One of the better CR-V years
Owners filed about 31% fewer complaints than a typical CR-V year. The area owners reported most is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 40,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CR-V years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 341 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Honda CR-V. The most reported problem area is the steering (116, 34% of complaints), followed by the driver assist systems and the engine and cooling. That ranks 12th of 13 CR-V years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2021 Honda CR-V before you buy.
Steering
116 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The steering wheel sticks/binds while driving at highway speeds (sticky steering). It feels like it gets stuck in the center position and requires extra force to move, causing sudden jerky corrections. Dealer states my 2021 Honda CR-V is not included in Recall 24V-744/NTHSA Action Number EA23003, despite having the exact same defect and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving, the steering wheel exhibits a severe "sticky," binding, and catching sensation, particularly at highway speeds. The vehicle requires excessive physical force to break past this catching point to make minor steering adjustments. When the steering wheel finally breaks free, it causes the vehicle to suddenly jerk or…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
97 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (71), Warnings (28), Adaptive cruise control (11).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving on a clear mid-day with very little traffic. There were no cars in front of or beside me. There were no people or animals anywhere in sight. I was traveling west at 45MPR when suddenly the car slammed on the brakes. The warning light and beeping came on. I was panicked thinking I hit something but there was nothing/no one…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I was approaching an exit on the highway going about 60 mph when my car braked suddenly causing rapid deceleration. I was not touching the brake pedal and in fact tried to push the accelerator to no effect. Only lasted a few seconds but very frightening as there were cars behind me also driving at that speed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
36 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
While Driving on freeway, engine suddenly stops. This has happened four times now in the last two years one time was almost deadly as we were surrounded by semi’s and lost power completely except for the small amount of hybrid power. I had to quickly get to the side, barely missing a semi truck. 2021 Honda CRV hybrid. I have taken it…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving warning light blink indicating electronic emergency brake issue, unable to drive because the brake set and would not release. After a while it released and drove to Honda dealership for a diagnosis. They stated it was a failed head gasket and due to this failure it leaked coolant onto the spark plugs, all had to be replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
34 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Component or system involved: Electrical system / infotainment unit / audio system / driver-assist camera systems. Yes, the affected components are available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The incident occurred at highway speeds, which created a potential safety hazard because the infotainment system suddenly shut down, the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
With keyless transmitter in my possession…Intermittent Attempts to start the vehicle can be almost impossible due an extremely firm brake pedal with high resistance. First attempt.. extremely firm brake pedal with high resistance…pressing the start button… no results. Second attempt brake pedal will have a slight “give” .. pressing the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
30 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
my fuel pump failed on an interstate in [XXX] while I was going 65 miles an hour and the speed of my car dropped to 20 mph and I was lucky to change to the right lane and get onto the shoulder or I would have been hit by an oncoming car.I had the car towed to [XXX] where my mechanic diagnosed failure of high and low pressure fuel pumps…Owner complaint, filed 2026
NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT SUMMARY Vehicle Identification: 2021 Honda CR-V Touring (1.5L Turbo) Current Mileage: 91,259 miles Failed Component: High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) & Associated High-Pressure Fuel System Diagnostic Trouble Codes: P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low) Technician Diagnostic Findings & Symptoms: Vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
28 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Pulled into driveway and put car in park. I had to close gate and lock it up and when returning to the car to turn off I was standing outside the car and it started rolling backwards. I tried to jump in the car to stop it and it was picking up speed. Driveway has a slight incline but nothing like the speed was on the car. I was in…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes activated independently. The contact immediately depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving and the brakes released independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 26,323 miles
Air bags
15 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact's friend used a code reader and retrieved DTC: B002-13 (Passenger Air Bag Inflator) and B00D5-17 (Driver Air Bag Inflator).Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seat Weight Sensor Recall. The air bag sensor light is on but dealership will not fix since the car is built in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
14 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Was slowly backing my car up out of the driveway when the rear window suddenly exploded, shattering all over inside the car and on my driveway. Nothing hit the window, it just simply exploded for no apparent reason. It was about to rain so I quickly covered the back window with plastic and have not yet called the dealership or taken for…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The infotainment screen failed to display the image from the rear view camera reducing a safety feature of the car. The vehicle was turned off then back on yet the screen remained black and unresponsive. A full video was taken of the different efforts to fix the issue such as momentarily pressing the screen's power button, holding the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
