2008 Honda Odyssey Review: A Great Minivan Offering A Dependable Engine & Updated Technology

Alex Showalter

May 12, 2022

The 2008 Odyssey lasts over 300,000 miles with only some paint and oil issues. At $6,245 – 7,724, it’s worth the money for one of the longest lasting minivans available.

The Good

Overall build quality is great, the engine is powerful and there’s advanced tech for the age.

The Bad

Suspension is overly firm, transmission shifts roughly and the cabin is noisy.

Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey a Good Used Van?

Yes, 2008 is a good year. Owner reviews praise the comfortable seats, affordable maintenance, and interior space.
Reliability ratings are great. Avoid models from 2007 and older, and go with a 2008 or newer.
Performance is good from the V6 engine that is offered as standard.
The Odyssey is a very safe van, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and has an available backup camera.
Fuel economy is good, at up to 20 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Kevin L

Great value. You can't beat a Honda for bang for buck. You get the best features, the most reliable cars on the road, at a fair price.

We bought this new before our second daughter was born. We love the amount of space it offers, and the smooth, comfortable ride. It has held up well for ten years. Our only complaint is that one of the sliding doors is a bit fussy, and sometimes stops abruptly when trying to open....takes a couple attempts. We have read that others have had this problem with doors on the odyssey from this year as well. Still, a great vehicle.

Cherish G

Very reliable, would purchase again if I needed to.

Absolutely love it. Haven't had any major problems with it. Still in good condition and has helped out family.

Rebecca B

The reliability of the vehicle. We have had it for 10 yrs with minimal problems with it

Very reliable vehicle. It is comfortable and roomy. Have had little go wrong with it in the 10 yrs we have had it.

alissa m

It has tons of room and great for family trips.

Great vehicle no problems that i know of has a dvd player and screen the kids love it drives every well .

Abby J

This car is perfect for large families. It can seat up to 8, which not all Van's can do. The trunk size is generous. I also love the automatic double sided sliding doors.

The one most important thing others should know about my car is that it's best suited for large families.

Debbie D

Life after Ten Years Honda Odyssey

Overall the car has been very reliable. Just recently the motor mounts broke and needed to be replaced. Also, just this past year both sliding doors no longer work. The air conditioner has need repair but all after the car turned ten years old. Other than that it has only required regular maintenance.

Allison P

Practical and reliable van

The van is Good quality, convenient, durable, family friendly, and most of all highly reliable. It has tons of space, and is super. Versatile. It's good value for the money. Love how practical it is for this stage of life with young kids. Even used, it is a fabulous vehicle.

Lindsay P

It's a Honda so it is a very reliable car. They are typically more expensive vehicles but they do last longer!

I have had this vehicle for 10 years, I have had regular oil changes and NO problems whatsoever with it. It has 205,000 miles on it!!

Negative Owner Reviews

Sarah F

Honda Odyssey power door issues

The rear side doors open without incident, but closing them is difficult as the power doors malfunction often and there is no way to manually close the door. The radio quality is poor and the tire pressure sensor light is constantly on regardless of tire pressure. The vehicle gets me to where I need to be, but not without its issues.

Dan Ott

Failing at240,000 mi

Alternator, major engine issues, broken sliding doors

Stacy P

In the beginning it was a great car, good gas mileage

I hate that it is 10 years old and always having issues and i need to continue investing money into it

Saehee M

The blind spot is really dangerous

It is too big. I do not like parking it. The sliding doors freeze in the winter and I cannot get them open. There is a major blind spot in the driver's side left view. It handles well and accelerates well.

Amanda R

A newer one would be perfect for larger families.

Normal issues with older vehicles. Does not run the best and not everything works as it should. Auto doors pick and choose when they work and windows do not always go back up when you want them to. Engine constantly needing expensive maintenance.

Holly H

Dependable transportation and convenient family oriented options. 12 cup holders

It is very reliable, but the comfort features are low. Seats are manually adjusted and don't slide back very far to accommodate long legs. Lots of storage compartments and cup holders. While it does have two ports for charging phones or other devices, it doesn't work when van is turned off, which has been a hassle. Rear seats recline and store in the floor which has been great to haul items for trips or purchases.

