Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the radio displayed a blank screen. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera turned on and off. Additionally, there was a cracking sound coming from the speakers. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear-view camera failure. The contact was informed that an unknown recall repair was completed in 2023. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty, and a diagnostic test was suggested. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and a split wire was found behind the radio. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 34,100.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Passenger's Sliding Door Failure" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side sliding door failed to fully open upon entering or exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to two dealers, Honda of Fort Myers (3550 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966) and Coconut Point Honda (22240 S Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33928) and the contact was provided a diagnostic test fee to determine the cause of the failure, but the contact declined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while stopping at a red light, the vehicle idled and automatically turned off while stopped and then the vehicle restarted but the vehicle stalled. The electronics on the vehicle were not operating as designed. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact's brother was able to jumpstart the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while at a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the engine turned off; however, once the accelerator pedal was depressed, the Auto START/STOP failed to operate as intended. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started to work as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to crank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the starter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
The VSA modulator has repeatedly failed. When it fails, all of the safety systems report errors - air bags, ABS brakes, high beams, traction control, blind spot detection, parking sensors, etc. Additionally, the power sliding passenger doors and tailgate will not open, even manually. I have taken it into Honda dealerships on 3 separate occasions. On 6/14/21 (vehicle mileage 7,453) they cleared the error codes and reset the system and reported it was fixed. On 2/26/2022 (vehicle mileage 21,077) it happened again and they reported the VSA modulator as defective and replaced it under warranty. On 7/29/2022 (vehicle mileage 26,916) it happened again. This time the dealership disconnected and reconnected the VSA modulator and it decided it was fixed. At the time of the issue I was driving the van at approximately 30 mph on flat streets through my town. …
1. Incident: I was driving and stopped at a red light, took my foot off of the brake and the car completely died, leaving me stranded at the intersection. The car started back up after 4 minutes. Note: This incident happened after 2 months of weird electrical things happening to the car, such as the radio turning on after the car had been turned off, car not starting, sliding doors losing power when they are halfway closed, coming to a stop and putting the car in park then the car completely loses all power/interior lights, and more... 2. My safety was put at risk by having a non-functioning car in the middle of the road. Someone could have rear-ended me. Also, it was over 100 degrees outside which added to the panic I was feeling. 3. The car has been inspected by Spreen Honda multiple times and by an independent Honda mechanic. Spreen Honda has not been able to reproduce the problem. …
On 1/31/25 our rear tailgate automatically opened upon parking the car in our garage. Later that day, the tailgate would no operate properly and had to be manually opened. The key fob was functional and could operate all other doors in the car, except the tail gate. Later that day, while the car was parked in our garage, the tailgate started operating by itself, without pressing any buttons on the remote control key fob. It would open and close by itself and repeat the entire sequence over and over again. Upon turning on the car, the display identified a Power Tailgate Problem. The problem was reproduced by the Olathe Kansas Honda dealership. We took it to the dealership today and they diagnosed the problem, stating it is a Gate Control Unit failure (error code P1378 and P1379). Dealer confirmed what we experienced. We documented the safety problem via video. …
My 2021 Honda Odyssey Touring has experienced a severe engine stalling defect that creates an immediate traffic hazard. On multiple occasions during warm weather conditions, the Auto Idle-Stop system has engaged at a stoplight, but the vehicle completely failed to restart automatically when pressing the accelerator. Instead, the engine completely stalled out mid-drive, leaving the vehicle stranded in active traffic and requiring a manual cycle of the ignition button to turn back over. There were no dashboard warning lamps, error messages, or check engine lights prior to the engine stalling. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership (Honda of Middleburg Heights) for an emergency safety evaluation. …
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 took my van to the service center and they told me it was the seal above the door and that the leak had ruined the power module controlling the door. They repaired the issues. That was in April 2025. The same thing happened last week (January 2026). After looking into the error message and the tailgate problem, I'm finding that the door may open or close at any time on its own. The water in the electrical module may also start a fire. …
Electrical complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Honda Odyssey, 38% of the model year's 147 complaints. The component named most often is starter assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Honda Odyssey electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2021 Honda Odyssey, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda Odyssey electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.