NHTSA & EPA data · updated October 21, 2026

2021 Honda Civic recalls, problems & safety ratings

Quick answer

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda Civic and 147 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are steering (66), forward collision avoidance (33), electrical system (18). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 32–34 mpg combined, depending on engine.

The 2021 ranks #3 of 14 Civic model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (421). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.5 per model year.

Free. Shows whether a recall applies, plus specs, problems and ratings for your exact vehicle.

Recalls 4

Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2021 Honda Civic. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passengerNHTSA #26V332000 · 05/21/2026

Problem: 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.

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passengerNHTSA #24V064000 · 02/01/2024

Problem: 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.

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pumpNHTSA #23V858000 · 12/18/2023

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · master cylinderNHTSA #23V458000 · 06/29/2023

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Common problems

From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.

Most-reported problem areas

Steering66
Forward collision avoidance33
Electrical system18
Service brakes18
Unknown or other13
Lane departure11
Air bags9
Vehicle speed control6

By the numbers

147owner complaints filed
5involved a crash
2involved a fire
2injuries reported

Recent owner reports

10/18/2026 · Unknown or other

The infotainment and connectivity system in this 2021 Honda Civic EX suffers from critical, persistent hardware and software defects regarding Android Auto. The system continuously and unpredictably disconnects during active operation when wired, and fails to establish or maintain any reliable wireless connection. Due to a personal medical condition (topographical agnosia), I…

10/17/2026 · Steering

Sticky/notch feeling when going straight I over correct because of it stiffness of it it’s very dangerous

09/28/2026 · Steering

When it is warm and humid, at highway speeds and slight turns, the steering sticks and the wheel does not recenter on its own. All driver assist features are off when this occurs. It takes additional force to unstick and causes overcorrection in the steering. Symptoms are consistent with the 11th gen civic recalls, yet mine is a 2021 and no recall yet. This is very scary and da…

Safety ratings

2021 Honda CIVIC 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2021 Honda Civic.

Civic 4Dr

Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo

30city
38hwy
33combined

Regular

Civic 4Dr

Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L

29city
37hwy
32combined

Regular

Civic 5Dr

Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo

29city
35hwy
32combined

Premium

Civic 5Dr

Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo

31city
40hwy
34combined

Regular

Other model years

Compare every Honda Civic year

Questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda Civic, most recently for air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger (05/21/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Civic?

Based on 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are steering (66), forward collision avoidance (33), electrical system (18).

Is the 2021 Honda Civic safe?

The 2021 Honda Civic earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.

Is the 2021 a good year for the Honda Civic?

The 2021 ranks #3 of 14 Civic model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (421). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.5 per model year.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Civic get?

EPA ratings for the 2021 Honda Civic range from 32 to 34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Own a 2021 Honda Civic in South Carolina?

Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.

Related vehicles

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: CIVIC, Civic.

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