What 217 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Honda Accord Fhev

I am writing to formally report a safety concern regarding the infotainment system in my 2021 Honda Accord. The infotainment system in my vehicle is faulty and exhibits consistent glitches that I believe pose a serious safety risk while operating the vehicle. The system frequently malfunctions by freezing, restarting unexpectedly, lagging during operation, or becoming entirely unresponsive. These issues affect critical functions such as navigation, backup camera display, audio controls, and in some cases, the touchscreen completely locks up, forcing me to divert my attention from the road. The system has even placed my iPhone into reset mode. This is not an isolated incident. The problem occurs on a regular basis and seems to worsen over time. I have attempted to address this issue with the dealership, but no permanent fix has been offered, and the system continues to behave erratically. This is highly distracting and potentially dangerous, especially when quick access to vehicle features is needed during driving. I believe this issue warrants investigation, as it undermines driver focus and could lead to an accident. I urge the NHTSA to look into this matter and consider whether a recall or manufacturer fix is necessary to ensure driver and passenger safety. Toyota is recalling 591,377 automobiles because the instrument panel display can fail and not show the driver critical information including vehicle speed, brake system and tire pressure warning lights, which could lead to a crash and injury. This issue has been going on for years with Honda vehicles but it's never been recalled. Vehicle details: Make/Model: 2021 Honda Accord VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 77,628 Date of Purchase: November 2021 Problem Frequency: Ongoing and frequent (daily ) I am happy to provide any additional documentation or video evidence if needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11689061

My car ran hot for the first time and I was told my head gaskets were blown and I needed a new radiator. Once I got that repaired I was then told my transmission cooler went bad on my car which caused my engine to run hot and blow my gaskets in addition to cracking my radiator. I keep my car serviced as required with the Honda dealership and they had advised seeing this same issue in several other vehicles like mine. My car has less than 100k miles and I am the only owner. It has never given me ANY warning lights. The techs feel this is a manufacturer defect as my car should not be having this type of issue this soon. That’s the benefit of a Honda as I have owned several new Hondas and have never had any issues. I have done research and there are several forms with this same issue reported. I am attaching the initial work order. I was just advised of the transmission issue on Monday.

NHTSA ODI 11688736

This Honda continues to have fantom alerts and false warnings that triggers the car to jerk the steering wheel and try to steer you into another lane. I have narrowly avoided crashes more than 50 times. No "safety" system should be able to jerk the wheel out of your hands. You have know for more than 5 years about this defect, why no action? Shameful mismanagement that now needs to sued to get a reaction.

NHTSA ODI 11687043

Info entertainment screen will glitch out. It starts with not responding to touch. Then it will eventually connect to car play, once navigation is entered it will work for a moment before changing screens to stopping navigation. It will also randomly mute call when using hands free. Even when not connect with Bluetooth or WiFi it will start changing screens and audio options. **have video of glitching, if there is a way to upload Tried resetting to factory settings; didn’t fix issues. Delete phones and reconnected; didn’t fix issues, hard reset phones; didn’t fix issues.

NHTSA ODI 11686151

I would like to report an ongoing issue with my infotainment system. I reported to Honda, but was told there was nothing that they could do about it since I had not had the issue diagnosed in the shop. I did not want to go this route because I knew it would cost an enormous amount of money, especially after reading several reviews online of others having the same issue. I reported to the shop once and later discovered that there was no documentation when I took the vehicle to Fred Anderson in Greenville SC. The Tech stated he would reset to factory defaults. This did not fix the issue. As I have done more research, I have discovered that there was a recall on models between 2017-2020, but not 2021. I feel this is a safety issue because the GPS would go out at any minute as well as drop calls that have could be emergency calls. A glitching infotainment system in your 2021 Honda Accord can absolutely become a safety issue for several reasons: Driver Distraction – If the screen freezes, reboots, or doesn’t respond, I may be tempted to look at it or keep pressing buttons instead of focusing on the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can increase crash risk. Loss of Critical Features – Modern infotainment systems often control or display important functions such as: Backup camera, Navigation / maps, Hands-free calling and texting (via Bluetooth). Vehicle settings (like driver-assist features). If the system glitches, I could temporarily lose access to these safety aids. Impaired Communication – If Bluetooth cuts out or the system won’t connect, you may be more likely to handle your phone directly, which is unsafe and often illegal. In SC there is a new law for hands free use while driving. Malfunctioning Alerts – Some infotainment systems integrate with driver-assist warnings (lane departure, collision alerts, etc.). If the system glitches, those warnings may not display or may lag. Unexpected Resets -Sudden reboots frozen screens can startle you while driving,

NHTSA ODI 11684652

Blend door actuator is making a loud clicking noise which indicates the blend door actuator is either broken or going out. This problem will cause the heat and air to not function correctly. This seems to be an issue on several makes and models of Hondas 2019-2021(possibly other years). My Honda has 46,000 miles on and always had scheduled maintenance completed.

NHTSA ODI 11684168

The touch screen is malfunctioning. Its "ghost touching" as in the screen is pressing random buttons on the screen at random times while driving. It can change and has changed settings while driving (distance for breaking before a collision, etc). While its touching random things on the screen im unable to touch anything on the screen. As if its locking me from pressing anything.

