NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
This page covers 8 recalls, 115 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Honda Odyssey.
22 mpg combined
10.7 L/100km
Minivan - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical system complaints dominate what 2021 Odyssey owners report, with the most common thread being infotainment and audio failures, screens going unresponsive, audio cutting out with crackling, and the system failing to shut down when the vehicle is turned off. A recurring secondary pattern involves water intrusion through body seams around the rear hatch and roof, which owners report shorting out the control modules for the power tailgate and sliding doors, sometimes accompanied by a burning smell or mold. Forward collision avoidance and airbag-related complaints make up the next tier, though those narratives center more on system behavior than mechanical failure. A smaller but notable cluster describes power tailgate and sliding door latch failures, where doors won't latch fully closed, owners generally trace these back to the same water intrusion issues affecting the rear of the vehicle.
115
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Honda Odyssey has 8 recalls, the most serious being a software error that can cause the side and curtain airbags to deploy without warning, and a separate passenger seat sensor issue that can cause the front passenger airbag to fire incorrectly in a crash.
A fuel-related recall affects Odyssey vehicles modified by Braun: the fuel tank can overfill into the charcoal canister, causing fuel to leak out near potential ignition sources. On vehicles with Vantage Mobility wheelchair restraints, the retractors may fail to lock, leaving the wheelchair unsecured and able to move during transit. The fuel pump on certain vehicles can also fail outright, stalling the engine while driving.
Two visibility concerns round out the list. A faulty connector in the camera system can prevent the rearview image from appearing on the screen when backing up. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror glass to detach and reduce the driver's side view.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the airbag control system can cause the side and side curtain airbags to deploy without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will update or replace the airbag control computer software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheelchair restraint retractors may fail to lock, which prevents the wheelchair from being properly secured in the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty connector on the MOST communication cable can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a protective cover over the cable connector at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heating pads behind the side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, which can cause the mirror glass to detach.
What the fix does
Both left and right side-view mirrors will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank assembly may allow fuel to overflow into the charcoal canister. If the canister fills with enough fuel, it can leak out.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the vehicle. If fuel leakage is found, they'll replace the fuel tank assembly and charcoal canister at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.