakes (62): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (9), warning light on (7), noise or vibration (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (41): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), noise or vibration (12), warning light on (7).
The 2008 Honda Odyssey has 499 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 34 Odyssey model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 376). Complaints peaked in 2013 (75 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (830 complaints, 4 recalls), 2009 (198 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Honda Odyssey.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Honda Odyssey, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Odyssey problems?
Owners have filed 499 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (123), brakes (hydraulic) (88), brakes (62).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Odyssey get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Honda Odyssey repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.