2021 Honda CR-V

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Honda’s data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals  prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential.  Honda stated that the oil seal’s lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicle’s life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packaging process of the parts for transport.  Honda also enacted an enhanced visual inspection process both before and after the oil seal installation on the assembly line. Honda stated that in the event of differential failure, the operator can control the vehicle without stability loss. After the drive shafts break due to differential failure, the operator will hear noises and the vehicle will still function as a 2WD vehicle preventing complete loss of motive power. Based on the following factors, ODI is closing this investigation: ·       Information regarding field failures does not indicate hazardous outcomes ·       The failures are occurring early in the life of the vehicle ·       Repairs are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty ·       The vehicle can continue functioning as a 2WD without loss of stability control in the event of failure The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

The steering wheel has developed resistance to turning left and right. It is most noticeable when driving on highways where small steering inputs are needed to keep the vehicle within a lane. The steering wheel with stick in place requiring more effort than normal to turn in either direction. When the steering wheel does turn, there is an audible click sound. The additional force needed to rotate the steering wheel past the sticking point can cause oversteering. This makes it difficult to smoothly control the vehicle and keep it within the lane while driving. I purchased this vehicle new from a Honda dealership in the fall of 2021. The vehicle currently is at 41,000 miles, but the problem began within a year of purchase and with less than 10,000 miles. The sticking and clicking sound is not constant, making the problem difficult to diagnose. The steering system is completely original (as purchased), and it has not been in a collision that would have caused damage to the steering system.

NHTSA ID

11756148

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

Gently used car, the steering wheel makes strange noise, sticking and clicking, not felling safe when driving. There are a lot of complaints about steering wheel problems. Why there is no recall on it, I cannot spend $5000 for fixing and is all about 2021 crvs. defected? Need to be recalled or replaced. So sad it is only 5 year old car. My 2011 honda crv lasts 11 years with no problems. Very disappointed.

NHTSA ID

11755791

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

Unknown. The driver reports that while the vehicle was moving at moderate speed (~35 mph), the steering wheel would not turn, resulting in the vehicle striking a pole- causing significant damage to vehicle. Airbags were deployed and occupants taken to hospital for injuries.

NHTSA ID

11755614

Incident

Aug 6, 2026

Manufacturer Dealer Diagnostic confirmed that Head Gasket is leaking on cylinder 1 and that this is a known issue. Vehicle just 3 months and barely 2000 miles out of new car warranty. Manufacturer fails to cover repair at 100% Power Loss while driving on the freeway on 2 separate occasions. Engine did not provide power in response to accelerator pedal, car slows down w/o control. Incident 1 traveling 65 mph Hwy [XXX] in [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755481

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

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 selling/servicing Honda dealership in Maryland shortly after delivery while under factory warranty. However, dealership service staff refused to repair or replace the frame assembly, claiming the play was within normal specifications. The defect has persisted throughout the vehicle's operation. Safety Risk: The failure of the seat structure to remain rigidly locked in place compromises the integrity of the vehicle’s primary driver restraint system. Unintended seat shifting during sudden stops, sharp turns, or a collision alters driver posture, increases driver distraction, and potentially impacts the proper alignment of the seatbelt and airbag deployment zones. Confirmation & Inspection History: Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes, the physical shifting occurs continuously during operation and was directly presented to the servicing Honda dealership. Inspected By: Authorized Honda dealership service personnel in [XXX]. Symptoms & First Appearance: Mechanical rocking and play present from the day of purchase at 0 miles. No electronic warning lights or messages. Honda Automobile Customer Service Case #XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755121

Incident

Oct 22, 2021

The steering is hanging up when turning to the left. We have had it diagnosed by a mechanic and says it is dangerous and needs to be repaired. The dealer says the only cars recalled our 2022 to 25. Ours is a 2021 but having the same problems as the ones that were recalled. The parts installed in the car are the exact same ones that are in the 22 to 25. After doing research, we see that this issue goes back to 2016. Many have complained, but Honda refuses to include these in the recalls. I would like for our car to be included in the recall as well as the part is extremely expensive. We have been quoted $4000 if they can find the part.

NHTSA ID

11752733

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Glass sunroof was closed and exploded outward at 60 mph; nothing hit it and glass shows outward explosion deformation

NHTSA ID

11752553

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

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 into Bountiful Honda in Utah after each episode, the first time they did some adjustments it was about $600. The second time they just kept it for six weeks and couldn’t find anything wrong. Third time was the same and this last time they changed the fuel injectors. But we’re scared to death to drive our car. We’ve been renting cars every time we have to go more than an hour away from our home or get on the freeway for very long. We are hesitant to trade it in because we don’t want them to turn around and sell it to someone else that would not be aware of the problem. But we were able on the last episode to retrieve a code with a little machine we purchased. But that code just meant severe engine failure. The dealership kept my car for almost 2 months on the third episode and drove it over 2500 miles and were unable to get it to replicate. It seems to happen every 3 to 4 months with normal driving. I have records for everything. This car is a hazard to gave on the road. I just can’t afford to just buy a new one without trading this in and I just can’t do that with good conscience.

NHTSA ID

11751701

Incident

May 14, 2026

Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accord FHEVs, as well as 2017-2022 CR-V 1.5Ls (no 2.4L), & 2020-2022 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored. Customer may also experience engine running rough condition. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accord FHEVs, as well as 2017-2022 CR-V 1.5Ls (no 2.4L), & 2020-2022 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored. Customer may also experience engine running rough condition. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics, 2020-2022 CR-Vs, 2022-2023 Pilots & Passports with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen (Civics and CR-Vs only). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accord FHEVs, as well as 2017-2022 CR-V 1.5Ls (no 2.4L), & 2020-2022 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored. Customer may also experience engine running rough condition. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Service Bulletin - Steering effort complaint while driving at moderate or highway speeds, with a possible complaint of a clicking noise at slow speeds while turning, and no MIL illuminated, or DTC stored.