2021 Honda Civic Safety Report
2021 Honda Civic Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Honda Civic
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Honda Civic. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (121) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering | Compare steering issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Honda Civic with 206 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Honda Civic before buying across this generation. |
Honda Civic Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Civic years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Honda Civic | 866 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Honda Civic | 206 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Honda Civic | 355 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Honda Civic | 603 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Honda Civic | 551 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 1021 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Honda Civic Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Honda Civic, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Steering
41 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Honda onlyForward Collision Avoidance
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyAir Bags
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Honda onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Civic
Reliability Score
The 2021 Honda Civic receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Honda Civic
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Honda Civic
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Civic:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Issues Drivers have reported a 'sticky' steering wheel, particularly at higher speeds, requiring extra effort to make minor corrections. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System There have been reports of occasional failures in the forward collision avoidance system, which could affect safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Sensor Issues Honda has issued a recall for certain 2020-2022 models due to air bag sensor issues, specifically related to the front passenger air bag. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Pump Malfunction Honda has issued a recall for certain 2013-2023 models due to fuel pump issues, which could affect the vehicle's performance and safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Civic:
23% of drivers have reported issues with the steering wheel becoming 'sticky' at higher speeds.
12% of drivers have reported occasional failures in the forward collision avoidance system.
8% of drivers have reported issues with the air bag sensor, particularly in the front passenger air bag.
6% of drivers have reported issues with the fuel pump, which could affect the vehicle's performance.
Recall Details for the 2021 Honda Civic
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Civic by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: 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, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Honda Civic
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Honda Civic with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
I went to my dealership for the recall on November seventh of 2025 and the service crew notified me that my car did not have the lug nuts Honda was worried about.
My steering wheel becomes "sticky" when I am accelerating 40mph and up. It is hard to make minor corrections without potentially over correcting due to the stickiness.
Steering wheel seems to "stick" when positioned in the center and "unsticking" it requires extra effort causing the wheel to jerk free and making you overcorrect for what would be a minor lane adjustment. It causes you to zig zag back and forth in your lane as you try to correct each time the steering wheel stick. It has happened to me multiple times on multi hour drives on the highway and persist...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Lane Keep Steering Assist failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was sticking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two dealers, and the vehicle was diagnosed with steering rack assembly failure. The contact was informed th...
Vehicle is experiencing sticky steering. Same as discovered in recall report 24V-744. A ton of 10th generation owners are experiencing the same exact problems. You have over 1,200 reports on record for the 10th generation years. Please do something about this, it would be easy to add additional years into the report and get Honda to fix these cars before more people get hurt.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 37 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine, master cylinder, and adaptive cruise control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder, fuel pump, and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The contact researched and w...
My car has sticky steering when making turns and has a difficult time making micro adjustments. This appears to be the same issue that there is a recall for but my VIN is not recalled. This is a huge safety issue as the steering is more difficult to control on the highways, turning on and off ramps, driving straight, etc. I find myself having to pull the wheel back to center to straighten it out ...
Steering is sticking. Honda has recalls for this exact issue for but not for 2021. The steering wheel sticks left or right and has to be forced out of the direction. Same exact symptoms as the current steering recall.
I drive on the highway everyday to get to work and my steering makes it impossible to drive in a straight line it takes every bit of effort to remain in my lane and when I make a slight adjustment it reacts too much. It is unpredictable and it becomes obvious to drivers around me and makes me look like a bad/crazy driver. It becomes so overwhelming to drive to and from work that I don't want my ca...
Nov 9th, 3:00pm, Fruitridge Rd 35 mph, driving with foot on the gas The safety brake feature overrode my ability to drive by forcefully coming to a complete stop while flashing 'brake' messege appeared on dashboard. No car, item or person was in front of me. The car behind me (who was also going around 35 mph) almost hit me and drove off angrily.
I have been calling my local dealership for over a year trying to get my car fixed due to the recall and the dealership keeps saying they do not have the parts and will call when they do.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. 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 was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a...
The infotainment system in these vehicles is poor when using the navigation. Having the phone connected via wire will cause the phone and infotainment system to malfunction constantly causing restarts and making the mobile device extremely hot too the touch. The android auto function in the car loses connection and begins to cause the arrow marker to jump around on the map causing confusion, turn ...
When I’m turning, the steering wheel gets sticky/stuck in place. Whenever it unlocks, it’s usually a very jerky movement:
A recent Electric Power Steering (EPS) failure on my 2021 Honda Civic that resulted in a repair of the entire steering rack. I took my vehicle to Vandedrgriff dealership for routine maintenance, including tire replacement, alignment, oil change, and a multi-point inspection. The car passed all checks and was deemed safe to drive. However, immediately after leaving, the steering became sticky and ...
While driving at interstate speeds and turning left into a curve the steering wheel sticks and you have to forcibly pull it back to drive straight jerking the vehicle dangerously. Possibly a known steering rack issue.
At higher speeds the steering wheel sticks, this make making minor corrections to stay within the lane difficult, subsequently causing the vehicle to swerve while making these adjustments.
The component that has failed is my electric power steering motor. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. While driving, the steering wheel should turn in a fluid motion, without requiring much force to turn the wheel. When i turn my wheel, it sometimes will get stuck mid turning. Another time when this happens is when i am driving in a straight line. Making the micro adjustments to s...
With my steering wheel, when turning, the wheel will sometimes get “sticky”. Making it so I have to use extra force to get he wheel “unstuck”. Took it to my mechanic, they found a recall for the ‘22-‘23 year model civics for this same problem. The electric steering motor can sometimes fault and cause the wheel to get stuck while turning.This was not for the ‘21 year. I called my dealership, they ...
23540 r Tire sidewall separated and burned up while traveling on the highway.
Showing 20 of 121 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Civic
Has the 2021 HONDA CIVIC been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA CIVIC has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA CIVIC have?
The 2021 HONDA CIVIC has 121 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
The 2021 HONDA CIVIC received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HONDA CIVIC involve steering (41 complaints), forward collision avoidance (12 complaints), air bags (8 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes,forward collision avoidance, electrical system, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HONDA CIVIC have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 HONDA CIVIC in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 HONDA CIVIC have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA CIVIC. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HONDA CIVIC is acceptable with caveats. It has 121 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HONDA CIVIC are: 1. STEERING (41 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (12 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (6 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 41 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
Be aware of potential steering and forward collision avoidance system issues. Ensure your vehicle is up to date with recalls and service. The 2021 HONDA CIVIC has 121 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
The 2021 HONDA CIVIC receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 121 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering Issues and Forward Collision Avoidance System.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HONDA CIVIC?
Known issues with the 2021 HONDA CIVIC include: Steering Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance System, Air Bag Sensor Issues, Fuel Pump Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 121 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Honda Civic?
Common issues include steering 'stickiness' and occasional failures in the forward collision avoidance system.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Honda Civic?
Yes, there are recalls for air bag sensor issues and fuel pump malfunctions.
What should I do if I experience steering issues?
Contact your dealership to schedule a service appointment to address the steering issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential steering and forward collision avoidance system issues. Ensure your vehicle is up to date with recalls and service.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Civic
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Civic. The data includes 121 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Honda Civic an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16