2021 Honda CR-V problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
327 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 111 of 327 complaints (33.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 118 | 36.1% |
| Braking behavior | 90 | 27.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 4.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 111 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 68 |
| Unknown Or Other | 37 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Engine | 32 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 27 |
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
Steering: 111; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 68; Unknown Or Other: 37; Electrical System: 32; Engine: 32; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 27; Service Brakes: 25; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 274 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 | 19 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 89 |
2021: 19; 2022: 37; 2023: 26; 2024: 69; 2025: 87; 2026: 89
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 118 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 90 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 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 11399794 · 2021-03-08 (March 8, 2021)
THE BRAND NEW CR-V HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED UPON COMING TO A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. IT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE FORWARD MOVEMENT. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AGAIN. DURING THIS TIME,…
Owner-reported narrative. 111 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415033 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND EXCEEDING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT WITH AN ABNORMAL FRICTION SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA SANTA MONICA (1301 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419870 · 2021-06-07 (June 7, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated she attempted to start the ignition but was having difficulty and was able to start on the fifth attempt. The contact stated shortly after while driving at 47 mph, when depressing on the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop and rear-end another vehicle but continued to accelerate and drive forward over the gully, sidewalk, and shopping center sidewalk/street. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle came to a stop on a pile of dirt. The air b…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11419870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553987 · 2023-11-07 (November 7, 2023)
Loss of power steering when stationary and turning the steering wheel.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11620993 · 2024-10-21 (October 21, 2024)
I have a 2021 Honda Cr-v with 24,203 miles on my vehicle as of today oct.21 2024. I i checked my oil drip stick to make sure the oil at the right level. Today I notice I had more oil over the fill mark. I change my oil every 5000 miles with Ams-oil 0-20wt. I read that Honda knows of this on going problem. Should I go to the Honda dealer to address the oil dilution problem happening with my car? Please let me know. [XXX] [XXX] e-mail [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397291 · 2021-02-22 (February 22, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART AND SHUT-OFF THE VEHICLE A SECOND-TIME FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP RUNNING. ON ONE OCCASION THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING A FEW HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT CONTACTED BIANCHI HONDA (8430 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA 16509, [phone removed]) AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11626177 · 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
I was driving on a four lane highway in February 2024 and the engine of my 2021 Honda CR-V just stopped working and the car was not responding. I was able to coast the car into a parking lot where I had to have it towed to the nearest Honda dealership. I was told the fuel pump had failed and needed replacing. I was told there was no recall on my model for this fuel pump and had to pay full price for the repair of over $1000. I now see where this fuel pump is failing in other models of CR-Vs but mine is not listed though the experience m…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11626177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588567 · 2024-05-13 (May 13, 2024)
EPS gearbox. When entering into a turn the steering wheel gets stuck and requires additional force to pull wheel out of the turn for both left turns and right turns. The risk of overcorrecting or being unable to return the wheel to a forward direction is a major risk to the driver and to others. The vehicle is uncomfortable to drive due to the unpredictability of the sticking steering. The more severe the turn the more sticky the steering. The issue seems to be progressing over time since it was first noticed (May 2024; vehicle purchased Aug 20…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11512908 · 2023-03-20 (March 20, 2023)
My cars automatic braking system engages when nothing is around. This has happened multiple times. One of these time I recall traveling with my child at a sped of 50-+mph. It was fearful for the both of us. This alone is dangerous, it could become deadly given different weather conditions causing loss of control of the car. I believe this issue will eventually cause someone injury and/or death. During this time my child was recovering from traumatic brain trauma. The dealership is waiting on a part the they feel should repair the issue. The e…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11512908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560950 · 2023-12-19 (December 19, 2023)
Took my Honda CRV 2021 EX in because all of my warning lights (Critical Failure) were going off as I was driving. All safety features were failing including AWD control, braking, sensors, cruise control, etc. They replaced the battery and tested the alternator. They reset the system and said it was fixed. I picked mine up today, drove it for 10 mins on the highway and then hit the "MAIN" button on the stearing wheel to turn on the cruise control. As soon as I did that, ALL of the warning lights came on at the same time and the systems started…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560950 at NHTSA ↗