The Lemon Index2021 Honda Odyssey.
The 2021 Honda Odyssey is better than average by owner complaints: 62 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Honda Odyssey year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2018–2024 Honda Odyssey, 19.3M views. The 2021 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical254K views
Replace Honda Odyssey Car Battery AGM | 2018 - 2025dial2fast · 146K views · 3 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors191K views
2011-2020 Honda Odyssey Sliding Door Not Opening or ClosingTheDriveTrain · 150K views · 2 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring80K views
2018 Honda Odyssey How to reset oil service maintenance lightDouble B’s DIY Shop · 43K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors34K views
2019 Honda Odyssey Sensor CleaningOdysseyHowTo · 34K views
Before you buy, watch
10 Common Problems Of A Honda Odyssey (2011 - 2020)MaxTheCarGuy · 152K views
2019 Honda Odyssey problems Owner’s Review updateMyks Garage · 54K views
Honda Odyssey Review | Should You Buy a Used 2018–2024 Honda Odyssey?CarMax · 44K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 147 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Odyssey year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 53K miles on the car (14 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 8
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- airbags 2026
A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2025
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- back over prevention 2023
Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display.
- visibility 2023
The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach.
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The fuel tank assembly installed by Braun may be susceptible to the fuel tank overfilling into the charcoal canister.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 152 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC U0155 (Lost Communication with Gauge Control Module)
- ServiceNews Article - We have received information from the vendor (Alpine) that display…
- "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenNo restart after auto start/stop engages2025
- ClosedInadvertent deployment of side air bags2025–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda ODYSSEY VAN FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
A recall has been issued on my vehicle since February. It is now almost May and when I call Honda about the recall they tell me that they do not have the solution as of yet.
2021 Honda Odyssey owner · NHTSA complaint 11586033
More owner reports
While driving with no vehicles or obstacles stopped in front of me, my car automatically braked hard.
NHTSA complaint 11453852
After the PGM-FI update was put into our car, the engine cuts out entirely while at stop lights and will not wake back up. The Honda dealership is saying that there is nothing they can do.
NHTSA complaint 11619730
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Odyssey year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Odyssey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (27%), electrical (23%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Odyssey get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Honda Odyssey cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Odyssey year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2013 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works