2021 Honda CR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 CR-V years
The 2021 Honda CR-V ranks 9th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 47 and a "Good" verdict relative to other CR-V years. NHTSA lists 330 complaints, 4 recalls, and 14 crashes, with Steering as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 330
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 27.5 city / 33 hwy
Top 2021 Honda CR-V problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering111 (34%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras89 (27%)
- Engine38 (12%)
- Other38 (12%)
- Electrical System36 (11%)
- Brakes27 (8%)
- Fuel System27 (8%)
- Lane Departure17 (5%)
- Airbags14 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel unexpectedly turned on its own at low speeds (around 30-35 mph), sometimes causing a crash into a pole.
- Some drivers describe the forward collision avoidance system failing to brake and colliding with another vehicle.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or stopped at a light, even with the brake pedal depressed.
- Some vehicles reportedly rolled backward on an incline after being placed in park, with the brakes failing to hold.
- Airbags reportedly did not deploy in some rear-end and other collision incidents.
2021 Honda CR-V recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2021 Honda CR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,200
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Honda CR-V a good year?
- Relative to other CR-V model years, the 2021 CR-V carries a "Good" verdict, ranking 9th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 47.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Steering issues account for 34% of complaints (111 complaints), followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 27% (89 complaints) and Engine issues at 12% (38 complaints).
- Does the 2021 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 CR-V, covering Airbags, Fuel System, and Seat Belts components, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 CR-V compare to the 2018 CR-V?
- The 2018 CR-V has a Complaint Index of 100 and an "Avoid" verdict with 2,141 complaints, far higher than the 2021 CR-V's Complaint Index of 47 and 330 complaints.
- What is the median mileage for steering complaints on the 2021 CR-V?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 40,000 miles for Steering-related complaints on the 2021 Honda CR-V.