Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Accord.
The 2021 Honda Accord pairs an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios with EPA fuel economy figures of 30/38/33 mpg, while routine maintenance calls for 3.7 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. Recording 214 total owner complaints—just one above the 2022 model’s series low of 213 and well beneath the 2003 peak of 2,013 across the 1990–2022 dataset—this model year sits at the lower extreme of the complaint spectrum. That positioning, combined with only four recalls and Forward Collision Avoidance identified as the primary complaint area, marks it as a relatively quiet entry in the model’s reliability history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 620 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 192.1 in |
| Overall width | 75.2 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3377 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.6 / 63 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 30 / 38 / 33 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 106 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 17 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Accord of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.0T Sport Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.40 sec | 14.00 sec | 252 hp | FWD |
| 2021 | 2.0T Sport Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.50 sec | 14.10 sec | 252 hp | FWD |
| 2021 | Hybrid Touring Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh | 6.70 sec | 15.40 sec | 212 hp | FWD |
| 2021 | Hybrid Touring Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh | 7.10 sec | 15.70 sec | 212 hp | FWD |
| 2021 | EX-L Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 7.20 sec | 15.50 sec | 192 hp | FWD |
| 2019 | 1.5T EX-L Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.10 sec | 192 hp | FWD |
| 2018 | 2.0T Touring Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.50 sec | 14.10 sec | 252 hp | FWD |
| 2018 | 2.0T EX-L Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.70 sec | 14.30 sec | 252 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.54 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 7.1 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 8.2 qt |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 10.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Use a beam type torque wrench if available. |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Use a beam type torque wrench if available. |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Use a beam type torque wrench if available. |
| Lug Nuts | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | Use new washers: Drain: 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | Use new washers: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | Use new washers: Drain: 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral: 760 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral: 760 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.87-0.98 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-14 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.87-0.98 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-11 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 72.5 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 79.8 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 72.5-79.8 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 56.6 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 63.8 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 56.6-63.8 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 55.1 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 62.4 psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.4 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Rear: 0.079 in |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.079 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: .906; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006" |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016" |
| 1 | Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Step 3: Perform inspection of front suspension bolts, brushings and nuts. Step 4: Replace any loose, damaged or deteriorating parts. Step 5: Perform inspection of ball joint boot for leaks, cracks or any damage. Step 6: Inspect lower control arm by holding the outside and moving up and down. Step 7: Replace control arm if there is any noise or looseness or if the lower control arm and ball joint clearance exceeds specifications. Step 8: Replace ball joint if damaged. | |
| 1 | 44.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120° | 44 in |
| 1 | 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 52 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 37 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: Only for New Cylinder Head Bolts: Tighten an additional 60° | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 41° | 26 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Within the current Accord generation (2018–2022), the 2021 model year sits at the mature, stabilized end of a clear downward complaint arc: complaints fell sharply from 1,799 in 2018 to 649 in 2019, then continued declining to 336 in 2020 and 214 in 2021, essentially matching the 213 recorded for 2022. Recalls followed a similar trajectory, dropping from 6 in the first two years to 4 by 2021, while TSBs fell from a peak of 297 in 2018 to 134 in 2021, suggesting Honda had resolved most early-production issues by this point. The top complaint areas for 2021—Forward Collision Avoidance (31), Unknown/Other (25), Electrical System (19), and Engine (13)—are modest in volume and do not, in this dataset, point to any single systemic failure mode, though the data does not specify root causes. With only 14 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint recorded, the 2021 Accord shows none of the elevated risk signals that characterized the 2018 launch year. Taken together, the federal record indicates that 2021 is one of the strongest years in this generation to buy used, benefiting from the bulk of Honda's mid-cycle corrections while carrying minimal residual complaint volume.
All 214 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly… Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service…
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… Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall…
Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A23-094 | 2026-04-22 | Structure | Service Bulletin - There is a dull creaking, rubbing, popping, or clicking noise coming… |
| ATS30025 | 2025-12-19 | Electrical System | Tech Line Summary - Customers who have purchased the Accessory CarPlay /Android Auto… |
| APS&12192025902 | 2025-12-19 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - Some customers have reported a pop-up message on the audio unit display… |
| AAR12192025901 | 2025-12-19 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - Some customers have reported a pop-up message on the audio unit display… |
| A25-074 | 2025-07-28 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.7 qt of Honda 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined mpg.