2021 Honda Accord Powertrain (other) Problems

I bought my vehicle around May 2024. Initially, everything seemed fine. However, I noticed that my car was starting to slow down and would enter limp mode, preventing me from exceeding a certain mileage. Subsequently, all the lights on my dashboard began flashing, prompting me to pull over and call a mechanic shop. I had all the necessary maintenance and repairs performed as per the plan. After starting the vehicle, all the lights turned off, and it drove smoothly. A few weeks later, all the lights came back on again, and nothing showed on the OB2 Reader, which I thought was odd because something shouldve popped up if all the lights on my dashboard was going all crazy. The mechanic said the same thing and maybe thought it was the battery, sensors going bad, or even the wiring. But he checked everything and said he didnt find any issues. So I went home and the lights on the dashboard stayed on for 30 seconds and then turned off after I started the car. The lights turning on all at once on the dashboard became more frequent and this time, the check engine light illuminated, indicating a misfiring issue. I took the vehicle to a mechanic shop for a thorough inspection, and they made a few minor adjustments. However, two months later, the same problem recurred. All the lights came on again, and the vehicle misfired once more, accompanied by the check engine light. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the issue was a head gasket leak. Additionally, the seat belt alert for the passenger and rear seats, as well as the child car seat, failed to function properly.

NHTSA ID

11736561

Incident

Jun 2, 2024

Driving on the highway, my dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Car started having white smoke at tail pipe. Check engine lit blink 5 times. Had 4 kids under 14 years old in car. Almost got hit trying to merge over. Turns out misfire cylinder 4. Head gasket. Only 81,000 miles. I have owed 5 months. Car currently at Honda, they want almost 4,400 to repair. But apparently, Honda is aware of these HEAD gaskets going prematurely, in 1.5 l. and has done nothing about it. I do not have the money to repair this car on top of how dangerous it was to be driving on the highway.When this happened.

NHTSA ID

11726618

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

A transmission problem occurred shortly after a CVT transmission service was performed at an authorized Honda dealership, Classic Honda of Midland in Midland, Texas. After the service, the vehicle began experiencing abnormal noise, vibration, and harsh driving conditions. The vehicle was later inspected at another authorized Honda dealership, Ocean Honda of Burlingame, California. During the inspection, technicians documented that the CVT transmission fluid had been overfilled and excess transmission fluid had to be drained. After further evaluation, internal transmission damage was identified and the dealership advised that the transmission likely needs replacement. Ocean Honda of Burlingame provided an estimated cost of $10,101.13 for transmission replacement. Attempts were made to resolve the issue directly with Classic Honda of Midland in Texas, but the dealership refused to take responsibility or provide assistance. This condition may create a safety risk due to potential loss of power and unsafe drivability while operating the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11724363

Incident

Sep 18, 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 ID

11695539

Incident

Aug 27, 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 ID

11690197

Incident

Sep 13, 2024

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 ID

11645693

Incident

Feb 27, 2025

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 ID

11595301

Incident

Jun 19, 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 ID

11589982

Incident

May 15, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11525178

Incident

Jun 2, 2023

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 ID

11482521

Incident

Dec 1, 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 ID

11431095

Incident

Aug 17, 2021