Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-03-10 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 34.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 204.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 24 complaints, 61% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Steering (38.7% of complaints), followed by Electrical (12.3%) and Driver-assist systems (11.6%). Steering complaints are 6.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Steering reports, owners most often mention “steering”, “wheel”, “sticky”, “sticks” and “rack”. 8 reports (5.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 43 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (58% of incidents). In the last 12 months 37 new complaints were filed, versus 49 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 17% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Safety recalls (4)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 26V332000 · 2026-05-21
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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 PASSENGER Campaign 24V064000 · 2024-02-01
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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 PUMP Campaign 23V858000 · 2023-12-18
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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 CYLINDER Campaign 23V458000 · 2023-06-29
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
How to check whether your car has an open recall ›
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Honda Civic?
155 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Civic, or about 27.3 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Honda Civic?
The most common category is Steering, accounting for 38.7% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Honda Civic have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Honda Civic still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 37 new complaints were filed, versus 49 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2021 Honda Civic compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 155 owner complaints about the 2021 Honda Civic, or 27.3 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.65, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #50 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Honda models its rate is 63% lower; against other Compact cars it is 19% higher.