HONDA ACCORD · model year

2021 HONDA ACCORD

251 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021HONDAACCORD carries 251 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 ACCORD is forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking with 41 filings, followed by electrical system (34) and unknown or other (33). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 11 investigation files overlapping the 2021 ACCORD, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

251
Complaints
23
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 HONDA ACCORD — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 HONDA ACCORD. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

251 filings

Crashes Reported

23 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34
UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
SERVICE BRAKES22
ENGINE17
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS13
AIR BAGS13
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST9
STEERING8
POWER TRAIN8
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
SEAT BELTS4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STRUCTURE:BODY3

Recalls (3)

23V85800018/12/2023

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, F

21V90000018/11/2021

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys

24V06400001/02/2024

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 RD

Recent Complaints

20260216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Body Control Module has gone out on my 2021 Honda Accord. Yesterday, when it went out, it affected ALL ADAS Features, in addition to key functionality of the car.

20260216FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The Body Control Module has gone out on my 2021 Honda Accord. Yesterday, when it went out, it affected ALL ADAS Features, in addition to key functionality of the car.

20260210ENGINE

Hello, I have a 2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T Engine. The engine has a 2.0 liter turbo. I have had to replace two fuel pumps, which were covered my extended warranty. Another issue that I had to repair, and one that has not fully been resolved is the head gasket. I have been losing coolant at an alarming rate. Every two weeks I have to fill up coolant. I had the head gasket repaired at a Honda Dealership, and this is currently being diagnosed by another Honda Dealership, as I do not want to deal with the Honda Dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Currently, a Honda Dealership in Iowa City, Iowa is handling the issue, but the head gasket along with the cylinder head were originally repaired in October 2025. Since December 2025, I have been losing coolant on a regular basis. I still have 5,000 miles left on my extended warranty, but there have been many owners who have had their head gasket replaced, or are needing replacement, and Honda refuses to acknowledge that there is a manufacturing

20260210FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hello, I have a 2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T Engine. The engine has a 2.0 liter turbo. I have had to replace two fuel pumps, which were covered my extended warranty. Another issue that I had to repair, and one that has not fully been resolved is the head gasket. I have been losing coolant at an alarming rate. Every two weeks I have to fill up coolant. I had the head gasket repaired at a Honda Dealership, and this is currently being diagnosed by another Honda Dealership, as I do not want to deal with the Honda Dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Currently, a Honda Dealership in Iowa City, Iowa is handling the issue, but the head gasket along with the cylinder head were originally repaired in October 2025. Since December 2025, I have been losing coolant on a regular basis. I still have 5,000 miles left on my extended warranty, but there have been many owners who have had their head gasket replaced, or are needing replacement, and Honda refuses to acknowledge that there is a manufacturing

20260207FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I turned my car on and it didn't want to crank up. Once it did crank up every warning light came on. My son ran the code and P00087 came up. I tried to drive my car in my parking lot and it kept stalling like it was going to cut off. Now I drove my car earlier in the day and didn't have any problems. It wasn't until after my car sat throughout the day when this took place. I know it's a recall for fuel pump issues but my car isn't included.

20260207ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I turned my car on and it didn't want to crank up. Once it did crank up every warning light came on. My son ran the code and P00087 came up. I tried to drive my car in my parking lot and it kept stalling like it was going to cut off. Now I drove my car earlier in the day and didn't have any problems. It wasn't until after my car sat throughout the day when this took place. I know it's a recall for fuel pump issues but my car isn't included.

20260205ENGINE

Financed a used 2021 honda accord sport in April of 2024 with 68,671 miles. About a month ago, with no warning signs of any sort such as overheating etc...my car did not want to start, finally started but was sputtering with a rough idle, my dash lit up with like 7 or more warning lights. Including a flashing check engine light. All the were safety warnings from braking system not working, to power steering to emissions failure, etc... and to take to dealership. Got the car to a local mechanic to get a diagnostics reading and was told I had a misfire in cylinder 2. Replaced the #2 coil and spark plug. Thought everything was fine until picking up my daughter from school and then all those warning messages lit my dash up again including the flashing check engine light. Car started sputtering and went into limp mode. Lost power and by the grace of God was able t9 coast off the major Blvd away from traffic and out of harms way. Very, very scary. My life literally flashed before my eyes. N

20260204ENGINE

Starts Vehicle at cold start and notice right away engine turbulence, engine light flashing, lost some coolant and white smoke. Scan vehicle for codes, engine misfire #2.

20260130ENGINE

Head gasket blew randomly. Just hit 100,000 miles. I was on the highway and my speed just started to decrease 65 to 35

20260129ENGINE

Stretch timing chain 1.5 T, 86000 miles. It is very common in these motors. Just had to pay $2400 to have it replaced

20260127UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Honda head unit touch screen is glitching while driving. This causes my navigation system to shut down or freeze and then I am unable to use the touch screen entirely. The dealership has confirmed this as an issue that other people are experiencing as well.

20260114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This problem is seemingly widespread from one google search! The infotainment system screen will randomly start doing “ghost touches,” tapping random areas of the screen which is distracting but also clicking on things that shouldn’t be casually clicked like emergency calling or calling a random number! The screen would end my navigation, mute the speaker, go back, switch to a different app, etc. There is no warning lights or anything. The honda dealerships seem to realize that this is a know issue but will not replace it. They stated that replacing it is doesn’t always work as the problem returns. My car is perfect besides this issue and has never been in a crash.

20260114UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This problem is seemingly widespread from one google search! The infotainment system screen will randomly start doing “ghost touches,” tapping random areas of the screen which is distracting but also clicking on things that shouldn’t be casually clicked like emergency calling or calling a random number! The screen would end my navigation, mute the speaker, go back, switch to a different app, etc. There is no warning lights or anything. The honda dealerships seem to realize that this is a know issue but will not replace it. They stated that replacing it is doesn’t always work as the problem returns. My car is perfect besides this issue and has never been in a crash.

20260107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

All lights on dash. Fuel injectors need replacing at 35000 miles.

20251221SERVICE BRAKES

It makes false things there is no car but it brakes by self for nothing

20251221LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

It makes false things there is no car but it brakes by self for nothing

20251221FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

It makes false things there is no car but it brakes by self for nothing

20251218ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was slightly misfiring while driving. An independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coils at the residence; however, the failure recurred 3 weeks later. The mechanic inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with head gasket and fuel injector failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

20251218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was slightly misfiring while driving. An independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coils at the residence; however, the failure recurred 3 weeks later. The mechanic inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with head gasket and fuel injector failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

20251121CrashENGINE

Vehicle accelerated on its own and propelled the vehicle over a curb and into a building. This occured even though the gear shift was in the Park position. My grandchild and I were thrown forward as vehicle hit the building. Vehicle has not been inspected since incident occurred just yesterday, 11/20/2025. No warnings preceded the incident,

Compare 2021HONDAACCORD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA ACCORD have?
The 2021 HONDA ACCORD has 251 NHTSA complaints, 23 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA ACCORD?
The 2021 HONDA ACCORD received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 HONDA ACCORD?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA ACCORD has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HONDA ACCORD?
The most-complained component for the 2021 HONDA ACCORD is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING with 41 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2021 HONDA ACCORD safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 HONDA ACCORD has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.