2021 Honda Accord: engine overheating

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · 43,881 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while her son was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut off with several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact's son pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. While at the dealer, the mechanic discovered coolant leaking into cylinder #2, causing an engine misfire. The dealer replaced the head gasket. After the repair, the failure returned immediately upon driving the vehicle home from the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the failure persisted upon return of the vehicle. While checking the repair order, the contact discovered that the service report was blank. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the issue. The contact was not notified of the issue after retrieving the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was 43,881.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · TX

I am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under normal driving conditions and proper maintenance. I purchased this vehicle because of Honda's reputation for reliability and longevity, and I am extremely disappointed to experience such a major engine failure at this mileage. After researching the issue, I found numerous reports from other Honda Accord owners experiencing similar head gasket failures, particularly in newer models equipped with the 1.5L turbocharged engine. Many owners report engine misfires, coolant loss, overheating, and costly repairs at relatively low mileage. This suggests there may be a broader issue affecting these vehicles rather than normal wear and tear. My vehicle has been properly maintained, and I did not expect to face a repair of this magnitude before reaching 100,000 miles. The cost of replacing a failed head gasket is substantial and places an unfair financial burden on owners who reasonably expect Honda vehicles to provide dependable service. I respectfully request that Honda review this matter, investigate the growing number of similar complaints, and provide assistance with repair costs. I believe Honda should stand behind its products and support customers who experience premature component failures. Thank you for your attention to this complaint. I look forward to a prompt response and a fair resolution.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Engine · CA

2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000 RPM and multiple warning lights illuminated simultaneously including check engine, TPMS, brake system warning, and Honda Sensing alerts. The vehicle was inspected by two independent Honda dealerships on multiple occasions including cylinder drop tests, leakdown tests, and full fluid checks. The vehicle passed every test at both locations with fluids confirmed properly maintained. Despite passing all professional inspections the power loss incidents continued to recur. The third incident occurred in a residential driveway with a passenger present and was captured on video. A Honda dealership subsequently diagnosed a head gasket coolant leak with an estimated repair cost of approximately $8,000. Research revealed numerous other 2021 Honda Accord 1.5T owners reporting identical symptoms regardless of maintenance history. This appears to be a known design defect in the 1.5T cylinder head where a narrow coolant passage represents a structural weak point that fails regardless of maintenance. Owners have been reporting this to the federal safety agency since 2024 requesting a recall. This defect created dangerous conditions at highway speeds with passengers present on multiple occasions. The vehicle is currently available for inspection at a Honda dealership. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate and initiate a formal recall of all affected vehicles. i have everthing documeneted from the 4 dealship visit ive done since the start of the issue.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Hello, I have a 2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T Engine. The engine has a 2.0 liter turbo. I have had to replace two fuel pumps, which were covered my extended warranty. Another issue that I had to repair, and one that has not fully been resolved is the head gasket. I have been losing coolant at an alarming rate. Every two weeks I have to fill up coolant. I had the head gasket repaired at a Honda Dealership, and this is currently being diagnosed by another Honda Dealership, as I do not want to deal with the Honda Dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Currently, a Honda Dealership in Iowa City, Iowa is handling the issue, but the head gasket along with the cylinder head were originally repaired in October 2025. Since December 2025, I have been losing coolant on a regular basis. I still have 5,000 miles left on my extended warranty, but there have been many owners who have had their head gasket replaced, or are needing replacement, and Honda refuses to acknowledge that there is a manufacturing defect with the engine. The 2.0 liter turbo engine has a major design flaw with it's cooling passages, and Honda has yet to come up with a resolution. Having an engine overheat is a major safety concern! The current dealership is driving my vehicle on a regular basis, in fact the service advisor is driving it to work and back home (35 miles each way) to replicate the problem. At this point, a recall should be issued by Honda, as there is currently a class action lawsuit that has occurred in the state of California.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Engine · CA

Financed a used 2021 honda accord sport in April of 2024 with 68,671 miles. About a month ago, with no warning signs of any sort such as overheating etc...my car did not want to start, finally started but was sputtering with a rough idle, my dash lit up with like 7 or more warning lights. Including a flashing check engine light. All the were safety warnings from braking system not working, to power steering to emissions failure, etc... and to take to dealership. Got the car to a local mechanic to get a diagnostics reading and was told I had a misfire in cylinder 2. Replaced the #2 coil and spark plug. Thought everything was fine until picking up my daughter from school and then all those warning messages lit my dash up again including the flashing check engine light. Car started sputtering and went into limp mode. Lost power and by the grace of God was able t9 coast off the major Blvd away from traffic and out of harms way. Very, very scary. My life literally flashed before my eyes. Not only my life was in danger but my daughters along with other drivers around me. So I took it back to mechanic and he ran diagnostics again still had a misfire. He could not pin point the exact problem. Took it to the dealership and they confirm it was a faulty head gasket between CYL 2 and water jacket. And they quoted me a price of $5,998. Which i can not afford. And feel Im not responsible for catastrophic major mechanical failure. I maintenance my car regularly thru the dealership so they have record of me properly maintenancing the car. Head gasket failure at 80,000 miles is absolutely unheard of. Until I started researching and come to find out this is a design flaw made by Honda. I was flabbergasted with the amount of people with the exact type of problem. Im afraid that even after repairing this problem that it may happen again down the line. And that would be putting my life in danger. Vehicle is still at dealership being that I can not afford the repairs.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · OH

The infotainment screen repeatedly overheats and runs through ghost commands (commands not initiated by the user). This includes repeated, unsolicitated phone calls, texts, radio changes, GPS commands, system tones, etc. This is dangerously distracting and takes the drivers attention off the road ahead. Honda 39710-TVA-A23 DISPLAY, CTR (8INCH) 2018-2022 Honda 39710TVAA23

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MS

I hereby state that my 2021 Honda Accord has experienced major mechanical failures involving the transmission and head gasket. The vehicle began exhibiting mechanical issues including rough shifting, loss of power, and engine overheating. Upon inspection by a qualified automotive technician, it was determined that both the transmission and head gasket have failed prematurely. These failures have rendered the vehicle unsafe and inoperable, resulting in significant repair costs, loss of use, and financial hardship. The nature and timing of these failures suggest a possible manufacturing or design defect. This statement is submitted in support of a formal claim and potential legal action against the responsible parties for the defective condition of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · OH

Infotainment head unit (touchscreen radio) overheats in the warmer months, causing the touchscreen to process commands without human touches (acts like a ghost is operating the unit). This can range from calling radom people within my contacts, turning th volume of the radio up to the max volume (startling and distracting), starting/stopping a GPS route, to freezing the screen altogether. I feel this is a safety issue, as we are warned not to operate this unit while the car is in motion. When the head unit is operating on its own, it is distracting and startling at times while driving. This can cause an accident. I've heard other owners say the manufacturer of this head unit has stated they don't have a fix for the "overheating" issue. Honda should be pursuing a remedy for their consumers to correct this safety hazzard.

Filed May 24, 2022 · Brakes · 21,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and vibrating with an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse there was a loud roaring sound coming from the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear rotors need to be replaced and that the brakes were overheating. The vehicle was repaired but the sound from the brakes returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.