AI Damage2021 Honda Odyssey: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey filed 147 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 152 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 147
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 152
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 6 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 56 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Engine: 26 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Forward collision avoidance: 19 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 16 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Structure: 10 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 51.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 147 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 56 | 0 | 32 |
| Engine | 26 | 0 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 51 |
| Lane departure | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| Backover prevention | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Rear view mirror on the windshield has a factory defect. It falls off and causes hazardous conditions. I backed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle. It was dark, the warning beeper did not sound until I hit the vehicle. The dealership has attempted to fix the issue 3 times, the item is ordered to fix the mirror.
The driver sliding door would not close and would sometimes reverse direction. Eventually, it failed completely and would not close. Dealership repair involved the rear door latch and motors and cost over $2600. Two weeks later and the passenger sliding door is doing the same exact thing.
Both rear coil springs rusted completely through and failed at approximately 57,876 miles on this 2021 Honda Odyssey. This is a premature failure of a primary suspension safety component.
The infotainment screen had a recall that has not been properly fixed so that my rearview camera does not work for backing up.
The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the radio displayed a blank screen. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera turned on and off. Additionally, there was a cracking sound coming from the speakers. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure.
After the MOST/FAKRA recall (NHTSA 23V-431) was completed, the center display showed a MOST bus/network loss message, then the infotainment system went dead and will not power on. The dealer would like 1800$ to repair this already "repaired" safety system.
When shifting into reverse, the display screen goes black or the camera image freezes. This causes a loss of rear visibility while backing up, creating a risk of striking a pedestrian or object behind the vehicle.
At 64,000 miles both rear shock absorbers failed (rusted), one completely the other on the verge. Driving the car was dangerous as the car became unstable at higher speeds when going over normal bumps and road holes. The repair including parts, labor, and necessary four wheel alignment was $1,051.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 434 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Odyssey has 312 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 147, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, your vehicle may not automatically restart.
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the power sliding door not opening or closing under its own power. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022 & 2024 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the power sliding door not opening or closing under its own power. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like…
- Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around…
- Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around…
- Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American…
Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in the…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024 Odysseys with a customer complaint of front damper squeaking or creaking noise while driving over bumps. The noise maybe more pronounced while driving slowly over small bumps…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the fuel door not opening when pressed. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to…
- Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly…
Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow…
- Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages,…
Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages,…
Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2023 Odysseys, Passports, Pilots, & Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the door handle not operating from the inner door handle or not being able to lock the vehicle using the…
NHTSA lists 152 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 147. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (14%), warning lights, check engine (10%), stalls while driving (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA lists 152 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Honda Odyssey from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.