2008 Honda Odyssey Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
STRUCTURE/BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE---I WENT TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR ON THE VAN TO GET A STROLLER OUT. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND VERY HEAVY. WHEN I LET GO THE DOOR SHUT ON ME. I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, INFORMING ME THAT THE STRUTS WERE BAD AND COULD GIVE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. (REF #12V062000) WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT IN. AFTER THE PARTS ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS CALLED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR THE REPAIR. UPON MY ARRIVAL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AFTER ALL. AT THAT POINT THERE WAS NO HELPFUL PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS OF WEIGHT LIFTING GETTING THE STROLLER, GROCERIES, ETC. IN AND OUT OF THE VAN. STILL NO HELP FROM HONDA (THE DEALERSHIP OR NATIONAL LINE). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR HAD BECOME ABNORMALLY HEAVY. THE LIFTGATE DOOR WOULD ALSO CLOSE ABRUPTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V062000(STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: SUPPORT DEVICE) AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,803.
REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS FAILED CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY ON PERSON BENEATH THE REAR DOOR. HONDA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL ON SOME 2008 MODELS. WHEN DEALER AND HONDA CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONTACTED REGARDING THE INCIDENT REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR UNDER RECALL. INFORMED ABOUT SAFETY CONCERN BUT NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY HONDA THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY. RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER MORE VEHICLES THAN ACKNOWLEDGED BY HONDA. HONDA SHOULD ACT RESPONSIBLY TO PREVENT INJURY TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND RECALL AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE MORE INJURIES OCCUR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT-GATE FAILED AS SHE OPENED IT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIFT GATE WAS VERY HARD TO OPEN UP AND ONCE IT WAS OPENED IT CAME BACK DOWN VERY QUICKLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,716.
THE MORNING OF THE 24TH I OPENED MY LIFT GATE TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK AND ONCE I LIFTED THE GATE UP IT JUST FELL BACK DOWN NEARLY CRUSHING ME. HAD I NOT STOPPED IT THE GLASS WOULD HAVE BROKEN AS WELL. *TR
REAR LIFTGATE OF ODYSSEY FAILED, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS THE TRUNK SLAMMED SHUT. TOOK TO DEALER TODAY AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL BUT APPARENTLY ONLY SOME, NOT ALL, HAVE BEEN RECALLED, SO I AM PAYING FOR THIS FAILURE TO BE REPAIRED MYSELF. FRUSTRATING! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STRUTS. THE LIFT GATE WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND WOULD NOT REMAIN OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V0620000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: SUPPORT DEVICE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
BACK REAR HATCH LIFT STRUTS SUDDENLY FAILED. HATCH CAME CRASHING DOWN WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE. DID NOT DIRECTLY SEE THE EVENT BUT IT HAPPENED WHILE MY CHILDREN WERE REMOVING ITEMS FROM REAR COMPARTMENT. REAR HATCH IS VERY HEAVY AND WITHOUT OPERABLE STRUTS THE GATE DEVELOPS A SIGNIFICANT FORCE (APPEARS TO BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY). IT IS NOTICED THAT 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS A RECALL TO SIMILAR PART BUT FOR THE POWERED LIFT GATE VERSION ONLY. HONDA DEALER HAS REPLACE PARTS, CHARGED TO OWNER = $178. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS UNLOADING THE TRUNK AREA WITH THE LIFT GATE OPENED. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD SLAMMING NOISE AS THE LIFTGATE CLOSED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE CONTACT REALIZED THE STRUTS ON THE LIFT GATE WERE FAULTY AND COULD NO LONGER HOLD THE LIFTGATE OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V062000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE) BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
