2021 Honda Odyssey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Honda Odyssey ranks 18th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 15 and carries a Caution verdict, capped from a lower complaint level due to 8 recall campaigns. Electrical system problems dominate at 38% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 21%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 Odyssey years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 141
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2021 Honda Odyssey problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System54 (38%)
- Other33 (23%)
- Engine30 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras27 (19%)
- Airbags16 (11%)
- Structure & Body14 (10%)
- Lane Departure10 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic braking engages suddenly with no obstacle present, sometimes causing a rear-end collision.
- The windshield-mounted rearview mirror detaches unexpectedly, cutting off visibility while driving.
- Power tailgate area lets water leak through body seams, shorting the control module and producing a burning smell.
- The dashboard displays incorrect speed limit readings while the collision and emergency braking systems intermittently go offline.
- The van gets stuck in neutral and refuses to shift into drive, requiring the brake pedal to be pressed as a workaround.
- Side curtain airbags deploy on their own while driving at normal highway speeds with no collision.
2021 Honda Odyssey recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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 26V227000Apr 9, 2026Airbags440,830 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software
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.
Risk: 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 25V877000Dec 17, 2025Other1,019 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Odyssey a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, held down from a better rating because of 8 recall campaigns.
- What problems does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have?
- Owners most often report electrical system issues, making up 38% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 21% and collision avoidance/camera issues at 19%. The median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 32,000.
- Does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2021 Odyssey, covering airbags, fuel system, collision avoidance/camera wiring, and side-view mirrors, among others.
- How does the 2021 Odyssey compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 15, the 2021 Odyssey is far better than the 2018-2020 and 2025 Avoid years, which range from 80 to 100, but its 8 recalls pull its verdict down to Caution instead of Good.
- What is the most common issue on the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
- Electrical system problems are the top issue, accounting for 54 of 141 complaints (38%), including power loss while driving and tailgate water leaks that damage the control module.