RECALL: Honda Odyssey is Neptune’s Next Victim

NEW YORK- Honda is recalling 344,000 Odyssey minivans for a sensor issue that can cause the vehicle to brake on its own. A technological error can cause “heavy and unexpected braking without the driver pressing on the brake pedal and without illumination of the brake lamps,” the company said.

Honda said the full recall would even include those made in model years ’07 and ’08. Honda has also said they have a fix for the brake issue. The catch? The new and improved sensors won’t be available for installation until Spring of next year.

Photo Courtesy: www.base4car.com
Photo Courtesy: www.base4car.com

For now, Honda said customers should start their minivans with the wheels facing straight ahead, allowing the system to properly calibrate. Customers who experience the unexpected braking should stop immediately and restart the minivan. Simply tapping on the brake pedal will immediately cancel the auto-braking action.

NHTSA began an investigation in June and received 22 reports of the issue. The NHTSA said the problem could cause “the vehicle speed to drop by as much as 30 mph in a very brief amount of time.”