FaultScore

FaultScore report

2021 Honda Civic Type R problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2021 Honda Civic Type R with NHTSA between 2024 and 2026. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

13

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

How 2021 compares with every other Honda Civic Type R

Click any bar to open that year's report.

17 18 19 20 21 23 25
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2021 Honda Civic Type R

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 3 23.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 15.4%
Airbags 2 15.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 48,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 15.4%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 4,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 15.4%
Wheels 1 7.7%
Steering 1 7.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 2024 peak 4 Mar 2026

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 48,000 miles El Sobrante, CA Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated that the vehicle in front came to a stop, and the contact did not have ample time to bring the vehicle to a stop. As a result, the contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of the vehicle in front. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The vehicle was driven back to the contact's residence and then taken to an independent service center, where it remained for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired due to costs. It was unknown if the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags), which was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #11638340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles San Jose, CA Crash Fire 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced and the failure was remedied. Later, while driving and making a left turn the steering wheel remained stuck in the left direction and the contact was unable to veer to the right direction causing the vehicle to crash into a tree and then catch on fire immediately. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. The contact sustained a fractured right ankle and was transported to the hospital. The contact required surgeries, 16 bolts, and a plate where he was placed in bed rest for 2 years. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 4,000.

NHTSA complaint #11623703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Papillion, NE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While operating my 2021 Honda Civic Type R (VIN: [XXX] ) in high-ambient temperatures (approximately 95°F), the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of motive power during acceleration while exiting a busy intersection. This resulted in an immediate engine stall in the path of oncoming traffic, creating a severe risk of a collision. Following the stall, the vehicle was extremely difficult to restart. Once restarted, it entered a 'limp home' mode with a severely restricted RPM limit and multiple dashboard warnings, including 'Emissions System Problem' and 'Rev Match System Problem.' A diagnostic scan performed immediately after the incident revealed a DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low). The symptoms—thermal-related failure, stalling under load, and the P0087 code—are identical to the documented mechanical failures of the Denso fuel pump impeller swelling defect. Although this production year and model are known to be part of the expanded fuel pump recall population, my specific VIN is not currently showing as 'remedied' or 'open' in the manufacturer's database. I am reporting this as an active, unaddressed safety defect that poses an unreasonable risk of crash or injury due to unpredictable engine failure in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11727070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Papillion, NE

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While operating my 2021 Honda Civic Type R (VIN: [XXX] ) in high-ambient temperatures (approximately 95°F), the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of motive power during acceleration while exiting a busy intersection. This resulted in an immediate engine stall in the path of oncoming traffic, creating a severe risk of a collision. Following the stall, the vehicle was extremely difficult to restart. Once restarted, it entered a 'limp home' mode with a severely restricted RPM limit and multiple dashboard warnings, including 'Emissions System Problem' and 'Rev Match System Problem.' A diagnostic scan performed immediately after the incident revealed a DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low). The symptoms—thermal-related failure, stalling under load, and the P0087 code—are identical to the documented mechanical failures of the Denso fuel pump impeller swelling defect. Although this production year and model are known to be part of the expanded fuel pump recall population, my specific VIN is not currently showing as 'remedied' or 'open' in the manufacturer's database. I am reporting this as an active, unaddressed safety defect that poses an unreasonable risk of crash or injury due to unpredictable engine failure in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11727070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albuquerque, NM

ENGINE

Misfire in cylinder 4 led to head gasket failure. The problem was diagnosed at the dealership, and there is an active TSB for this issue - however my vehicle is not covered.

NHTSA complaint #11702971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Guthrie, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Entertainment system turns on and off while driving suspected bad alternator.

NHTSA complaint #11700828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles El Sobrante, CA Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated that the vehicle in front came to a stop, and the contact did not have ample time to bring the vehicle to a stop. As a result, the contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of the vehicle in front. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The vehicle was driven back to the contact's residence and then taken to an independent service center, where it remained for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired due to costs. It was unknown if the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags), which was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #11638340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles San Jose, CA Crash Fire 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced and the failure was remedied. Later, while driving and making a left turn the steering wheel remained stuck in the left direction and the contact was unable to veer to the right direction causing the vehicle to crash into a tree and then catch on fire immediately. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. The contact sustained a fractured right ankle and was transported to the hospital. The contact required surgeries, 16 bolts, and a plate where he was placed in bed rest for 2 years. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 4,000.

NHTSA complaint #11623703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11616570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

POWER TRAIN

Car abruptly shut off after start up. Then car started and ran normally for 2 days. Then after start up CEL came on for emissions problem. Took to dealership and said it had a P0546 (small evap leak) code. Performed a leak down test and no leak was found. Then said fuel was present in charcoal canister. These are same issues and complaints that other Honda owners have had about vehicles that fall under the fuel pump recall. My car is a 2021, but was built late 2020. Vin # is right at the end of recall vins. I want to report my issue just in case my fuel pump goes bad while driving and causes an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11604579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

ENGINE

Car abruptly shut off after start up. Then car started and ran normally for 2 days. Then after start up CEL came on for emissions problem. Took to dealership and said it had a P0546 (small evap leak) code. Performed a leak down test and no leak was found. Then said fuel was present in charcoal canister. These are same issues and complaints that other Honda owners have had about vehicles that fall under the fuel pump recall. My car is a 2021, but was built late 2020. Vin # is right at the end of recall vins. I want to report my issue just in case my fuel pump goes bad while driving and causes an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11604579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Car abruptly shut off after start up. Then car started and ran normally for 2 days. Then after start up CEL came on for emissions problem. Took to dealership and said it had a P0546 (small evap leak) code. Performed a leak down test and no leak was found. Then said fuel was present in charcoal canister. These are same issues and complaints that other Honda owners have had about vehicles that fall under the fuel pump recall. My car is a 2021, but was built late 2020. Vin # is right at the end of recall vins. I want to report my issue just in case my fuel pump goes bad while driving and causes an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11604579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Infotainment system reboots while driving, lose access to navigation, music, and anything controlled with the radio. Unable to reverse safely due to loss of back up camera, Honda dealer does not want to replace and they tell me to turn my head and look over my shoulder

NHTSA complaint #11604057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Papillion, NE, NE

STEERING

the steering wheel will get stuck while turning slowly, mostly only while turning to the left, if I remove my hand from the wheel it will stay in that spot and not return to center without effort to free it. It does not always happen and seems to be more prevalent in warmer weather rand when the car has been driving for a little while. It also occurs, when I am driving down the hwy when it is acting up, it is difficult to make corrections because the steering feels stuck and requires effort to break free. It seems dangerous and the dealer has been no help - they just say there are no error codes and everything looks fine.

NHTSA complaint #11595253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Avondale, AZ

WHEELS

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic Type-R. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and received the rear wheels alignment, and the rear tires were rotated. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced, the contact noticed an abnormal metal scraping sound coming from the rear wheels. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken back to the dealer several times after the original service; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11584484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.