2021 Honda CR-V HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
102 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 102 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 21.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 22 | 21.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 35 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
Engine: 35; Electrical System: 23; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 18; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Unknown Or Other: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Power Train: 11; Service Brakes: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 93 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2021: 7; 2022: 17; 2023: 14; 2024: 35; 2025: 26; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11431650 · 2021-09-03 (September 3, 2021)
On 9/2/2021 as I was turning left and pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning and without me touching the accelerator. I was able to stop the vehicle with the brake pedal and didn't hit anything. Thankfully, there was no car on my left side because the acceleration drove the car into the adjacent parking space before I could stop it. If a car had been parked there, I would have hit it. There were - and are - no warning lights. My husband called the Honda dealer were we bought the car asking for an urgent…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434703 · 2021-09-28 (September 28, 2021)
Driving my car in traffic there was a steel plate horizontally on the road painted orange. My car saw it as a potential collision and suddenly automatically applied full brakes and flashed collision warning on dash board. I almost was rear ended. Luckily I was only going 25mph. I called dealership and talked to service manager Jake. He advised that this is possible in normal operation. There is a disclaimer about this occurring in the owner’s manual. He also said there is no history of warning indicators so there is nothing to check to see if…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413247 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE WARNING LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE ENTERED LIMP MODE WHICH RESULTED IN THE SPEED REDUCING TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FUNCTIONALITY RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COCONUT POINT HONDA (22240 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL, ESTERO, FL 33928, [phone removed]) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT I…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456710 · 2022-03-14 (March 14, 2022)
While driving on the highway, my Honda CR-V Hybrid flashed an error for "12 Volt Battery Charging System Problem." I was stunned to receive an error on a vehicle with less than 2000 miles, and while my passenger was attempting to assist me in determining what to do next, the vehicle began to slow on its own. I was able to engage my emergency flashers and pull to the shoulder before causing a collision. I turned the vehicle off, and it returned to normal operation. After I made it home safely, I contacted the Honda dealership via their website…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463714 · 2022-05-07 (May 7, 2022)
I attempted to park my vehicle. The brakes did not work they, seemed to have no pressure. The engine then accelerated. I did not press the gasoline pedal. The vehicle moved forward and it struck a wall. Damage to the radar system and front grille of vehicle. I took the vehicle to the dealership and all they did was zip tie a component that came loose from under the steering column and give me a referral to a body shop. As of this time the problem has not been reproduced and the vehicle has not been inspected. The vehicle is available for insp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505161 · 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 57 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into several rocks which caused the vehicle to rollover several times. During the incident the air bags deployed. The driver sustained an injured right leg, head, and chest injuries, the front passenger sustained a neck injury and the child seated in the rear passenger seat suffered a head injury. All occupants in the vehicle required medical treatment for t…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11505161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521416 · 2023-05-10 (May 10, 2023)
My hybrid vehicle lost speed on the highway while going approximately 60 mph. The engine light started blinking. The battery charge icon started decreasing. I was able to exit the highway and pull into a parking lot. After 20 minutes, my car turned on and the battery icon showed it was charged. I drove to the dealership and after having my vehicle in the shop for several days. I forwarded an article to my contact at the Honda dealership from Autoblog dated Dec. 7, 2022 about AWD Honda CR-V's loss of power. The article mentioned a "leaking…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523108 · 2023-05-21 (May 21, 2023)
I was driving on the highway at 65 mph when I suddenly felt a loss of power on in the car. I then saw the check engine light come on and my hybrid battery was almost discharged. I floored my foot to make sure but the car was still decelerating. I then pulled off the highway as safely as possible and shut off the car. When I turned the car back on, the check engine light was still on and the engine was rattling. I shut it off again and after turning it back on, it was perfectly normal. I took it to my local Honda dealer to check what happened an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431543 · 2021-09-02 (September 2, 2021)
Nothing has happened yet. I want it on record that the implementation of this feature is dangerous. On P.497 of the 2021 CR-V Hybrid's Owner's Manual is the following warning: "Exiting a vehicle that has been stopped while the ACC with Low Speed FOllow system is operating can result in the vehicle moving withoug operator control. A vehicle that moves without operator control can cause a crash, resulting in serious injury or death. Never exit a vehicle when the vehicle is stopped by ACC with Low Speed Follow." The way this feature is impleme…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11669059 · 2025-06-24 (June 24, 2025)
My 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid has experienced three identical and dangerous incidents over a one month period beginning around 60,000 miles. Each time, while driving at highway speeds (60-70 mph) climbing hills or grades, the vehicle suddenly loses all acceleration power accompanied by a rapidly flashing check engine light. This creates an extremely hazardous situation as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds with fast-moving traffic approaching from behind, forcing emergency stops on busy highway shoulders where rear-end collisions become a s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11669059 at NHTSA ↗