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2021 Honda Accord HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (12) and engine (10). The EPA rates it 43–48 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
43–48mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
48
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$1,250est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 1, 2024NHTSA 24V064000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Seat beltsReported Nov 18, 2021NHTSA 21V900000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2021 – Aug 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance12
  2. Engine10
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Air bags5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Fuel/propulsion system3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Seats2
  9. Seat belts1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005686
2006433
2007525
2014952
2015608
20161
201745
2018116
2019516
202039
202148
202255
2023144
202479
202524
20261
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

12 reports
“While I was driving on the freeway, the car brakes hard on its own when there were no cars in front of me. This happened twice. Thankfully there were no cars behind me either, otherwise I might have gotten into an accident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2025Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11677786

Engine

10 reports
“My vehicle is currently suffering a failed head gasket. I was alerted about this issue from local mechanics and friends way before it actually happened. I took it to services and regular maintenance even more frequently after that. However, it still failed no matter what. I took it to the dealership, they even admitted that this is a known problem for this generation of vehicle. They still proceeded to ask nearly $7000 to fix it, saying that even though this is a known issue, there was no recalls on the vehicles so they could not waive or deduct the fees.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11721881

Electrical system

8 reports
“Most recent incidents on Friday 08/07 car lost power while driving on freeway unable to accelerate, all engine/warning lights came on was thankfully able to pullover and shut off vehicle. This is not first incident this also happened about 5x in 2025 and had car inspected and serviced by Honda dealership each time being told they didn’t know what the issue is because the engine light wasn’t on at time of appointments. Final visit resulting in them adjusting the intake valves but they were even unsure if this was the correct “fix” well it did last a year without other incidents until recently, there seems to be a recall on 2023+ models but not my 2021 and this seems like may be similar issue. 12v battery and spark plugs are new, car is regularly maintenanced and have been told alternator is still good. Unsure where else to turn as I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle especially with my children. Where I live and work is almost impossible to avoid freeways.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11757064
All 2021 Accord Hybrid problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord Hybrid
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
484848$1,250183
Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
444143$1,400207
  • Accord Hybrid
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    48 city · 48 hwy · $1,250/yr
    48
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    44 city · 41 hwy · $1,400/yr
    43
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda ACCORD HYBRID 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 15894
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Accord Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (12), engine (10), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid at 43–48 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026