2021 Honda Odyssey Safety Report
2021 Honda Odyssey Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Honda Odyssey. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (111) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Honda Odyssey with 49 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Honda Odyssey before buying across this generation. |
Honda Odyssey Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Odyssey years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Honda Odyssey | 113 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Honda Odyssey | 357 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Honda Odyssey | 78 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Honda Odyssey | 796 | 17 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Honda Odyssey | 49 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Honda Odyssey | 860 | 13 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Honda Odyssey Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Honda Odyssey, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyAir Bags
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Honda onlyUnknown Or Other
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyForward Collision Avoidance
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlySuspension
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Honda onlyStructure
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
Reliability Score
The 2021 Honda Odyssey receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Odyssey:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Recalled for issues with fuel delivery and power tailgate problems. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Recalled for front passenger air bag sensor issues. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Recalled for display function issues. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Recalled for rear passenger side shock absorber issues. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Odyssey:
Issues with fuel delivery and power tailgate problems.
Front passenger air bag sensor issues.
Display function issues.
Rear passenger side shock absorber issues.
Recall Details for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Odyssey by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Honda Odyssey with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 n...
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.
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...
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 t...
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 ...
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
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 ...
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 afte...
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 t...
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
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 ...
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.
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 lig...
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 ...
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, Marysvil...
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 we...
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...
Dealership has been unable to complete recall repair due to parts being unavailable. The original recall is over 18 months old.
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.
When attempting to restart from the autostop function (i.e. the fuel economy function), the vehicle fails to restart successfully. This has happened on multiple occasions. It is not a battery problem and I have had the battery tested and even replaced (by Honda) and the problem has continued. The vehicle will stutter, stall or even completely shut down. This has happened when I have been at inters...
Showing 20 of 111 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Honda Odyssey
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags
Opened 2025-10-28
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags in model year (MY) 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). The complaints allege that the inadvertent deployments occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Consumers allege no warning prior...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Odyssey
Has the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY have?
The 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY has 111 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
The 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY involve electrical system (15 complaints), air bags (15 complaints), unknown or other (12 complaints). Other affected components include forward collision avoidance, suspension, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY is acceptable with caveats. It has 111 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (15 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (12 complaints), 4. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (9 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION (4 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 15 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
Be aware of recalls for electrical system and air bag issues. Regular maintenance can help prevent problems with the forward collision avoidance system and suspension. The 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY has 111 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
The 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 111 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Air Bags.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY?
Known issues with the 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY include: Electrical System, Air Bags, Forward Collision Avoidance, Suspension. These are based on patterns found across 111 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
Yes, recalls have been issued for electrical system and air bag issues.
What are some common problems with the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
Common issues include electrical system problems, air bag malfunctions, and forward collision avoidance system display issues.
Can the forward collision avoidance system cause problems?
Yes, the system may engage incorrectly, leading to unnecessary braking or lane departure warnings.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of recalls for electrical system and air bag issues. Regular maintenance can help prevent problems with the forward collision avoidance system and suspension.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Odyssey
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Odyssey. The data includes 111 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Honda Odyssey an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16