2021 Honda Accord problems
The 2021 Honda Accord has 217 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Honda Accord has 217 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 49 complaints, typically surfacing around 101,535 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Accord | 1,812 | 0 |
| 2019 Accord | 653 | 0 |
| 2020 Accord | 340 | 2 |
| 2021 Accord (this page) | 217 | 0 |
| 2022 Accord | 214 | 1 |
| 2023 Accord | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 Accord | 0 | 2 |
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Honda ACCORD 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Honda Accord? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 101,535 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 103,500 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- brakes — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 56,412 mi · ~$450 to fix
- airbags — 13 owner reports · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 103,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Honda Accord
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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 217 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 should I check before buying a used 2021 Honda Accord?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 49 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 101,535 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Honda Accord a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 217 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 101,535 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Honda Accord?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 49 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 217 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.