YearToAvoid

2008 Honda Odyssey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Honda Odyssey has 499 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst of 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 28,000 miles, backed by four recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Odyssey years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
499
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
37
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
44
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
44 / 0

Top 2008 Honda Odyssey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes170 (34%)
  2. Structure & Body132 (26%)
  3. Engine80 (16%)
  4. Other42 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain41 (8%)
  6. Electrical System36 (7%)
  7. Steering27 (5%)
  8. Fuel System19 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (3%)
  10. Airbags12 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brake pedal feels soft or spongy and can sink to the floor with continued pressure, reducing stopping power.
  • Owners describe a delay in brake engagement at low speeds that has led to rear-end crashes.
  • Some report the engine compartment catching fire, in one case traced to a failed catalytic converter.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or inability to stop even with brakes depressed, sometimes ending in a crash into a guardrail or another vehicle.
  • A transmission complaint describes the van rolling into a shed after being left in park.
  • Multiple owners say dealers told them soft brakes were normal despite repeated complaints.
2008 Honda Odyssey complaints: complaints filed per quarter282008 Q12010 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q12020 Q12022 Q1
499 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2010 Q1 (28).

2008 Honda Odyssey recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V112000Mar 14, 2014Fuel System886,815 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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 will get a replacement, original cover. All vehicles, including those receiving the interim repair, will get an improved cover when they are available. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. The recall numbers associated with this campaign are JD9 (inspection and/or preliminary part replacement) and JE0 (final parts replacement).

  2. NHTSA 13V500000Nov 1, 2013Electrical System344,187 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 8, 2006, through September 8, 2008. Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may apply the brakes unexpectedly.

    Risk: The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.

    Remedy: 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 mailed in December 2013. The recall began on April 29, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC5.

  3. NHTSA 12V062000Feb 16, 2012Structure & Body45,747 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 odyssey vehicles, the gas-filled struts that help to raise and support the liftgate of vehicles equipped with a power liftgate system may be prone to early life failures due to a manufacturing flaw. The flaw can result in a leak of the pressurized gas, leading to reduced strut performance.

    Risk: Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both power liftgate gas struts free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Honda Odyssey →

2008 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,425
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Odyssey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution70703319.5
2007Avoid85830418.5
2008Avoid75499419
2009Good45198319
2010Caution55255119

All Honda Odyssey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Compared to other Odyssey years, the 2008 ranks 6th worst out of 21 with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by brake complaints.
What is the main problem with the 2008 Honda Odyssey?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 34% of complaints (170 of 499), with a median failure mileage of 28,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2008 Odyssey covering the fuel system, electrical system (VSA), structure/body (liftgate struts), and brakes (VSA modulator air).
How does the 2008 Odyssey compare to other years?
The 2008 model's complaint index of 75 is worse than the 2009 (45, Good) and far worse than the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 models, all rated Best with indexes of 20 or lower.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Honda Odyssey?
EPA rates the 2008 Odyssey at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,425.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.