2021 Honda Odyssey Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on July 24th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones

The Odyssey was the first minivan produced by Honda. Its debut model was 1995 and it’s kept going ever since, with five generations introducing significant changes.

Nevertheless, it’s had problems since the first model. Furthermore, sales have been declining for the past 15 years. With sales of just over 26,000 in 1995, they peaked at 177,919 in 2006. By 2019 they had dropped below 100,000. The 2021 model figures indicate sales of just 76,125.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018   2019   2020   2022   2023

NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Honda Odyssey

Honda has announced that it will no longer be producing the Odyssey in Japan. So, the 2021 model is the last for the Japanese market. But the company will continue to manufacture the Odyssey in North America.

Complaints

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records for the 1995 Honda Odyssey, there are 103 complaints. Of these, 29 were about airbags, 25 about the van’s electrical system, and 18 about brakes.

There are usually many more manufacturer communications warning retailers about issues and offering solutions. But in this case, there are only 38 on record, with 9 notifications about engines and engine cooling topping the list.

NHTSA has a record of 43 complaints about the 2020 model. Of these, only 25 were lodged up until the end of 2020. This time, the electrical system tops the list, with 20 complaints. We cover these in our article, 2020 Honda Odyssey Problems and Top Complaints.

Additionally, there are 114 manufacturer communications. Unsurprisingly, the electrical system tops this list with 40 notifications.

So far there are 9 complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 model, 7 of which are dated 2021.

Most Common Problems

The most common problems highlighted in consumer complaints relate to the engine, electrical system, and forward-collision avoidance. Additionally, complaints relate to airbags, exterior lighting, lane departure, the powertrain, and visibility.

We’re going to look at the top three.

Electrical System Problems

There are 3 complaints that highlight electrical system problems. But 25 of the 67 manufacturer communications sent to dealers relate to the 2021 model’s electrical system. These communications highlight problems they want dealers to be aware of. In most instances, they ask dealers to let them inspect vehicles with the problems they mention before the dealer attempts repairs of any kind.

Since 2012, manufacturers have been legally obligated to provide NHTSA with all communications sent to dealers.

Problems with the Engine

There are 4 complaints that include engine issues.

One complaint states that the “Honda Odyssey 2021 has major safety issues.” The complaint says the van starts and shuts the engine off itself. The tail lights come on when the engine is running even though the knob for the lights is in the off position.

After taking the van to a Honda dealer twice, and being told they cannot fix it, the complainant was told a manager would review the safety concern. But it may take months, depending on how busy they are.

Another complaint states the Odyssey lost power six times while driving. The dealer was unable to replicate the problem but traded the vehicle in for a new one. Within days, the new Odyssey also lost power while driving.

A different issue was identified as a cracking noise in the engine occurring at low speed. This time, the dealer refused to acknowledge it was a problem and said “a lot of cars with this engine develop this sound.”

Forward-Collision Avoidance Problems

One of two forward-collision avoidance problems is that the vehicle system goes offline for emergency braking and collision. This dealer told this complainant that they were unable to find anything wrong.

The other is that the car randomly brakes hard even though there are no vehicles or obstacles to avoid.

What to do if your 2021 Honda Odyssey is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights

Persistent problems with your 2021 Odyssey may indicate that you have bought a lemon. Typically, these are issues that relate to the engine, powertrain and transmission, brakes, and the electrical system.

If you suspect you may have a lemon on your hands, contact Lemberg Law and we will assess your problems. We have helped many clients get trade-ins, cash settlements, and replacement vehicles.

Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from trying to negotiate your own settlement. But we take the stress out of the equation and do all the work for you. It won’t cost you anything either, because the law makes Honda pay the legal bills for cars that are lemons.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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