2021 Honda Accord MPG
Across its 3 EPA-rated gasoline versions, the 2021 Honda Accord returns 22–30 mpg city, 32–38 highway and 26–33 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 33 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive manages 26 mpg combined, 7 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 48 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2020 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Hybrid | 2.0 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 48 | 48 | 48 | Regular · 183 g CO₂/mi |
| Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring | 2.0 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 44 | 41 | 43 | Regular · 207 g CO₂/mi |
| Accord | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 38 | 33 | Regular · 268 g CO₂/mi |
| Accord Sport/Touring | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 35 | 32 | Regular · 278 g CO₂/mi |
| Accord Sport/Touring | 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 345 g CO₂/mi |
2021 Honda Accord fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2021 Honda Accord costs about $1,980 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (33 mpg combined), or roughly 13 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (26 mpg combined) comes to about $2,510 a year, $530 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2021 Honda Accord specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2021 Honda Accord: 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0 L 4-cyl hybrid and 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Large Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L turbo | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.0 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.0 L turbo | 4 | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2021 Honda Accord problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 293 owner complaints about the 2021 Honda Accord.
Forward collision avoidance is the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (17%) and engine (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 48 complaints a year: fewer than the 2020 (57 a year) and the 2022 (62 a year).
That ranks 13th of 17 Honda Accord model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 293, 17 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 6 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 93 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 76 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 67 | 15% |
| Engine | 48 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 7% |
| Lane departure | 22 | 5% |
| Air bags | 20 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 4% |
| Power train | 14 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 2% |
| Seats | 5 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 4 | <1% |
| Structure | 4 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | <1% |
| Suspension | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Was at a stoplight, came to a complete stop once at a complete stop car completely shut all the way off, losing all electricity no hazard lights. You cannot press down on the brakes to restart the car. …
Vehicle: 2021 Honda Accord Sport Subject: Intermittent Electrical Malfunctions, Multiple Safety Warnings, and Loss of Acceleration I am reporting ongoing safety concerns involving my 2021 Honda Accord Sport. …
I bought my Accord in February of 2026 with only 79k miles (now at 93k). 3 days after purchasing all of these warning lights popped up regarding emissions, brake system, power steering, etc. …
2021 Honda Accord recalls
The 2021 Honda Accord has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 26V332000 from May 2026, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
21V900000 · November 18, 2021 · Seat belts
Problem: The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Accord years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V332000 | May 21, 2026 | Air bags | 2016–2022 |
| 24V064000 | February 1, 2024 | Air bags | 2020–2022 |
| 23V858000 | December 18, 2023 | Gasoline fuel system | 2013–2023 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2021 Honda Accord; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYBRID 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Honda Accords can be compared fairly. Among other 2021 models in the EPA's large cars class, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata (32 mpg) comes closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 47 | 2,011 | 222 | 6 |
| 2019 | 48 | 792 | 98 | 6 |
| 2020 | 48 | 403 | 57 | 6 |
| 2021 | 48 | 293 | 48 | 4 |
| 2022 | 47 | 315 | 62 | 4 |
| 2023 | 48 | 230 | 57 | 9 |
| 2024 | 48 | 230 | 75 | 6 |
Every Honda Accord model year compared →
Similar 2021 models
FAQ
Is the 2021 Accord a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2021 Honda Accord has 48 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (13th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 48 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2021 Accord problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are forward collision avoidance (93), electrical system (76) and engine (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2021 Accord have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Accord get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 26–33 mpg combined (22–30 city, 32–38 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 48 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Accord per year?
About $1,980 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,510 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).