Last updated: 2026-03-04

2021 Honda Accord Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 Honda Accord scores 78/100 ("Good"). With 5 recalls and 215 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2021 is 1 year after the 2020 facelift refresh.
Recalls
5
Complaints
215
Complaint Rate
10.6
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$400
Below avgMajor Repair Risk
9%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
5 recalls on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is 1 year after the 2020 facelift refresh.
- Year 4 in the Tenth generation (2017) (2018–2022).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 10th generation Accord (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
Tenth generation (2017)
Should You Buy the 2021 Honda Accord?
The 2021 Honda Accord scores 78/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2021 is 1 year after the 2020 facelift refresh.
With 215 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to forward collision avoidance (39). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2022 Honda Accord, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2020 Honda Accord for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- $126 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize cars
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (9%)
Cons
- Moderate recall count
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE issues reported (39 complaints)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (37 complaints)
Compare 2021 Honda Accord With
2021 Toyota Camry
Score: 82/100
2021 Hyundai Sonata
Score: 64/100
2021 Nissan Altima
Score: 79/100
2021 Kia K5
Score: 71/100
2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Score: 74/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 5 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (39)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (37)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30)
- SERVICE BRAKES (20)
- AIR BAGS (18)
- ENGINE (15)
- LANE DEPARTURE (10)
- POWER TRAIN (8)
- STEERING (8)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (7)
- SEAT BELTS (4)
- STRUCTURE (4)
- FUEL SYSTEM (3)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (2)
- VISIBILITY (2)
- SEATS (1)
- TIRES (1)
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)
- SUSPENSION (1)
Recall Overview
5
recalls on record
The 2021 Honda Accord has 5 recalls on record. This is a moderate number. Each recall represents a safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
10.6
per 10k soldSegment avg: 12.3
Safety Incidents
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Honda Accord Recall Details
5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Accord. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
AIR BAGS
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.
SEAT BELTS
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 system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
2021 Honda Accord NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.3%
Safety Technologies
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.3%
Safety Technologies
Honda Accord Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$400
vs $526 avg for midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
9%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2021 Honda Accord
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Check for head gasket issues, especially if mileage is over 50,000
- Test infotainment system for phantom touches and screen freezing
- Inspect forward collision avoidance system for unexpected braking
- Verify if airbag recall repairs have been completed
- Test brakes for noise and premature wear, especially in reverse
- Check for engine misfires and loss of power during acceleration
Check Any 2021 Honda Accord's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 Accord in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Honda Accord with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 Honda Accord Common Problems by Component
215 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
39 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance system, particularly concerning unexpected and abrupt activation of the automatic braking feature. Complaints describe symptoms such as the vehicle decelerating sharply without any apparent obstacles, often while traveling at highway speeds, which can lead to potential rear-end collisions. These incidents sometimes occur when adaptive cruise control is engaged, with phantom braking happening even when no vehicles are directly ahead. Reports indicate that these problems can arise at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 13,700 miles. The implications for safety are significant, with several reports of crashes and injuries resulting from these sudden braking events. Buyers considering a used 2021 Honda Accord should be aware of these potential issues and may wish to investigate whether any corrective measures or updates have been applied to the vehicle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
37 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report frequent issues with the infotainment system of the 2021 Honda Accord, particularly phantom touches where the touchscreen registers inputs without contact, leading to random changes in navigation, audio, and phone functions. This problem often occurs in warmer temperatures and persists even after system resets or replacements. Several complaints describe the system freezing, crashing, or draining the battery, affecting usability and potentially distracting the driver. Additionally, some owners experience sudden vehicle shutdowns or loss of power while driving, with one report of a crash linked to vehicle jerking and dashboard warning lights. These issues tend to surface early in vehicle ownership, with some occurring shortly after purchase, and pose potential safety risks due to loss of control or distraction.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
30 complaintsOwners report frequent issues with the 2021 Honda Accord's infotainment system, often describing phantom touches and commands not initiated by the user. Typical symptoms include unrequested phone calls, navigation disruptions, and random screen changes, which are particularly distracting while driving. These problems are commonly noted at varying mileages, with some owners experiencing them consistently over time. Additionally, a few complaints mention blown head gaskets and sunroof explosions, but these are less frequent. The infotainment issues are highlighted as safety risks due to their potential to divert driver attention.
SERVICE BRAKES (20 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
20 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the vehicle's automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly, even in the absence of obstacles, leading to sudden stops and potential rear-end collisions. Several complaints involve the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activating without cause, with some incidents resulting in crashes. Additionally, multiple owners describe persistent brake noise, particularly when reversing, and some report brake components wearing prematurely, often at mileages as low as 5,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with three reported crashes linked to abrupt braking. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
AIR BAGS (18 complaints)
AIR BAGS
18 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Honda Accord frequently report issues related to airbag recall repairs, noting significant delays in the availability of parts necessary for these repairs. Complaints consistently mention that despite receiving recall notifications, the parts needed are not available, leading to prolonged waiting times that some owners claim extend up to several years. One report involves a crash where the airbags did not deploy, although no injuries were reported. Additionally, a diagnostic test in one case revealed a faulty airbag supplemental restraint system, potentially affecting airbag deployment during a crash. These issues are reported by owners at varying mileage, with one specific mention at 38,000 miles. This information may be relevant for potential buyers considering the safety and maintenance history of this vehicle model.
