My wife's van slowly began making more and more groaning sounds over the winter, particularly when turning the wheel hard towards the end of a ride. We'd leave the garage and the car would sound fine, then upon returning, as I'd pull into the neighborhood and then into the garage, a gradual build-up of groaning would get really loud--like the van was unhappy with the cold or the work it had done.

I wasn't sure if it was the power steering at first because there would be a slightly high pitch groan even when not turning, but as I would turn it would be accentuated. Sometimes, when trying to parallel park, I noticed I'd really have to turn the wheel hard to overcome the loss of power in the power steering. There did not seem to be a loss of power in the power steering at any other time, but I became concerned that the power steering was going bad and may go out on my wife and kids at a critical time other than when going slowly while parallel parking.

I took it to a dealership and was told that I needed a new power steering pump at a cost of $330. I was told there was a warranty extension for our vehicle for the power steering, but that it only went up to 100,000. Our van is at 124,000 in 2015. We will get updates from Honda regarding recalls, but we never received a letter from Honda telling us about the extension to the warranty. I've had an Accord, a CR-V, a Ridgeline, and this Odyssey. This is my first major disappointment with Honda as a long-time loyal Honda owner.

In seeing the commonality and potential danger of this part failing, I would have expected this problem to be a full recall and to have been made aware of the reason for the warranty extension.

Since 2008, almost 2 years after we purchase this model, a noise and hard steering issue occurred and have never been fixed. We never complained for the service center always reported the vehicle in good standing every time we had an oil change and inspection. However in 2012 Honda issued an extended warranty for the steering pump only and the dealership replaced the steering pump but it still does not resolve the noisy and hard to steer issue while vehicle is on but not in motion.

Hoping that Honda will re-extend the said warranties for it did not work properly on the said occurrence since 2007 and it might cause significant damage to vehicle and is a safety issue. It is the manufacturer's fault for not ensuring vehicle is safe for use upon delivery to its patron.

Groaning sound from power steering system and steering wheel hard to turn at low speeds. Took vehicle to Honda dealer knowing other 2006 Honda Odysseys had power steering problems and that the warranty on just the power steering pump had been extended to 7 years and 100,000 miles. I hoped the issue was just the power steering pump and that the warranty would cover it. Of course not! The problem is apparently in the steering rack and will require $1,200+ in repairs for a new one or the van will be a safety issue. I'm very suspicious that they have an extended warranty on the pump but not on the steering rack. Since I don't want to lose steering while driving and cause an accident, I am forced to have this defective part repaired at my own cost. With only 55,000-56,000 miles on the van, this is not the kind of safety or quality I would have expected from Honda.

I encourage everyone who has this safety related defect problem to make a complaint with the NHTSA at

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Why make a complaint with the NHTSA? If a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must provide a remedy at no cost to the owner. Your complaint is the first step in the process.

DO NOT TRUST THE HONDA STEALERSHIPS. They told me my high pressure line and power steering pump were leaking causing the whining noise when cold. They wanted $550 plus to install a new line and pump when the real problem was the inlet O ring which has been superseded by an orange viton type to stop the air leak which cause the whine and foaming in the reservoir. Honda should recall all V-6's with this problem but will not as it involves 100's of thousand Odysseys from 2005 to 2010. Research online to do the O ring repair before letting the Dealer Rip You Off. It is very difficult to get to the one single 10mm bolt to replace this defective O ring on the inlet line of the pump but a small swivel socket and 10mm stubby wrench works good. New Honda O ring part number is 91345-RDA-A01 and is a whopping $1.62. You also will need to top off your powers steering fluid with ONLY Honda/Acura Type.

Rob Orlando, Fl.

Had the loud noise on and off for more than 1 year, called Honda dealer in 2010 and the service people told me they did not know this issue with 2006 Odyssey. However, I got a letter recently (Sept 2011) from Honda that specifically describe the power steering pump issue and extend the warranty to 7 years. I had the car checked at a Honda dealer yesterday (12/5/2011) and the dealer confirmed it is the power steering pump problem and replaced it at no cost as it is still within 7 years. I tested drove after the replacement and looks like the pump replacement does fix the loud noise and hard to turn problem I had, but will keep my finger crossed and give you updates later.

