2021 Honda Accord Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (50), Warnings (14), Adaptive cruise control (10).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Sudden braking; car comes to a complete stop and brakes so Hard. Most likely fault from Collision Mitigation Brakking systemOwner complaint, filed 2026

Vehicle started flashing all lights on dashboard. I drove it for awhile and then it eventually went off. A few days later same lights came back on a car started misfiring. Was told by Honda that is was the Turbo that's going bad. Today is just cut off on me. Luckily there wasn't anyone behind me. I see a lot of people are having these…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T has an intermittent touchscreen/infotainment malfunction commonly described as “ghost touch” or “phantom touch.” The touchscreen generates inputs on its own without the screen being touched, causing menus and functions to change unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven. The malfunction is…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The infotainment/touchscreen system in my 2021 Honda Accord is malfunctioning and experiencing what is commonly referred to as “ghost touching.” This issue has been occurring since approximately March 2026. While I am driving, the touchscreen will randomly make selections on its own without me touching the screen. This is especially…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while her son was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut off with several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact's son pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. While at the dealer, the mechanic discovered coolant…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 43,881 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the message "Emission System Problem" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was a…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 108,579 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Car says “brake system problem, brake performance may be reduced. See your dealer” and then another one saying “brake hold system problem. Apply brake when stoped. See your dealer” and another one that says “Electric parking brake system problem. Parking brake not available. See your dealer.” And I know quite a few people with accords…Owner complaint, filed 2025

I was driving on the freeway and suddenly my ABE brake activated and I was almost being hit in the back . It was happening many times in the past but when I brought the attention to the Honda dealer and it said nothing was wrong with itOwner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle hesitated and then accelerated; however, the vehicle then failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 152,100 miles

There is a current recall on my vehicles make and model for the fuel system but my vin is showing as not affected and am currently experiencing issues.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

A transmission problem occurred shortly after a CVT transmission service was performed at an authorized Honda dealership, Classic Honda of Midland in Midland, Texas. After the service, the vehicle began experiencing abnormal noise, vibration, and harsh driving conditions. The vehicle was later inspected at another authorized Honda…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Diagnosed with blown head gasket. No warning signs or lights . Car shut off and every light on the dash came on. It’s happening a lot with accords!Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

We were traveling on California Interstate 5 North. About 5 miles south of Junction 152 the car started malfunctioning. Suddenly there was acceleration beyond my control. I pushed the brake as hard as I could. It felt like the car was going to explode. Somehow miraculously the car landed on the shoulder of the freeway. It missed hitting…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Unable to use cruise control Unable to use lane control Unable to use tire pressure gauge Unable to use auto brake system Car shakes due to a sudden decrease in engine performance. Turbocharger issues Powertrain System issues ECM FailureOwner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

As I was driving on the highway out of nowhere the car jerked away from me. I was unable to maintain control again as it kept gearing itself to the left. The emergency brake didn’t come on at all and the car slide on the freeway and ended up flipping completely over the bridge to the other side injuring all passengersOwner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2021 honda accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel ceased while the idle warning error illuminated. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel returned to normal function independently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 564 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have taken my vehicle in 3 times to have the recall repair completed and each time the dealership said they did it just for me to have checked the nhtsa website to see that it has not been completed.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Front passenger side seat belt does not lock into place. Nothing is obstructing it, we were told it is not covered under the vehicles warranty and have to pay out of pocket to get it fixed. Isn’t this a safety hazard?Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2021 Honda Accord Sport has had a problem that started about 30k miles which I told them about 3 times. The sun visors do not stay up. they hang down and you have to move them out of the way. I tried to get the dealer to replace them, but they said I was past the warranty, and I was going to be changed about 400.00 per visor. I kept…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated when entering their vehicle. they noticed several small dark circles forming around the front driver side window as well the front windshield which made it difficult for the contact visibility while driving the vehicle. The contact stated after a few days the dark circles would…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 50 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Around 12:30pm last week, we were driving a 2021 Honda Accord on a straight and clear Northbound Freeway. All of a sudden, our car started to swerve left and right a few times, even though my wife tried to keep the car straight. She didn't steer the wheel much, fearing that the car may go sideways or whatever, but she just couldn't make…Owner complaint, filed 2022

If im driving at normal rate of speed while on highway the steering becomes very loose and sticky when adjusting steering. The passenger wheel will feel like it wobbles on its camber axis or will act like a shopping cart wheel. At times changing direction of vehicle entirely. At that time suspension will feel really spongy.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The paint is peeling off 6 months After I bought the car.South shore honda and American honda are not doing anything. I spoke with the manager at South shore honda,,willie Mejia who referred me to American Honda and American Honda referred me back to the dealer.Owner complaint, filed 2022