Kandis S

Very reliable and durable car that can stand the test of time.

I like the size and that is has enough room for my family. I also like the safety features of my car. I only dislike that it doesn't have a backup camera.

Julia W

It is a dark grey van, with one of the doors not working.

It is actually a great working van, it has not given up on us after all this time. Even took it on two road trips. However it does have a weird tapping noise coming from the back when we first start the car. It has never bothered us with driving around though.

What Do Critics Say About the Odyssey?

Consumer Reports describes the Odyssey as an agile well-rounded van with high owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Odyssey a 4.3/5 liking the tight handling, but disliking the high prices.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Odyssey 4.5/5 and enjoy the interior features, but don’t like the button-heavy infotainment system.

What Common Problems Does the 2008 Honda Odyssey Have?

Problems on the 2008 Odyssey are fairly minor and include bubbling paint, excessive oil consumption, and excessive battery drain.

Bubbling and peeling paint is the most common complaint from owners at around 100,000 miles. Paint that is not properly cared for will fail eventually, and repainting affected areas is about $1,000 per panel.

Excessive oil consumption is another issue on some vans at roughly 120,000 miles. The source of the issue is usually the VCM cylinder deactivation system. Most owners just leave the system off, or top off the oil regularly.

Excessive battery drain is mentioned by owners at about 55,000 miles. There are several sources, but a common one is the air conditioning relay. Replacing the part costs about $80.

There are 5 recalls with a few serious ones including the fuel pump cover cracking and leaking, as well as brake pedal performance which increases braking distances.

How Long Will the 2008 Honda Odyssey Last?

A well-maintained 2008 odyssey should last around 300,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles more than a Dodge Grand Caravan. Regular annual maintenance costs are a bit high at $492 per year, according to Repair Pal.

Most Odysseys will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace stabilizer bushings for $275, the drive belt tensioner costing $375, and the coolant reservoir which costs $300.

Karen B

Yes. The power steering hose is leaking at the moment. Transmission is a bit shaky but still okay. The DVD player has electrical issues.

Neva D

Very reliable for its age. We take regular trips in it. It has normal problems for being 21 years old.

Kimberly J

It's a very reliable vehicle. Only has a few problems, but that's to be expected because she's high mileage, but none of the issues are major ones.

Timothy S

It is very reliable. The only problem we have with this vehicle is sometimes it leaks in the car. When it rains, it comes in on the passenger side seat belt.

Molly G

It is a very reliable van, it was worth the value spent I paid to have. I have no problems with this vehicle, the only I have to do is regular maintenance.

Ray R

Our Honda odyssey have been very reliable so far. I had to change the tires and it came with a bad battery but no repairs that cost too much money to fix.

Holli T

So far it is been reliable. It has not had any issues and does what we need it to do. It had only had minor issues, from age and use.

Andy C

Mine does not have any problems. I've done maintenance on time and replaced tires a couple of times, but not unexpected problems.

How Much Is the 2008 Honda Odyssey Worth?

Blue book values range from $6,245 – 7,724, making the Odyssey about $500 more than a Chrysler Town & Country or Kia Sedona. When new, the price range was $25,860 to $40,610. Depreciation is similar to other vans, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Odyssey?

There are four models of the Odyssey available. Technology is good for the year since it was just updated for 2008, and there’s a complete redesign for the 2011 model year.

LX is the entry-level model with:

16-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Manual Side Doors
Cruise Control
4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack

EX is a step up adding:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Power Side Doors
Power Driver’s Seat
Tri-Zone Climate Control
6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 6-CD Changer & 3.5mm AUX

EX-L is a popular choice and has:

Leather Seating
Heated Front Seats
Backup Camera In Rearview Mirror
Sunroof
Satellite Radio

Touring is the flagship model and offers:

17-Inch Alloy Wheels
Premium Leather
Power Liftgate
Navigation System With Bluetooth Connectivity
Premium More Powerful 6-Speaker Stereo System

244 HP 20-20 MPG

View Details

244 HP 20-20 MPG

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EX-L

241 HP 21-21 MPG

View Details

Touring

241 HP 21-21 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Odyssey?

The only engine found in the Odyssey is the powerful 3.5L V6 with 244 horsepower, which gets up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is good for a van, taking only 7.7 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Odyssey Come In?

