The Lemon Index2021 Honda Accord.
The 2021 Honda Accord is better than average by owner complaints: 122 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 26 to 48 mpg combined. The best Honda Accord year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 293 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Accord year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 92K miles on the car (32 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- airbags 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Show all 4 recalls
- seat belts 2021
The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 176 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC U0155 (Lost Communication with Gauge Control Module)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda ACCORD 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honda ACCORD HYBRID 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1350–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving on an open road with no cars around, the emergency braking suddenly engaged causing the car to come to an almost complete stop by itself.
2021 Honda Accord owner · NHTSA complaint 11576135
More owner reports
21 Accord breaking itself there is no reason and there is no car around. Blind Spot working itself there is no car around car. Almost had 4 accidents. Not driving anymore waitin attorneys for lemon law
NHTSA complaint 11457907
The brakes locked when car is backing. I'm scared the brakes may fail on me. The brakes makes a lot noise when backing from the first year the car was purchased.
NHTSA complaint 11567669
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Honda Accord reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Accord year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Accord problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (48%), brakes (16%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Accord have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Accord get?
26 to 48 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Honda Accord safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,400 and 92,800 miles. The middle report was at 61,000 miles, from 32 complaints.
Does the 2021 Honda Accord have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Honda Accord cost in fuel a year?
About $1350 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Honda Accord have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Accord year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works