2021 Honda Odyssey

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On October 28, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE25018 to investigate complaints of inadvertent deployment of the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags. These complaints concern model year (MY) 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). Honda issued recall 26V227 on April 9, 2026, to address concerns of inadvertent side air bag deployment. In the recall filing, the company stated that “[a]s of April 2, 2026, Honda has had 130 warranty claims, 25 reports of an injury, and no reports of death related to this issue from January 24, 2017 – April 2, 2026.” Honda states that the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) contains incorrect deployment parameters for the side thorax and side curtain air bags, which may cause inadvertent deployment when the vehicle encounters strong road impacts, such as driving over potholes, speed bumps, or road debris. Honda stated that the SRS control logic for the second and third rows of seating contained an insufficient deployment threshold margin, allowing signal inputs to be misinterpreted as side impacts and causing inadvertent deployment of the side thorax and side curtain air bags. Recall 26V227 states that dealers will reprogram or replace the SRS ECU with improved air bag deployment parameters. Consumers received notice of this recall in late May 2026. In view of the recall being conducted by Honda, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

We've experienced several occasions where the vehicle will not start. The vehicle typically starts just fine (first start on a trip), is typically driven, stopped for a short time (quick shopping run), and will not start upon trying to leave. The vehicle has left my wife stranded at least three times. In the life of the vehicle (so far), we have replaced the battery once (tested bad at the time). The current battery and original alternator continue to test good; we currently suspect that the original starter may be part of the issue.

NHTSA ID

11775972

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

The driver sliding door would not close and would sometimes reverse direction. Eventually, it failed completely and would not close. Dealership repair involved the rear door latch and motors and cost over $2600. Two weeks later and the passenger sliding door is doing the same exact thing. This is clearly a safety issue as I cannot be sure the door will not open completely while driving. The computer receives "door open" signal even while the car is off which drains the battery. I will not spend another $2600. Over $5000 to maintain a vehicle less than 5 years old for something as simple as the use of plastic components in a door latch is ridiculous and should be covered by Honda for choosing to use inferior components.

NHTSA ID

11771924

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Both rear coil springs rusted completely through and failed at approximately 57,876 miles on this 2021 Honda Odyssey. This is a premature failure of a primary suspension safety component. A broken coil spring can cause sudden loss of vehicle support and handling instability, and a fractured spring can puncture a tire or damage surrounding brake and suspension components, creating a crash risk. No crash, fire, injury, or death occurred. The vehicle was repaired at GLF Performance LLC in [XXX] (invoice #XXX, $1,238.04 paid in full) using genuine Honda replacement rear coil springs (part 52441THRA11). The failed springs were retained and are available for inspection. This does not appear to be an isolated failure: identical rear coil spring failures on 2021 Honda Odyssey vehicles at similar mileage have been documented in other NHTSA complaints, suggesting a potential safety defect in this component. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770986

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

Discovered rear driver side spring fractured during oil change with routine use of the vehicle below 50k miles. Read that these are seen frequently in 2018-2022 models. Thought it should be reported.

NHTSA ID

11769879

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

The infotainment screen had a recall that has not been properly fixed so that my rearview camera does not work for backing up.

NHTSA ID

11769638

Incident

May 5, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11768080

Incident

Apr 15, 2026

Mileage

34,100 mi

Auto start stop not restarting while stopped at intersection. Needed to manually turn car off and back to restart.

NHTSA ID

11767556

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

After the MOST/FAKRA recall (NHTSA 23V-431) was completed, the center display showed a MOST bus/network loss message, then the infotainment system went dead and will not power on. The dealer would like 1800$ to repair this already "repaired" safety system. The rearview screen is unavailable when the screen is blank which is the same FMVSS 111 rear visibility failure the recall was issued to correct. TSB 20-049 describes the same network loss/ display condition. The recall repair did not permanently fix the MOST ring.

NHTSA ID

11766617

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the auto idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, your vehicle may not automatically restart.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the power sliding door not opening or closing under its own power. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect certain parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the power sliding door not opening or closing under its own power. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect certain parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022 Odysseys with a customer complaint of the power sliding door not opening or closing under its own power. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect certain parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.