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2008 Honda Odyssey Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Honda Odyssey has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Liftgate/tailgate strut failure.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Honda Odyssey.

Reported to NHTSA

Liftgate/tailgate strut failure

STRUCTURE

28 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2020-05

“2008 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL HATCHBACK LIFT GATE STRUTS GAVE OUT AND FELL ON MY HEAD WHILE LOADING GROCERIES. THE HATCHBACK WILL OPEN AND CLOSE BUT THE STRUTS DO NOT WORK. IT FELL WITH NO WARNING OF AN ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10556824
“LIFTGATE STRUTS FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING, LIFTGATE FELL ON MY HEAD AS I REACHED IN TO GRAB PERSONAL ITEMS, CAUSING HEADACHE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10676428
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE, THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY CLOSED AND KNOCKED THE CONTACT TO THE GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629045

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sliding door detachment from track

STRUCTURE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2024-10

“The passenger side door of my 2008 Honda Odyssey fell off when attempting to close it and nearly fell onto my child”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619754
“MY DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. IT WAS ON ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992352
“THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHEN OPENED, BECAME DETACHED FROM THE RAILS BOTH TOP & BOTTOM FALLING COMPLETELY OFF, HANGING ONLY BY THE CABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11120925

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump cover crack and fuel leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2025-02

“The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle was leaking gasoline. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11644605
“On my car there was a recall on the fuel pump filter housing. I've been to a dealer with this where they didn't replace the case. The car started to smell like gasoline”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450015
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E049000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683229

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood and roof paint peeling

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2020-12

“THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THIS VEHICLE IS PEELING OFF IN DROVES. LARGE AREAS OF VEHICLE ARE DOWN TO BARE METAL ON BOTH ROOF AND HOOD OF VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033999
“AFTER DRIVING HOME IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM FOUND LARGE CHUNKS OF PAINT MISSING FROM THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO A PAINT SHOP WHO SAID IT IS PAINT FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10978828
“WIFE'S VAN FACTORY PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS. DEALERSHIP BLOWS IT OFF SAYING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839939

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Soft brake pedal and VSA modulator failure

SERVICE BRAKES

29 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2023-03

“I HAVE READ THAT A LOT OF 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY HAVE A BRAKE PEDAL THAT GOES TO THE FLOOR AND MY BRAKE PEDAL DOES THE SAME. I HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOW SO THE CAR WILL STOP, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR BEFORE SLOWLY STOPPING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10909361
“MY 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH TODAY BECAUSE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES IT DID NOT WANT TO STOP. MY PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR BUT MY VAN DID NOT STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10853415
“PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE 2010 VSA/ABS MODULATOR RECALL. THEY SYSTEM CONTINUES TO HAVE A SOFT PEDAL WHICH REQUIRES PUMPUNG THE PEDAL TO GET EFFECTIVE BRAKING, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOP DISTANCES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821102

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption (VCM engine)

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2018-09

“MY ENGINE IS USING OIL. IT USED 1 QUART OF OIL IN 2,826 MILES OF DRIVING AND 1/2 QUART IN THE NEXT 580 MILES. THE RATE OF OIL USE IS INCREASING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811610
“ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. OUR MECHANIC HAS LOOKED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR AN OIL LEAK AND CAN'T FIND ONE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN OBSERVED TO BURN 3 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11124767
“EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL BURNING. MY CAR BURNS ENGINE OIL SUCH A WAY THAT I HAVE TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL FREQUENTLY. ONCE I HAD TO FILL MORE THAN 4QTS TO GET THE OIL LEVEL TO NORMAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10908081

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering pump failure and fluid leak

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2021-01

“LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. AT TIMES, THERE ARE VERY SCARY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979416
“I HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM, I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT'S VERY HARD AND IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948868
“POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING OIL, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO STEER, MAKE ENGINE NOISE, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

65 crashes 1990–2024

How the 65 occupant deaths break down

34

driver deaths

31

passenger deaths

65

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

37

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Honda Odyssey reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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