2021 Honda Accord
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 234 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 25 Accord model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 14 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerFeb 1, 2024
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.
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 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.
Campaign 24V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/other, retractorNov 18, 2021
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."
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V900000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
234 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2022
Hi there! I have reported this a couple of times to Honda directly, so it's possible they've already fixed it, but my father pointed out that I should let you guys know as well since it could be a serious safety issue... Basically, the feature shown on the Honda dashboard that "reads" speed limit signs is (or at least was earlier this year) very buggy; e.g. I've encountered instances where it indicates a speed limit of 60mph in 20mph, or even 100mph in a 60mph zone; apparently it's often getting those numbers from unrelated highway signs and not speed limit signs. As far as I can tell this feature should be disabled until it can made much more reliable; otherwise I'm worried it could cause a dangerous accident.
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 8, 2022
The forward collision will automatically brake with nothing visibly in front of it. I have drove down the highway going 60mph. No car, animal, person, tall grass, etc in front of me or crossing the road and my vehicle pops up brake, brake, brake, and my car slams on break. This will cause someone to rear end me which can lead to a serious injury or even dead. I have contacted Honda corporate who instructed me to contact Townsend Honda in Tuscaloosa, AL. I contacted Townsend Honda and they stated that it was nothing they could do about it and they have other complaining of the same issue.
Forward collision avoidance, May 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH and switching lanes, the collision mitigation braking system engaged inadvertently. The forward collision warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and was able to continue to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be test-driven however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer also informed the contact that the collision mitigation braking system was operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, May 28, 2022
When turning left or right from/into a parking spot a rubbing sound (similar to two pieces of rubber rubbing against each other) can be heard in the cabin and sometimes from the left wheel well area and slightly felt in the steering wheel. No safety issues are currently present at this time but vehicle should not be having this issue in less than a year of ownership. Vehicle has been taken into Hoen Honda in Carlsbad, Ca 5/28/22 12:47pm. Two technicians inspected the vehicle and were unable to replicate/notice the problem but customer is able to replicate it but was not possible to identify source. Noise was not profound so dealer recommended to wait until noise becomes worse to re-diagnose. Customer has a personal mechanic that recommended they take the vehicle to a dealer due to car having 8k miles and still falling under warranty but did not attempt to diagnose or repair vehicle. No warning lamps or component failure has happened yet but symptoms first appeared around January 2022. When reversing the vehicle and slightly applying the brake a loud groaning sound can be heard from the rear brakes. Due to the brakes being a safety component any noise associated with brakes becomes a safety concern. Vehicle was inspected at the same time 5/28/2022 12:47pm as the steering noise at Hoen Honda in Carlsbad, Ca. Brake noise was not able to be replicated by technicians at the time but was recommended to lubricate rear brakes. If issue persisted customer was advised to return to the dealer for further diagnosis. Brake noise was able to be confirmed by customer's mechanic. Customer was advised to take it in to dealer for diagnosis due to vehicle having 8k miles and car still being under warranty. No warning lamps or other symptom prior to the problem. The problem first appeared in January 2022.
Service brakes, Air, May 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and vibrating with an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse there was a loud roaring sound coming from the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear rotors need to be replaced and that the brakes were overheating. The vehicle was repaired but the sound from the brakes returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Structure, May 22, 2022
The paint is peeling off 6 months After I bought the car.South shore honda and American honda are not doing anything. I spoke with the manager at South shore honda,,willie Mejia who referred me to American Honda and American Honda referred me back to the dealer.
Service brakes, May 5, 2022
My car randomly slams on the breaks with no one/nothing in front of me! I’ve reported this to the dealership multiple times. This last time it occurred it brought me to a complete stop in the middle of the road.
Steering, May 1, 2022, crash
As I was driving on the highway out of nowhere the car jerked away from me. I was unable to maintain control again as it kept gearing itself to the left. The emergency brake didn’t come on at all and the car slide on the freeway and ended up flipping completely over the bridge to the other side injuring all passengers
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2022
A few months after I bought the car,the paint is peeling off.Today 4/25/22,it has gotten worse
Service brakes, Apr 18, 2022
My car is not even 1 year old and I have been having problems with my rear brakes. They squeak or grind when I am in reverse and with my foot on the brake pedal to back out of a parking spot or drive way etc. I have taken it to the dealership, Right Honda-Scottsdale Az, 3 different times. They said they could not reproduce the sound. The service guy on my first visit said that if it continues they should replace rear brake pads and deglaze the rotars.Never happened. Left it there overnight, at Honda Corps direction, again the same thing. I spoke with Patrick at Honda and I sent him an email with a video of the sound from outside the car as well as inside. He got back to me last week and basically said there is nothing they can do. I have taken it to a car repair place that I have been going to for 30 years and showed them the video and they said that in there opinion the pads should be changed and rotors deglazed. I explained that to Patrick from Honda and he said they would not do that since they are not sure it would work. Asked him what they would do and he attributed it to either weather etc. Told him I have had at least 10 accords and never had this problem. The car is less than a year old with just 10000 miles on it, less when I first took it there. Really not sure what the issue is but it is very concerning since it concerns my brakes.I have tried to upload the video but I cannot. You can email me and I can attach it.
