HondaOdyssey2021Overview/honda/odyssey/2021/base/

2021 Honda Odyssey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Odyssey.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2021 Honda Odyssey is a midsize minivan that comes with an automatic S10 transmission and requires 5.7 quarts of 0W‑20 engine oil; it achieves EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. In its most recent year, the vehicle tallied 126 owner complaints, the majority centered on its electrical system, and it was subject to eight recalls. When placed within the broader reliability history of the Odyssey line, the 2021 model sits comfortably between the era‑low of 1994—only one complaint—and the peak of 2002, which saw 972 complaints, suggesting a relatively stable and dependable platform for researchers evaluating long‑term durability.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 48 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 48 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/60R18 103HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.1 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4548 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Odyssey of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2021 Elite
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Elite 3.5L V66.50 sec15.10 sec280 hpFWD
2021Elite 3.5L V66.70 sec15.30 sec280 hpFWD
2021Elite 3.5L V66.70 sec15.20 sec280 hpFWD
2021EX-L 3.5L V66.70 sec15.10 sec280 hpFWD
2021Elite 3.5L V66.80 sec15.20 sec280 hpFWD
2021Elite 3.5L V66.90 sec15.30 sec280 hpFWD
2019Elite 3.5L V66.70 sec15.20 sec280 hpFWD
2018Elite 3.5L V66.60 sec15.20 sec280 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantHonda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2
Engine Coolant Capacity1.6 Gallons
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug10

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Transmission in Neutral or Park: 680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Transmission in Neutral or Park: 680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque16.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.26-1.37 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil TypeDENSO ND-14
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum59.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum66.7 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)59.5-66.7 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10.2 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM71.1 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpm's rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 30.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 80.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.063 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006"
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Step 3: Perform inspection of front suspension bolts, brushings and nuts. Step 4: Replace any loose, damaged or deteriorating parts. Step 5: Perform inspection of ball joint boot for leaks, cracks or any damage. Step 6: Inspect lower control arm by holding the outside and moving up and down. Step 7: Replace control arm if there is any noise or looseness or if the lower control arm and ball joint clearance exceeds specifications. Step 8: Replace ball joint if damaged.
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°48 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: For new cylinder head bolts: Tighten bolts an additional 90°.22 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey represents a dramatic inflection point in the generation’s reliability arc, with complaints plummeting to 126 from 424 in 2020 and 939 in 2018, while recalls fell to 8 from the 20 recorded in 2019. This model year sits at the base of a stabilization plateau that continues through 2022 (127 complaints) and 2023 (88), marking a clear departure from the launch-phase volatility of 2018–2020. Federal filings show 2 investigations and 152 TSBs for 2021, with primary complaint categories concentrated in Electrical System (16), Air Bags (15), and Forward Collision Avoidance (9), though the data does not specify underlying causes; crash and fire complaints register at just 2 and 1 respectively. Positioned after the steep decline from the generation’s early high-volume complaint period, the 2021 model demonstrates substantially matured manufacturing quality with roughly one-third the regulatory friction of 2020. For buyers evaluating this generation, the 2021 model year offers a compelling convergence of lower recall exposure and reduced complaint volume, making it a strong candidate for purchase.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
152
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
126
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 126 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System16
Air Bags15
Unknown Or Other12
Forward Collision Avoidance9
Electrical System,Engine5
Engine4
Structure4
Suspension4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V010000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 14/01/2021

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… 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…

23V174000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 16/03/2023

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 152 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ONL6AX022025A2025-02-19EngineOwner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the…
ATI&013020259012025-01-30StructureDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022…
ATI&011520259082025-01-15StructureDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022…
ATI&010220259052025-01-02StructureDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022…
ATI&120220249062024-12-02StructureDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2022…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Odyssey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Odyssey take?

5.7 qt of Honda 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Odyssey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Odyssey get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.