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2021 Honda CR-V Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jun 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 318 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Honda CR-V submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2026

Since April 2026 my Honda Crv 2021 had been having issues with all the warning lights on my dashboard turning on and off. When all the lights turn on the sensors don’t function the way they supposed to and won’t alert me when I’m getting close to a car or need to make a sudden break. I took it to Autozone to get the codes from the warning lights and also to Honda and both said that I needed to replace, the fuel injectors. I replaced the fuel injectors and the problem still there. It was inspected by Autozone, Honda and also an independent auto shop.

NHTSA ID
11746954
Incident
Apr 25, 2026
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 13, 2026

EPS steering rack locks up and causes jerking in steering wheel. This is a known recall on 2022 models but happening on older models as well. There is a clicking noise and a feeling of a stuck steering wheel. My Vehicle has less than 50k miles on it and has only been to Honda for inspections and this was missed. Dealership has even confirmed and charging a hefty repair fee. If these are not caught soon enough they will only get worse causing accidents due to locking steering wheels

NHTSA ID
11743851
Incident
May 20, 2025
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed May 30, 2026

Dozens of photos&videos avail. When rains or humidity electrical is severely effected. All electrical warning lights turn on. Car wont shut off. Econo mode wont work and car stalls. Wipers wont turn off while driving. Lane change notification warnings go haywire and are unreliable. Has been "fixed"5 times and still happening. Car turned on by itself recently when it rained. Research has revealed that this is a common complaint with this particular vehicle/model. When conditions are dry it goes back to normal. This has been happening for a year and nobody has been able to fix it because they seem to not understand Honda Electrical. I have to tarp my car when off.

NHTSA ID
11741080
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed May 3, 2026

While driving on the highway with my child in the vehicle, all dashboard warning lights suddenly turned on at once. Immediately after, the vehicle began to shake, lose power, and would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was jerking and pulling back and forth, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. I took the vehicle to a mechanic, and they diagnosed a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump and all four spark plugs. The repair cost was $1,436. This failure happened unexpectedly in a 2021 Honda CR-V, which raises serious safety concerns due to sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds.

NHTSA ID
11735355
Incident
Apr 28, 2026
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 24, 2026

2021 Hybrid CR-V - within the last 10 months the vehicle has twice lost engine power while driving on expressways with just enough time to pull off the road. In the same period of time, at least 6 times, when initially starting the engine, the engine runs roughly and will not accellerate. So far, this has happened in cold or cool weather but not extremely cold weather. In an effort to restart the system, we then shut the system off, wait a few minutes and try restarting. Occaisionally, the engine will start normally after this "reset". More often, if the "reset" doesn't work, we shut off the heat/cooling system (to keep the system from calling for the engine power) and restart the system in EV Mode. The car will begin moving in EV Mode. The engine then starts and runs normally when accellerating beyond the EV system's capacity to accelerate. We understand this problem does not register in the car's computer as a "fault" once the car's engine operation returns to normal. Therefore, the dealers are unable to diagnose the problem. We have read of many other people having the same experience without any satisfactory correction from the dealerships or mechanics. Because this is an intermitant and unpredictable failure, and because the engine and system operates normally for long periods between incidents, the error must be computer/electrical and not related to the fuel pump. We have also replaced the aged engine battery and cleaned the cables. This did not correct the problem. Any assitance in resolving this issue is appreciated. We are concerned that the system will fail completely at the most inopportune time, leaving someone stranded on the highway or being a road hazard on a highway.

NHTSA ID
11726658
Incident
Oct 6, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 20, 2026

Auto-Restart is failing, causing car to stall or shut down entirely. When we pull up to a red light and the engine turns off, the car does not restart. Sometimes, it needs to be manually turned back on — sometimes, it shuts down entirely and requires a jump. Most recently, it required a jump and blocked traffic for 15 minutes on a busy street.

NHTSA ID
11725765
Incident
Mar 17, 2026
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 20, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11706240
Incident
Dec 18, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11703936
Incident
Dec 8, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11703934
Incident
Dec 8, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 25, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID
11701524
Incident
Apr 28, 2023
Electrical
Filed Nov 23, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11701089
Incident
Nov 23, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 7, 2025
1 injury reported

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 illum

NHTSA ID
11691956
Incident
Dec 7, 2024
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2025

On 7/21/2025, the car smelled of rotten eggs. When I got home I checked the Honda website for recalls. There is a recall on the fuel pump for my type of car, but not with my vin number. I researched that if the fuel pump goes without repair it can lead to the catalytic converter needing replaced. So, I went outside to go get some dinner and the car wouldn't start. Everything inside flashed a few times and then went dead. This car is only 4 years old. I believe they've missed my car on their recall list.

NHTSA ID
11675264
Incident
Jul 21, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jul 16, 2025

Alternator failed suddenly at 24000 miles causing power steering to fail and vehicle yo just shut down in roadway.

NHTSA ID
11673867
Incident
Jul 15, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 9, 2025

I had 2 unrelated issues in the past 2 days: 1) rear door actuator malfunction. The door won't lock or unlock as part of the central locking system 2) The "break" alert went off without any cars around. Happened once, breaks weren't activated by the car.

