The 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan has its fair share of problems, but nothing you wouldn’t expect for a vehicle of this age. Most recalls cover brake-related issues, like the vehicle braking without warning. Poor build quality also sees paint peeling and sliding rear doors falling off their hinges.
Key Points
- The 2007 Honda Odyssey has generated five recalls and 803 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is roughly average for a vehicle of this age.
- Three of the 2007 Odyssey’s recalls have been for braking issues, with complaints continuing to roll in years since the last recall.
- General build quality issues include peeling paint, and the sliding door falling right off the hinges.
- Powertrain issues are becoming more common with age, with a handful of drivers reporting that the car remains mobile even in Park.
- Annual repair costs are estimated at around $547, per Repair Pal, which isn’t bad for a vehicle over a decade old.
2007 Odyssey’s Recalled Three Times Over Brake-related Issues, Including Reduced Performance, Leaks, and Glitchy Software
Three of the 2007 Honda Odyssey’s five recalls have been for braking issues. The first of these concerns a problem with “soft braking performance.” This stemmed from excess air accumulating in the brake pumps if owners skipped a brake service check.
Deteriorating rubber seals in the braking system resulted in the 2007 Odyssey’s second brake-related recall. If the wrong fluid were to be used, the system may leak. The issue here had to do with the Odyssey requiring a specific type of polymer lubricant.
The last brake-related recall was issued for the system unexpectedly applying stopping power. In a number of units, it was reported that a software glitch could apply the brakes without warning, bringing the vehicle to a sudden, unexpected halt.
All three of the 2007 Honda Odyssey’s braking investigations are closed and there have been no further recalls. Still, drivers continue to register complaints of the brakes being too sensitive, stiff, or generally unpredictable. Rate of incidence has gone down, but the bugs have apparently not been entirely squashed.
2007 Honda Odyssey Sees Several Build Quality Problems, Like Peeling Paint and Doors Falling Off
Of 803 complaints on file with the NHTSA, 127 fall under “structure,” tailing just behind hydraulic service brakes at 137. The issues are all over the place, indicating an overall lack of build quality. There are a few recurring patterns that are easy to identify when looking at the data.
You’ll see many of the expected problems, such as paint chipping, with drivers reporting their paint flaking right off. But what’s really worth noting here is that the driver’s side sliding door may fall right off the hinges.
There’s not much information about these complaints, and little explanation is given as to why the door falls off. Drivers are not reporting that this occurs after an accident, only that they closed the door and it detached.
There have been no recalls or investigations on the matter, and given the car’s age, it’s also too late for the warranty to cover the issue. The most recent complaint was registered in March of 2022, so don’t assume that “if it was going to happen, it would’ve happened by now.”
Driver Complaints Report 2007 Honda Odyssey May Roll Away Even in Park, Likely at Around 130,000 Miles
You expect powertrain issues to start popping up in a car this old, but one pattern is especially worth noting: at around 130,000 miles, the vehicle may have an issue where it continues to move after being put in Park, potentially rolling down hills and requiring drivers to put on the parking brake.
This issue has been reported at mileage as low as 110,000, but you can almost set your watch by most of these complaints reporting a mileage in the area of 130,000. There have been no recalls or investigations yet, nor have there been any other powertrain or engine recalls.
The closest we’ve seen to a recall for engine and transmission problems: a pair of recalls stemming from a potential fuel leak. First, about possible cracks in the fuel pump covers, and second, incompatible aftermarket fuel pumps.
The 2007 Odyssey has been on the road for at least 15 years now, and you’re likely going to have a hard time finding one with under 200,000 miles on the odometer. So, even if you don’t wind up experiencing the parking problem, transmission issues are almost inevitable at this point.
Honda’s 2007 Odyssey Minivan Has its Problems, but No More Than Expected for its Age
Hondas are famously reliable, and the 2007 Honda Odyssey is no exception. But, it’s over a decade old at this point with a handful of established powertrain and braking issues. The vehicle will probably have been through three or four drivers by the time you get behind the wheel, and the doors might fall right off the hinges.
With all of the problems listed above, the incidence rate is fairly low. There are fewer than 1,000 NHTSA complaints total, and the car sold nearly 200,000 units in 2007, so we’re looking at something like one affected vehicle out of every 200.
Ultimately, for a minivan that’s almost old enough to vote, and costs about $547 a year to maintain, you could do a lot worse than the 2007 Odyssey.
Photos: Honda