How Big Is the Odyssey?

The 2008 Odyssey is an average-sized minivan, similar to the Nissan Quest and Dodge Grand Caravan. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin, easily fitting adults in all three rows. The second row captain’s chairs are also very comfortable.

Cargo space is great for a minivan offering 38.4 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 91.1 behind the second, and 147.4 with the seats folded flat.

How Does the Odyssey Compare to the Competition?

The Toyota Sienna is a popular rival costing about $1,500 more. Where the Sienna stands out is with a more powerful engine, but the Odyssey has more technology. We recommend the Odyssey since it’s cheaper, but both are long-lasting and dependable vans.

The Chrysler Town & Country is another competitor costing about $500 less. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Town & Country, but the Odyssey has a better infotainment system. We recommend the Odyssey since they last longer and are more affordable to own.

Ranks #1 Minivans by Owners

2008 Honda Odyssey

4.43

2008 Toyota Sienna

4.34

2008 Kia Sedona

4.25

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Odyssey?

Karen B

Yes. Very comfortable, average gas mileage, dependable. Mine has 212,000 miles on it. Strong pick up when needed.

Neva D

Yes. It has good amount of space inside. Lots of cupholders. Has good storage. Love the 8 seats and entertainment options.

Kimberly J

Yes, I love my vehicle, she takes me wherever I need to go reliably and comfortably. She has a lot of miles on her now, but she still runs well.

Timothy S

Yes! We love the odyssey. It is the second one we have purchased. We owned a 2005 odyssey before trading in for this one.

Molly G

Yes very good, I enjoy driving thus well built van, the engine is a very good technology, and it is very good on gas. It is a very comfortable vehicle to haul friends and family on long trips.

Ray R

Yes it has been a great fit for my family. Rides and handles very well. Comes with lots of extra amenities my family enjoys!

Holli T

It is a good vehicle definitely. It takes where we need to go without much problems. It is also nice to own a minivan to accommodate to two children in car seats.

LM L

The 2008 Honda Odyssey is a great vehicle, especially for families. It has a lot of room for people, dogs or luggage. The roof rack helps a lot on trips and it gets great gas mileage.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Holly M on June 21, 2021

Great for road trips and everyday!

Driving this vehicle doesn't make me feel like I'm in a minivan but rather a luxury car! There are so many great features for families of all ages and stages! We absolutely love the comfortable seats, the ease of removing or storing seats as needed, the sliding doors at the push of a button, and the HUGE trunk space! We get great gas mileage for road trips and always have plenty of room for people and baggage for our family of 6.

Hope D on April 4, 2021

Lots of room for a growing family, easy to use & fun to drive for a minivan.

I like the layout of the interior, the center console in the front & the flat fold seats in the back. The cargo area is deep & has lots of room. The captains chairs in the center could be easier to fold & slide. The layout of the electronics in the front is weird & the dual glove boxes are just strange.

Cheryl L on March 29, 2021

It is just a great car. I've never had to worry about it.

I love the ease of the car. Kids can get in and out without help. Doors open automatically, the fold down seats are awesome. I do not like that the navigation software is outdated and you have to buy a new disc.

Jaime F on March 27, 2021

Honda vehicles last forever - I have over 100,000 miles on my vehicle.

I like that it fits 8 people comfortably. I like that it has a removable middle seat in the second row that allows for easy access to the 3rd row seat, thus creating captains chairs on the 2nd row. Lots of room in the rear cargo space.

Lori C on March 22, 2021

Awesome vehicle found in the Honda Odyssey! Will not buy any other type vehicle!

