YearToAvoid

2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid ranks 4th out of 6 model years, with a complaint index of 40 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 103 complaints, 3 recalls, and 5 crashes, with Engine issues the top complaint area at 40% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#4 of 6 CR-V Hybrid years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
103
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
38
40 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine41 (40%)
  2. Electrical System24 (23%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (21%)
  4. Fuel System17 (17%)
  5. Other13 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain12 (12%)
  7. Brakes8 (8%)
  8. Steering6 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (3%)
  10. Airbags2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or backing up, sometimes with the brakes failing to respond.
  • Some describe the vehicle shutting off suddenly at highway speed, causing loss of steering control and a crash.
  • Several report the collision avoidance system triggering false forward-collision warnings and automatic braking with no object present.
  • One owner reported the vehicle entering limp mode at highway speed after a low battery voltage and check engine warning appeared.
  • A tire sidewall failure was reported that split similar to a re-tread separation.
  • One owner reported real-world fuel economy well below the advertised EPA combined figure.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2021Mar 2022Nov 2022Jun 2023Feb 2024Aug 2024Feb 2025Sep 2025
103 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2024 (6).

2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

  3. NHTSA 23V844000Dec 13, 2023Electrical System106,030 vehicles

    Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cable routed outside of the body frame is missing a fuse on the power circuit, which can allow the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash.

    Risk: An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FGB.

2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
40 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
38 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other CR-V Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Best082538
2021Good40103338
2022Best2075438
2023Avoid100116538.5

All Honda CR-V Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2021 CR-V Hybrid a complaint index of 40 and a Good verdict relative to other CR-V Hybrid years, ranking 4th out of 6. It has 103 complaints and 3 recalls on file.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
Engine issues make up 40% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 23% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues at 21%. Engine-related complaints show a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 CR-V Hybrid, covering airbag seat weight sensors (two campaigns) and a 12-volt battery cable missing a fuse in the Electrical System. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2021 CR-V Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2020 and 2022 model years both earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 0 and 20, while 2023 and 2024 are rated Avoid with indexes of 100 and 80. The 2021 model sits in the middle with a Good verdict and index of 40.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 38 mpg combined (40 city, 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.