Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
500 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Odyssey years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Honda Odyssey are in line with other Odyssey years. Brakes and body structure stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Odyssey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 30,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 161 (32%) | 9k–64k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 123 (25%) | 45k–95k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 41 (8%) | 19k–64k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 27 (5%) | 29k–83k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Equipment | 7 (1%) | 13k–39k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (1%) | 17k–54k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (1%) | 25k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 55 (11%) | 50k–112k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 33 (7%) | 48k–131k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 30 (6%) | 31k–79k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (4%) | 33k–130k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 16 (3%) | 49k–114k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 12 (2%) | 35k–135k miles · ahead | — |
| Suspension | 5 (1%) | 38k–94k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 30,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 500 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 38 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
All five engines mounts are bad and have to be replaced at only 46,000 miles. Droning, vibrating and lugging , so brakes that rattle when braking hard.
Excessive oil consumption on Honda odyssey 2008 exl - same run-around with Honda stating 1 qt oil for every 1400-1500 miles is "Normal".
On approximately 7/1, I was driving home. The car wouldn't switch gears and lost a bit of power. I was able to drive down an interstate during rush hour at approx.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 30,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Honda Odyssey: 5
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. A vehicle that runs out of fuel and stalls has an increased risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may apply the brakes unexpectedly. The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.
The flaw can result in a leak of the pressurized gas, leading to reduced strut performance. Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Honda has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007 and 2008 odyssey and element passenger vehicles manufactured between july 28, 2006 and august 21, 2008. Air can enter the VSA modular pump during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each time the engine is started. If the owner does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the system can continue to accumulate enough air to affect braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 35
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking
The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling
MIL comes on with DTCs P0301 thru P0304 - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling
Vehicles with multimodel VCM2 would experience misfire due to engine misfire of a fouled plug and a warranty extension has been issued to cover repairs
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Inappropriate autonomous braking
Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
Air in brake system
Air in brake system
Neighbouring years
2007 Odyssey: 830 complaints, keep it · 2009 Odyssey: 198 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Odyssey year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Odyssey years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
500 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Odyssey years. At 30,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (161), body structure (123), transmission and drivetrain (41), steering (27), equipment (7).
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 14E049000), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-112), Electrical system (NHTSA 13V-500), Body structure (NHTSA 12V-062) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.