Dealer visit checklist
2021 Honda Odyssey checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2021 Honda Odyssey problems to check
- Transmission hesitation or shudder under light throttle, a known CVT-adjacent issue on some 9-speed equipped EX-L and above trims that Honda has issued TSBs for
- Infotainment touchscreen lag and occasional unresponsive inputs on the 8-inch Display Audio system — a software update often helps but not always fully resolved
- Oil dilution with gasoline reported on some 3.5L V6 units, particularly in cold climates with frequent short trips; monitoring oil level between changes is recommended
- Rear entertainment system (on Touring/Elite trims) Blu-ray drive failures reported after 60,000+ miles, with replacement parts being costly
- Power sliding door sensor false triggers or intermittent failures, especially in cold or wet weather conditions
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles.
- VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER: 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP: 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.
- EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:: 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.
- AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $29,500 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away