2021 Honda Odyssey: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
Mid-cycle refresh with the 10-speed standard; the troublesome early 9-speed is gone and complaint volume dropped sharply. 2 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2021 Honda Odyssey ranged from $31,790 to $47,820 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
Mid-cycle refresh with the 10-speed standard; the troublesome early 9-speed is gone and complaint volume dropped sharply.
Sources (3)
- cargurus.comhttps://www.cargurus.com/research/articles/honda-odyssey-buying-guide
- cars.usnews.comhttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/honda/odyssey
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=odyssey…
Known issues
-
Forward-collision and lane-keep driver aids can false-activate (phantom braking/warnings) in normal driving.
occasional · 96 NHTSA complaints · other
-
Infotainment and electrical glitches: touchscreen freezes/reboots, rear-entertainment and backup-camera faults, and other electronics quirks.
commonly reported · 209 NHTSA complaints · electrical
Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.
Sources (3)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=odyssey…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=odyssey…
- lemonlawhelp.comhttps://lemonlawhelp.com/blog/honda-odyssey-9speed-transmission-problems/
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Smooth, strong V6 with a composed, sedan-like ride and surprisingly sharp steering for a minivan.
- Spacious, flexible interior with comfortable second-row seats and easy third-row access; very practical for families.
- Strong long-term durability and resale; many examples reach 250,000+ miles with proper maintenance.
- Comprehensive standard safety suite (automatic emergency braking, lane-keep, adaptive cruise) on later models.
Cons
- Front-drive V6 returns only about 22 mpg combined, behind hybrid-minivan rivals.
- Early 5th-gen (2018-2019) suffers 9-speed transmission and infotainment problems; the later 10-speed years are much smoother.
- No all-wheel drive or hybrid option, unlike the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica.
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $31,790 | discontinued | — | — |
| EX | $35,190 | discontinued | — | — |
| EX-L | $38,460 | $42,795 | — | — |
| Touring | $42,500 | $47,495 | — | — |
| Elite | $47,820 | $51,695 | — | — |
Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (2)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2021-honda-odyssey-price
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-odyssey-price
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($31,790). Higher trims started higher (up to $47,820), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2021 loses roughly another 32% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (1)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-odyssey/resale-value
Cost to own
| Repairs (rises with mileage) | ≈ $500–550/yr |
| Insurance (medium tier) | ≈ $1,200–1,300/yr |
| Expected lifespan | ~250k miles |
National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.
Sources (2)
- repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/reliability/honda/odyssey
- moneygeek.comhttps://moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/honda-odyssey-insurance/
Frequently asked questions
What problems does the 2021 Honda Odyssey have?
Documented issue patterns include: Forward-collision and lane-keep driver aids can false-activate (phantom braking/warnings) in normal driving; Infotainment and electrical glitches: touchscreen freezes/reboots, rear-entertainment and backup-camera faults, and other electronics quirks. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.
Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Mid-cycle refresh with the 10-speed standard; the troublesome early 9-speed is gone and complaint volume dropped sharply.
How much did the 2021 Honda Odyssey cost new?
Between $31,790 and $47,820 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid. 2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Is the Honda Odyssey expensive to maintain?
Estimated repairs run roughly $500–550/year as mileage climbs.
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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.