The Lemon Index2008 Honda Odyssey.
The 2008 Honda Odyssey is worse than average by owner complaints: 182 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 133, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Honda Odyssey year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 499 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Odyssey year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 92K miles on the car (420 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 41K–95K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 2K–25K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 19K–64K miles
Recalls 5
- fuel system, gasoline 2014
The affected fuel pump may send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel.
- fuel system, gasoline 2014
In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
- electrical 2013
Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may apply the brakes unexpectedly.
Show all 5 recalls
- body structure 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 ODYSSEY VEHICLES, THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HELP TO RAISE AND SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM MAY BE PRONE TO EARLY LIFE FAILURES DU…
- service brakes, air 2010
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 60 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Sliding door does not open all the way even though window is closed
- Power doors continually lock, multiple times, while driving
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInappropriate autonomous braking2013
- ClosedStabilus rear liftgate struts failing2012
- ClosedUnexpected closing of power liftgate2011–2012
- ClosedAir in brake system2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Odyssey brakes feel changes and does not feel like it is stopping. Caused the van to hit washer in garage.
2008 Honda Odyssey owner · NHTSA complaint 10299102
More owner reports
Soft/spongy brake pedal that when pressed longer it will sink to the floor making it ineffective.
NHTSA complaint 10284915
Brakes are soft on vehicle, tsb was performed, but brakes remain soft.
NHTSA complaint 10290043
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 133; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Odyssey year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Odyssey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (46%), transmission & drivetrain (9%) and body structure (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have?
5 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Odyssey get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Odyssey problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,000 and 92,900 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 420 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Honda Odyssey cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Odyssey have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Odyssey year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2013 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works