Research · Large Cars

2021 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 246 owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve electrical system (68) and forward collision avoidance (62). The EPA rates it 26–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–33mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
246
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

246 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system68
  2. Forward collision avoidance62
  3. Engine39
  4. Service brakes29
  5. Lane departure16
  6. Air bags15
  7. Fuel/propulsion system14
  8. Power train14
  9. Vehicle speed control9

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

68 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Vehicle: 2021 Honda Accord Sport Subject: Intermittent Electrical Malfunctions, Multiple Safety Warnings, and Loss of Acceleration I am reporting ongoing safety concerns involving my 2021 Honda Accord Sport. On multiple occasions, my vehicle has displayed several dashboard warnings, including brake system, electric parking brake, vehicle stability assist, hill-start assist, adaptive cruise control, and electric power steering warnings. These warnings have appeared intermittently in the past and sometimes disappeared on their own. On October 18, 2026, while traveling on the highway at approximately 65 mph, these warnings had already been displayed for approximately 30 minutes to an hour when my vehicle suddenly began struggling to accelerate. Despite pressing the accelerator, the vehicle continued losing speed, and the RPM gauge remained around 2,000 RPM. It felt as though something was holding the vehicle back. After several moments, the vehicle suddenly regained power, accelerated, and the RPM increased. This was particularly concerning because I was traveling at highway speed. I also experienced electrical problems with the interior lights. While the vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11771988

Forward collision avoidance

62 reports7 crashes
“Was at a stoplight, came to a complete stop once at a complete stop car completely shut all the way off, losing all electricity no hazard lights. You cannot press down on the brakes to restart the car. You could not do anything. Car lost 100% of power 5 to 10 minutes later, Vehicle shut back on automatically and engine started to run automatically.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11770230

Engine

39 reports3 crashes
“I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing safety concern with my 2021 Honda Accord. Multiple lights indicate engine system problems which includes, check engine light, car jerks at acceleration, seat sensor recall. I took my vehicle to multiple shops including the Honda Dealership. However, they were unsuccessful to identify the cause. Multiple problems such as Turbo, belt, fuel system problem constantly comes up. I have attempted to take my vehicle for the recall, which was scheduled, however after waiting 4hrs, the dealership stated they did not have the parts. I am concerned about the potential risk to myself, my daughter and my passengers and believe these issues warrant further investigation to help prevent possible accident or injury.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Lane departureODI 11774309
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S7) · Automatic (S10)
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 3, 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
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950268
Accord Sport/Touring
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
293532$2,000278
Accord Sport/Touring
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,450345
  • Accord
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Sport/Touring
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Sport/Touring
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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 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 3, 2026Vehicle 15895
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Accord have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 problems?

Owners filed 246 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (68), forward collision avoidance (62), engine (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Honda Accord at 26–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Honda Accord?

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

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026