ENGINE (15 complaints)
ENGINE
15 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report that the 2021 Honda Accord frequently experiences engine issues characterized by flashing check engine lights, engine misfires, and loss of power, often leading to limp mode. Symptoms often occur during acceleration, with some incidents involving rough idling, sputtering, and vehicle shaking. Several complaints indicate head gasket failures, particularly in vehicles with mileage ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 miles. A significant number of owners mention that these issues can result in unsafe driving conditions, especially at highway speeds, and one report describes a crash involving unintended acceleration. Buyers considering a used 2021 Honda Accord should be aware of these potential engine reliability issues and their associated safety risks.
LANE DEPARTURE (10 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
10 complaintsOwners report frequent issues with the lane departure systems of the 2021 Honda Accord, particularly in cold weather and direct sunlight. Complaints frequently mention the Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) erroneously activating or deactivating, causing the steering wheel to jerk, which can lead to difficulty in maintaining lane position. These symptoms are often noted shortly after purchase and can persist over time, with some reports indicating occurrences as early as 3,000 miles and others at higher mileages around 60,000. Safety implications include potential loss of control, with some owners describing near-miss situations due to the system's unexpected behavior. This information is crucial for potential buyers who may prioritize vehicle safety and reliability in varied weather conditions.
POWER TRAIN (8 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
8 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report frequent issues with the head gasket in the 2021 Honda Accord, leading to sudden power loss and dashboard warning lights activating without prior indication. These failures often result in the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly, with one reported crash and two injuries linked to this problem. Complaints suggest these incidents can occur at both high speeds on highways and lower speeds in local traffic. Additionally, some owners mention problems with the vehicle's throttle response and steering wheel shaking, particularly at speeds of 60 to 65 mph. These issues pose significant safety risks, especially in heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions, and should be considered by potential buyers.
STEERING (8 complaints)
STEERING
8 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report multiple steering-related issues with the 2021 Honda Accord, often involving unexpected vehicle behavior. Common symptoms include the steering wheel jerking unexpectedly, sometimes triggering lane changes, and a loss of power steering functionality, particularly at low speeds. Several complaints describe steering becoming loose or sticky, leading to a loss of control, with some incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 564 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple crashes and two injuries are noted, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (7 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the vehicle speed control, including unexpected loss of power and unintended acceleration. Typical symptoms include the vehicle decelerating or losing power while driving, often accompanied by flashing engine lights, and in some cases, the vehicle accelerating uncontrollably. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 17,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with one complaint involving a crash when the vehicle accelerated suddenly, leading to a collision with a parking sign. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, especially in congested or high-speed environments.
When Do 2021 Honda Accord Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Honda Accord Years
Best Honda Accord Years to Buy
The best Honda Accord year is 2025 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2021 (78/100) and 2022 (77/100).
2025
1 recall · 65 complaints
2021(this page)
5 recalls · 215 complaints
2022
3 recalls · 201 complaints
Honda Accord Years to Avoid
The worst Honda Accord year is 2018 with a score of 63/100, primarily due to engine (248) issues.
See full Honda Accord years-to-avoid analysis →Honda Accord Reliability Score Trend
Honda Accord reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 84/100 | Excellent |
Honda Accord Reliability Compared to Other Years
| Year | Score | vs Prior Year | Rating | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 78/100 (predicted) | — | Predicted | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 84/100 | +8 | Excellent | 1 | 65 |
| 2024 | 76/100 | +2 | Good | 6 | 166 |
| 2023 | 74/100 | -3 | Good | 10 | 199 |
| 2022 | 77/100 | -1 | Good | 3 | 201 |
| 2021(selected) | 78/100 | +5 | Good | 5 | 215 |
| 2020 | 73/100 | +3 | Good | 8 | 344 |
| 2019 | 70/100 | +7 | Good | 5 | 574 |
| 2018 | 63/100 | — | Good | 8 | 1739 |
2021 Honda Accord Reliability by Powertrain
The 2021 Honda Accord is available with 2 powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 169 | 3 | 14 | 5 out of 5 |
| HEV | 46 | 2 | 2 | 5 out of 5 |
| Total | 215 | 5 | 16 |
NHTSA tracks complaints separately for each powertrain configuration. Totals reflect the sum across all variants. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Honda Accord reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Accord?
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Accord have?
Is the 2021 Honda Accord expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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