Honda Recalls 412,000 Odyssey and Element Models Over Brake Concerns

Honda has announced that it will recall a total of 412,000 vehicles due to a problem with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator, that could cause a soft brake pedal feel. In total, 344,000 Odyssey minivans and 68,000 Elements, from the 2007-8 model years are affected.

Honda claims a “self check” mode for the system may allow a small amount of air into the modulator, which over time can result in what it calls a, “soft break pedal,” or “low brake pedal.”

A notification will be sent to all owners starting at the end of April, at which point Honda encourages owners to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer.

In order to make the process more user-friendly, Honda has announced it is setting up a website (as well as a dedicated call center) where owners can go as of April 19th, to see if their vehicle is in need of a recall. The contact number is 800-999-1009 (option 4) and the website is www.recalls.honda.com

Official release after the jump:

Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding VSA Modulator Recall
03/16/2010 – TORRANCE, Calif. –

Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel “soft” or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.

Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.

Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.