2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 104owner reports
- 59,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
266 of the 992 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 104 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 104 reports
Phantom braking on other Odyssey years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Phantom braking is a car that brakes hard on its own, often at highway speed, with nothing in the road ahead. About one owner in five mentions a near miss with the car behind.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the radar or camera sensor (70 reports), the windshield (18 reports) and the software (14 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on collision avoidance cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The rear wheel speed sensor harnesses may have been routed to the incorrect rear wheels, resulting in the possibility that the anti-lock brake system will not recognize each rear wheel speed properly.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance.
All 16 recalls on the 2018 Honda Odyssey, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Odyssey
Air in brake system. Closed may 11, 2010, led to recall 10V-098.
Air in brake system. Closed oct 19, 2009, led to recall 10V-098.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
31 of the 104 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,300 to $2,400.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,690 and 91,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Failure of the forward-looking multipurpose camera after a simple battery change. Many safety features are now inoperative including emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, among others. Ultimately, a routine maintenance item (battery replacement) is causing the failure of vehicle safety systems.”
Filed Jul 30, 2026
“Vans forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking occurred when no vehicle was in-front of the van.”
Filed May 28, 2026
“I was driving home and suddenly the lights with these warning signs just came on. LKAS, ACC, Collision Avoidance, Auto High Beam Problem Ive heard from many customers complaining of this of 2018-2020 honda odyssey models”
Filed Jun 8, 2024
“The camera on the Honda van seems to act up when either its hot outside or cold outside. Due to this, the car will show these codes, (LKAS, ACC, Collision Avoidance, Auto High Beam Problem). Due to the camera having these isues, the collision avoidance puts myself and family at risk.”
Filed Jan 22, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 104 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 136 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 134 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 121 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 115 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 85 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 68 reports
- Sliding door won't open, close or latch 61 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 51 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Fuel pump failure 41 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 41 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 40 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 39 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 38 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 25 reports