2021 Honda ODYSSEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
140 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 140 complaints (37.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 17.1% |
| Braking behavior | 22 | 15.7% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 52 |
| Unknown Or Other | 33 |
| Engine | 26 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 15 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 7 |
Electrical System: 52; Unknown Or Other: 33; Engine: 26; Air Bags: 16; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 15; Structure:Body: 9; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 127 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 42 |
| 2026 | 36 |
2021: 7; 2022: 8; 2023: 20; 2024: 27; 2025: 42; 2026: 36
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 24 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11523976 · 2023-05-26 (May 26, 2023)
I was driving on I-270 highway in active HOV lane and had to stop because of traffic. The car stopped the engine as it usually does by "Auto Idle Stop" system but failed to start it back when I needed to continue driving. I noticed that the battery light blinked on the dashboard when it tried to re-start the engine. As a result I was in active HOV lane with quickly approaching traffic from behind. We all (me, my wife and 2 kids) were scared. I called 911 immediately for help. This all could end up with a crash and injuries. While calling 911…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553382 · 2023-11-03 (November 3, 2023)
Upon going to start my vehicle it would not start. I ended up jump starting the car and going to buy a new battery. I replaced the battery even though repair facility stated battery was at 78% and in good state. Two days later I went to start the van again and the battery was again dead. I jumped the car to get it started and have had to continually jump start the car due to no start issue. The alternator is showing a constant 14.3 volt charge when running but the battery continues to die. Has left my family stranded multiple times in the past …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397134 · 2021-02-20 (February 20, 2021)
HI THE VEHICLE SHOWS SPEED LIMIT OF 70 IN 25 OR 40MPH ZONES. THE VEHICLES SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OFFLINE EMERGENCY BRAKING AND COLLISION. EVERY TIME I TAKE TO HONDA DEALER I AM BEING TOLD TO GO SEE WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY CAN'T FIND A ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 380 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404243 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
ON REACHING THE EXIT OF A TUNNEL CAR WASH, THE VAN WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT, IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, AND THAT'S CLEARLY A DANGEROUS THING TO DO IN A TUNNEL CAR WASH. I CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE IF I PUT THE VAN INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST DOWN OUR STREET (ABOUT 1200 FEET).
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621957 · 2024-10-25 (October 25, 2024)
After having the Honda Dealership perform an oil change and software update 23-008 (updating the Auto Idle Stop Software) last week, my engine stalled while at a busy intersection (PA turnpike/70 junction) during a road trip. At the long stop light the auto idle function engaged and the engine turned off. When the stop light turned green and I lifted my foot off the brake and pressed the gas the engine shut down and automatically went into Park. I had to press the start/stop button to fully turn off then turn back on the car to get the engine t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11629582 · 2024-12-09 (December 9, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to lose automotive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway before stalling. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11629582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747846 · 2026-07-01 (July 1, 2026)
While driving approximately 75 mph on I-77 S our van stopped accelerating without warning. The engine would rev but no acceleration was occuring. There had been no signs of any issue prior and no warning lights appeared. We were able to make it to the side of the road and immediately called a tow truck to take us to the nearest Honda dealership. We had to wait on the side of a very busy interstate with our one and three year old and then get all of us safely to the dealership after the tow truck arrived. We were lucky that the sudden stop to ou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11747846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537078 · 2023-08-08 (August 8, 2023)
While driving in highway construction zones the car's lane departure system attempted to steer the car along lane markings set before the construction zone was established. In several instances this caused my car to steer, contrary to my steering input, towards Jersey barriers and dangerously close to a collision. The car's collision warning and automatic braking systems then engaged and applied the brakes regardless of following traffic. After the first instance, luckily in light traffic, I became aware of this issue and aware of how to qui…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11683344 · 2025-08-27 (August 27, 2025)
Can has been making a popping noise that can be felt in the steering wheel for 2 years. Honda has told me nothing was wrong after taking it in 4 times. Now my car keeps stalling at lights, sometimes it takes a while to get it to restart, and they can not figure out why. They keep saying the battery is fine and diagnostics finds nothing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11683344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746889 · 2026-06-27 (June 27, 2026)
The van suddenly died, thankfully on a lower traffic neighborhood road. It would not start and we had it towed to the dealership. Upon troubleshooting, the "low pressure" fuel pump was bad. This resulted in a $1,500 repair for a vehicle only 5 years old. Thankfully this did not happen on the highway, but this is dangerous and should not happen on a car only 5 years old and well maintained.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746889 at NHTSA ↗