Our brand new van has been to the dealer 4 times for the spongy brakes. I have met with the dealer service manager and the Honda service rep and was told this is characteristic of the 07/08 Odessey van. The Honda rep brought some literature about the possible reason for the spongy brakes, basically running the accessories could produce a drop in vacuum to the power booster to produce a soft pedal. They have bled the brakes numerous times, but no real improvement. Honda will not do anything about the brakes until a trajedy occurs.

Honda needs to wake up and fix the problem, and they can start with replacing the condescending service rep!

Traded 2000 Toyota Sienna XLE with 130,000 miles in on a 2008 Honda Odyssey EXL on 9/15/08. Not comfortable with rough transmission shifting compounded by VCM (Variable Cylinder management) and softness of brakes. The brakes were a major safety concern. The vehicle exhibited soft brakes with excessive pedal travel of 3-4 inches with a spongy feel at the end like air in the lines and required excessive pedal force. Had difficulty stopping before crossing the line at intersections and almost broadsided another vehicle at 15 mph because could not stop vehicle immediately. Started complaining on 10/16/08 when vehicle had 2600 miles. Dealer replaced master cylinder with no change in brake behavior. Took it back again and they tested ABS and bled brake lines with no change in brake behavior. Dealer claimed brakes were operating normally and could do nothing else. Wrote formal letter of complaint to American Honda with copies to dealership. Submitted safety complaint to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Checked the data base of all such complaints to NHTSA on their web site www.safercar.gov which is available to the public. Discovered a rash of identical complaints from owners with 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssy's. American Honda and the dealership advised there was nothing they could do for me and that my only recourse was the Lemon Law or other legal action. Traded the 2008 Honda Odyssey EXLwith only 2800 miles in on a new 2008 Toyota Sienna XLE on 11/1/08 and love it. We still own a 2007 Honda Accord which we love but will stick to Toyota for a mini van from now on.

The brakes are very soft on this brand new van. I was quickly told at the dealer that the brakes were normal and that was the nature of these brakes. I was also told not to compare my brakes with my other car (1995 GMC Safari Van) which, by the way have perfect brakes!! The whole basis of selecting and purchasing a vehicle is based on comparing different cars to determine which is superior!! What a strange thing to tell me.

Of course I compared them and my Odyssey Brakes and found that the Odyssey brakes were not safe. I am a careful driver and try to keep an extra safe distance from cars in front of me. I start applying my brakes well behind those in front when I see their brake lights come on. I found myself getting dangerously close to the car in front of me because the Odyssey brakes were not engaging and finally had to slam on my brakes to get my van to stop. This experience caused me to take it in to the dealer. I could push the pedal a good distance before it slowed the car. This was scary and seemed that there was little brake left at the bottom of the braking motion. I'm am not happy to have brake deficiency in a new car. They bled the brakes and gave it back to me. If it doesn't improve I plan to take further action. I was really concerned when I went to the internet and read about others that had similar complaints about the 2007 and 2008 models who were told the same silly things I was told.