2021 Honda Civic Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 13th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 157; 23 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 8.1; 166,281 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.41×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 35; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2020 Civic 2022 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2021 Honda Civic?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2021 Honda Civic is 78 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 13th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness (66 of 157 complaints). Owners also complain about automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. 35 of the 157 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Honda also offers 2 warranty extensions that may still apply, for a/C condenser leaks and a/C condenser leaks. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 82.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 19-091 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 78
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Steering: sticking or stiffness66 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead24 complaints
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead6 complaints

How the 2021 Civic 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

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.31×	−5
Everyday problems	0.65×	−4
Problems in the last two years	0.70×	−7
Recalls	1.0×	−6
Score		78

What Owners Report

We read all 157 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Steering: sticking or stiffness
66 complaints (42%)
Sticking or stiffness, pulling or wandering and loss of steering control. 4 of these 66 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. In 7 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 36,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
24 complaints (15%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and the system acting on its own. 11 of these 24 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
6 complaints (4%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and a feature that stopped working. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
6 complaints (4%)
The system acting on its own and warning lights.
Brakes: locking up
5 complaints (3%)
Locking up, early wear and a failure. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
5 complaints (3%)
Deployment with no crash, smoke or a burning smell and no deployment in a crash. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem.
Screen and audio: works on and off
5 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
4 complaints (3%)
The system acting on its own and a failure. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Several warning lights at once
3 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure and damage. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure, wrong readings and warning lights.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
3 complaints (2%)
Damage. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Cylinder head gasket failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure.
Engine: stalling
2 complaints (1%)
Stalling and a fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Show 1 more problem

Struts or shocks failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part.

Reported Once (43)

Show the 43 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C compressor: a leak
A/C condenser: a leak
CVT failure
EVAP system: fault code
Airbags: deployment with no crash
Uneven tire wear: early wear
Brake calipers: sticking or stiffness
Control module (unspecified): fault code
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
Engine sensors or computer failure
Exterior lights: shattering or cracking
Fuel injector failure
Fuel pump failure
Fuel system: fault code
High-pressure fuel pump failure
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
Manual transmission or clutch: slipping
Mirrors: parts breaking or coming apart
A/C evaporator core: a leak
PCV valve and tube failure
Blend door actuator failure
Electrical problems (not described)
Emission system: fault code
Rear suspension: unusual noises
Rear wheels: unusual noises
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
Rotor back plate (dust shield): unusual noises
Unintended deceleration (cause not stated)
Veered toward oncoming traffic (cause not stated)
Phone and navigation: works on and off
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Door lock actuators: the system acting on its own
Rearview camera: stopped working
Road departure mitigation: warning lights
Seat belts: not closing or latching
Side blind zone alert: the system not working when needed
Stall (cause not stated)
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
Turbocharger: stalling
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2021 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 10th generation, 2016 to 2021, 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
2022	Caution	64	2.5×	43.7	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2021 This year	Good	78	0.41×	8.1	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2020	Excellent	82	0.38×	7.6	5	Manual transmission or clutch: slipping
2019	Good	78	0.49×	11.4	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2018	Good	72	0.64×	19.0	6	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2017	Good	79	0.42×	14.7	6	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2016	Good	71	0.77×	29.5	5	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2015	Excellent	84	0.38×	10.8	1	CVT failure

See every Civic year

2021 Honda Civic 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 26V332000 Recall 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 24V064000 Recall 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 23V858000 Recall 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: master cylinder
Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V458000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 29, 2023. By the second quarter of 2025, 84% 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.

Warranty extensionHonda 19-091
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 21-014
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
Only Civic Type R cars qualify. The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2021 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door FWD and Hatch 5-door hatchback FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Hatch Type-R 5-door hatchback FWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2021 Civic, 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: master cylinder NHTSA 23V458000

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

19-091: a/C condenser leaks
21-014: a/C condenser leaks

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
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.

Steering
Automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control
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

All Civic Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.