2021 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 142 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 2 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
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.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control module, softwareApr 9, 2026
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.
Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 26V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment adaptive/mobility, wheelchair restraints/securement, latch/anchorDec 17, 2025
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.
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 25V877000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerFeb 1, 2024
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Campaign 24V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, display functionJun 15, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Campaign 23V431000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, rearview mirrors/devices, exteriorMar 16, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Campaign 23V174000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJan 14, 2021
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles. The fuel tank assembly installed by Braun may be susceptible to the fuel tank overfilling into the charcoal canister. If the charcoal canister fills with a sufficient amount of fuel, fuel may leak out.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Braun will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles. If evidence of a fuel leak is present, a new fuel tank assembly and a new Honda charcoal canister will be installed, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Campaign 21V010000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
142 reports, newest first.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 15, 2026
Vehicle shuts off completely when stopping at a light or sign. It does restart but you don't know it until you need to go. It is a safety concern!
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 6, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Auto Start/Stop function only works intermittently on our 2021 Honda Odyssey. Occasionally, when the Auto Start/Stop function does shut off the engine when the vehicle is at a complete stop, the engine fails to restart on its own. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This malfunction occurs intermittently and without warning when the vehicle is at a complete stop in traffic. The vehicle cannot be driven under its own power in this condition, often leaving it disabled in a traffic lane with other vehicles stuck behind and/or passing by at normal travel speeds. As such, it endangers both the occupants of my vehicle and the other vehicles in the vicinity. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. My local Honda dealership acknowledged the problem and completed a PGM-FI software update. However, this update did not correct the issue, and Honda refuses to take financial responsibility for the repairs necessary to correct the problem. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. The following timeline details my interactions with my local Honda dealership regarding this issue: 4/13/23 - The dealership inspected the vehicle and claimed the Auto Start/Stop system was "operating as designed"; 9/6/24 - The dealership completed a PGM-FI update as directed by a Honda product update campaign; 2/12/26 - The dealership inspected the vehicle, suggested battery replacement (which tested good on 3/3/26), and if still not corrected, advised replacement of the starter at my expense. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The problem has occurred without notice since purchase on 3/11/21.
Electrical system, May 15, 2026
System crackles through the speakers and infotainment system shuts down completely. It may or may not reboot.. Most recently the screen was completely unresponsive, the radio would not turn off manually, and it did not turn off when the car turned off and the door was opened. Occurrence is random. The system may work fine for a few months and then crash multiple times daily and then go back to working normal again for a few months.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2026, fire
Power tailgate problems caused by water leaking through body seams. A visible gap in the rear hatch allows water to flow into the vehicle and shorts out control module. This has ruined my control module, caused mold and I noticed a burning smell.
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 12, 2026
Leaking from the roof and tail gate caused the electronic control modules in the sliding door and rear gate to fail.
Structure, Mar 28, 2026
Both door latches have failed, the first was at 3 years and the second at 5 years. When this happens the door cannot close all the way. This should be a recall as it’s a safety issue and also very costly to repair.
Suspension, Mar 24, 2026
Rear passenger side shock absorber snapped on a family road trip. Vehicle began to fishtail with every bump in the road leading to excursions very close to lane markings at times. Inspection by dealer not only confirmed the damage but also found older damage involving the right front control arm which also had to be replaced. Owner had noticed a rattle in the steering column before original new car warranty expired. Original dealer could not locate the source years ago. Problem completely vanished after the current control arm repair. Owner is concerned that had rear passenger side shock absorber and front swing arm completely failed at the same time that vehicle would have departed.the road surface at speed. Vehicle has 64,000 miles on it, relatively low, light mileage for a vehicle of this age. A Google search reveals many other owner of this same make and model year have experienced the same problems.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 15, 2026
The forward collision prevention system engages the brakes when nothing/no one is in front of us. It will also engage the lane departure warning, which also engages the brakes, when construction zones remove the actual lane lines and temporary lines are put down. The car gets confused and brakes the car to a stop in the middle of a highway.
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2026
The rearview camera that does not display an image which can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. I had the vehicle inspected by a third party which believes this could be from insufficient repairs as part of the prior recall NHTSA ID Number: 23V431000 related to this same issue. Honda's recall service center's only solution is that I take the vehicle to a Honda dealership for inspection, at my expense, and that they will reimburse me if they determine it is related to this recall. The issue with the display not working has been going on for several weeks. The display will work temporarily when the battery is reset, the fuse is reset, or when the display itself was removed/replaced by the party I had inspect the unit.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2026
The error message “Power Tailgate Problem” appeared on the dash. Following the error message, the power tailgate stopped working. It would not open or close with the remote, the button on the dash, or the button on the tailgate itself. I discovered water had been leaking in the tailgate and the trunk area of my vehicle as well as the back seat that was folded down in storage had gotten soaked. I took my van to the service center and they told me it was the seal above the door and that the leak had ruined the power module controlling the door. They repaired the issues. That was in April 2025. The same thing happened last week (January 2026). After looking into the error message and the tailgate problem, I’m finding that the door may open or close at any time on its own. The water in the electrical module may also start a fire. I have two small children and this van is our primary vehicle. I’ve reached out to the dealership from which I purchased the van, I reached out to a local Honda dealer and I contacted Honda customer service and no one is willing to fix this issue. I will be required to pay out of pocket again. I’m requesting a recall on this defect in design.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2026
the trunk door stopped working due to a leak from the rear left window seal causing the computer to become waterlogged the mechanic that fixed it said its a common issue with the Honda odyssey and should be recalled by Honda, I am therefore requesting the nhtsa to investigate this matter further so Honda should reimburse for the cost of the repair this issue can be a safety hazard in the event of a emergency egress from the trunk as it's not possible to open from the exterior and there was no prior warnings lamps or messages
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2026
Power tailgate stopped working. Warning indicator indicated Power Tailgate failure. Dealer found water to be leaking onto tailgate unit from driver’s side roof rail. Recommended replacing and programming new PTG unit and resealing water leak. Repair cost was $1,311.51
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2026
My rear hatch for the trunk was filling up with water every time it rained. Took it in to be looked at and they found the door wasn’t sealed during manufacturing and they sealed it. The water damage was already done and buttons for all things no longer lifts or opens the trunk door. My dash displays “ power tailgate problem” and nothing works to open it. I have to do it manually and I’m afraid it will cause further problems to the door.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2025
After driving for 2 hrs in single digit temperatures I entered the on ramp to interstate freeway. I lost power, couldn’t accelerate further and the Check engine light was flashing. I pulled over on the 4 lane interstate, turned off my car and restarted. CEL went away. This is the 2nd time in 2 Winters this has occurred during cold weather. Both on exit/entrance ramps when trying to accelerate after turning with traffic behind me. This can only be reproduced in specific situations and diagnostics are not stored. Honda has a service bulletin on this issue 24-085. I feel it should be covered on all vehicles, regardless of warranty status due to the safety risk.
