2021 Honda Accord Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
Ranks 14th of 25 Accord years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 278
- 18 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 14.2
- 182,989 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.85×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 105
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 4
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2021 Honda Accord?
Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2021 Honda Accord is 72 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 14th of the 25 Accord years we score.
The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (59 of 278 complaints). Owners also complain about the screen and audio and head gaskets. 105 of the 278 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 4 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 70 and the 2022 scores 71.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Good reliability score of 72
- Fewer problems than the average car its age
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
Cons
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead59 complaints
- Screen and audio: the system acting on its own56 complaints
- Cylinder head gasket failure25 complaints
How the 2021 Accord Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.83× | −10 |
| Everyday problems | 0.92× | −4 |
| Problems in the last two years | 0.85× | −8 |
| Recalls | 1.0× | −6 |
| Score | 72 |
What Owners Report
We read all 278 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Accord, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
59 complaints (21%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, the system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working. 43 of these 59 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 12 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Screen and audio: the system acting on its own
56 complaints (20%)
The system acting on its own, problems that come and go and unusual noises. In 11 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 6 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Cylinder head gasket failure
25 complaints (9%)
A failure and a leak. 21 of these 25 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 6 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Brakes: unusual noises
16 complaints (6%)
Unusual noises, loss of braking and warning lights. 2 of these 16 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often being stranded. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 10,000 miles.
Phone and navigation: works on and off
15 complaints (5%)
Problems that come and go, the system acting on its own and a failure.
Several warning lights at once
13 complaints (5%)
Warning lights.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
10 complaints (4%)
The system acting on its own, a feature that stopped working and pulling or wandering. 1 of these 10 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Engine: rough running or misfires
9 complaints (3%)
Rough running or misfires, a loss of power and stalling. 5 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
8 complaints (3%)
A loss of power, failure or loss of drive and reduced power or limp mode. 7 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Turbocharger failure
8 complaints (3%)
A failure and a stored fault code. 3 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Parking brake: warning lights
7 complaints (3%)
Warning lights, the system acting on its own and the system not working when needed. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
6 complaints (2%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
6 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair.
Fuel injector failure
6 complaints (2%)
A failure. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Steering: loss of steering control
6 complaints (2%)
Loss of steering control, a feature that stopped working and pulling or wandering. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 15,000 miles.
Show 34 more problems
Driver-assist camera and radar: wrong readings
5 complaints (2%)
Wrong readings, the system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Stall (cause not stated)
5 complaints (2%)
Stalling. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Cooling system: a leak
4 complaints (1%)
A leak, shattering or cracking and a failure.
Fuel pump failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and stalling. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 79,000 miles.
Paint and rust: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Hesitation.
Seat belts: stopped working
4 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, warning lights and not closing or latching.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (1%)
The system acting on its own.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, the system acting on its own and problems that come and go.
Rearview camera: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
The car not starting and hard starting. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Windshield wipers: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
3 complaints (1%)
Damage, a fire and a failure. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
12V battery: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and loose. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
A/C: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises and a feature that stopped working.
Airbag warning light failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and warning lights.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Control module (unspecified): works on and off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not opening or unlocking.
Fuel system: fuel pressure drop
2 complaints (under 1%)
Fuel pressure drop. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Headlights: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and warning lights.
High-pressure fuel pump failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Horn: not shutting off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not shutting off.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Road departure mitigation: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and a feature that stopped working.
Side blind zone alert: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Taillights or brake lights: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and water leaking in. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and a feature that stopped working.
Transmission failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Valve train: valves out of adjustment
2 complaints (under 1%)
Valves out of adjustment and intake valves adjusted.
Windshield: distorted view
2 complaints (under 1%)
Distorted view and dark circles or stripes in glass.
Reported Once (37)
Show the 37 problems reported once
- A/C condenser: a leak
- ABS: the system not working when needed
- CVT failure
- Airbags: no deployment in a crash
- Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
- Battery drain: draining the battery
- Brake hold or auto hold: warning lights
- Engine mounts: parts breaking or coming apart
- Engine sensors or computer failure
- Fuel economy: high fuel use
- Heater failure
- Ignition or push-button start: hard starting
- Instrument cluster: wrong readings
- Mirrors: parts breaking or coming apart
- A/C heat exchanger pipe: a leak
- Blend door actuator: unusual noises
- Brake sensor: warning lights
- Emission system
- Hood support: fell shut suddenly
- Jerking under throttle (cause not stated)
- Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
- Rolls backward after brake release on slopes (cause not stated)
- Side window glass: dark circles or stripes in glass
- Sun visor: does not stay up
- Suspension: wobble and spongy feel
- Transmission cooler failure
- Trunk release: not opening or unlocking
- Unintended deceleration (cause not stated)
- Remote start: stopped working
- Seats: shifts laterally
- Stability control (VSA): warning lights
- Timing chain or camshaft failure
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
- Shifter or park: stopped working
- Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Wheel rim: damage
How the 2021 Honda Accord Compares With Other Years
The other Accord years of the 10th generation, 2018 to 2022, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Caution | 62 | 1.6× | 15.6 | 8 | Brakes: warning lights |
| 2022 | Good | 71 | 1.0× | 14.6 | 4 | Screen and audio: works on and off |
| 2021 This year | Good | 72 | 0.85× | 14.2 | 4 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2020 | Good | 70 | 0.86× | 18.1 | 6 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2019 | Caution | 65 | 1.4× | 30.1 | 6 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2018 | Avoid | 59 | 2.0× | 54.4 | 6 | Cylinder head gasket failure |
| 2017 | Excellent | 82 | 0.48× | 13.9 | 3 | Screen and audio: unusual noises |
2021 Honda Accord Recalls
A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.
Air bags: front passenger
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Air bags: front passenger
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Seat belts: retractor
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 21V900000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 18, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 76% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs
Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.
- Service campaignHonda 21-077
Parking pawl parts added to the emissions warranty
- The problem:
- The emissions warranty parts list left out the parking pawl control module and actuator. The parking pawl system turns on the check engine light when it fails.
- The fix:
- Honda mails owners a label that adds the parts to the emissions warranty list. A Honda dealer applies the label if the VIN shows the campaign is open.
- Who qualifies:
- The car's VIN must show the campaign as open. Honda dealers must complete it before selling an affected new or used car.
- Coverage:
- No time or mileage limit is given. Ask a Honda dealer whether this applies to the car's VIN.
NHTSA Investigations
Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.
Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
ClosedA petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023
Automatic emergency braking activating without an obstacle
Still openNHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in April 2024, covers automatic emergency braking that activates with nothing in the way. It applies to 2017-2022 CR-Vs and 2018-2022 Accords, including hybrids. NHTSA has 1,294 complaints, with 31 alleging a crash and 50 an injury. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA24002Opening report (PDF)Open since Apr 15, 2024
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2021 Accord ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door FWD and Hybrid 4-door FWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2021 Accord, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 26V332000
- Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 24V064000
- Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 23V858000
- Seat belts: retractor NHTSA 21V900000
On the Test Drive
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
- Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
- Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Automatic emergency braking
- Screen and audio
- Head gaskets
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next