NHTSA ODI 11681997

I have experienced persistent and frustrating issues with the infotainment system of my 2021 Honda Accord Touring. These problems affect both the usability and reliability of critical in-car technology, impacting daily driving and reduces overall satisfaction. Specifically: 1. Touchscreen Malfunctions Symptoms: Unresponsive screens, freezing, and “ghost touches” (inputs registered without physical contact) disrupt navigation, audio, and other controls 2. System Crashes and Reboots Symptoms: The system may randomly crash, freeze, or restart, sometimes causing the entire dashboard to shut off—even while driving 3. Connectivity Problems Symptoms: Frequent disconnections or failures with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, making it hard to use smartphone features safely 4. Blank or Malfunctioning Displays Symptoms: The screen may go black, fail to turn on, or show a white screen, obscuring navigation, fuel, and safety information 5. Battery Drain Symptoms: The infotainment system sometimes powers on unexpectedly when the car is off, draining the battery and risking further electrical issues. These issues are not new and have attempted to be resolved by a Honda Service Center (Honda of Westport, CT) with no resolution or ability to resolve.

NHTSA ODI 11681507

Infotainment system is glitching, I have had my car for 1 year and it is a distraction and frustrating when the infotainment system changes on its own. It shows touches to the screen when I have not touched the screen. Changes pages, mutes calls, closes maps, changes songs, etc. I have seen many blogs about it being a persistant problem for many people. When I take it to the dealership they will do nothing about it except disconnect the battery, which is not a solution. I do not like paying for a car that I am not able to use fully. Actions need to be taken to correct this issue for me and many other owners.

NHTSA ODI 11681521

The Infotainment system (car audio) in my car is intermittently extremely defective and very distracting. The system will intermittently have ghost touches on the screen, switch screens on its own, end GPS routes, place phone calls on hold, and all kinds of other things while I am driving. Searching the internet for a solution this is a problem that many owners are experiencing and they also report it to be extremely distracting and dangerous. A recall should be issued to correct the problem before someone is distracted and has a bad accident and gets injured or killed.

NHTSA ODI 11678720

The infotainment system is registering multiple "ghost" touches, switching screens from GPS Air Play, to FM radio, to system info, to screen saver, to making actual phone calls, etc. This happens many times within a 30 second window. Many times, the infotainment system will power on its own accord and then flip through various screens. It has been reset 20-25 times and a hard reset by disconnecting a battery 5 times. Nothing helps. Honda said nothing they can do. I have multiple videos to prove the problem. This is a common problem as stated across multiple Honda Accord forums. It creates an unsafe driving environment.

NHTSA ODI 11678508

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.

NHTSA ODI 11678197

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started jerking. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that some time after the incident, the vehicle was involved in a crash due to the vehicle jerking and all the lights illuminating on the instrument panel, resulting in damage to the front bumper. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced due to a missing screw. The dealer advised the contact to contact a local independent mechanic for assistance, who performed a repair before the crash. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a loose battery. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11677278

My car slammed on its own brakes hard out of nowhere with nothing in its forward. The first time it happened was about 9 months ago while I was driving on the highway, it was a quick moment of breaking without any reason, but the car didn't stop. Today it happened again, the speed was about 30 m/h, the car slammed hard on the brakes to an almost complete stop. I was lucky, nobody was behind.

NHTSA ODI 11674807

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle independently slowed down as if the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that a warning for the brakes and the collision mitigation and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact retrieved vehicle however, several warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle and had not returned it to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA24002 (Forward Collision Avoidance). The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11673271

Information console glitches randomly and will close out maps, play music, switch input sources, and will call/hangup without driver input. Initially happened maybe 1-2 times a month, however now happens constantly making the entire informatics system inoperable and is very distracting. I am unable to upload the videos of it glitching (this doesn’t allow video files) but can provide if needed

NHTSA ODI 11673179

Dashboard showing brake system issue. See dealer. Took it to dealer they advised changing brake sensor

NHTSA ODI 11671163

The control panel/display touch screen stops working and the display acquires a mind of its own. It begins selecting things randomly and quickly. Automatically changing the radio, volume, and calling people in my contacts. Major distraction while driving and has almost caused accident for me multiple times

NHTSA ODI 11669808

There is a loud humming noise that is starts at 40 mph. The noise comes and goes, but sometimes lasts for 10 minutes. It appears to be the Active Noise Cancelling unit. There was a previous bulletin Service Bulletin 21-053 about this issue for 2018-2020 Honda accords

NHTSA ODI 11669382

Car won’t start, all lights on the dashboard are on and off and shows a message about brake problems and contact the dealership

NHTSA ODI 11668797

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the infotainment center screen malfunctioned, causing the backup camera display to glitch and become distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the infotainment center display was faulty and needed to be replaced. The infotainment center display was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 74,716.

NHTSA ODI 11668569

Infotainment screen is glitching. Randomly selecting options, turning on GPS, turning off GPS, changing the stations, and just selecting the different options on screen without actually having touched it with a finger.

NHTSA ODI 11667280

I am submitting this report to bring attention to a recurring issue with the infotainment/radio system in my vehicle, which I believe may warrant inclusion in a safety recall. The radio system in my vehicle has been experiencing persistent malfunctions, including ghost touching—where the screen registers inputs that I have not made. These phantom commands result in erratic behavior such as random changes to settings, volume fluctuations, unintended calls, and frequent screen switching. In some instances, this has caused significant distraction while driving, raising safety concerns. This issue appears to be electrical or software-related, and I have seen reports from other drivers of similar occurrences in the same make/model. I believe this defect poses a potential safety risk due to its impact on driver focus and control of in-car systems. I respectfully request that this malfunction be investigated by the NHTSA for potential inclusion in a recall or technical service bulletin, as it may represent a broader issue affecting other vehicles of the same type. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11667045

Touch screen radio is not responding to my touch as well as it is pressing the buttons on the touch screen itself like a ghost.

NHTSA ODI 11666218

Experienced CMBS with malfunctioning false breaking while no obstacle, acceleration delays (Features not available: Electric braking, lane departure, Electric power steering, Cruise control, Adaptive collusion prevention and brake system warning on dashboard).

NHTSA ODI 11665551