June 22nd- Merging car onto NJ turnpike near Manasquan, NJ...accelerated to merge onto highway. Engine light started to blink and then car lost power as pushing the gas pedal no longer powered car. Pulled off the road. Turned the car off. Restarted it and car functioned and power came from pressing gas pedal. Safety of driver at risk as…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While ascending a steep hill in San Francisco, the engine began operating roughly and the check engine light came on and began flashing. Pulled over as soon as possible, let the engine cool, and confirmed in the operator manual that the flashing light indicated severe misfire and possible loss of engine power. After cooloff and restart…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
6 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was at a complete stop at a flashing red light with my foot firmly on the brake petal. My intention was to make a left hand turn. As a truck going the opposite way started to pass in front of me, and the traffic was clear, I took my foot off the brake pedal and without touching the gas pedal the car on its own accelerated into the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 73 MPH with two children inside the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to move over to the right side of the road, where the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 48,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
6 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Description of Incident: Immediately after purchasing this 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid brand-new at an authorized Honda dealership in Maryland, the driver’s seat frame exhibited abnormal mechanical play. The seat shifts and rocks forward and backward during standard acceleration, braking, and turning maneuvers. The issue was brought to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The rear center seat belt will not latch. Car was taken to dealer and the dealer confirmed it will not latch but did not have the part in stock and gave no estimate on when it would be in.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The inner wall of the wheel is punctured causing the tire to inflated. The incident happen during driving on the highway. Safety issue is concernedOwner complaint, filed 2022
Rear tires are at 1/32nd of depth after 12,100 miles. Fronts are still at 5/32nds. Tires were rotated at 8,000 miles. Honda had a service bulletin, SB20-081, for the 2017-2020 years. It appears that this was not fixed for the 2021 model year. Tires are below manufacturer min specs in that very limited highway miles. Tires inspected by…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
4 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
*Steering rack assembly and pinion *If this goes out I would not be able to steer the car causing harm to my life and others *yes at 2 Honda dealerships *I only take my car to Honda dealership *no warning lamps came on, the failure started last year in 2025 and finally diagnosed 7/9/25 at Royal Honda and again recently 9/2026 at Honda of…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Dear National Recall Team, I am writing to report a recurring and potentially hazardous issue with my vehicle that has not yet been addressed through a recall. Since July 2024, I have experienced a problem with the steering wheel intermittently getting stuck, accompanied by a rattling noise from the left side of the vehicle. During a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Body, doors and structure
4 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
On October 6, 2025 my wife was distracted by a popping sound while driving her 2021 Honda CR-V and did not notice any rocks, birds etc. At her destination no damage was found after a walk around inspection. A few days later while driving she heard rattling in the overhead and slid open the moonroof shade to discover the glass was…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Tailgate latch stopped working and would no longer stay shut. This caused safety risk by allowing contents of the trunk to become unsecured and potentially exit the vehicle while driving. The car was taken to a shop where the malfunction was confirmed and the part replaced. There were no indications of the malfunction other than a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Honda CR-V complaints by year
Compare the 2021 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2021 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda CR-V | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 1 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | About average | 0 |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | One of the better years | 0 |
2021 Honda CR-V recalls
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Seat belts Retractor
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2021 Honda CR-V questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V?
The most reported problem areas on the 2021 Honda CR-V are the steering (116 complaints), the driver assist systems (97 complaints) and the engine and cooling (36 complaints).
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V a good year to buy?
One of the better CR-V years. Owners filed about 31% fewer complaints than a typical CR-V year. The area owners reported most is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 40,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CR-V years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda CR-V. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the front passenger. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 40,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the driver assist systems gave a mileage of about 24,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda CR-V years should I avoid?
The CR-V years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2017, 2018 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2021 Honda CR-V?
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- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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