Amazing, reliable vehicle! Honda makes awesome vehicles. They run for a long time with minor wear and tear. We have owned our vehicle for 10 years and have put a ton of mileage on it and are just now having to get services done on it. The oddest is great on mileage and very comfortable. We will be purchasing another one of these soon!

Stephanie d on March 18, 2021

My van has a lot of room. You can fit many people and items.

I love the space the Honda has. I love that I can remove the middle seats, and the back bench can slide into the ground. I wish I had a back up camera. I do not have any complaints.b

Kandis S on March 14, 2021

Very reliable and durable car that can stand the test of time.

I like the size and that is has enough room for my family. I also like the safety features of my car. I only dislike that it doesn't have a backup camera.

Christine L on March 12, 2021

Why you should buy an odyssey.

It is a mom van, so the image it projects is not cool, but it carries a lot of people and cargo which comes in handy frequently. The only problems we have had are the result of an accident (deer) and the poor repair job. Neither of which had any thing to do with the van or the Honda company, so I cannot fault either of them. Both performance and reliability have been excellent. We have worked it pretty hard and it has never let us down. There are many features on the van that enhance the comfort level of the driver and rider: roominess, auto rearview mirror switcher, the auto window button (both up and down), mirror defroster and tons of cup holders to name a few. My only complaint is it takes a long time for the heat to warm up the cabin and the a/c to cool it off, maybe due to the size of cabin. I would recommend this vehicle.

Kirsten V on March 10, 2021

The Honda odyssey. Durable and dependable.

Vehicle has been 10 years old and never had a single problem with it. It is reliable and we mostly take it to long drives and vacations.

Abby M on March 10, 2021

Safe, Reliable Minivan: Perfect for Families

My minivan has a few problems merely because it is old and very used. However, it is a very reliable vehicle and I feel safe driving such a large car. The seat height and position is high off the ground but comfortable. It runs well, can drive fast, and has a high horsepower. I have no problem with the audio and climate systems. Overall, it is a solid car and I would recommend.

Patrice C on March 6, 2021

Has a few issues, but overall great van

It's a great car, however we have problems with doors not staying open and power steering sticking. Its lasted us 100k miles so far though and except for needing to replace power steering, it's done pretty well.

Shari A on March 2, 2021

It's the best vehicle for larger families and extremely dependable.

I have four children and getting in and out is so easy. Despite the size it drives like a car.

Mary w on February 19, 2021

Reliable and comfortable minivan

My minivan is very comfortable and spacy. It does not really have any major problem. Although it is over 10 years, still very reliable

Michael S on February 15, 2021

Mike Honda odyssey review

With the 2008 Honda odyssey I drive comes with some concerns. First I want to say it has been a reliable van for me and my family even with the mishaps. The concerns seem to always get my attention. For instance when I first got the vehicle the alternator when dead on me when I was out of town with my children. I got it towed to the place where I bought it and the replaced it. Exactly 2 months later the alternator goes out again. This time I was on my way to work. And then maybe a month after they replaced the alternator again the tension belt came off while I was driving. I was fed up at this point. So then I ended up getting it put back on. Ever since then I haven't had any issues besides the battery light come on and off. My defrost doesn't work. I have ac and heat just not to blow at my window. I have heated seats, sunroof, automatic sliding doors. Its a real great family vehicle.

Melody G on February 14, 2021

This is a great vehicle, reliable and sturdy. It has held up to our 4 kids well!

I enjoy the extra seat option in this van. We have had repeated problems with the automatic doors getting stuck.

Jered S on February 5, 2021

It's very comfortable and spacious. The gas mileage is kind of bad.

I love all the space in the car. It's great for road trips. I just wish it had better gas mileage

Marnee M on February 2, 2021

It is a minivan that seats 8 people.

I like the color outside and inside. I like the sunroof and the heated seats. I do not like the rough transmission and that the doors don't work.

A E on January 26, 2021

It is great for families.

