Odds are, if you’re in the market for a new family hauler, you want one that’s reliable. And why wouldn’t you? No one wants to be the owner of a vehicle that can’t actually be counted on to work. Unfortunately for the 2021 Honda Odyssey, the critics don’t exactly agree on how reliable this year’s model actually is. While J.D. Power gave this year’s model some impressive reliability ratings, Consumer Reports wasn’t quite as dazzled by this year’s new Honda Odyssey.

Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Honda Odyssey a disappointing reliability rating

When it comes to researching new cars, Consumer Reports has some of the most comprehensive data available. Unfortunately, that data doesn’t exactly reflect well on this year’s new Odyssey. According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Honda Odyssey earned a two out of five predicted reliability rating, which obviously makes for a disappointing score.

But, unfortunately for the Honda Odyssey, that low reliability rating is kind of par with previous model years. The 2020 and 2019 Honda Odyssey both earned a three out of five reliability verdict. Meanwhile, the 2018 model earned a two out of five rating. All in all, that’s not great for the Honda Odyssey.

Look out for these common Honda Odyssey complaints

So what is it that’s driving Consumer Reports’ ratings of the Honda Odyssey down? As it turns out, it’s a few things. Consumer Reports’ data shows that some owners have had issues with the Odyssey’s transmission. Others have experienced problems with the vehicle’s suspension. But the most common owner complaints? Well, Consumer Reports says that those have to do with the Honda Odyssey’s in-car electronics. 

The Honda Odyssey’s long list of complaints has certainly had an impact on what owners think of the Honda Odyssey too. When asked if they would repurchase the vehicle, only 35% of owners said that they would. That’s not exactly a winning recommendation. 

J.D. Power gave the 2021 Honda Odyssey slightly higher reliability ratings

Fortunately for the 2021 Honda Odyssey, J.D. Power did give it slightly higher reliability ratings. According to J.D. Power, this year’s model earned a ‘Great’ quality and reliability rating. That score is pretty on par with how J.D. Power has scored the Honda Odyssey over the last few years too.

In fact, the last Odyssey model to earn lower than a ‘Great’ quality and reliability rating was the 2018 Honda Odyssey, which earned an ‘Average’ quality and reliability rating. But that score seems to be somewhat of an anomaly seeing as it’s the only model year to have earned such a low reliability rating from J.D. Power.

Does this mean you should avoid the Odyssey altogether?

Not necessarily. Sure, Consumer Reports and J.D. Power don’t exactly agree on how reliable this year’s Honda Odyssey is. But, that’s probably ok. This year’s model more than makes up for its lackluster reliability ratings with some high marks in the safety department. 

According to the IIHS, this year’s model is a Top Safety Pick+. The NHTSA also gave it a five-star overall safety rating. So, while the Honda Odyssey may not have the best reliability ratings, you can count on it to keep you and your brood safe.