YearToAvoid

2021 Honda Odyssey Electrical System Problems

Electrical System complaints account for 54 of 141 total complaints (38%) filed against the 2021 Honda Odyssey, the highest share of any model year in this dataset. Owners report power tailgate failures from water intrusion, unexpected engine shutdowns at stops, and auto start/stop malfunctions. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Electrical System complaints
54
38% of 141
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
32,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Power tailgate stops working after water leaks through rear hatch seams or window seals and shorts the control module, in one case producing a burning smell and fire.
  • Engine shuts off completely and shifts into park at traffic stops, with dash lights coming on as if in accessory mode and doors unlocking, then requiring a restart.
  • Auto start/stop feature fails to restart the engine after stopping, causing the car to stall and die until fully powered off and restarted.
  • Vehicle loses power and powers off while driving, sometimes accompanied by unexplained electronic warning codes even after battery and system checks.
  • Sensors and tailgate malfunctions recur even after battery and alternator replacement, including the tailgate opening unexpectedly along with anti-theft system activity.

When 2021 Honda Odyssey electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 11, 2021, latest Sep 8, 2026.

2021 Honda Odyssey electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2021May 2023Apr 2024Jan 2025May 2025Sep 2025Apr 2026Aug 2026
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2026 (6).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Honda Odyssey

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Odyssey model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201037 (15%)
  2. 201168 (29%)
  3. 201244 (18%)
  4. 201316 (8%)
  5. 201434 (11%)
  6. 201533 (16%)
  7. 201639 (14%)
  8. 20176 (15%)
  9. 2018259 (26%)
  10. 2019224 (23%)
  11. 2020164 (35%)
  12. 202154 (38%)
  13. 202234 (25%)
  14. 202330 (30%)
  15. 202448 (45%)
  16. 2025203 (54%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems in the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA lists 54 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Odyssey, which is 38% of all 141 complaints filed for that model year — the highest electrical share among the Odyssey years in this dataset.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Honda Odyssey electrical issues?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Odyssey.
At what mileage do 2021 Odyssey electrical problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these electrical complaints is 32,000 miles.
What specific electrical failures do owners report on the 2021 Odyssey?
Owners describe power tailgate failures from water intrusion, engine shutdowns at stops, auto start/stop malfunctions, and sudden power loss while driving accompanied by unexplained warning codes.
Were there any fires or crashes linked to these complaints?
NHTSA data shows 1 fire and 0 crashes and 0 injuries among the Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Odyssey.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.