2021 Honda CIVIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
143 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 143 complaints (43.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 65 | 45.5% |
| Braking behavior | 35 | 24.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 62 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 26 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 9 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 8 |
Steering: 62; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 26; Service Brakes: 17; Electrical System: 16; Unknown Or Other: 12; Air Bags: 9; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 9; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 128 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 28 |
2021: 5; 2022: 19; 2023: 17; 2024: 34; 2025: 40; 2026: 28
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 65 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11471885 · 2022-06-30 (June 30, 2022)
Honda uses a soy-based insulation on the wires in its new cars. We have a brand new, less than 4,000 miles, Honda Civic. I recently went out to start it in the morning and received warning lights on virtually ALL of the systems you list. Why? Apparently rabbits are attracted to the soy-based insulation and will chew it. Honda knows about this problem -- they have had class action lawsuits filed against them already because THOUSANDS of consumers have had their Hondas disabled when rodents chewed the insulation on the wiring harnesses. I h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485983 · 2022-09-23 (September 23, 2022)
While accelerating on a multi-lane freeway, the dashboard speed suddenly indicated 0 MPH and flashed warnings for power steering, emergency braking, suspension, and many other systems. Steering became almost impossible to control, with no resistance felt through the wheel, and small movements of the wheel resulting in unpredictable jerky movements of the vehicle. It was almost impossible to control the vehicle while exiting the freeway and coming to a stop. OBD scanner pulled only one code: U0416(68) Invalid data received - vehicle dynamics co…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440302 · 2021-11-13 (November 13, 2021)
2125 miles on this Type R, fresh off the show room floor. At low speed turning into the slight dip in my driveway, the suspension in Sports Mode flexed enough for the driver side tin rotor back plate at the driver front wheel to get caught on the lower control arm. Drove it to Honda, and yes, they confirmed that this had happened, that the thin tin plate had indeed become stuck on the LCA! Screeching like you cannot believe b/c when this happens, the top of the plate is flexed onto the top of the brake rotor and it goes metal to metal. Honda t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454186 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
MANY times I've pressed the gas after a full stop and had the engine roar in response while the car only moved forward a few feet rather than at full speed. My life is in danger if I'm trying to make a turn across traffic when I have a space to do so and I CAN'T make the turn SAFELY because the car has "stalled" by not moving forward quickly after I let go of the brakes. It's a brand new car, and I took it to Honda. They said they couldn't replicate the incident. Since it happens sporadically, I have no idea what causes it but I DO know that it…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518179 · 2023-04-21 (April 21, 2023)
The windshield of my 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring CVT has prematurely cracked in two places, inhibiting the frontward-facing view (and ultimate safety!) of both the driver's and passenger's sides of the vehicle. Neither crack was due to a chip or normal windshield damage caused from driving. Again, these cracks are NOT driver-induced and are not considered "wear and tear!" Both cracks began at the middle of very top of the windshield, in parallel with the position of the front collision camera nd also near the internal rearview mir…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11591020 · 2024-05-28 (May 28, 2024)
Issue Description: -While traveling in a straight line, particularly at speeds above 45 mph, the steering wheel exhibits a sticky behavior. If left untouched for a few seconds, the wheel becomes difficult to turn, requiring significant force to break it free from the straight line. This resistance is felt both while driving straight and during turns, resulting in noticeable sticking and jerking. Details: -Lane keep assist and driver assist features are turned off. -When driving straight and not touching the wheel for a few seconds, attempting…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11591020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461876 · 2022-04-23 (April 23, 2022)
Three issues I been having every since I got my car. 1. Car navigation displays not working properly, screen completely freezes or black-out. 2. Brake warning sign appears randomly in dashboard even if theres no vehicle in front, probably an issue with the car detection sensor camera . 3 Probably the most important. The car shuts down. Oil light and battery light shows in dashboard when this happens, usually when the vehicle is coming to a stop. This is an outgoing issue that is really concerning. I have take the car multiple times to the de…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572422 · 2024-02-16 (February 16, 2024)
I was notified of a Safety Recall by American Honda regarding the fuel pump module. I contacted to dealership and they are stating they will not have a remedy within a reasonable time period (60 days), rather they will have the parts available for a remedy in the fall of 2024, which is over six months away. Per the recall information provided on this website, they are supposed to have a way to fix this issue within 60 days from the date I contact them, but they won't even offer an inspection to see if the defect exists on my car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11589806 · 2024-05-20 (May 20, 2024)
The 2021 Honda Civic experienced an emission system failure at 70,000 MPH and detected fault code p0340, possibly an injector failure
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11589806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709926 · 2026-01-09 (January 9, 2026)
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 was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the fail…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11709926 at NHTSA ↗