2021 HONDA Accord

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2021 Honda Accord has multiple recalls related to critical safety components like seat belts, airbags, and the fuel system. Owners should be especially cautious about the potential for unintentional airbag deployment and fuel pump failures, which are concerning issues that could leave drivers stranded.

Key Factor:Multiple serious recalls

📋Why This Matters

For a midsize sedan like the Honda Accord, having three recalls isn't ideal, especially when they pertain to safety-critical systems such as seat belts and airbags. These features are essential for occupant protection during a crash; any malfunction increases risk significantly. Additionally, problems with the fuel system can lead to stalling, raising concerns about reliability on the road. A clean record for such a popular model is typically expected; however, these defects could tarnish Honda's reputation for safety and reliability. Prospective buyers should take these recalls seriously and ensure that repairs or fixes have been made before making a purchase.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.3)
    📝
    Summary: This model year presents a concerning trend for Honda Accord safety with its combination of multiple recalls and complaints. The noticeable issues with fundamental systems suggest that while Honda vehicles usually maintain a good reliability reputation, this particular year's model may fall short of those expectations.

Safety & Reliability Score

66/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-24
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 HONDA Accord

Engine1.5L Turbo / 2.0L Hybrid
Cylinders4
Drive TypeFWD
Fuel TypeGasoline / Hybrid
Body ClassSedan
Model Year2021
MakeHONDA

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jun23
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

27 complaints (27% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
5(5%)
🟡Medium
30(30%)
🟢Low
65(65%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The average failure mileage of around 70,520 miles shows that serious issues may arise as vehicles approach their higher mileage range. Owners should pay close attention to recall notifications and consider proactive inspections before reaching this threshold to mitigate risks associated with these defects.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 17 of 100 complaints (17% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (12%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
2 reports (12%)
60k-80k
8 reports (47%)
80k-100k
1 reports (6%)
100k+
4 reports (24%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

SEAT BELTSAIR BAGSFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Airbags

Issue: Possible airbag failure due to front passenger seat weight sensor cracking.

Contact your dealer immediately to check if your vehicle needs repairs related to this recall.

🔍

Ensure service records show that airbag-related recalls have been completed.

Campaign:21V677
2

Seat Belts

Issue: Automatic locking retractor may deactivate improperly leading to unsecured child restraints.

Verify if your vehicle has had this issue addressed by checking with the dealership.

🔍

Ask about any previous recall repairs focusing on seat belt functionality.

Campaign:21V730
3

Fuel Pump

Issue: 'Fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail' leading to engine stalling risks.

Monitor performance closely; if you experience stalling or starting issues, contact your dealer promptly.

🔍

'Request documentation confirming fuel pump inspections or replacements prior to purchase.'

Campaign:21V538
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your HONDA dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (3)

Campaign: 21V900000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Campaign: 24V064000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Campaign: 23V858000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 Accord.

INV-2021-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Accord performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 42,656

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Accord.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning27%
Accident10%
Display8%
Crash/Accident7%
Jerk7%
Battery7%
Acceleration Issues6%
Stall6%
Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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,

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am reporting a safety-related issue on my 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid involving a failure of the heating and climate control system. The vehicle is unable to produce heat or properly defrost the windshield, which significantly reduces visibility in cold weather. This directly impacts safe operation during winter conditions and should be considered a safety concern rather than a comfort issue. A Honda dealership diagnosed the problem as a heater core failure. The heater core itself is approximately 150, but the repair requires extensive disassembly and is estimated at nearly 2,000 due to labor. This type of failure should not occur on a vehicle this new. I recently purchased the car and do not believe this is normal wear or maintenance. Honda was contacted and denied goodwill assistance, stating they have no record of other complaints. I have since found similar reports from other Accord owners experiencing heating failures, particularly on hybrid models. This failure prevents windshield defogging and makes the vehicle unsafe for winter driving. I am documenting this issue with NHTSA so that the safety implications of heater failure on this model can be formally reviewed. I can provide the dealer diagnostic report, repair estimate, and Honda case number upon request. Vehicle Details: 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid EX VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 47000 Date diagnosed: 11/13/25 Location: Salinas, CA Please advise if additional documentation is needed. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The infotainment screen repeatedly overheats and runs through ghost commands (commands not initiated by the user). This includes repeated, unsolicitated phone calls, texts, radio changes, GPS commands, system tones, etc. This is dangerously distracting and takes the drivers attention off the road ahead. Honda 39710-TVA-A23 DISPLAY, CTR (8INCH) 2018-2022 Honda 39710TVAA23

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

The head gaskets are known to fail on the 10 generation accord. It failed on my 2021 Honda accord ex-l. I left work and while I was driving the dashboard lit up with every possible light. This was quickly followed by the vehicle losing power on the highway. I ultimately got it repaired by a Honda certified mechanic. The mechanic took it to a Honda dealer to confirm it was the gasket, in which it was. There were no warning lamps message or other symptoms prior to the failure. At the time of power loss I was on an 8 lane highway at 70mph. Luckily no accidents occurred, but the failure definitely put my safety at risk along with others. The mechanic I took my vehicle to has all available information if needed upon request.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

I hereby state that my 2021 Honda Accord has experienced major mechanical failures involving the transmission and head gasket. The vehicle began exhibiting mechanical issues including rough shifting, loss of power, and engine overheating. Upon inspection by a qualified automotive technician, it was determined that both the transmission and head gasket have failed prematurely. These failures have rendered the vehicle unsafe and inoperable, resulting in significant repair costs, loss of use, and financial hardship. The nature and timing of these failures suggest a possible manufacturing or design defect. This statement is submitted in support of a formal claim and potential legal action against the responsible parties for the defective condition of the vehicle.

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

I was driving northbound in on I15 in Salt Lake City when a Home Depot Bucket blew into my lane. I slowed down to change lanes when the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) deployed without warning, bringing my car to an almost stop causing a semi tractor trailer to hit me from behind.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Car will drive fine , then all of a sudden it shuts completely OFF on the highway which is a MAJOR safety concern. ALL the lights will pop on in the dash board without any warning. Car will act as if it doesn’t want to pick up speed then after about 10-15 mins starts driving fine . This is my second time contacting you all regarding the same issues . Honda needs to definitely do a RECALL ASAP this is NOT SAFE at all to be driving around like this . ALOT of customers driving 2018-2022 Honda Accords have been having the same EXACT issues ..

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s collision avoidance automatic braking system is malfunctioning. It engages unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving with normal traffic flow. The system is still installed and fully available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The automatic braking system activates suddenly and without cause while I am driving at typical speeds (approximately 40–60 mph) with the flow of traffic. This unexpected braking creates a serious risk of rear-end collisions, both endangering me and putting other drivers at risk of crashing into my vehicle from behind. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have reported the issue to the dealer, but they have been unable to replicate the problem during their inspections. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? No, the vehicle and its braking system have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, insurance representatives, or any other third parties. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights, messages, or other indicators were present before the issue occurred. I purchased the vehicle last month, and the problem with the collision avoidance braking system has been present consistently since then.

Frequently Asked Questions

'What are common problems reported for the 2021 Honda Accord?'

Common problems include concerns regarding safety features such as airbags and seat belts due to recent recalls. Owners should be vigilant about potential fuel system failures which could lead to engine performance issues.

What should I do if my 2021 Honda Accord has outstanding recalls?

If your vehicle has outstanding recalls, it's essential to contact your local dealer as soon as possible. They will provide information on necessary repairs or replacements at no cost to you.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified HONDA service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in HONDA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Obtain proof of recall completion for all 3 campaigns before purchase.
  • Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.