NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Honda Civic Safety Ratings
The 2021 Honda Civic scores 91 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 4 recalls, and 133 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Honda Civic achieved a perfect score across all NHTSA crash-test categories. This strong performance, coupled with its standard crash-avoidance technology, contributes to its "Exceptional" NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100. Potential owners should note the four active recall campaigns, which represent the primary safety concern for this model year.
The 2021 Honda Civic Sedan received a five-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100 based on NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Honda Civic ranks 29 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 91 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.5% |
| Recalls on file | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 133 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 29 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Honda Civic?
The 2021 model year represents a meaningful step forward for the Civic in MotorCaliber's safety scoring. The Safety Index climbed seven points to 91/100 from the 2020 model's 84/100, moving the vehicle from the Strong band into the Exceptional band. That gain is anchored by a perfect crash-protection subscore of 70/70 and a perfect avoidance-tech subscore of 10/10, reflecting the standard fitment of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control on this specific model year. Where the 2021 year loses ground relative to its crash and tech scores is in the defect record subscore, which lands at 11/20. Four recall campaigns are the direct driver of that deduction. Two of those campaigns target the front-passenger airbag occupant-classification system, a safety-critical component that determines whether the airbag deploys appropriately for a given occupant. A third covers the fuel pump across a wide Honda fleet, and a fourth addresses the brake master cylinder on the 2020-2021 Civic specifically. The complaint picture adds nuance: 133 reported incidents include alleged issues with steering and the forward collision avoidance system, the same technology that earns a perfect avoidance-tech score when present. Buyers should treat that tension as a prompt to verify recall remedy completion rather than a reason to discount the strong crash-test performance.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Honda Civic perform in crash tests?
NHTSA awarded the 2021 Honda Civic Sedan five stars overall, five stars in frontal protection, five stars in side protection, and five stars in rollover resistance. Rollover risk is measured at 10 percent, and the dynamic tip test returned a No Tip result. No rated category falls below five stars.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15896
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Four recall campaigns cover the 2021 Civic Sedan. Two address front-passenger airbag occupant-classification sensors. A third covers the fuel delivery pump across a broad Honda lineup. A fourth involves the hydraulic brake master cylinder shared with the 2020-2021 Civic. None carry an explicit do-not-drive advisory in the data provided, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
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. 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) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: 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. 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.
Reported 2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2023-12-18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2023-06-29
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Honda Civic?
Owners have filed 133 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Steering with 56 reports, Forward Collision Avoidance with 32, Service Brakes with 18, and the Electrical System with 17. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
133 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Honda Civic?
Four recall campaigns are on record for the 2021 Civic Sedan. Any shopper considering this model year should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. This will confirm whether all four remedies, especially the two airbag sensor campaigns, have been completed by the selling party.
- The 2021 Civic Sedan's Safety Index of 91/100 is a seven-point improvement over the 2020 model's 84/100, driven by perfect subscores in both crash protection and avoidance technology for this specific model year.
- Two of the four recall campaigns on this model year target the front-passenger airbag occupant-classification sensor, a safety-critical system that must function correctly for the airbag to deploy appropriately.
- The defect-record subscore of 11/20 is the sole area pulling the overall Safety Index below a perfect score, reflecting the four active recall campaigns specific to this model year's production.
- Owners have filed 32 unverified complaints specifically alleging issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, the same technology that is standard equipment on this model year and contributes to its perfect avoidance-tech subscore.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Honda Civic places
The 2021 Honda Civic qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Honda Civic safety questions
Was the 2021 Honda Civic crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Honda Civic, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Honda Civic crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Honda Civic earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.5%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Civic have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Honda Civic. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Honda Civic?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 133 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Honda Civic. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Civic years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15896), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Civic 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 29 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.