2006 Odyssey has made the whining sound from the first winter. I thought all Odysseys were like that due to poor design. As years have passed the whining has become louder and the steering feels restricted. I rode with a co-worker that has the same year Odyssey and was surprised that there was no whining coming from the steering pump area. She informed me that she complained to her dealer and got it fixed at no cost. After doing some research I see that some owners received a TSB letter extending coverage for 7 years / 100,000 miles. I never got a letter and this compounds my frustration! I'm calling Honda (1-800-999-1009) first thing Monday morning.

Update from Dec 22, 2011: My wife took the Odyssey to the dealer and they replaced the steering pump and reservoir. Honda provided the parts and I had to pay labor, $135.00.

Van sounds much better and there is no harsh steering.

Contacted Honda America about this problem (noisy power steering pump). I asked if there is an investigation to look into this complaint. The person I spoke with said that he has no information on record about a recall for this problem. He informed me that in order for a investigation to begin they need numerous complaints made to Honda for this problem. I did my part and made my official complaint to Honda America today 2/23/2011. The number is 800-999-1009. Maybe we can get honda to acknowledge this problem!

Steering pump whining noise began over a year ago, perhaps even when the car was still in warranty in 2009. Over the last few months the noise has been intermittently more intense, and the steering becomes sluggish especially at low speeds.

A search of the problem on the internet showed that Honda has a TSB out for the steering reservoir since 2007, and additionally has a TSB out for the steering pump itself since Nov 2010. The pump TSB 10-076 states that the original pump (installed on 2005 thru 2010 Odysseys) provides insufficient power! Why is this not a safety issue subject to RECALL???

Prior to bringing the car to the dealer, I called American Honda at 8009991009, to try to get the repair covered by goodwill (my car's basic warranty expired 5/09). After bringing it to Schaumburg Honda, I was offered goodwill of 1/2 of the warranty bill, where I would have to pay $242. I feel that at a minimum, Honda should pay for the parts, and I can pay for the labor. However to make this right, Honda should simply recall all the Odysseys (it would be a MASSIVE recall, tens of thousands of them) and replace all the pumps and reservoirs with the new heavier duty design.

Update from Sep 19, 2011: GREAT NEWS. Happy to report that Honda has extended the warranty to 7 years / 100,000 miles for this issue. I just got the letter on Friday. My previous repair will be reimbursed.

Kudos to Honda for stepping up on handling this problem. I do wonder if it should be a recall however, because it is safety-related.

Started hearing a whining noise when I turn the steering wheel, it seems to not do it until the vehicle has been driven for a period of time(about 45 minutes) long enuff for the engine and all to get hot, took in to dealer they said the power steering pump was going bad and I would need to replace it along with the reservoir, and then have it flushed, the parts will be $300.00, the LABOR $350.00.a total of $650.00. I have had nothing but trouble with this van, 1st thing was the heat would not work sometimes, would have to turn it on and off until it would finally start working, of course the service department at Honda couldn't find anything wrong with it. 2nd the compressor failed on the air conditioner with 30,000 miles on it, then 3rd the transmission started acting up, had it flushed for $160.00 seem to help, I would love to get rid of it but of course when I tried to trade the dealership didn't want to give me what it was worth per NADA. I'll never buy another Honda, I always heard they were the best vehicles to own, I do believe I will go back to Chevrolet.

Have had difficulty with steering, noise from pump, whining sounds trying to turn the steering wheel, especially when cold. Dealership at this moment wont pay for anything. Have used this site to show that others have had 100% paid getting their power steering pump replaced by Honda. Just initiated complaint and getting Honda to cover the repairs. Will keep you all informed.

Update from Feb 22, 2011: Honda replaced the pump and wanted to make a deal of 50/50 on the price. We would have paid it because it needed to be fixed but our extended warranty came through for us and covered the fix. Honda stated that since it was only a "notification" and not a "recall" they wouldn't pay. We asked for the managers supervisor to cover ALL costs inclusive of our extended warranty deductible of $100. They would said "we have to call Honda California and we'll let you know in a week. But right now ....."

Here we are in Feb. '11 and I received a check for $168 and change from Honda. It stated it was for recall work on the pump??? Ok, so I guess by asking and notifying California, something did happen, just not in a week. Those of you getting it fixed, definitely ask as high up as you can go, for Honda to pay for it. Eventually they will.