Structure, Dec 3, 2025
The power tailgate on my 2021 Honda Odyssey suddenly failed. A “power tailgate problem” warning appeared, and the tailgate became completely inoperable. It would not latch manually or automatically, even when applying force. The latch would spring back open, and no mechanical sound came from the door. Because the tailgate would not latch, the interior lights stayed on, and the vehicle continued to display “tailgate open” warnings. I could not secure the tailgate for driving, which created a safety hazard since the door could not be properly closed during travel. A few days later, both sliding doors also stopped functioning, and none of the powered doors (tailgate or sliding doors) would operate from the interior switches, exterior buttons, or key fob. The Honda service center inspected the vehicle and reported that the tailgate control module was corroded and had clear evidence of water damage. They stated that they would not replace the module until the vehicle was evaluated by a body shop because a water leak was likely present and would continue damaging components. The body shop later confirmed that water intrusion was entering through the upper left rear pillar, caused by a leak in the roof seam area. Water traveled into the rear side panel and damaged the tailgate control module and related electrical systems. Their findings were documented and also confirmed by my insurance inspector. Prior to the failure, there were no symptoms. The only warning occurred at the moment the system failed (“power tailgate problem”). The issue occurred without any impact, accident, or misuse. The defects caused multiple powered doors to become inoperable, which is a significant safety risk for both passengers and the driver. Based on publicly available information, this appears to be a recurring problem in 2018–2021 Honda Odyssey vehicles involving water leaks near the rear pillar leading to electrical control module failures.
Electrical system, Nov 25, 2025
The main screen went black for 3 mins while driving. Booted halfway back up then crashed again. Booted up again and then worked. Its done this 3 times and I've had van for 6 days. 32k miles one owner. Mint looking
Air bags, Oct 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2025
Active recall cannot be repaired as there is no parts after reaching out to four local Honda dealerships in the upper Annapolis, Md area. Have been added to the "list" of owners needing the recall completed for about a year and a half now.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2025
Component or System Failed: Idle Stop System – The vehicle completely shuts off and requires a full restart at red lights or when stopped for several minutes. Safety Risk: The vehicle shutting off unexpectedly in traffic poses a serious safety hazard to both occupants and nearby drivers, especially when traveling with young children. I am genuinely fearful for our safety — particularly at red lights, where the risk of being rear-ended is high. There are numerous reports online of this same issue occurring in Honda Odyssey vehicles, indicating a wider safety concern. Reproduction of Issue: I have contacted both Honda and the dealership, and no effective solution has been provided. This vehicle is not safe to operate under these conditions. Inspection: The issue has been inspected by the Honda dealership, but no permanent resolution has been offered. Warning Lamps/Messages: There were no warning lights, messages, or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle shuts off without any prior indication. Assessment of Cause: The problem appears to stem from a malfunctioning Idle Stop system, potentially related to the electrical or battery system. I understand that Honda has received multiple similar complaints from other Odyssey owners experiencing the same dangerous issue.
Air bags, Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that parts for the recall repair were sent to the dealer sporadically. The contact called two other dealers, Honda Marysville Service Center (640 Colemans Crossing Blvd, Marysville, OH 43040), and Germain Honda of Dublin (6715 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43017). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Sep 26, 2025
I hear a popping/crackling noise from the speakers then I get complete network loss for my backup camera, my dvd player, my clock, maps etc.System does a report after 5+ minutes. Message displayed before everything goes black is Network Connection Lost and MOST Net Off. This issue is ongoing and seems to happen now every day sometimes multiple times in a driving session. It just started about 2 weeks ago. There is an active recall for this exact issue for 2021 Honda Odysseys but my VIN does not seem to be included.
Forward collision avoidance, Sep 24, 2025
My van is braking when there are no cars or dangers in front of it. Sometimes there's a metal plate on the ground or speed bump when it brakes. Other times there's nothing in front. The car slams on the brakes and I cannot override it with the gas pedal. This puts my kids and I in danger of being rear-ended. This most commonly happens around 7:30am or 4pm when I'm taking kids to school or dropping off. I'm often in the carpool like or headed to the school when the car slams on the brakes. It's very frightening. The dealer cannot find an issue and cannot replicate the problem.
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2025
Dealership has been unable to complete recall repair due to parts being unavailable. The original recall is over 18 months old.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 23, 2025
Vehicle lost power resulting in the vehicle automatically going into park and powering off while driving. This has happened multiple times. In addition, we will get strange electronic codes. Tested battery and systems successfully, but problem persists.