THE TAILGATE STRUTS FAILED WHEN MY WIFE OPENED THE TAILGATE CAUSING A BRUISE ON HER HEAD. SKIN WAS NOT BROKEN. THE STRUTS FAILED SLIGHTLY ON THE 27TH AND LOWERED THE TAIL GATE A FEW INCHES. A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY FAILED COMPLETELY AND TAIL GATE IS HARD TO OPEN AND MUST BE HELD OPEN OR IT FALLS RAPIDLY. THE STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR RECALL, EVEN IF VIN IS NOT INCLUDED ON RECALL LIST OR PERHAPS THE PART FAILURE MAY ALSO BE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND NOTICED THAT IT SUDDENLY CLOSED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V062000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GAS FILLED STRUTS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FAILED AND THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V062000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE ABRUPTLY CLOSED WHILE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, WITHOUT RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V062000 (: STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V062000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE FAILED PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OR NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED AND THE DOOR WOULD ABRUPTLY SLAM SHUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 12V062000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE) AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,100.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES TAILGAE HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND FELL ON THE CONTACT'S SHOULDERS. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE TAILGATE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
ON APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 5, 2011 MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO OUR 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY TO RETRIEVE SOME ITEMS. HE OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE AS USUAL AND WHILE HE WAS RETRIEVING THE BAGS THE REAR DOOR GAVE WAY FALLING ONTO HIS BACK. THE STRUTS THAT HOLD THE DOOR UP FAILED AND CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR. NOT ONLY IS IT DIFFICULT TO LIFT THE DOOR, BUT MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE SINCE BEEN USING A PIECE OF WOOD TO HOLD UP THE DOOR WHEN NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL OF CERTAIN 2008-2009 HONDA ODYSSEY REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 12V062000). HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD BY THE STAFF AND MANAGER AT PHILLIPSBURG EASTON HONDA THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE EVENTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM LISTED IN THE RECALL. *TR
I SAW THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED 2008- EARLY 2009 MODEL YEAR HONDA ODYSSEY EX-LAND TOURING MODELS POWER LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS I HAVE A NON-POWER LIFT GATE VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE GAS STRUTS HAVE FAILED. I'VE BUMPED MY HEAD ON THE TAILGATE MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY LIFTING THE REAR LIFT GATE. UPON SUCCESSFULLY OPENING THE LIFT GATE, THE HYDRAULICS FAILED AND THE DOOR ERRONEOUSLY CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V062000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,778.
NON POWERED TRUNK LIFT ON MY EX ODYSSEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE TO LITERALLY PUSH THE TRUNK AND KEEP IT IN POSITION AND HOLD IT, USE THE TRUNK AND THEN LEAVE THE DOOR SLOWLY, WITHOUT WHICH THE TRUNK DOOR WILL SLAM ON ITS OWN. I HEAR ABOUT RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE, SEEMS LIKE ITS APPLICABLE EVEN TO NON POWERED MODELS. *JS
THE STRUTS ON MY 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L FAILED THIS MORNING. IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL FROM FEB 16, 2012, SINCE MY ODYSSEY DOES NOT HAVE A POWER LIFTGATE. PEOPLE STILL HAVE TO USE THE LIFTGATE (POWERED OR NOT), AND IT POSES A BIG RISK TO THE PERSON UNDER THE LIFTGATE. WHILE SUPPORTING THE LIFTGATE WITH MY HEAD, I HAD TO PULL OUT MY BICYCLE FROM THE VEHICLE WITH BOTH HANDS. AS I MOVED, THE LIFTGATE WOULD HURT ME SINCE IT WAS ONLY BEING KEPT OPEN BY MY BODY. AS SOON AS I MOVED OUT, IT CLOSED WITH A BIG BANG. THIS IS A MAJOR RISK ESPECIALLY TO THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE USERS OF THE ODYSSEY: MOMS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THIS FORUM THREAD (11 PAGES LONG): HTTP://WWW.ODYCLUB.COM/FORUMS/52-2005-2010-ODYSSEY/40133-TAILGATE-GAS-STRUT-PROBLEMS.HTML RELATED RECALL: VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: HONDA / ODYSSEY MODEL YEAR(S): 2008-2009 MANUFACTURER: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) MFR'S REPORT DATE: FEB 16, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V062000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11034 COMPONENT: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS EMITTED A GRINDING NOISE WHILE CLOSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CENTER SLIDING ROLLERS ON EACH SLIDING DOOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED OR THERE COULD BE BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
LIFT-GATE STRUTS FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THEY HAD TO CUT THE WIRE IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, SHE HAD TO OPEN AND CLOSE IT MANUALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE DOOR CLOSED ON HIM UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2008 Honda Odyssey has 108 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.