# Honda Odyssey brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 176 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (48) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 176 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Honda Odyssey (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (48). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Honda Odyssey brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 2 | 271 | 1% | | 2018 | 29 | 1012 | 3% | | 2019 | 48 | 998 | 5% | | 2020 | 32 | 492 | 7% | | 2021 | 6 | 147 | 4% | | 2022 | 7 | 143 | 5% | | 2023 | 4 | 105 | 4% | | 2024 | 4 | 127 | 3% | | 2025 | 38 | 451 | 8% | | 2026 | 6 | 63 | 10% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Honda Odyssey recalls related to the brake warning light **[19V213000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V213000)** (2018-2019 models, reported 2019-03-20): If the rear wheel speeds cannot be correctly monitored, the anti-lock brake system may not engage properly to prevent the wheels from locking up, increasing the risk of crash. **Remedy:** Braun has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the rear wheel speed sensor harnesses, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2019. **[18V777000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V777000)** (2018-2019 models, reported 2018-11-01): A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Honda Odyssey owners report - "When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and the engine failed to. Start and the entire electrical system shut off. The card was completely dead. I sat there for several minutes and I was able to restart the car." -- owner of a 2026 Honda Odyssey, complaint filed 2026 - "However, when the light turned green and I released the brake, the vehicle stalled out. I had to completely turn off the vehicle and restart it." -- owner of a 2025 Honda Odyssey, complaint filed 2026 - "Prior to and during failure events, the instrument cluster displays a Red Exclamation Mark warning light and/or a "Brake System" warning light. These warnings first appeared in conjunction with the initial AIS failure events and recur with each subsequent incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF..." -- owner of a 2024 Honda Odyssey, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Odyssey brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (19V213000, 18V777000) covering 2018-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Honda Odyssey years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2019, 2020 and 2025 Odyssey model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 48 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda Odyssey with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Honda Odyssey has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Honda Odyssey warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-odyssey): 9 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-odyssey): 29 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-odyssey): 45 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-odyssey): 198 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-odyssey): 42 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-odyssey): 44 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-odyssey): 13 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints - [Chevrolet Tahoe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-tahoe): 136 complaints ## Honda Odyssey - [Honda Odyssey specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-odyssey) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.