It drives smoothly like a car. It has a lot of space and seat configuration options. The doors slide open automatically, preventing the kids from slamming a door into another parked vehicle or from pinching their fingers because it stops automatically, too. The sliding doors make loading and unloading much easier.

Angela u on January 22, 2021

It has a lot of safety features, is roomy, and is perfect for our family of four.

We travel a lot to visit family. The extra room makes for a pleasant trip. We love all the safety features and many cup holders. We also love the touring package features as well.

Mandy H on January 20, 2021

It is very reliable and comfortable with little road noise

I have had my car for nearly 10 years and have had to do little more than basic maintenance. I originally bought it because of the lack of road noise and the fact that Honda has a good reputation. It is very comfortable with three rows of seats and rear entertainment system.

Annie W on January 18, 2021

There are an amazing amount of cup holders.

We replaced our Honda Pilot with a gently used 2008 Honda Odyssey. It seats 8 and is perfect for our family the only flaw is that the air conditioning does not work and is very hot when we're traveling in the summer. The carpets are removable and very easy to vacuum and wash thoroughly

Taylor A on January 17, 2021

I love how it has so much space. You can just pile the kids in and go!

It's very spacious. It is a great car for any family!

Barb P on January 11, 2021

It is very roomy and comfortable and looks great on the road.

I love my Honda odyssey 2008 when I purchase it was in 2013 it has comfortable seats great engine great style looks fine on the road I need to only upgrade to a better odyssey the odyssey is a great car or van to purchase in the near future it is comfortable and the newer style looks awesome.

Beth M on January 7, 2021

The Honda Odyssey is a great family vehicle!

I love my vehicle. It has space, drives smoothly. Love the sliding back doors. Everything I need is in reach. Fits my family. I do wish it did not need to be so big but that is due to my family size. :)

Tim K on January 3, 2021

There is a DVD player in van and it keeps the kids quiet for the most part

The gas mileage. That there is only 2 headphones. Room is small

Emily P on December 27, 2020

A bit expensive but reliable and convenient.

Overall van works well for its age. We have had to replace normal parts of the engine. There is no trunk button, can only be done by hand which I hate. Electronics are starting to show age but overall very good car.

Elizabeth A on December 25, 2020

It gets me and my friends/stuff where they need to go.

It has enough room to move people and large objects. It gets decent mileage. It does the job. It hasn't been too expensive to upkeep

David Y on December 19, 2020

It is safe and very reliable. It is also very user friendly

I love my van. It is safe and very reliable. I love the stow and go seating as it allows for so much more storage space

Anna S on December 17, 2020

Sturdy car, will get you where you need to go.

Good car, it is lasted a long time and although it might have some minor issues it still drives so that is alright in my book. The sliding doors tend to be the first to break.

Holly H on December 15, 2020

Dependable transportation and convenient family oriented options. 12 cup holders

Nisha T on December 14, 2020

The performance that it has is tough to beat, once you drive it and experience.

This vehicle is very comfortable for my family and it have great entertainment. I do not like that the truck doesn't operate with the touch of a button like the back doors does.

Rani D on December 12, 2020

Honda Odyssey is one of the safest cars on the road. Great for family.

Love the size and feel. But the brakes are very soft and we have tried to get it fixed, but Honda makes soft breaks. So we will not consider them in the future. Would love to get another Honda in 2019, but not if they don't fix the soft breaks issue.

Barbara P on December 11, 2020

2008 Honda Odyssey great vehicle.

I love my Honda Odyssey is a 2008 and has sliding doors on both sides which is very convenient lots of storage capacity has the bucket seats and I like to purchase a new one eventually in the future it is a good quality vehicle and very good on gas for six cylinder.

Tim L on December 10, 2020

Economical for its size and dependable

Functional and roomy vehicle. Can easily seat 6 comfortably. Great for long-distance traveling.

Marlene S on December 3, 2020

The car is very good in bad weather, such as snow.

I like the fact that it seats 8 people. Also I like the automatic doors. The seats are very comfortable and the seats can be reconfigured.

Paula B on December 1, 2020

It is very useful if you have kids, automatic doors, big trunk, plenty of room.

It is a big car, good quality. Easy to get in and out, it has a lot of room. Perfect for someone who has kids.

Elisabeth T on November 16, 2020

I love the sliding doors. Convenient and extremely handy!

I have had this minivan for 6 years and it has been very reliable. I have had all the maintenance performed and completed. Otherwise, very few unexpected issues have arisen. I did a lot of research before deciding on this. The deciding favors were family friendliness and reliability, hand in hand.

Hope B on November 8, 2020

Good, reliable car. Great for larger families. Great to take on long trips.

I like my minivan. I like that it can hold lots of people. I like that it is roomy.

Esmeralda C on November 7, 2020

Honda's are very reliable and if maintenance is done properly, you can keep a Honda for many years.

I love my van because all around Honda's are reliable cars. I love that it has plenty of seats for my family and extra for when traveling with extended family.

Jasmine B on November 6, 2020

Hondas are built to last.

I love how smooth it drives. The features that make it easier for parenting (automatic doors, DVD with Bluetooth headphones, seating options, etc.) are wonderful. My CD player does not work well when there?s more than one disc (can hold up to 6) and the arm rests for the front seats are so tight the leather has ripped from being put up and down.

Owen M on November 5, 2020

It fits a lot of people and can carry a lot of things.

I don't like the plastic bumpers and I wish the gas mileage was better.

Julie A on November 5, 2020

2008 Honda odyssey - great van!

I have had no trouble with my 2008 Honda odyssey it is 11 years old. I follow all the maintenance schedules and it is a very reliable van. We travel in it on family vacations, plenty of room to stretch out comfortably. To my surprise I still love my van as if I bought it yesterday! The exterior and interior still look great and it has 155k miles.

Jenny R on October 24, 2020

The Transporter of the Family

My Odyssey is very reliable. It has never given me any major issues and I've had it for over 5 years. The factory speakers work great so I haven't had the need to change any of the musical equipment. The only issue is the driver passenger door does get stuck and hard to open occasionally, but a good tug usually does the trick.

Ken S on October 24, 2020

Dependable, good gas mileage and low in insurance.

Dependable and good gas mileage, comfortable. Got everything we needed on van. Too big. Hard to park. Too much for vehicle insurance.

Lydia S on October 22, 2020

This car is reliable. It is sturdy and safe to drive anywhere. The gas mileage is good also.

It has over 160K miles and still runs great. Dual sliding doors and entertainment system a must when travelling with children. I never worry when I'm driving it because it is so reliable. The leather seats have started breaking down from the sun and heat but that's the only negative thing I have to say.

Taylor S on October 20, 2020

Extremely reliable, low maintenance vehicle.

The Odyssey comfortably seats 6 adults and has room for 7 people in total. There is plenty of storage space and compartments that makes packing for long trips convenient. It is exceedingly reliable, the only major issues being when Honda issues a recall. My model does not have automatic sliding doors which is inconvenient, sometimes the doors don't properly latch open which becomes more of an issue when parked on an incline.

Andrea H on October 12, 2020

Large trunk space, in floor storage and two glove compartment spaces

The vehicle is all power and includes heated front seats. If the back windows are opened while moving and not the front the wind makes a whooshing sound that hurts your ears. There are only 2 charging spots in the vehicle and one is in the trunk.

Emily B on October 5, 2020

It's not available in four wheel or all wheel drive.

I dislike how one of the sliding doors sticks and Honda never fixed it. I also find it a hazard how I have blind spots at each corner of the dashboard...I see there are now peep windows that have been installed in those spots. I have enjoyed the ease of knocking down seats and the space for a family of five.

Sabrina O on October 5, 2020

Storage is exceptional as well as the automatic sliding doors and touch button back hatches

Has great gas mileage. The GPS comes in handy. The double automatic sliding doors make l ou adding and unl ou aging kids convenient. Touch button to open back hatch is a wonderful feature. Roomy. With plenty of storage

Julia W on October 2, 2020

It is a dark grey van, with one of the doors not working.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.