VehicleVerdict

2021 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Honda Civic sits mid-pack among Civic years: 197 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 237, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (28% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

197

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted1,709 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 10 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 17 complaints1986: 54 complaints1987: 41 complaints1988: 51 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 110 complaints1991: 143 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 178 complaints1994: 171 complaints1995: 252 complaints1996: 383 complaints1997: 452 complaints1998: 502 complaints1999: 404 complaints2000: 351 complaints2001: 1,357 complaints2002: 876 complaints2003: 619 complaints2004: 424 complaints2005: 396 complaints2006: 1,709 complaints2007: 1,465 complaints2008: 1,079 complaints2009: 499 complaints2010: 489 complaints2011: 221 complaints2012: 620 complaints2013: 436 complaints2014: 384 complaints2015: 485 complaints2016: 1,348 complaints2017: 756 complaints2018: 854 complaints2019: 519 complaints2020: 288 complaints2021: 197 complaints2022: 1,150 complaints2023: 327 complaints2024: 163 complaints2025: 113 complaints2026: 40 complaints
Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Honda Civic problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering5628%
Driver Assistance5427%
Brakes189%
Electrical System179%
Other126%
Airbags84%
Engine63%
Speed Control63%
Fuel System42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Seats32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Suspension21%
Lighting21%
Transmission21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2021 Honda Civic have recalls?

4 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.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

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.

23V458000BrakesJune 29, 2023 · 124,077 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Consequence

Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“This vehicle has started to randomly start pulling to the left or right as it's moving at a high rate of speed. It was diagnosed by the dealer to need the steering rack replaced. This is the same issue the 2022-2024 Honda Civic are being recalled for. The dealership stated that they have seen a lot…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 13, 2023 · crash

“My 2021 Honda civic ex’ forward collision sensor light flashed mid intersection my brakes locked up causing me to be a victim of a hit and run. As I was in between policies with my insurance therefore I wasn’t covered for the accident and I am now suffering financial hardships.. dealership…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 31, 2023 · crash

“My 2021 Honda civic ex’ forward collision sensor light flashed mid intersection my brakes locked up causing me to be a victim of a hit and run. As I was in between policies with my insurance therefore I wasn’t covered for the accident and I am now suffering financial hardships.. dealership…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 31, 2023 · crash

“My 2021 Honda civic ex’ forward collision sensor light flashed mid intersection my brakes locked up causing me to be a victim of a hit and run. As I was in between policies with my insurance therefore I wasn’t covered for the accident and I am now suffering financial hardships.. dealership…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 31, 2023 · crash

“While driving, the sunroof exploded, sounding like an explosion inside the car. The glass shattered while the inside cover was closed. Therefore, the cover contained the shattered glass. There was no traffic around, therefore no debris was thrown into the vehicle. There was no warning that this was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 26, 2023

2021 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?

It is close to typical for the Civic: 197 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Civic problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (56 complaints), driver assistance (54 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).

Does the 2021 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Civic years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2003, 2019, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2015, 1997, 2013, 2004, 1999, 2005, 2014, 1996. The cleanest record among Civic years belongs to 1980.

How safe is the 2021 Honda Civic?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Honda Civic earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.