Lane departure, Apr 15, 2022
The vehicle has a camera that reads speed limit signs, and reports the current speed limit in the instrument cluster. This feature does not work as expected, and the car regularly reports wildly inaccurate speeds, such as a speed limit of 10 MPH on a highway, or a speed limit of 85 MPH in the city. This happened on numerous occasions. The vehicle does not have an option to disable this feature. As a result, it is distracting for the driver, and may also cause accidents by giving false information about the road to the driver.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 4, 2022
WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD ,IT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AS IF ANY VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR ANY OBSTACLES CAME IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE ,BUT IT WAS NOTHING I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
Service brakes, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 22, 2022
21 Accord breaking itself there is no reason and there is no car around. Blind Spot working itself there is no car around car. Almost had 4 accidents. Not driving anymore waitin attorneys for lemon law
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 21, 2022
The car slowed down and break in the middle of intersection no others cars or people in the way
Steering, Service brakes, Mar 21, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel and brakes failed to function. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he drove into a side rail and stretched the driver side panel of the vehicle. The contact also stated the rear view camera was not functioning. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated he did not have any injuries nor seek medical attention. No police report was filed. The contact he was able to drive to his residence but continued to experience the failure on the steering wheel and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 11, 2022
The automatic breaking system has almost caused 2 accidents. As I am easing into a stop with a car in front of me, my car has applied the automatic breaking system while I am breaking. The car In front was a car length ahead of me, thus it should not have been activated because I was not in danger. This almost caused an accident because the person behind me was basically getting a break check from me. Although it is trying to prevent an accident from happening it is actually causing one. A similar incident happened when a car was turning into a side street. I was slowing down and easing into my breaks when suddenly the automatic break system was applied. Again I had a safe distance between me and the car that was turning and it made be break really hard. The car behind me had to swerve out of the way in order to avoid a crash. The automatic breaking system is ruining my break pads. I am barely at 7000 miles and my accord is starting to make noise when I apply pressure to my breaks when I am backing up.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 7, 2022
I was with my family taking the on ramp to the Long Island expressway, when suddenly the rear wheels locked up and the parking brake was engaged. I hit the brakes. And as fast as it happened is as fast as it resolved. Scared all of us and almost got hit from the car behind us.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 4, 2022
Not sure exactly the date but it was around 2-15-22 when the incidences happened several times last month while driving eastbound on the I-10. All of a sudden my vehicle was coming to a complete stop but I didn’t allow it to so I pressed the accelerator pedal to keep moving forward. One of the first times it happened there was a vehicle behind me but not close enough to have caused an disruptions in both vehicles. The second incident occurred but with no vehicles behind on the highway. The only warning indicator popped up on my dash was a flashing “Brake” indicator with an audio chime.
Structure, Mar 3, 2022
Paint chipping on the body, the paint has chipped down to bare metal
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 24, 2022
Automatic braking has initiated for no reason, at least four times almost causing accidents, car radio sometimes will no shut off, seems to be some type of electrical problem, I have had both issues looked at by dealer who states they cannot find a problem with this vehicle, there is Definitely a problem and it must be found before someone get hurt. auto braking has happened on the freeway, and on residential streets
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2022
Navigation system errors: turn wrong direction, turn wrong compass direction, system will not recognize home. System was inspected more than once by the Honda dealer. A case was filed with Honda Corp
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2022
My vehicle has less than 5,000 miles. My vehicle has been running fine for the last 5 months; however, I got back into my car and heard my rear right brake, on the passenger side, making a grinding sound. It appears that the break pad is worn out and grinding on the rotor, or the brake module is faulty and has been forcing additional pressure on the rotor to create and untimely wear. The grinding is so strong, it is making it unsafe to drive under normal conditions. No warning lamps or indicators are on. Warranty inspection is scheduled. There are other reports of this issues with other owners. The vehicle has not been in an accident, modified, or driven in any manner other than normal driving. Additionally, when it is raining, the auto brake feature may turn on and slow the vehicle quickly when it is not necessary.
Visibility, Dec 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated when entering their vehicle. they noticed several small dark circles forming around the front driver side window as well the front windshield which made it difficult for the contact visibility while driving the vehicle. The contact stated after a few days the dark circles would disappear however it comes back intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and was told they believe the failure is related to the tinting on the windows that is causing the failure but was not able to provide a fixture for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Consumer stated circles appear randomly on six windows. There are wide dark slanted stripes that intermittently appear within the window. Regional Manager stated occurrences had to do with the tinting of the eight windows. Suggestions were made as to what could be done. Either, warranty ,would be extended or, darken the tint, or, replace all eight windows.
Lane departure, Nov 15, 2021
Blind spot warning indicator intermittently illuminates when there is no vehicle in the blind spot.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 13, 2021
I opened the hood to clean leaves collected at the drain. As with my other cars, I thought that the hood would remain in up position. It just suddenly came down with tremendous force. I almost had my hands crushed under the hand. I got lucky but driver's side viper arm broke at the end which I had to get replaced at my expense. I think that Honda should recall and install hood lift supports to prevent serious injury to persons.