2021 Honda Civic
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 146
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2021
None on file
45% of complaints
Complaints per year
2021: 146 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 39 |
| 1988 | 48 |
| 1989 | 69 |
| 1990 | 92 |
| 1991 | 111 |
| 1992 | 100 |
| 1993 | 155 |
| 1994 | 161 |
| 1995 | 199 |
| 1996 | 305 |
| 1997 | 373 |
| 1998 | 435 |
| 1999 | 338 |
| 2000 | 287 |
| 2001 | 1,079 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 499 |
| 2004 | 350 |
| 2005 | 316 |
| 2006 | 1,404 |
| 2007 | 1,204 |
| 2008 | 916 |
| 2009 | 396 |
| 2010 | 397 |
| 2011 | 169 |
| 2012 | 456 |
| 2013 | 318 |
| 2014 | 293 |
| 2015 | 379 |
| 2016 | 1,081 |
| 2017 | 602 |
| 2018 | 747 |
| 2019 | 441 |
| 2020 | 232 |
| 2021 | 146 |
| 2022 | 885 |
| 2023 | 259 |
| 2024 | 125 |
| 2025 | 79 |
| 2026 | 32 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
45% · 65 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system.
Show complaint excerpts
This vehicle has started to randomly start pulling to the left or right as it's moving at a high rate of speed. It was diagnosed by the dealer to need the steering rack replaced.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-25
Steering locks up at highway speeds. This vehicle has only 36,526 miles on the odometer. This is a serious safety issue and could easily cause a high speed crash. The dealer has road tested and confirms the problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-29
Vehicle: 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Current Mileage: ~24,400 miles Component: Steering / Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Gearbox / Steering Rack Summary of Issue: Vehicle is experiencing severe "sticky steering" (mechanical binding) in the...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27
Forward collision avoidance
29% · 43 reportsMost commonly citing automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
Driving down the highway about 70 mph and it started to rain so little that I had not even needed the wipers yet.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-05-22
Also filed under Service brakes
Service brakes
12% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
My 2021 Honda civic exâ forward collision sensor light flashed mid intersection my brakes locked up causing me to be a victim of a hit and run.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-09
Electrical system
12% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing chime.
Lane departure
8% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing assist and warning.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2023-08-07Service brakes, hydraulic23V458000 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.
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.
-
R
2024-03-28Air bags24V064000 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,...
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
-
R
2024-03-29Fuel system, gasoline23V858000 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...
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.
-
R
2026-07-06Air bags26V332000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2021 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 65 reports on file for this year.
- Forward collision avoidance: 43 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 18 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 23V458000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 24V064000 · Air bags
- Recall 23V858000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 26V332000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Honda Civic is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Civic?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Civic have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.