2006 Honda Odyssey Safety Issue?

Tiny
CROE
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  • 2006 HONDA ODYSSEY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 52,000 MILES
I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey we bought new from the dealer and began experiencing a wobble about 2 weeks after when accelerating as well as braking, but much more when braking and especially bad when slamming on the brakes in an emergency situation. I have read on a few forums about this issue and what everyone has tried. We took our Odyssey to the dealership as soon as we noticed and they could not find anything wrong. We moved to Atlanta after and have since taken it to another dealer and 3 more outside shops. I finally just had them replace the rotors and brakes and still have the same issue. I have not been able to find an answer to my particular question about it which is, is this a safety issue I should be concerned about since I drive my 2 year old around daily? Will it cause a slipping issue or hydroplaning problem when in rain. I have been so disturbed by it that we usually take our other car out when it rains. I just need to know if this is a possible safety hazard so I can replace this POS.

Thanks!
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 8:13 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
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Hi there,

do you feel this in the steering wheel? Or just general body shaking?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
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Both. It is really bad in both when heavy braking is needed. I have had numerous thoughts as to the cause myself such as the rotors, tires, balance, etc. But all have been ruled out and as I had previously said, there seems to be hundreds of others out there with the same issue with the same or different year models starting with 2005.

I have a fear that if we do have an emergency situation that requires us to avoid/brake quickly it will cause us to lose control or if raining/wet may cause us to hydroplane.

If this is a safety concern I am getting rid of the Odyssey immediately and will be posting my own rant on the honda site as I think if this is a known issue it should have been dealt with and a recall put in place.

Thanks for any help. It is VERY appreciated.
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
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Hi there,

When breaking down this problem you must look at the dynamics involved,

. Steering shakes, this indicates that there is a vibration setting in through the steering gear via the drive line, so the problem will be with the rotors, wheels, tyres, and to a lesser degree the drive shafts, faulty wheel bearings or loose suspension or steering components.

2. Body vibrations only under braking and not felt in the steering will be rear rotors.

3. Body vibration not felt in the steering under general driving will be generated in the wheels, tyres and rear drive line if a rear or constant 4 wheel drive.

Basically a vibration is something turning at speed that is unbalanced, so your mechanic can start to do a detailed diagnosis of this problem with this in mind.

Finally there is the issue of misalignment of drive line components, this is a lot more difficult to determine but it is something worth considering.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
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Right on all points. I have done a ton of research and found the same answers as well as gotten the same answers from the 2 dealerships and 3 outside shops I have taken it to. NONE of them said there was anything wrong with my car except the last one, Firestone, that said the rotors were very very very slightly warped so I had them turn them and replace the brake pads. No change.

I have had everything else checked and have read about MANY owners with the same year model having thousands in replacement parts put into their Odyssey's. I personally refuse to put that much into something that Honda is not willing to admit may be a manufacturing defect. I assume this because I can't find any/many other auto's with this many complaints about the same issue.

Here is a link to just one of the forums describing numerous owners with similar problems that have tried to have them resolved and continue to experience the same thing. Some have replaced even the engine mounts to see if it were a mount vibration issue.

It was actually pretty funny today because I had it at another dealership and they had a tech come out on a drive with me. He asked me to get on the highway. Well as fate would have it there happened to be a semi directly in front of us and it had a really bad blowout that caused me to hammer the breaks and swerve. The Odyssey felt like it was going to shake apart, and when I looked at the tech he was gripping the "OH SH%T" handle and was ghost white. He said he DEFINITELY felt that.

I guess what I really want to know is if this is a true safety issue that could cause us to wreck in bad weather/emergency braking situation. This is my wife's car, but I will not let her drive it anymore because of this.
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
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Forgot the link to the other issues with multiple owners.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1085e1/0
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
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Thin question is very hard to answer as I really need to experience this (with out the Ohh s$#t experience toss in for good measure) with that to one side, breaking and stability are very important under extreme conditions, wind rain snow. Tyres are the key and suspension control follow close behind, I honestly feel although that this vibration is very dis concerning, it should not unduly affect the stability of the car under emergency conditions, now that must be taken with the proviso that I have not driven the car, I would if you be guided by those qualified to understand these effects and have driven the can and experienced this problem first hand, if you have any concerns at all, your first duty is to your family and other road user, so if at all in doubt about this on going problem, be rid of the car and get something that will give you piece of mind, personally if it was mine, it would be gone by now.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
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Thanks. I actually got a ASE Certified Honda/Acura tech to tell me to replace the car on the Honda Q/A board just now as well.

I think I will. If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck then it must be a LEMON!

Thanks!
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
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Good luck with that, I just read some of the posts you sent the link for, I feel that Honda do have some explaining to do, but as most multi nationals, profits before people I'm afraid.

Thank you for using 2carpros.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 9:51 PM

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