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2021 Honda CR-V problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Honda CR-V is steering, typically around 40,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical CR-V model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
79/100
Owner complaints
342
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
127
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
29-38mpg
Typical repair
$2,000

The worst 2021 Honda CR-V problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Honda CR-V

Jerking 27Adaptive cruise 19Loss of power 19Check engine light 18Collision warning 17Fuel pump 15Lane assist 12Warning lights 12Phantom braking 11Misfire 9Steering noise 9Sunroof shattered 9Stalling 8ABS 5Hesitation 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V mention

P0087 3

Recalls 4

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 the federal safety agency recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning May 29, 2026.

Recall number 26V332000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported February 1, 2024 · 750,114 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 24V064000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 the federal safety agency recall numbers 21V‑215 and 20V‑314.

Recall number 23V858000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/other: retractorReported November 18, 2021 · 4,346 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138.

Recall number 21V900000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda CR-V

Defect investigations

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency BrakingOpened April 15, 2024, still open

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

EA24002

Rear Differential SeizureOpened November 28, 2022, closed July 22, 2024

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 the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

PE22011

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Honda CR-V 127

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 127 bulletins for the 2021 Honda CR-V

2021 Honda CR-V fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cyl HybridAWD403538
1.5L 4‑cylFWD283430
1.5L 4‑cylAWD273229

What 2021 Honda CR-V owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel system · WI

High pressure fuel pump failed. The failed one is not available. My car went into limp mode, and I could not maintain enough speed to stay in the flow of traffic. The car was diagnosed at an independent service center. The component was not inspected by a manufacturer. There were no warnings prior to failure. They first appeared right when the car went into limp mode.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO

On the morning of Thursday, October 22, 2026, I was driving east through an intersection in Springfield, MO (where I had the green light and did not need to stop first), when the Automatic Emergency Braking system malfunctioned and slammed on the brakes. Facing west, in the south-bound turn lane, was a truck at a full stop and NOT in my lane. I believe this to be a dangerous malfunction of the Automatic Emergency Braking system. I was thankful that I was not rear-ended while stopped suddenly in the intersection. That could have caused other collisions and resulting injury or death. This was the first and only time that I have experienced this malfunction. A call to my Honda dealer has not been returned. The vehicle has not been subsequently inspected. I did not see or hear any symptoms of the problem prior to the malfunction.

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Steering · FL

The steering wheel sticks/binds while driving at highway speeds (sticky steering). It feels like it gets stuck in the center position and requires extra force to move, causing sudden jerky corrections. Dealer states my 2021 Honda CR-V is not included in Recall 24V‑744/NTHSA Action Number EA23003, despite having the exact same defect and safety hazard as 2023-2025 models.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Steering · MS

While driving, the steering wheel exhibits a severe "sticky," binding, and catching sensation, particularly at highway speeds. The vehicle requires excessive physical force to break past this catching point to make minor steering adjustments. When the steering wheel finally breaks free, it causes the vehicle to suddenly jerk or overcorrect, creating an immediate crash hazard and an inability to maintain lane centering safely. The dealership (Honda of Slidell) has diagnosed the vehicle as needing a complete steering gearbox assembly replacement. This vehicle has only 41,035 original miles and has never been in an accident. This mechanical failure mode is identical to the federal safety agency Campaign 24V‑744 (Sticky Steering Manufacturing Defect), which affects adjacent model year Hondas utilizing the same supplier components. The manufacturer is currently excluding the 2021 model year from the safety recall campaign despite experiencing the exact same catastrophic supplier failure. This represents an unaddressed, widespread safety hazard on public highways that requires federal intervention and a campaign expansion.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · ID

While I was driving my kids home my 2021 Honda CRV had every warning light turn on my dash and the car started jerking and braking and nearly caused me to get in accident with my [XXX] and [XXX] in the car. My husband took the car into the shop and the shop said it was the fuel pumps. They are trying to charge us over 1000 for something that is a Honda issue. Many Honda cars have had this issue and there should have been a recall for this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Steering · FL

Electronic power steering failing. Honda dealer verified. EPS keeps sticking and pulling when turning right and over sharp turns particularly more pronounce over uneven roads.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Suspension · LA

*Steering rack assembly and pinion *If this goes out I would not be able to steer the car causing harm to my life and others *yes at 2 Honda dealerships *I only take my car to Honda dealership *no warning lamps came on, the failure started last year in 2025 and finally diagnosed 7/9/25 at Royal Honda and again recently 9/2026 at Honda of Harvey. I notice a lot of Honda crv 2022 and on have recalls for steering rack assembly and pinion it should be 2021 also.

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Car shut off and stalled while Driving.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Steering · NC

Steering gets slightly stuck when turning left and makes a clicking sound. Seems this is already a recalled issue on newer CRV models. The root cause is a manufacturing defect in the electronic power steering gearbox where an improperly set internal spring and insufficient grease cause the worm gear to bind and suddenly release. Dealer wants over $4000 to fix this issue.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Airbags · NJ

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact's friend used a code reader and retrieved DTC: B002-13 (Passenger Air Bag Inflator) and B00D5-17 (Driver Air Bag Inflator).

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Honda CR-V before you buy

Compare the 2021 Honda CR-V

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2021 Honda CR-V

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?

Owners have filed 342 complaints about the 2021 Honda CR-V, fewer than a typical CR-V model year.

What is the 2021 Honda CR-V year score?

The 2021 Honda CR-V scores 79 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Honda CR-V: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Steering, with 116 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (97).

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?

4 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, gasoline and seat belts.

What year does the Honda CR-V have bad steering?

The Honda CR-V model years with the most steering complaints are 2018 (335 complaints), 2023 (325 complaints) and 2019 (198 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda CR-V get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Honda CR-V range from 29 to 38 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, AWD) gets 40 city and 35 highway.

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