2021 Honda Odyssey Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Caution

Ranks 19th of 25 Odyssey years we score.

Owner complaints: 140; 19 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 26.7; 45,245 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.7×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 55; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2020 Odyssey 2022 Odyssey →

Should You Buy the 2021 Honda Odyssey?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2021 Honda Odyssey is 64 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.7 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 19th of the 25 Odyssey years we score.

The most reported problem is the power liftgate, mostly stopped working (19 of 140 complaints). Owners also complain about cars not starting and the screen and audio. 55 of the 140 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 58 and the 2022 scores 65.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating

Cons

About 1.7 times the problems of the average car its age
Power liftgate: stopped working19 complaints
Car not starting (cause not stated)16 complaints
Screen and audio: works on and off14 complaints

How the 2021 Odyssey Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.7×	−13
Everyday problems	1.6×	−6
Problems in the last two years	1.1×	−10
Recalls	1.7×	−7
Score		64

What Owners Report

We read all 140 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Odyssey, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Power liftgate: stopped working
19 complaints (14%)
A feature that stopped working, the system acting on its own and not opening or unlocking. 1 of these 19 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 46,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
16 complaints (11%)
The car not starting and the system acting on its own. 14 of these 16 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 5 it came back after a repair.
Screen and audio: works on and off
14 complaints (10%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and unusual noises. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 42,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
10 complaints (7%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and problems that come and go. 6 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
9 complaints (6%)
Water leaking in.
Mirrors: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, distorted image and distorted, blurry image. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 6 it came back after a repair.
Engine: stalling
8 complaints (6%)
Stalling, unusual noises and problems that come and go. 6 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Sliding doors: stopped working
6 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working, not opening or unlocking and problems that come and go. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
5 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working, warning lights and wrong readings.
Stall (cause not stated)
5 complaints (4%)
Stalling. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
4 complaints (3%)
A loss of power. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Rearview camera: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and the system not working when needed.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (2%)
The system acting on its own and problems that come and go. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: works on and off
3 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go, rust or corrosion and a failure that needed a new part.
Airbags: stopped working
2 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure.

Show 10 more problems

Battery drain: draining the battery
2 complaints (1%)
Draining the battery. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. Both describe a serious outcome.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (1%)
Warning lights.
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
2 complaints (1%)
Not shutting off.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (1%)
Deployment with no crash.
Stability control (VSA) failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Starter: the car not starting
2 complaints (1%)
The car not starting and a failure that needed a new part. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Struts or shocks: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (1%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (1%)
Failure or loss of drive. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Shifter or park: works on and off
2 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.

Reported Once (27)

Show the 27 problems reported once

12V battery: warning lights
A/C compressor failure
A/C condenser failure
Adaptive cruise control: surging
Uneven tire wear: early wear
Alternator or charging: warning lights
Ball joints and control arms failure
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Control module (unspecified): water leaking in
Door latches: not closing or latching
Engine failure: locking up
Forward collision warning: works on and off
Fuel pump failure
Instrument cluster: dim display
Noise (cause not stated)
Drive belt: damage
Rear parking sensor warning beeper: the system not working when needed
Rear parking sensors: stopped working
Parking brake: warning lights
Phone and navigation: works on and off
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Road departure mitigation: hard braking with nothing ahead
Seats: not closing or latching
Side blind zone alert: the system acting on its own
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Taillights or brake lights: the system acting on its own
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2021 Honda Odyssey Compares With Other Years

The other Odyssey years of the 5th generation, 2018 to 2026, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	6.0	3	Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
2025	Provisional 38	–	–	40.7	3	Car not starting (cause not stated)
2024	Caution	62	1.9×	13.1	4	Car not starting (cause not stated)
2023	Good	71	1.0×	11.6	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2022	Caution	65	1.6×	18.4	10	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2021 This year	Caution	64	1.7×	26.7	8	Power liftgate: stopped working
2020	Avoid	58	2.5×	59.5	14	Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
2019	Avoid	55	2.6×	64.7	20	Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
2018	Avoid	54	3.1×	85.3	16	Driver-assist camera and radar failure
2017	Good	77	0.57×	13.6	2	Ignition coils or spark plugs failure

See every Odyssey year

2021 Honda Odyssey Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: front passenger
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Air bags: software
Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V227000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 9, 2026. By the second quarter of 2026, 28% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Equipment adaptive/mobility: latch/anchor (Vantage Mobility)
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 25V877000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 17, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 1% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: front passenger
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Back over prevention: display function
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA 23V431000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 15, 2023. By the first quarter of 2026, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Visibility: exterior
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V174000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 16, 2023. By the fourth quarter of 2025, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage (Braun Corporation)
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
NHTSA 21V010000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 14, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 61% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Service campaignHonda 23-008
Auto idle stop software update
The problem:
After the car stops with auto idle stop on, the engine may not restart by itself. The driver must select Park and push the engine start/stop button.
The fix:
A Honda dealer installs an engine control software update.
Who qualifies:
The car's VIN must show the update as open. Honda dealers must update affected new or used cars before selling them.
Coverage:
No time or mileage limit is given. Ask a Honda dealer whether this applies to the car's VIN.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Engines failing to restart after automatic idle stop
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in March 2025, looks at engines that fail to restart after automatic idle stop shuts them off at a light. It lists 2016-2025 Pilots and 2018-2025 Odysseys, plus Passports and Ridgelines. Honda issued service bulletins and a 10-year warranty on some parts. Owners still report failures after the fixes. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA25004 Opening report (PDF)Open since Mar 26, 2025
Side air bags deploying by mistake in Odysseys
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked at side curtain and side torso air bags deploying by mistake in 2018-2022 Odysseys. Honda said the air bag computer had deployment settings that strong road jolts could trigger. It cited 130 warranty claims and 25 injury reports. Honda issued recall 26V-227 in April 2026. NHTSA closed the case in June 2026.
NHTSA PE25018 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Oct 28, 2025 to Jun 25, 2026

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2021 Odyssey ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Van FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2021 Odyssey, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 26V332000
Air bags: software NHTSA 26V227000
Equipment adaptive/mobility: latch/anchor (Vantage Mobility) NHTSA 25V877000
Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 24V064000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 23V858000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Open and close the liftgate several times and check that it holds open.
Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Power liftgate
Cars not starting
Screen and audio
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Odyssey Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.