2021 Honda ODYSSEY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11407494 · 2021-04-11 (April 11, 2021)
2021 HONDA ODESSEY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 6 TIMES. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO GET SERVICE AND THE DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE IN 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ENDED UP TRADING THE ODESSEY ON THURSDAY FOR A NEW ONE. HOWEVER THE THE NEW 2021 HONDA ODESSEY THAT I BOUGHT THURSDAY 4/8/21 LOST POWER ON ME TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11407494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426112 · 2021-07-23 (July 23, 2021)
The drivers side side-view mirror was vibrating for serval days making it impossible to see correctly and was very distracting. While waiting for a new one to come in, I was driving on the highway it came off and smashed into the door. It was still hanging by the wire and smashing into the door over and over till I could get it to the dealer. The dealer said they've have multiple customers with this same problem. When it happened I was very lucky no one was near me on the highway because I was so startled by the crash that I was swerving. Then …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429024 · 2021-08-13 (August 13, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed without incident and without warning. An automated security feature in the vehicle called him immediately upon deployment of the air bags. The contact was asked if he needed assistance from authorities and he informed them that he was ok. The contact was not injured during the failure. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home where it remained in his possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to b…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11429024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435468 · 2021-10-04 (October 4, 2021)
The 'infotainment" system turned off stating "network connection lost." The speakers then started making a VERY loud crackling sound that could not be controlled with the volume button. It was very distracting to the driver--sounded like rocks hitting the windshield. When the infotainment system was off, the blindspot monitor and back-up camera stopped functioning. This has happened several times.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439942 · 2021-11-09 (November 9, 2021)
UNKNOWN There is a cracking noise in engine at low speed (slow acceleration after stop). Much like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl9D0PzOxHU&t=1s The dealer would not acknowledge it as a problem and call it by design. They say a lot of cars with this engine develop this sound. This started happening after 6000 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453852 · 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
While driving with no vehicles or obstacles stopped in front of me, my car automatically braked hard.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453852 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V010000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2021-01-14 (January 14, 2021)
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles. The fuel tank assembly installed by Braun may be susceptible to the fuel tank overfilling into the charcoal canister. If the charcoal canister fills with a sufficient amount of fuel, fuel may leak out.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Braun will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles. If evidence of a fuel leak is present, a new fuel tank assembly and a new Honda charcoal canister will be installed, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V174000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 2023-03-16 (March 16, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V431000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Reported: 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V877000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor:
Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V227000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:Software
Reported: 2026-04-09 (April 9, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