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2021 Honda Accord Transmission Problems

10 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

10
Complaints
1
Crashes
Mar 2025Oct 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (10)

criticalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

While driving on the highway with four children in the car, your dashboard warning lights came on and white smoke appeared from the tailpipe. Your check engine light blinked rapidly, indicating a misfire in cylinder 4 caused by a failing head gasket—at only 81,000 miles. The situation was dangerous as you had to merge lanes suddenly to safety. Honda has quoted nearly $4,400 to repair the head gasket, and you've found that Honda is aware of premature head gasket failures in 1.5L engines but hasn't addressed the issue. The repair will likely involve removing the cylinder head and replacing the failed gasket.

NHTSA #: 11726618
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2026

After having your CVT transmission serviced at a dealership, your car began making unusual noises, vibrating, and driving harshly. A second dealership found that the transmission fluid was overfilled during the service, which caused internal transmission damage. Your transmission likely needs to be replaced, which could cost over $10,000, and the original dealership has refused to help cover the cost.

NHTSA #: 11724363
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

The head gaskets are known to fail on the 10 generation accord. It failed on my 2021 Honda accord ex-l. I left work and while I was driving the dashboard lit up with every possible light. This was quickly followed by the vehicle losing power on the highway. I ultimately got it repaired by a Honda certified mechanic. The mechanic took it to a Honda dealer to confirm it was the gasket, in which it was. There were no warning lamps message or other symptoms prior to the failure. At the time of power loss I was on an 8 lane highway at 70mph. Luckily no accidents occurred, but the failure definitely put my safety at risk along with others. The mechanic I took my vehicle to has all available information if needed upon request.

NHTSA #: 11695539
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
CrashFiled: Sep 2025

This vehicles have a engineering flaw in the design of the head gasket failing prematurely disabling all components of vehicle at any given time wether it’s in the highway or local the car will basically shut itself down causing a major risk for the driver and civilians even death. This is a safety hazard, tragedy waiting to happen y’all should act now theirs multiple and quiet frankly the Corporation should be taking care of it since they are still allowing them out on the road even with knowledge of this issue the customer should not loose their life nor money to a mass production engineering flaw that’s is over seen by NHTSA, HONDA. I got in to an accident due to my vehicle not being at 100% because of the head gasket issue the cars availability to detect or use its components, mechanically or electrical.

NHTSA #: 11690197
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2025

Diagnosed with blown head gasket. No warning signs or lights . Car shut off and every light on the dash came on. It’s happening a lot with accords!

NHTSA #: 11645693
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2024

As I parked my vehicle all of the dashboard lights turned on simultaneously. My safety is at risk because I can not identify or predict the safety of my vehicle. I have not visited my dealer at this point. I have had a check engine light that would come on and would go away. I’d be told by mechanics that it is a computer issue. My last encounter with this was approximately 2-3 months ago.

NHTSA #: 11595301
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: May 2024

I have only had this car 4 months, if that long. I have put very few miles on it. Driving home from work, at most 35 mph, there was a loud thud from what seemed the floorboard followed by a sharp slam of the brakes that i could not control. Many of the instrument warning lights came on. some flashed, some stayed on. I was able to pull onto the shoulder of the road to call for help. However, upon trying to put the car into gear again, it would not move. This is very very disappointing as it was purchased at not only an expensive price, but bought with a promise of your Honda dealership. It is noteworthy that i had just returned home from a trip a day or two prior to this happening. Had this happened unexpectantly in six lanes of traffic, it would have certainly caused an accident or worse. After doing some research, I see there were many defects specific to the make and model of this car. I was never informed of any of them. Please see CVT control information published for reference. I have spoken with the dealership multiple times and I have been unable to come to any resolution concerning this new vehicle, that is unable to be driven. Scary and Dangerous!

NHTSA #: 11589982
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2023

Check engine light came on regarding power train system. The very next day it went away.

NHTSA #: 11525178
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

the steering wheel shakes extremely when using the brake. especially at 60 to 65 miles on curves it's awful. (2) throttle is slow to react as if losing power. Apart from small climbs when I stop and release the brake the drive tends to go backwards as if it were a car with a manual transmission. Honda Dealer from downy. Can’t find the problem.

NHTSA #: 11482521
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2021

While driving in heavy rain for most of the morning, I entered an interstate and attempted to pass a semi. The engine lost power as I moved into the center lane. I had to slow down and re-enter the far right hand lane as the engine trouble light began flashing and I had either very little power or too much power to keep the car in a steady state. This out me and my wife's safety at risk as the rain was heavy, and pulling over to the shoulder did not seem to be a good idea since I could keep the car in forward motion in some way. I pulled off at the next exit and we ate lunch and apparently the car reset as the engine light quit flashing and the car acted normally after that. The dealer was approached and said, since the light was off there was nothing they could do. A TSB is out that applies to this problem but the dealer said the manufacturer was contacted and declined a repair.

NHTSA #: 11431095

Other 2021 Honda Accord Issues