2021 Honda Accord · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

30owner reports
24,000median miles
3involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

30 of the 226 complaints on this car describe brake wear. Only infotainment is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 30 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Accord

DP10-004opened Nov 18, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2005 to 2007

Braking performance. Closed dec 14, 2011.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation and recall MY 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles for a possible safety defect related to braking performance.The petitioner in a defect petition letter and in a complaint filed with ODI under Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) 10329383 alleging ineffective braking performance of the Honda Accord Hybrid vehicle while driving over rumble strips along side of the highway and simultaneously attempting to the brake.The petitioner alleges this began a chain of events, where the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably, the passenger attempted to stop the vehicle by pulling the parking brake and eventually the vehicle crossing over into traffic flowing in the opposite direction.The result was a crash fatally injuring the passenger and severely injuring the petitioner and two occupants of another vehicle. During the defect petition review, ODI analyzed complaints involving similarly equipped Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles and first and second generation Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles, reviewed data provided to ODI by Honda in response to an information request letter and performed testing of braking performance of a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicle at NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center in East Liberty, Ohio.Based on this review, ODI does not believe additional investigation is likely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists.Therefore, in view of th

DP01-002opened Mar 1, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1995

Abs. Closed aug 6, 2001.

NHTSA summary

None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

121

922

423

324

725

626

What owners wrote

“Car says âbrake system problem, brake performance may be reduced. See your dealerâ and then another one saying âbrake hold system problem. Apply brake when stoped. See your dealerâ and another one that says âElectric parking brake system problem. Parking brake not available. See your dealer.â And I know quite a few people with accords that are having this issue as well!”
Filed Apr 2, 2025

“I was driving on the freeway and suddenly my ABE brake activated and I was almost being hit in the back . It was happening many times in the past but when I brought the attention to the Honda dealer and it said nothing was wrong with it”
Filed Jan 23, 2025

“Brake noise from rear whenever backing out. After several visits to Space Coast Honda was assured it is nothing. Because it is getting worse and braking involved, I am concerned. This began with purchase of vehicle and continues today. Wrote letter to American Honda Motor Co in July of 2023 but never received a response.”
Filed Sep 12, 2024

“The electrical emergency brake locked up without warning as I was coming off the highway by the way of off ramp. Almost put the car in the guard rails! Brake has locked up twice now”
Filed Mar 19, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 30 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.