NHTSA ID
11660070
Incident
May 8, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the contact stated that the automated brake warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that the brake would inadvertently engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,233.

NHTSA ID
11622370
Incident
Oct 28, 2024
Mileage
33,233 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 19, 2024

Important safety recall unresolved. There are defects to the internal short circuit from environmental humidity. This issue may cause the airbags to deploy and increase the risk of injury. There is a limited supply of parts; according to the recall letter, the dealership confirmed the current status. I called the manufacturer's care program and was told there are no changes in the status of the recall being repaired.

NHTSA ID
11595319
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
Electrical
Filed May 28, 2024

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 start button only results in all dash warning/ inspection lights illuminating. Third attempt usually results in the vehicle starting normally. In an attempt to remedy the problem… I have replaced the start/stop button… problem still persists. Have read numerous articles and posts in forums and on the internet that other owners of various Honda models with the push button start switches experiencing the same issue. I have contacted my local Honda dealer… they state to date they have not had any customer reports of this problem … However… …. contacting an independent Honda repair shop reveals they in fact have had customers report this issue. When this happens… there is no warning… no illumination of DTC lamps on the dash… intermittent… but very concerning

NHTSA ID
11591174
Incident
May 28, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed 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 2021). The vehicle was taken to the Honda service center for diagnosis; however, there were no warning lamps or messages triggered by the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by the service technician with the recommendation to replace the EPS gearbox assembly. The observations by the technician were "The EPS steering assist is not performing correctly on left turns. Checked suspension for binding. No damage found. Gearbox assembly will need to be replaced". The vehicle is a 2021 Honda CR-V with 42,000 miles (Honda warranty 3 YR/36,000 miles). The Honda service center initially placed responsibility on customer to repair at a cost of approx $4,000. This case has still not been settled and no authorization for repair has been agreed upon.

NHTSA ID
11588567
Incident
May 6, 2024
Electrical
Filed May 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a failure with the inclement weather sensor which should engaged with the vehicle in inclement weather. The contact stated that the sensor would not function properly. Additionally, the system failure warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned of a safety hazard while driving in inclement weather. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ID
11588102
Incident
May 10, 2024
Mileage
66,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH into the garage, the vehicle inadvertently started to reverse. The instrument cluster lights went blank. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle drove over some rocks in the yard. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled the parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and encouraged the contact to call again if the failure recurred, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500.

NHTSA ID
11586837
Incident
Mar 30, 2024
Mileage
16,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2024

Door Actuator and yes it is available for inspection. Yes, I was locked inside of the vehicle one time (recorded a video of it and showed it to Metro Honda service parts employee). No, the dealer did not conduct a vehicle diagnostic (the vehicle was over the warranty mileage by a couple hundred miles). No Police report. No warnings prior to the door actuator issues.

NHTSA ID
11574290
Incident
Dec 7, 2023
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 7, 2024

2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I have a lemon with Honda CR-V year of car 2021 bought it in October of 2021. The 3-year warranty is about to expire. I have taken the car several times to two different Honda dealerships because they are the closest to my home and I don't have anyone to pick me up or take me back. They claim there's nothing wrong with the vehicle but lights in the dash come up every other day then disappear after several hours then return the next time, I use the vehicle. the vehicle also has an issue with the acceleration; sometimes I step on the gas pedal but after trying to drive the car, the MOTOR does NOT move faster but rather the force of the vehicle decreases and doesn't allow for me to go faster than 20 MPH. The odometer is also inaccurate; one month after driving the vehicle about 80 miles-the vehicle odometer increased around 10 miles. I only have about 9,877 miles that I’ve driven the car… I'M [XXX] and cannot drive and take pictures while I'm driving. I barely know how to use my phone. I get nervous, start to panic and my heart starts racing and I feel like I'm going to crash. I'm scared for my life and my grandchildren that I pick up after school and take them to their home. ive tried to upload documents but i keep getting an error...INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11570448
Incident
Sep 9, 2022
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 12, 2024

Steering sticks/EPS failing. While driving, steering wheel randomly has excessive resistance & then frees up. While at hide speeds on the interstate, it causes over correction & near accidents on several occasions. NUMEROUS repost of this on various forums & recalls on other models with EXACT SAME system, but my VIN Isn’t included!!?

NHTSA ID
11565196
Incident
Jan 9, 2024
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 27, 2023

My 2021 sunroof shattered out of no where when i was driving, nothing fell on it and no cars nearby so it was not rocks. I think this should be looked into because there are many owners who have reported the same issue. I contact my local dealer and they were in denial but it is very dangerous since the glass from the sunroof was falling on me while i was driving it could have caused a major accident and should definitely be looked into. Sometimes when I turn on my car the dashboard flickers where you are not able to read the screen another safety concern if i cant see certain information. My car only has 8000 miles on it any my battery is still good so I am not sure why there is all these issues.

NHTSA ID
11562078
Incident
Jun 1, 2023

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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