2021 Honda Civic — 4 Open Recalls & Full Specs

The 2021 Honda Civic is a compact car from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2021 Civic VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.

Value calculator

Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (13.6%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.

Estimated value
$0

Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.

Overview

The Honda Civic is a compact car that blends fun-to-drive dynamics, efficiency and strong safety into an affordable package.

Specifications at a glance

Basic build info
Model year2021
MakeHonda
ModelCivic
BodyCompact Car
Country of originJapan
Available engines (model line)
Engine2.0L 4-cylinder
Engine1.5L turbo 4-cylinder

Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.

NHTSA safety ratings

★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal
★★★★★
Side
★★★★★
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Real-world pricing & specs — 2021 Honda Civic

Used-market medians (U.S. listings)

U.S. used-market listings for the 2021 Civic (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $10,000 at roughly 100,000 miles, based on 9 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.

Used median price
$10,000
Median mileage
100,000
Sample: 9 listings

Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.

NHTSA safety recalls — 2021 Honda Civic

4
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Honda dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Campaign: 23V458000 · Filed: 29/06/2023

Defect description: 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.

Corrective action: 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.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Campaign: 24V064000 · Filed: 01/02/2024

Defect description: 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.

Corrective action: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign: 23V858000 · Filed: 18/12/2023

Defect description: 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.

Corrective action: 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.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Campaign: 26V332000 · Filed: 21/05/2026

Defect description: 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 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Corrective action: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.

Common problems to check on this generation

  • 1.5L turbo oil dilution
  • AC compressor issues on some years
  • Sun-visor rattles

Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2021 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.

Owner-reported problems — 2021 Civic

145
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.

Most-reported problem areas:

  • STEERING — 54 reports
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — 13 reports
  • AIR BAGS — 9 reports

STEERING — 12/31/2024

Steering is becoming sticky while on roadway. Seems like it is developing hard spots.

STEERING — 12/30/2025

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 after a turn and when making adjustments on the highway, the wheel jerks back and forth. Honda has re

SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — 12/26/2024

On multiple occasions my car has applied the brake while driving on the highway as well as my caliper has become frozen and I have replaced brakes 3 times in less than one calendar year. I have all old brakes that have needed to be replaced and there is uneven wear on them.

Source: NHTSA Complaints database. To file a complaint, use nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Check-engine light on your 2021 Civic?

Every 1996-and-newer vehicle uses the OBD-II standard. Look up any stored code, then search 2,000+ codes — to see what it means and how urgent it is.

OBD-II code lookup →

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Related guides for 2021 Honda Civic owners & buyers

Frequently asked questions

What are the 2021 Honda Civic specs?

The 2021 Civic is a Compact Car. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.

Are there recalls on the 2021 Civic?

Yes — 4 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?

A dependable, low-cost compact that's a top pick for new drivers.

How do I check this specific 2021 Civic?

Enter the VIN above to see the factory-decoded specifications and open recalls. Combine with a free vehicle history check and a pre-purchase inspection.

How much is a 2021 Honda Civic worth?

Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.

What common problems should I watch for on a 2021 Civic?

Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.

Sources on this page: NHTSA vPIC (specifications), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA NCAP (safety), EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG), NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Honda or any government agency.