VehicleVerdict

2021 Honda Civic Type R problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Civic Type R — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Civic Type R years?

Civic Type R NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted13 complaints2017: 2 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 13 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Civic Type R NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic Type R years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Honda Civic Type R problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System323%
Engine215%
Airbags215%
Fuel System215%
Transmission215%
Tires & Wheels18%
Steering18%

Does the 2021 Honda Civic Type R have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 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.

24V064000AirbagsFebruary 1, 2024 · 750,114 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Infotainment system reboots while driving, lose access to navigation, music, and anything controlled with the radio. Unable to reverse safely due to loss of back up camera, Honda dealer does not want to replace and they tell me to turn my head and look over my shoulder”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 23, 2024

“Car abruptly shut off after start up. Then car started and ran normally for 2 days. Then after start up CEL came on for emissions problem. Took to dealership and said it had a P0546 (small evap leak) code. Performed a leak down test and no leak was found. Then said fuel was present in charcoal…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 15, 2024

“The contact owned a 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2021 · crash · fire

“The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated that the vehicle in front came to a stop, and the contact did not have ample time to bring the vehicle to a stop. As a result, the contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of the vehicle in front. None of the air bags…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 13, 2025 · crash

“Misfire in cylinder 4 led to head gasket failure. The problem was diagnosed at the dealership, and there is an active TSB for this issue - however my vehicle is not covered.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 24, 2025

2021 Honda Civic Type R — common questions

Is the 2021 Honda Civic Type R reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Civic Type R problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), airbags (2 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 2021 Honda Civic Type R have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Honda Civic Type R. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.