The 2008 Honda Odyssey has 4 recalls, the most serious being a fuel leak from a deteriorating fuel pump strainer cover and a brake system software fault that can trigger sudden, hard braking without activating the brake lights.
The fuel pump strainer cover can break down over time, allowing gasoline to escape near engine heat and ignition sources, which raises the risk of fire. The brake concern stems from an interaction between the Vehicle Safety Assist System's software and hardware: under certain conditions, the system can slam on the brakes without warning and without lighting up the brake lights, leaving following drivers no visual cue to react, which raises the risk of a rear-end collision. There is also a liftgate issue on vehicles equipped with the power liftgate system, where the gas-filled struts that hold the rear gate open can lose pressure and fail early, causing the liftgate to drop suddenly onto anyone standing beneath it.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump strainer cover can break down over time, allowing fuel to leak from the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Honda replaces the fuel pump strainer cover with an improved cover to stop fuel leaks.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The Vehicle Safety Assist System may unexpectedly apply the brakes due to a combination of system components and software.
What the fix does
Honda will install replacement parts and provide instructions to prevent unintended braking. Parts became available in spring 2014.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gas-filled struts that support the power liftgate may leak pressurized gas due to a manufacturing flaw, reducing their ability to hold the liftgate open.
What the fix does
Honda dealers will replace both power liftgate gas struts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gas-filled struts that hold up the power liftgate may fail early due to a manufacturing defect, causing the liftgate to drop suddenly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both liftgate struts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
