Owners have reported 6 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Civic. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints49
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic frequently report experiencing "sticky steering," particularly at highway speeds, where the steering wheel momentarily requires increased effort to adjust, leading to challenges in maintaining a straight path. Typical symptoms include the steering wheel getting stuck or jerking during minor adjustments, making it difficult to control the vehicle and resulting in the car swerving or wandering. Complaints often arise at mileage around 28,500 to 30,000 miles, with some owners noting the issue worsens over time. Two reports involve crashes, highlighting potential safety risks associated with this steering issue. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported steering problems, especially in vehicles that have surpassed the warranty period.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic frequently report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, particularly the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activating unexpectedly. Common symptoms include the vehicle abruptly braking or displaying a "BRAKE" warning on the dashboard when there are no obstacles present. These incidents are often noted to occur at highway speeds, during lane changes, or when using Adaptive Cruise Control, with some reports indicating mileage around 24,000. Although no crashes are specifically mentioned, the sudden braking poses a risk of rear-end collisions, as vehicles behind may not anticipate such abrupt stops. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these reported issues, as they may impact driving safety and comfort.
Owner complaints15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2021 Honda Civic, with the infotainment system being a frequent source of complaints. Multiple owners describe the system rebooting unexpectedly, causing loss of navigation, music, and the backup camera, sometimes leaving drivers without these functions while reversing. The soy-based wiring insulation is mentioned in complaints about rodent damage, leading to electronic failures including power steering and braking systems. Electric power steering issues are also noted, with some owners experiencing "sticky" steering that requires extra force to correct, though no recall covers the 2021 model year. Safety implications are evident, with one report of a crash involving the forward collision sensor causing brakes to lock unexpectedly. These issues often appear shortly after purchase, with some occurring within the first few thousand miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints12
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic frequently report issues related to airbag recalls, with several complaints highlighting delays in repair due to unavailable parts. Many owners mention receiving recall notifications but express frustration over the extended wait times for parts, which leaves them concerned about airbag reliability in the event of an accident. Additionally, there are reports of airbags deploying unexpectedly without any impact, as well as airbags failing to deploy during a collision. These incidents, occurring at mileages around 48,000 to 78,000 miles, involve crashes and injuries, indicating potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints10
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic frequently report issues with the vehicle's automatic braking system, particularly when using cruise control. Symptoms described include sudden and unintended braking without any obstacles present, often leading to near rear-end collisions. Multiple complaints highlight the sensitivity of the front sensor, which may trigger braking when passing vehicles in turn lanes or on curves. These incidents occur without warning lights or messages, and some owners note that the issue has persisted since purchasing the vehicle. The mileage at which these problems occur varies, with some reports indicating that the issue becomes more frequent over time. Safety implications are significant, as the sudden braking could result in accidents, particularly on highways.
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic frequently report issues related to unexpected acceleration and deceleration. Symptoms include the vehicle accelerating rapidly while in reverse, leading to a crash, and the car failing to accelerate as expected from a stop, which poses a risk when maneuvering in traffic. Additionally, some owners describe the car decelerating abruptly while using cruise control or during regular driving, sometimes without any external trigger. The complaints involve vehicles with mileage as low as 200 miles, suggesting issues may arise early in the vehicle's lifespan. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and one incident involving smoke from the steering wheel, although no persistent fire was confirmed. These reports highlight potential risks for buyers considering a used 2021 Honda Civic.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic report issues related to the engine, particularly involving the emission system and fuel pump module. A common symptom includes an emission system failure accompanied by fault code p0340, potentially linked to injector failure, occurring around 70,000 miles. Another issue involves misfire in cylinder 4 leading to head gasket failure, with a related technical service bulletin (TSB) noted but not covering all affected vehicles. Additionally, there is a recall for the fuel pump module, but some owners express frustration over delayed remedies, with parts not expected until fall 2024. While no crashes or fires are reported, prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, especially regarding the recall and potential delays in repairs.
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic report issues related to the power train, with symptoms including sudden loss of power and stalling. One complaint describes a transmission failure at approximately 4,000 miles, leading to a crash and fire, resulting in significant injury. Another owner mentions the vehicle abruptly shutting off after startup and encountering a check engine light for an emissions problem, with a potential link to a fuel pump recall. These complaints highlight concerns about vehicle reliability and potential safety risks, particularly at lower mileages. Buyers should be aware of these issues and consider inspecting the power train components before purchase.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Civic report issues with the lane departure and associated safety systems. Complaints frequently mention the Lane Keep Steering Assist failing to function properly, with one owner experiencing a sticking steering wheel and a diagnosis of steering rack assembly failure at approximately 36,200 miles. Another owner describes the Lane Departure warning system misreading lane positions, particularly on inclines or highways, and the associated safety tech causing unexpected braking due to misinterpreted traffic signals. These issues have not resulted in reported crashes, but the potential for unexpected vehicle behavior could affect safety. Buyers should be aware of these reported problems, especially at higher mileages, and consider consulting with a dealer for any software or hardware updates.
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the 2021 Honda Civic's suspension, particularly noting a clunking noise from the rear suspension when driving over bumps at any speed. Another complaint involves the suspension in Sports Mode, where a thin rotor back plate at the front driver's side becomes stuck on the lower control arm during low-speed maneuvers, such as turning into a driveway. This issue leads to a loud screeching noise due to metal-to-metal contact, as described by an owner with only 2,125 miles on their vehicle. No crashes or loss of control are reported, but these symptoms could be concerning for potential buyers, especially when considering vehicles with low mileage.
