2021 Honda CR-V Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Honda CR-V, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering10627.6%
- Driver assistance9925.8%
- Engine359.1%
- Electrical338.6%
- Brakes297.6%
- Fuel system236.0%
- Airbags133.4%
- Powertrain (other)123.1%
- Visibility102.6%
- Other / unspecified61.6%
- Body & structure41.0%
- Exterior lighting41.0%
- Seat belts41.0%
- Suspension30.8%
- Interior & seats20.5%
- Tires & wheels10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
On the morning on 7/10/26 I was driving 30mph around a gentle turn and the brakes activated briefly. I also received a dashboard notification to brake. The weather conditions were sunny and probably around 80 degrees. There was no one in front of me and the closest car, in oncoming traffic was around 40 feet away. The safety risk was my car temporarily applied the brakes but did not stop completely. Luckily, the closet car behind me was ~30 feet behind me. Over the past 2 years I have received occasional dashboard notifications to brake, but the situation/driving conditions did not warrant the need to brake. This was the first time that the braking system actually applied the brake and slowed the car down.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
On the morning on 7/10/26 I was driving 30mph around a gentle turn and the brakes activated briefly. I also received a dashboard notification to brake. The weather conditions were sunny and probably around 80 degrees. There was no one in front of me and the closest car, in oncoming traffic was around 40 feet away. The safety risk was my car temporarily applied the brakes but did not stop completely. Luckily, the closet car behind me was ~30 feet behind me. Over the past 2 years I have received occasional dashboard notifications to brake, but the situation/driving conditions did not warrant the need to brake. This was the first time that the braking system actually applied the brake and slowed the car down.
In the past two weeks, the automatic brake light came on when there was nothing in front of me. Then this past Thursday, I was in the middle lane approaching a stoplight that was about 500 ft. ahead of me, nothing was in front of me and the brake light came on and the car made a quick and hard stop. If anyone was behind me, they would not have been able to stop. Now I am very leery of driving my car, and I disable this feature so I feel safe transporting myself and my family.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repair would not be performed without a second recall notification from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
While driving a 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the vehicle has intermittently and without warning lost the ability to accelerate. When this occurs, depressing the accelerator pedal — even fully to the floor — produces no response, and the vehicle simply coasts and loses speed. This has happened on three occasions — January 13, 2025; December 16, 2025; and June 10, 2026 — including at highway speed. Each occurrence is documented by a Honda dealer service invoice. In each instance, the check engine light began flashing immediately before the loss of power. The only way to restore normal operation was to bring the vehicle to a stop, turn the ignition off, wait, and restart. Restarting restores power but also clears the check engine light and any stored diagnostic trouble codes. Safety risk: Losing motive power without warning, particularly at highway speed or while merging in traffic, creates a serious risk of a rear-end or loss-of-control collision, because the vehicle cannot accelerate out of danger. The affected systems appear to be the power train and hybrid propulsion system, possibly originating from the engine given the flashing check engine light, which typically indicates an active engine misfire. The exact failed component has not been confirmed (UNKNOWN). The problem has NOT been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer during inspection. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Honda dealer for each occurrence, but because restarting the vehicle clears the fault codes, the dealer found no stored codes and could not duplicate the failure during a test drive. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This matches NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25016 regarding intermittent loss of motive power in MY 2020–2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was slowly backing my car up out of the driveway when the rear window suddenly exploded, shattering all over inside the car and on my driveway. Nothing hit the window, it just simply exploded for no apparent reason. It was about to rain so I quickly covered the back window with plastic and have not yet called the dealership or taken for repair. I had no warning or indication of any problem before the window exploded.
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.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ever since we purchased the vehicle in 2021, it it has made a loud screeching noise when backing up in humid weather or after rain. Whenever we brought it to the dealer's attention, we were told Honda National is aware of the issue and working on a solution. After 3 years of hearing the same thing, we wrote a letter to Honda National and filed a complaint with the NYS Attorney Generals Office. The Attorney General sent our complaint on to Honda for response. See attached documents for the history.
