Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Civic.
The 2021 Honda Civic requires 5.7 qt of 0W‑20 engine oil. It logged 134 total owner complaints, with steering identified as the top issue, and was subject to four recalls. Within the Civic’s complaint history from 1990 to 2022, this figure sits well below the 2006 peak of 1,402 complaints and above the 1990 low of 102, indicating a reliable mid‑range year for the model.
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 51R · 410 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.
| Overall length | 178 in |
| Overall width | 74 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2917 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 62/38 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Civic 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 | Type R Limited Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 4.80 sec | 13.30 sec | 306 hp | FWD |
| 2021 | Type R Limited Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.30 sec | 13.70 sec | 306 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Type R 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 4.90 sec | 13.40 sec | 306 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Type R 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.40 sec | 14.10 sec | 306 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Si Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 205 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Si Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.60 sec | 14.90 sec | 205 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Si Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.10 sec | 205 hp | FWD |
| 2020 | Sport Touring 5-door Hatchback 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.30 sec | 180 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Honda HCF-2 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.7 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Honda HCF-2 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.9 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 4.9 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) | 5.9 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 5.9 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Use a beam type torque wrench if available. |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 15.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral: 780 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral: 780 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 750 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.82-0.93 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | RL85HM |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| 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 | 63.9 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 56.6-63.9 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 56.6 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 63.9 psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 25.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | 80.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: NS, Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 103.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 80.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.079 in |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.079 in |
| 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 | 3.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120° | 3.7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 10.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 10 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 15 ft. lbs |
Prep New Crankshaft Pulley: Step 1: 133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove Pulley Bolt.
| 3 | 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°. Reusing Crankshaft Pulley Bolt: Step 1: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 37 ft. lbs |
Prep New Crankshaft Pulley: Step 1: 133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove Pulley Bolt.
| 3 | 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°. Reusing Crankshaft Pulley Bolt: Step 1: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 37 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 52 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90° | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 41° | 26 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 41° | 26 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40° | 22 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Honda Civic recorded 134 federal complaints, 4 recalls and 73 TSBs, placing its complaint volume below the 2020 total of 217 but far lower than the 2022 surge of 877. Within the broader generation, complaint counts have generally fallen from the early‑2000s peak to the low‑hundreds in the 2010s, making 2021 one of the quieter years in that decline. The 2021 complaint profile is dominated by steering‑related issues (47 reports), followed by forward‑collision‑avoidance (12) and air‑bag concerns (8), while crash and fire complaints each remained under 10. The data does not specify a root cause for these complaints, only that they were logged in those categories. Consequently, the 2021 model year appears statistically safe relative to recent volatility and is a reasonable choice for a used purchase, provided other factors are considered.
All 134 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 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… 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…
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 73 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A25-076 | 2025-07-28 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible… |
| ATI&12022024909 | 2024-12-02 | Engine | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024… |
| ATI&11052024902 | 2024-11-05 | Engine | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024… |
| ATI&09122024904 | 2024-09-12 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021… |
| ATI&08072024901 | 2024-08-07 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021… |
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.
5.7 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.