2021 Honda Civic: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
A late, well-sorted 10th-gen year: most early turbo/AC bugs resolved, strong economy and resale; watch for occasional phantom braking. New, the 2021 Honda Civic ranged from $21,250 to $43,995 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
A late, well-sorted 10th-gen year: most early turbo/AC bugs resolved, strong economy and resale; watch for occasional phantom braking.
Sources (1)
- autoblog.comhttps://www.autoblog.com/features/most-reliable-honda-civic-years-and-models
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Class-leading fuel economy, especially with the 1.5L turbo
- Roomy interior and unusually large trunk for the class
- Engaging handling; available Sport, Si, and Type R variants
- Strong reliability reputation and high resale value
Cons
- Electric power steering complaints (wander/stiffness)
- 1.5L turbo prone to engine-oil dilution in cold climates (2016-2018)
- Widely reported air-conditioning failures on 2016-2018 cars
- Touchscreen lacked a physical volume knob on early cars; noticeable road noise
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $21,250 | $24,695 | 2.0L I4 | — |
| LX Hatchback | $22,200 | discontinued | 2.0L I4 | — |
| Sport | $23,050 | $26,695 | 2.0L I4 | — |
| Sport Hatchback | $23,300 | $27,895 | 2.0L I4 | — |
| EX | $24,400 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| EX Hatchback | $24,700 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| EX-L | $25,600 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| Touring | $28,300 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| Sport Touring Hatchback | $28,600 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| Type R Touring Hatchback | $37,895 | discontinued | 2.0L turbo I4 | — |
| Type R Limited Edition Hatchback | $43,995 | discontinued | 2.0L turbo I4 | — |
Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (4)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2021-honda-civic-price
- fueleconomy.govhttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2018&make=Honda…
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-civic-price
- fueleconomy.govhttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2018&make=Honda…
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($21,250). Higher trims started higher (up to $43,995), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2021 loses roughly another 12% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (2)
- caredge.comhttps://caredge.com/honda/civic/depreciation
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-civic/resale-value
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?
A late, well-sorted 10th-gen year: most early turbo/AC bugs resolved, strong economy and resale; watch for occasional phantom braking.
How much did the 2021 Honda Civic cost new?
Between $21,250 and $43,995 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid. 2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.