Dear National Recall Team, I am writing to report a recurring and potentially hazardous issue with my vehicle that has not yet been addressed through a recall. Since July 2024, I have experienced a problem with the steering wheel intermittently getting stuck, accompanied by a rattling noise from the left side of the vehicle. During a routine oil change, I asked the service technician to inspect the issue, but I was told everything appeared normal. Despite this, the problem has continued. I followed up with several phone calls but was consistently told that no issues could be found. I brought the vehicle back in again on Friday, where they replaced the brake fluid, yet once again reported no findings. Unfortunately, the steering issue and rattling noise persist, and I am increasingly concerned for my safety while operating the vehicle. When I contacted customer service, I was informed that only vehicles from model years 2022–2024 are currently covered under a recall for steering-related problems. As my vehicle does not fall within that range, I was told I do not qualify for assistance — despite experiencing similar symptoms. I respectfully request that this issue be investigated further, as it appears to pose a serious safety risk. I am happy to provide additional documentation or bring the vehicle in for inspection if needed. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The paint is gradually chipping off around my door frames.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Interior lights switch does not seem to work properly. It started a couple of months ago. I have had issues with the automatic braking when the car "thinks" there is something in front of me and slams on the brakes. 4 out of 5 times there was nothing there. 1 of those times was during a rain storm, so that time I chalked it up to the radar being wet. I have also had several instances when the car flashes "BRAKE" when there is no reason for it. Similarly, when in reverse, the car again "thinks" there is something behind me and beeps when there is nothing within 50 feet of my car. I keep my cameras and radar clean at all times. Before each trip, I wipe them clean.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the seat belt and the steering wheel were deteriorated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that it was normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
The rear center seat belt will not latch. Car was taken to dealer and the dealer confirmed it will not latch but did not have the part in stock and gave no estimate on when it would be in.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Dear National Recall Team, I am writing to report a recurring and potentially hazardous issue with my vehicle that has not yet been addressed through a recall. Since July 2024, I have experienced a problem with the steering wheel intermittently getting stuck, accompanied by a rattling noise from the left side of the vehicle. During a routine oil change, I asked the service technician to inspect the issue, but I was told everything appeared normal. Despite this, the problem has continued. I followed up with several phone calls but was consistently told that no issues could be found. I brought the vehicle back in again on Friday, where they replaced the brake fluid, yet once again reported no findings. Unfortunately, the steering issue and rattling noise persist, and I am increasingly concerned for my safety while operating the vehicle. When I contacted customer service, I was informed that only vehicles from model years 2022–2024 are currently covered under a recall for steering-related problems. As my vehicle does not fall within that range, I was told I do not qualify for assistance — despite experiencing similar symptoms. I respectfully request that this issue be investigated further, as it appears to pose a serious safety risk. I am happy to provide additional documentation or bring the vehicle in for inspection if needed. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
I purchased the Certified Pre-Own 2021 Honda CRV on August 26, 2024. I took it to the Honda Dealership which we purchased it to inspect a noise coming from the passenger front wheel-well. Upon the inspection they noticed the passenger Strut Tower had split open at the weld seam. The Honda dealer claims its due to hitting a pothole and a driver issue. An independent mechanic indicated that doesn't hold true, since there is no damage to the tire, rim, shock absorber or strut along with the car being in alignment. I showed pictures to a master welder who indicated it looked like a failed weld seam. The car is inoperable in the current state given driving it could cause the strut to pierce the hood. On December 12/2/24 I reached out the American Honda Motor Inc, who then put me in touch with a case manager on 12/3 at which time I filed a failed part claim. They responded on 12/6/24 that the claim was denied. I ask for written confirmation of the decision, which they replied they don't provide written Commnication.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
My Honda CRV has a open recall for a weight sensor and I reached out to local dealer many times, part got recalled at the begging of the year and all they say they don’t have the part
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear passenger's side tire became loose, which caused the vehicle to shudder uncontrollably. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. The VIN was not available.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .