Tech Line Summary - Customers who have purchased the Accessory CarPlay /Android Auto upgrade are complaining that a pop-up message appears on the audio unit display stating, “Please insert USB drive containing valid software license file, and press OK button”. When this message is displayed, the audio unit is not responsive to control inputs, however the rear-view camera remains fully functional.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Honda Accord electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Honda Accord have filed 49 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Accord | 139 |
| 2018 Accord | 248 |
| 2019 Accord | 82 |
| 2020 Accord | 45 |
| 2021 Accord (this page) | 49 |
| 2022 Accord | 76 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
Owners have filed 49 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2021 Honda Accords describe a pattern of serious electrical failures across multiple systems. The most common complaint involves the touchscreen infotainment system registering phantom inputs (ghost touches), randomly changing radio stations, disabling navigation, and even initiating phone calls—all while the driver's actual touches register nowhere. Several owners report Honda replacing the unit twice with no fix, and dealers admit replacements sometimes fail again.
More dangerous are sudden power-loss events at highway speeds (50–70 mph). Owners report simultaneous illumination of 7–11 warning lights—powertrain, emissions, braking, power steering, ABS, VSA, and CMBS—followed by complete loss of acceleration and steering assistance. The vehicle may completely shut down or enter limp mode, forcing emergency shoulder stops on busy roads. Dealers diagnose various causes (loose battery, fuel pump, rodent-chewed wires, water intrusion into tail lights), but most cases go undiagnosed despite pattern complaints. Owners note similar defects are under recall for newer Accord model years and other Honda vehicles, but this generation remains excluded.
Automatic braking without cause, especially in wet conditions, compounds safety concerns. Some owners also report large-scale electrical misfires during rain or snow—horn stuck honking, backup camera failing, wipers disabled, multiple lights flashing—requiring battery disconnection for silence. One 100,000-mile vehicle caught fire from exposed wires while parked. Door locks, window controls, and other basic electrical functions also fail sporadically across the fleet.
Same Honda Accord electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment Touchscreen Ghost Touches
Touchscreen registers inputs without physical contact, randomly navigating menus, changing radio stations, disabling navigation, and triggering unwanted phone calls. Some owners report the issue persists after multiple factory replacements.
When: Occurs during driving, throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Unresponsive or frozen touchscreen; Random screen selections ('ghost touches'); Navigation disabled or redirected; Radio changing stations involuntarily; Phone calls initiated or terminated without driver input; System unable to respond to actual driver touches while ghost-touching; Incessant beeping from phantom touches; Screen powers on unexpectedly when vehicle is off
Repairs/costs cited: Honda Service Centers have attempted system restarts and full screen replacements with no resolution in some cases. One owner reports two replacements with no improvement. Some dealers state replacement does not always solve the problem and claim indefinite backorder status.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda recommends system restart or full screen replacement. Multiple owners report Honda stating 'nothing they can do' or that warranty does not cover replacement.
Loss of Power and Multiple Warning Lights While Driving
Sudden loss of acceleration, power steering, and brake assist at highway speeds (50–70 mph), accompanied by simultaneous illumination of 7–11 warning lights. Vehicle may completely shut off while driving or enter limp mode, creating immediate safety hazard. Multiple owners report Honda service unable to diagnose root cause despite pattern complaints.
When: At 30,000 to 126,000 miles; occurs during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration at 50–70 mph; Complete power loss requiring restart; Multiple simultaneous warning lights (powertrain, emissions, braking, power steering, VSA, ABS, CMBS, tire pressure); Vehicle enters limp mode or EV-only mode with reduced speed; Loss of power steering and brake assist; Engine jerking or stalling; Vehicle shuts off completely while driving
Codes mentioned: P00087 (fuel pump related, per one owner)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports diagnosis of defective high-pressure fuel pump at 69,000 miles. Another reports loose battery causing electrical cascade. Water intrusion into tail light assembly diagnosed in one case, repaired at $800 owner expense. One owner cites rodent-damaged soybean-based wire harness, replacement cost $3,000–3,500. Most cases unresolved after dealer inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One complaint notes this defect is under recall for 2023–2024 Accords and certain CR-V Hybrids but not 2021 Accord Sport 2.0T. Dealer told owner 'can't find anything wrong.' Multiple owners state Honda aware of complaint but no recall issued.
Automatic Braking Without Driver Intervention
Vehicle applies brakes automatically with no road hazard or driver input, particularly in rain or when using adaptive cruise control / CMBS. Occurs at highway speeds and during normal driving, creating rear-end collision risk.
When: During highway and residential driving; rain conditions reported
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes applied without driver action or visible road hazard; Acceleration delayed due to unwanted brake engagement; Multiple warning messages: Electric Parking Brake Problem, CMBS Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, RDM Problem; Rear wheels locked up and parking brake engaged momentarily; False collision warnings triggering brake intervention
Repairs/costs cited: One owner received diagnosis of water intrusion into tail light assembly ($800 repair). Most cases undiagnosed by dealers despite complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable or unwilling to identify root cause despite multiple complaints.
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Door lock system loses ability to lock or unlock via key fob or door switch. Walkaway lock function inoperative; no audible confirmation beep. Remote start disabled. Outer door handle becomes inoperable.
When: At 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob lock/unlock inoperable; Door switch (driver and passenger) inoperable; Walkaway auto-lock function disabled; No audible confirmation beep; Outer door handle inoperable; Remote start inoperative; No warning light or indication of lock failure on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not inspected by original dealer; complaint documents safety risks only.
Electrical System Malfunction in Wet Conditions
When driving in rain or snow, the vehicle disables numerous functions (backup camera, lane assistance, windshield wipers, horn, AC, high beam, trunk release) and illuminates most dashboard warning lights, requiring battery disconnection to stop continuous horn honking.
When: Occurs from new; happens during rainy or snowy weather
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate in rain or snow; Backup camera disabled; Lane assistance disabled; Windshield wipers disabled; Horn gets stuck and beeps continuously; AC inoperable; Trunk release inoperative; High beam disabled; Only remedy: disconnect battery to silence horn
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership quoted $169 diagnostic + $338–$1000+ labor with no guarantee of resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unwilling to address despite customer case number filed (13733111).
Electrical Fire—Exposed Wires
Vehicle parked for one hour after driving caught fire while unoccupied. Interior filled with smoke; passenger dashboard, glove box, door well, and carpet melted. Fire department determined cause was exposed wires.
When: At 100,000 miles; failure occurred while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Interior smoke with no visible flames; Melted passenger-side dashboard; Melted glove box; Melted passenger door well and carpet; No warning lights before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; not diagnosed or repaired by dealer or independent mechanic. Fire department disconnected battery as precaution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware and case filed; no repair or follow-up documented.
Battery Drain and Failure
Battery dies or drains excessively, leaving vehicle unable to start. One case required bystander recharge after refueling; another required full battery replacement.
When: At 126,000 miles (one case); another at undisclosed mileage after sitting throughout the day
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to restart after refueling; All warning lights illuminate upon restart attempt; Vehicle stalls repeatedly when attempting to drive after restart; Battery dead or severely drained after vehicle sits
Repairs/costs cited: One case required battery replacement at dealer. Another may be related to infotainment system unexpectedly powering on.
Body Control Module Failure
Body Control Module (BCM) failure disables all ADAS features and key vehicle functionality, leaving owner unable to operate vehicle safely.
When: Undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: All ADAS features disabled; Key vehicle functions lost
Blend Door Actuator Malfunction
Blend door actuator fails or breaks, causing loud clicking noise and preventing proper heat and air conditioning function.
When: At 46,000 miles; noted as pattern issue on 2019–2021 Hondas
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking noise from blend door actuator; Heat and AC unable to function correctly
Parking Brake Engagement While Driving
Parking brake engages unexpectedly while vehicle is in motion on highway, locking rear wheels momentarily before disengaging.
When: While entering highway on-ramp
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheels lock up; Parking brake engages involuntarily; Brake pedal engaged by driver without effect
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
NOTE: the item / malfunction described below is CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL for multiple Honda models but has not YET been recalled for the 2021 Accord Sport 2.0T. Please add this model to the recall list!!! I had been driving on the interstate for about 30 minutes on Thursday, 11/7, when suddenly seven of the warning lights flashed in succession on my vehicle, including braking system warnings,…
Touch screen glitching and beeping, acts as if being touched and scrolls through settings and apps randomly; makes phone calls that can’t easily be disconnected, hangs up calls, enables or disables navigation. Many distracting and potentially dangerous glitches. Unsure if integrates into automated features and unsure if it will engage braking, steering, cruise control, etc. while driving.…
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 49 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 49 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 101,535 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.