The 2021 Odyssey with the 3.5L V6 (J35Y6) is mechanically solid overall, but suffers from a notorious VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system that causes cylinder deactivation wear, plus some transmission cooler and infotainment quirks. The hybrid and 2.4L variants are extremely rare in North America for this model year.
Symptoms: rough idle or misfires on cylinders 1, 4, 6, Check Engine Light with P0300-series codes, excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi), ticking or tapping noise from valvetrain
Fix: VCM system deactivates rear bank cylinders under light load, causing carbon buildup and accelerated wear on valve seats, guides, and lifters. Immediate fix: replace spark plugs and perform top-end cleaning (2-3 hrs labor). Long-term: VCM disable device ($300-400) or accept repeated maintenance. Severe cases need valve job or head resurfacing (12-16 hrs labor).
Estimated cost: $400-3,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Fluid Contamination
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or shuddering, pink or milky transmission fluid, coolant loss without visible leaks, overheating transmission
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator develops cracks, mixing coolant with ATF. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush (may need multiple flushes), and often transmission filter/pan service. If contamination circulated extensively, transmission rebuild may be needed (18-24 hrs labor). Catch early to avoid trans damage.
Estimated cost: $800-5,500
Infotainment System Freezing and Display/Camera Glitches
Common · low severity
Symptoms: touchscreen unresponsive or laggy, backup camera intermittent black screen, Android Auto/CarPlay disconnect randomly, system reboots during drive
Fix: Software bugs in HondaLink system, exacerbated by heat. Honda has issued multiple TSBs for software updates. Dealer reflash takes 1-1.5 hrs, often temporary fix. Some cases require Display Audio Unit replacement (2 hrs labor). NHTSA recall for backup camera display issued for some VINs—check eligibility.
Estimated cost: $0-1,200
Front Engine Mount Failure (Active Control Engine Mount)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive vibration at idle (especially in Drive), clunking when shifting into gear, engine rocks visibly when accelerating, cabin shake at stoplights
Fix: Active hydraulic front mount (part #50820-TK8-A01) fails internally, losing damping ability. Replacement requires lifting engine slightly (2.5-3 hrs labor). OEM part runs $400-500; aftermarket $150-250 but less durable. Also inspect side transmission mounts during job.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall 21V-384)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: engine stalling at low RPM or idle, hard starting or no-start condition, engine dies while driving, fuel pressure below spec (should be ~55 psi)
Fix: Denso fuel pump impeller can crack, causing sudden failure. Covered under recall 21V-384—check VIN eligibility at Honda dealer. If recall applies, free replacement. Otherwise, pump assembly replacement in tank (2-3 hrs labor, must drop tank or access via rear seat opening depending on tech preference).
Estimated cost: $0-900
Sliding Door Cable and Roller Wear
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: power sliding door stutters or reverses, grinding noise when door operates, door fails to latch fully, error message on dash about door malfunction
Fix: Cables stretch and rollers wear on upper track, common in high-use family vans. Requires door disassembly, cable/roller replacement (3-4 hrs labor per side). Aftermarket kits available but OEM lasts longer. Re-grease tracks during repair to extend life.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Owner tips
Install a VCM disabling device (VCMuzzler, S-VCM) around 50,000 mi to prevent cylinder deactivation damage—cheap insurance against $3k+ valve jobs.
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 mi (not Honda's 'lifetime' claim) and inspect cooler for cross-contamination during coolant services.
Apply software updates at dealer when available for infotainment—many issues resolved by TSB 21-005.
Use Top Tier gas and add fuel system cleaner every 10,000 mi to combat VCM carbon buildup on intake valves.
Buy it if you disable VCM early and stay on top of trans fluid—mechanically sound otherwise, but neglect will cost you big on cylinder 1-4-6 and transmission internals.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · 26V227000
2026-04-09
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 25, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.
The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · 24V064000
2024-02-01
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 23V431000
2023-06-15
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE · 21V010000
2021-01-14
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles. The fuel tank assembly installed by Braun may be susceptible to the fuel tank overfilling into the charcoal canister. If the charcoal canister fills with a sufficient amount of fuel, fuel may leak out.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Braun will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles. If evidence of a fuel leak is present, a new fuel tank assembly and a new Honda charcoal canister will be installed, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
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