Research · Minivan - 2WD

2008 Honda OdysseyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 499 owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Odyssey. Most complaints involve structure (123) and service brakes, hydraulic (88). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
499
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC (Delphi) is recalling certain replacement fuel pump modules, part number FG1155-11B1, sold for use in 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles. 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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 28, 2014NHTSA 14E049000

Fuel system

Remedy pending

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Mar 14, 2014NHTSA 14V112000

Electrical system: software

Remedy pending

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.

Electrical systemReported Nov 1, 2013NHTSA 13V500000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

499 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – May 2026
  1. Structure123
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic88
  3. Service brakes62
  4. Power train41
  5. Engine40
  6. Electrical system33
  7. Vehicle speed control30
  8. Steering27
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Odyssey model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199677
199727
199873
1999528
2000685
2001629
2002972
2003940
2004585
2005829
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011235
2012245
2013210
2014310
2015207
2016271
201739
20181,012
2019998
2020492
2021147
2022142
2023105
2024126
2025447
202663
20271
Crashes reported
37
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
44
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

123 reports1 crash
“The passenger side door of my 2008 Honda Odyssey fell off when attempting to close it and nearly fell onto my child. The automatic sliding door was closing and around halfway closed it fell off of the track and started opening back up unprompted, thus damaging the rear right quarter panel as well. This is a major safety issue as it nearly crushed my [XXX] daughter, but thankfully was caught in time. A man parked near us in the parking lot helped us pick the door back up and said the same thing happened to him, also in a 2008 Honda Odyssey! Prior to the incident, the door would occasionally hesitate to open when button was pressed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2024Electrical system, StructureODI 11619754

Service brakes, hydraulic

88 reports14 crashes2 fires
“WHILE DRIVING WITH FOOT ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF I WAS PUMPING THE BRAKES BUT I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. IT WAS SLOWING. I THEN HEARD A RATTLING NOISE SO I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND OPENED THE WINDOW TO LISTEN. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND FELT THE SAME "BRAKE PUMPING" SENSATION AGAIN. I WAS NEAR THE DEALER SO I HEADED THERE TO REPORT THE ISSUES. DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DEALER I FELT A VIBRATION UNDER MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND HEAR A VIBRATION SOUND. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I TOLD THE SERVICE REP. THAT I'D REPORTED THE SAME SENSATION 11 MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON VACATION (WHILE ON THE FREEWAY). WHEN I RETURNED HOME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IF IT DOES THIS WHILE SOMEONE IS DRIVING DIRECTLY BEHIND ME IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HONESTLY DON'T FEEL THAT IS IT IS SAFE FOR ME OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'M AFRAID IT WILL DO THE SAME THING ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I'M TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AT THIS MOMENT I FEEL LIKE IT IS A DEATH TRAP AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT. I'M WAITING FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10465329

Service brakes

62 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a grinding noise was present coming from the front brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front brake rotors but after retrieving the vehicle the failure persisted. Additionally, while driving, the braking system would erroneously activate causing the vehicle to suddenly stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle continued to experience the failures and the Vehicle Stability Assistance (VSA) light started to continually flash off and on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired due to the part being on backorder. The failure mileage was 209,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2023Service brakesODI 11512394
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Odyssey
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, VCM · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
Odyssey
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
  • Odyssey
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, VCM
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Odyssey
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Honda Odyssey as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 2410
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Odyssey questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Honda Odyssey problems?

Owners filed 499 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (123), service brakes, hydraulic (88), service brakes (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Honda Odyssey get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Honda Odyssey at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026