Complaint volume
288 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Honda CR-V Complaints
288 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Honda CR-V, grouped by component category.
288 Total complaints
13 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
11 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are steering, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 13 crash reports, 1 fire report, 11 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 51 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 32,802 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to steering, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Honda CR-V?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Honda CR-V
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Honda CR-V complaints?
13 Crash
1 Fire
11 Injury
0 Fatality
14 Towed
9 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Honda CR-V complaint categories?
STEERING 75
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 50
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22
ENGINE 11
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
AIR BAGS 10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6
VISIBILITY/WIPER 6
SERVICE BRAKES 5
288 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My sunroof exploded on my 2021 Honda CRV1 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Dear NHTSA, There needs to be an immediate recall on this (VIN#: [XXX] ) 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Motor Nightmare. Despite proper maintenance and care, the vehicle has experienced persistent problems that stem from known defects. The engine has a fatal flaw with the head gasket. The high compression turbo engine stretches the head bolts, lifts the cylinder head just enough to blow the gasket causing coolant to leak into the cylinders and mix with the oil and destroys the bearings. Along with oil dilution where gas washes pass the piston rings. This is a widespread problem affecting this model as indicated by the numerous technical service bulletins. The issue appears to occur during the 20,000 to 30,000 mile mark where it begins to experienced recurring engine performance issues, misfires, loss of power, and excessive radiator fluid consumption resulting in premature engine wear and sludge buildup. Honda sites have pointed out: "This can happen when the car is frequently idled or driven for short commutes, which can prevent the oil from flowing properly" and my commute is a 3 minute drive and 5 minute to the market. [XXX] "it’s a well documented issue and Honda America is aware of it that they’ve released an article about it for mechanics" One customer wrote "I have a 2021 Honda CRV and the engine had a terrible knock" [XXX] Please do something immediately! Several Mechanics acknowledge these widespread issues, the Lane Manager that advised me to reach out to the manufacturer pointed out that this is a “common issue”, and Your Website highlights that you all have already received similar recall campaigns for the engine oil and gasoline dilution issue that occurs approximate at the 22,500 mileage. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My dash board lit up and started dinging. Many different messages were flashing across the screen such as driver assist feature problem, TPMS problem, and others related to the electronic driver assist features. I noticed a difference in the way my car handled as I was pulling off the highway to a gas station to check my tire pressure. It seems drivable at the moment and I don't have another vehicle option. It's a 2021 CRV. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Phantom emergency braking. Vehicle slamming on brakes at intermediate times when there is no emergency. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When driving on a state route vehicle began to slow down. Going 55mph with other vehicles going the same speed behind me, I was stopped in the middle of the road and barely was able to get to the side of the road before possibly getting hit. There is a warning light that came on stating “emission system problem”. I am currently getting it towed to a Honda dealership to get it assessed. I’ve only had this vehicle for a year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Emissions light came on took to dealer. All the fuel injectors need replaced with 84,000 miles. Carbon buildup dealer has done many should be a recall but there isnt. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | This has happened twice in a month. I was driving on the interstate and the check engine light began flashing. The engine lost power and would not accelerate beyond 40 mph. The situation was incredibly unsafe as both times I was on the interstate and had to pull over. The second time was at night and around heavy construction which increased the danger. On each occasion the light turned off and the problem fixed when I turned off the car and turned it back on. Both times I took the vehicle to the dealership and they were unable to find the code or any issues. On the second time they recommended adjusting the valves and replacing spark plugs. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else. There were no warnings prior to the flashing check engine and the car losing power. On both occasions this happened within ten minutes of starting the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | On two recent occasions over the past month, my 2021 CR-V Hybrid has lost motive power/check engine light flashing, with the while driving on busy interstate roads between 60-70 mph, decelerating in fast-moving multi-lane traffic. The dealership service department has not been able to fix the issue. I believe this issue is similar to others that the NHTSA is evaluating (PE25016). This issue could be very dangerous if a driver is not able to safely move off the road or shoulder. Please issue information to car owners and dealers on how to fix this serious issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while parking, and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently up a slight incline and collided with a stone boulder/wall. Neither the contact nor the passenger sustained injuries. The contact stated that no collision warnings were activated to detect the collision. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the failure could not able to be replicated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle has yet to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 56,000 |
