Honda Accord problems
200 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Honda, US operations based in CA, continues to refuse to fix their recalled cars. I was notified 18 months ago about an airbag recall for my 2021 Honda Accord. Honda is telling customers that "parts will be ready to fix all affected cars next month", but they are telling their…
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…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The braking system warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not…
I have a open recall on my vehicle from 2/2024 VIN [XXX] Honda Will not honor it because, they don’t have the parts is what I was told. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA24002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2021 Honda Accord reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 200 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Honda Accord is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Honda Accord?
The 2021 Honda Accord is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Honda Accord?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 42 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 101,535 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 101,535 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda Accord has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Honda Accord?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 200 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.