Owners have reported 2 crashes and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Odyssey. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly related to the power tailgate and Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system. Complaints commonly describe water leaks causing damage to the tailgate's electrical components, resulting in the tailgate failing to operate or opening unexpectedly. Another prevalent issue involves the AIS system, where the car stalls and fails to restart properly at traffic lights, often requiring multiple attempts to restart. These problems are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 32,000 miles. Safety concerns are noted, as some incidents involve the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off in traffic, posing a risk of rear-end collisions. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues and the associated repair costs, especially if the vehicle has been exposed to heavy rain or has a history of electrical problems.
Owner complaints15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey frequently report issues with the Auto Idle Stop system, which can cause the vehicle to completely shut off at stops, requiring a restart. This issue is often described as occurring without warning and can be particularly concerning at intersections or in traffic, posing a safety risk of potential rear-end collisions. Complaints also highlight problems with the power tailgate, which may stop functioning and emit a constant warning noise, and in one case, unexpectedly close with force, resulting in injury. Additionally, some owners experience malfunctions with the infotainment system, where error messages prevent the use of essential features like navigation and hands-free calling. These issues typically arise at various mileage points, with some occurring soon after purchase and others developing over time, indicating potential ongoing reliability concerns.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey frequently report issues related to airbag recalls, specifically citing the unavailability of parts needed for repairs. Many complaints mention that parts have been unavailable for extended periods, with some owners being told that parts may not be available until 2025. In addition to recall-related concerns, a few owners describe unexpected airbag deployments, such as passenger side curtain airbags deploying without impact, occurring at low mileage around 8,000 miles. These issues raise potential safety implications, as unexpected airbag deployment can occur while driving. Buyers considering a used 2021 Honda Odyssey should be aware of these airbag-related concerns and the potential for long wait times for recall repairs.
Owner complaints10
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey frequently report issues with the vehicle's Forward Collision Avoidance system, particularly involving unexpected automatic braking when no obstacles are present. Common symptoms include the vehicle abruptly slowing down, often accompanied by a dashboard warning and audible alerts, with some incidents occurring in clear weather conditions and on open roads. Complaints also highlight persistent "Radar Obstructed" warnings following light rain or snowfall, which can disable several driver assist features. One report involves a crash where the automatic braking led to a rear-end collision. These issues are typically reported in regular driving conditions, such as school drop-offs or highway travel, and may pose safety risks due to sudden braking and potential rear-end collisions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey frequently report issues with the engine related to the idle stop feature, where the vehicle fails to restart automatically after coming to a stop. Symptoms include the engine shutting off completely and requiring a manual restart, often without prior warning or error messages. These incidents typically occur during stop-and-go traffic or when the idle auto-off feature engages at stoplights. Some complaints note that these issues persist even after following manufacturer recommendations, such as software updates and battery replacements. The problems often arise in cold weather conditions and have been reported over multiple years, suggesting a recurring issue. Safety implications include the potential for unexpected loss of power, which can be hazardous in traffic situations.
Owner complaints5
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey report issues related to the power train, with symptoms including unexpected shifts into neutral while driving, delays in acceleration from a stop, and inability to shift from neutral to drive. These issues often occur after electrical anomalies such as the radio turning off or warning lights flashing. Complaints frequently describe these problems arising intermittently, typically after a few months of ownership, and sometimes around 14,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as the sudden loss of power or unexpected neutral shifts can lead to potential accidents, especially in traffic or on highways. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues, as they may affect vehicle performance and safety.
Owner complaints4
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey commonly report issues with the suspension, particularly involving rear coil springs breaking and causing loud popping noises and shuddering, even at low speeds. Complaints frequently mention these failures occurring around 55,000 to 57,000 miles, with some owners unable to obtain replacement parts due to backorders, leading to prolonged periods of driving with compromised suspension. Additionally, there are reports of uneven tire wear, specifically the inside shoulder of all four tires becoming bald while the rest of the tread remains intact, which may go unnoticed until a traction event occurs. These issues have significant safety implications, as they can lead to a loss of vehicle control and require immediate attention to ensure safe operation.
Owner complaints4
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report persistent issues with the rear view mirror in the 2021 Honda Odyssey, with multiple complaints describing the mirror detaching from the windshield, which impairs visibility and poses a safety risk. Symptoms frequently mentioned include the mirror falling off and becoming unadjustable, inhibiting the driver's ability to view traffic behind the vehicle. One complaint specifically notes a crash resulting from this defect, indicating a potential safety hazard. Another issue involves the driver side mirror replacement, where owners describe distorted images that hinder safe lane changes and merging. These problems are reported despite repeated service attempts to resolve them, suggesting a recurring pattern that may affect vehicle safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey report issues with the vehicle's power tailgate and sliding doors, often linked to water damage and unexpected door operation. A common failure involves the tailgate control module becoming inoperable due to water intrusion, causing the tailgate and sliding doors to malfunction and remain unlocked, posing a safety risk. Symptoms include the inability to latch the tailgate and warnings like “power tailgate problem.” Additionally, incidents involving the sliding doors have led to injuries, such as a child’s finger being cut and a passenger being injured by a door unexpectedly hitting them. These complaints suggest potential safety implications, particularly concerning electrical system failures and door operation, though specific mileage details are not consistently reported.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints3
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey report issues with the lane departure system, particularly in situations involving pedestrians or construction zones. Complaints frequently mention the system steering the vehicle towards hazards, such as a pedestrian on the highway shoulder or Jersey barriers in construction areas, despite driver input to avoid these obstacles. The system's interference occurs suddenly, sometimes within seconds, and can trigger automatic braking, which poses a risk of collision in traffic. One owner notes that using the turn signal can temporarily disable the lane-keeping feature, while another mentions disabling the system entirely to avoid these issues. These reports highlight potential safety implications, such as unintentional steering and braking, which are particularly concerning at highway speeds.