| Nov 2025 | ENGINE | Report from dealer: Customer states that the vehicle feels like it's sporadically shooting forward when accelerating between 20-30mph. Check and advise vehicle failed AF test,all cylinders failed (rich). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | Model: 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid VIN: [XXX] ]] Mileage: [78000 old motor | 25000 replaced motor] Issue Type: Engine Stalling / Rough Idle/ Low Operating Temperature / Warranty Denial Maintenance History: Dealer-maintained per schedule Dealer Name/Location: [American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Attn: Customer Relations / Warranty Department 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501] Manufacturer Contacted: Yes – denied assistance despite known issue TSB References (if applicable): TSB 21-013, TSB 22-087 --- Complaint Summary: I am reporting a known issue with my 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid involving engine sludge accumulation and chronically low operating temperatures, which I believe are tied to a systemic design flaw affecting hybrid models of this generation. Despite proper maintenance at a Honda dealership, I was informed of internal engine sludge. The issue appears linked to the engine not reaching optimal operating temperatures—leading to oil degradation and sludge formation over time. This matches problems detailed in official Honda Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 21-013 and TSB 22-087), yet I was denied warranty support, even under a Goodwill request. Honda regional representatives and mechanics provided no meaningful analysis or assistance and defaulted to denying support without adequately addressing the root cause. This is deeply concerning, particularly since multiple owners nationwide have reported similar problems. I believe this issue poses a long-term reliability and potential safety risk and should be investigated. I seek resolution from Honda, including coverage of necessary repairs and full acknowledgment of the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 audio system emitted a loud “pop” sound, and driver-assist features became unavailable. The distraction and temporary loss of information could increase crash risk. Reproduction: The issue has not been reproduced yet and has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center at this time. Inspection: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, dealer, police, insurance, or any other agency. Warning signs: No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the failure. The issue started suddenly while driving. What happened: While driving at approximately 65 mph on a major highway with cruise control active, the infotainment system suddenly shut off for about five seconds. At the same moment, the audio system emitted a loud “pop” noise similar to a small explosion. After that, the screen restarted and remained stuck on the Honda logo for around two minutes. When it finally rebooted, the clock reset itself to UTC instead of the correct local time. All of this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, which created a distraction and potential safety concern. No previous warnings or symptoms were present before the event. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The A/C compressor seal may be leaking under certain conditions. The component is available for inspection by an authorized Honda dealer or service center. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If the compressor fails completely while driving in hot weather, the lack of air conditioning can cause discomfort and distraction to the driver, potentially increasing risk of unsafe driving conditions. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The issue has not been reproduced, but Honda has issued an extended warranty for this known problem. A dealer in Puerto Rico stated that action is only needed if the system fails completely. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The component has not been formally inspected yet; the dealer only provided a verbal assessment. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages appeared. The system is still operational but may exhibit leakage over time. What happened? In your own words, tell us what happened. The vehicle is a Honda CR-V Touring 2021. I received a notice regarding an extended warranty for the A/C compressor seal. When visiting a dealer in Puerto Rico, they stated that the issue only requires action if the A/C fails completely. I am reporting this because the extended warranty indicates that any potential leakage should be inspected and addressed, and I want the vehicle properly checked to ensure the compressor seal is not failing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am experiencing the problems that are described in investigation NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25016. When driving on the highway, there have been multiple times (8-10) when the car stops accelerating and the check engine light starts flashing. I am not able to accelerate the car. If it turn the car off for 5-10 minutes, the check engine light stops flashing and I am able to drive the car again. It has always happened when I haven't driven the car for a while (either driving it for the first time for the day or after sitting idle at work for 8 hours), the problem happens within minutes of getting on the highway. I have taken the car to the dealership for service twice with this problem. The first time was in late August. They said there was no code with the check engine light and they could not replicate or find a problem. The most recent time was this past Friday (Nov. 21, 2025). I experienced the problem and immediately took it to the dealership. Because the check engine light was flashing, they were able to pull diagnostics and retrieve a code. They said a fuel check showed cloudy fuel and a spark plug was brown to copper color. They removed the old fuel and replaced all four spark plugs. This did not fix the problem, as I experienced it again this morning (Sunday, Nov. 23). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Total loss of power while driving 2021 CRV hybrid on interstate. Check engine light came on and immediately started flashing and significant engine noise heard.Vehicle taken to Honda dealership and diagnostic test completed which stated fuel injector failed which then caused spark plug damage and engine misfire. We were traveling at interstate speeds and had no ability to accelerate causing significant safety issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My 2021 Honda CRV (VIN# [XXX] ) is only four years old and the touchscreen no longer works properly. My main concern is that the backup camera (which displays on the touchscreen) will come on when backing up but then sometimes glitch out and not display anything while in the process of backing up. I should also mentioned that the only thing that even partially works sometimes is the backup camera, because all the other features are unusable as the touchscreen perma displays the Honda logo and that is it - except for when it displays the backup camera when backing up....but, again, even when it does display the backup cam on the touchscreen it will sometimes glitch out causing the touchscreen to no longer have the image of the backup camera while in the act of backing up. I brought the vehicle into Honda to inspect and try to repair, but they said it was not repairable and must be replaced. There were no fuse issues either, so it is the touch screen unit that is the problem. There are quite a lot of people online complaining about the touchscreen who own the 2021 Honda CRV, so I am asking that the NHTSA issue a recall for the touchscreen. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The intermittant wiper system does not and has not worked properly since I purchased the car. very inconsistant...the system has the rain sensing automatic wipers...with variable speed. when raining,,,no matter how heavy or light the rain...when set to variable speed...it doesnt matter where I set the the speed ...i cannot get a consistant wipe...if it wipes at all. This is especially annoying when I come to a stop...stop light, stop sign, turning...the wipers will NOT sweep...and will not work again until the vehicle speed reaches at least 25mph...which really forces me to either manually engage a sweep or set the wipers either the low or high setting. have read numerous complaints and reports online in chat rooms and Honda forums...so this definitely is an issue...a safety issue | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Two separate incidents since owned car: When opened front and back doors, leaned in, face touched corner tip of door. Both times the tip ripped a small piece of my face off. Extreme bleeding. Eventually healed but if I hit the door with force I would definitely have needed stiches and had a scar each time. This needs to be recalled. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 shattered. Honda of Ocala quoted $1265, (minus 15% Wild Card Any Service discount) for parts and labor to repair. Once vehicle was in the shop service advisor said there would be an additional $459 charge for two hours labor to guarantee all glass was removed. An internet search revealed there was a Class Action Law Suit for CR-V Moonroofs spontaneously shattering. Service Manager was aware of Law Suit and offered additional $150 discount. Total cost $1491. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the battery failed to start the engine. The vehicle was jumpstarted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact noticed acid on top of the battery by the terminals and noticed that acid had dripped down the vehicle, and the battery was hot. The dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the battery short-circuited, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The battery failed a third time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C condenser had failed. The vehicle was repaired. Upon leaving the dealer, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. An unknown toxic gas emitted from the A/C vents and splashed the contact's face. The contact went to the emergency room and was informed that an unknown toxic gas had burned and injured the contact’s left eye. The contact was partially blind in the left eye. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the intake manifold had failed. The dealer stated that the intake manifold needed to be snapped back into place. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and abnormal sounds were coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle and issued a no trespass order against the contact. The contact towed the vehicle to another dealer in Sarasota, Florida. The dealer installed a switch near the starter. The contact stated that afterwards it was found out that the dealer in Bradenton, Florida had failed to install the A/C filter. The A/C failure persisted. Several warning lights were illuminated. Most recently, after entering the parking lot at a gas station, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front end. Upon investigation, the contact noticed that the overflow of the coolant had leaked out. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the coolant sensor and the engine control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | STEERING | I own a 2021 Honda CR-V with approximately 47,011 miles. I’ve noticed that when I hold the steering wheel perfectly straight, the vehicle pulls slightly to the right. This happens on flat, level roads and is most noticeable at speeds over 45 mph, especially on highways. At higher speeds, the drifting becomes more pronounced, and the car feels unstable. It seems like the vehicle is fighting against my steering input, which raises a serious safety concern, especially during long highway drives or in emergency situations. I took the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership, and they diagnosed a failing steering rack, which they say needs to be replaced. The repair estimate is $4,478. This seems unreasonable for a vehicle with under 50,000 miles and no accident history or modifications. The steering rack is a critical safety component, and its failure at this mileage suggests a potential defect. I am filing this complaint to report the issue and urge NHTSA to investigate whether this is an isolated case or part of a wider problem. If others are experiencing the same failure, I believe a safety recall may be warranted. I also request that Honda be required to assist affected customers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticking. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 42,000 |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the parts for the recall repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | My 2021 Honda CR-V displays an “All System Failure” message while driving. On multiple occasions, the car has also braked suddenly on its own when there was no obstacle in front of me. This is a serious safety hazard, as it could cause a crash from behind. The issue is intermittent but recurring. It has happened several times recently. I know other Honda CR-V owners are experiencing the same problem, and some mechanics report they are seeing this issue frequently. I am very concerned about the safety of myself and my children while driving this vehicle. This vehicle was in an accident 3 years ago, but these problems only began recently and are consistent with widespread reports from other CR-V owners. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While I was driving my engine installed and all of the lights on my dashboard lit up, including, but not limited to the check, engine, tire, pressure and disabling of all of my safety features. Once I had it towed to the Honda dealership, I was told my fuel pump was not working. As I was on the interstate, my car stalling was absolutely a risk for a collision. When I asked the technician what could’ve caused this problem he said “I’m not sure but we’ve had a few of these recently.” so I feel like it has been reproduced. Prior to the failure, there was no sign of issue. I recently (August 15th) had my car serviced for an oil change and there were no issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |