2021 Honda CR-V: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data
Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team
Before you buy a 2021 CR-V
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Open investigation
NHTSA has one open investigation covering this year: EA24002 (engineering analysis into the forward collision avoidance since Apr 2024). An open investigation is a question NHTSA is asking, not a finding of a defect.
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the steering: 27% of the 444 on file. The top components are steering (120, of which 4 mention a crash and 3 an injury), forward collision avoidance (71, of which 1 mentions a crash and 2 an injury) and electrical system (50, of which 2 mention a crash and 2 an injury). Across all 444 reports, 19 describe a crash, 1 a fire and 15 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
123 complaints (28% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the steering (50).
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Changes from 2020
EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2020; five recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (equipment, fuel system, seat belts and others).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (2-litre 4-cylinder hybrid) is rated 38 mpg combined, better than most for the 2021 SUVs we cover (median 26 mpg across 47 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 29 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $1,690 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,220 in the thirstiest.
Complaint trends
444 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
- Steering — 104 complaints (23%)
- Forward collision avoidance — 69 complaints (16%)
- Unknown or other — 31 complaints (7%)
- Engine — 22 complaints (5%)
- Electrical system — 18 complaints (4%)
- Service brakes,forward collision avoidance — 14 complaints (3%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“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.”
“I was approaching an exit on the highway going about 60 mph when my car braked suddenly causing rapid deceleration. I was not touching the brake pedal and in fact tried to push the accelerator to no effect.”
“Since April 2026 my Honda Crv 2021 had been having issues with all the warning lights on my dashboard turning on and off.”
Recalls
4 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
· 26V332000 · 2026-05-22
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
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.
Consequence: 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. 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.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
· 24V064000 · 2024-02-01
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Consequence: 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. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
· 23V858000 · 2023-12-19
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Consequence: 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. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
· 21V900000 · 2021-11-18
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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."
Consequence: 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.
Investigations
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance: sens
Opened 2024-04-15
NHTSA summary
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. Ho…
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft, power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal, power train:axle assembly, power train:
Opened 2022-11-28 · Closed 2024-07-22
NHTSA summary
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…
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Electrical system 28 documents (2021-09-07 – 2024-09-12)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-12 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-08-08 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-07-24 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-07-09 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-05-31 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-05-18 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-05-03 | other | Electrical system |
| 2024-04-15 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2024-03-25 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2024-03-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-01-25 | service bulletin | Electrical system, visibility |
| 2023-01-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system, visibility |
| 2023-01-03 | service bulletin | Electrical system, electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge |
| 2022-12-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-11-28 | service bulletin | Electrical system, visibility |
| 2022-11-28 | service bulletin | Electrical system, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-11-08 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-11-02 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-10-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-09-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-09-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system, visibility |
| 2022-08-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-07-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-12-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-11-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-11-04 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-10-20 | service bulletin | Electrical system, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-09-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
Fuel system 21 documents (2021-06-15 – 2023-03-28)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-28 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling |
| 2023-03-13 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling |
| 2023-01-03 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, fuel system… |
| 2022-12-13 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, electrical system |
| 2022-10-25 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling |
| 2022-10-06 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-09-15 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling |
| 2022-08-26 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling |
| 2022-07-05 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-01-22 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling, equipment |
| 2022-01-03 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-11-29 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-11-16 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, equipment |
| 2021-10-30 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-10-13 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-09-10 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-08-25 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-08-09 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline, electrical system |
| 2021-07-20 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-07-01 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-06-15 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
Visibility 13 documents (2021-09-25 – 2023-09-28)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-28 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system |
| 2023-06-15 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system |
| 2023-06-12 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system |
| 2023-05-19 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system |
| 2023-04-25 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2023-04-05 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:compressor |
| 2023-02-15 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2022-11-02 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2022-10-24 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2022-08-09 | service bulletin | Visibility, electrical system |
| 2021-10-25 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2021-10-04 | service bulletin | Visibility |
| 2021-09-25 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:refrigerant hoses and fit… |
Suspension 13 documents (2021-05-10 – 2022-05-01)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-01 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-10-27 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-10-11 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-09-20 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-09-10 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-08-25 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-08-09 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-07-22 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-07-08 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-06-03 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-06-01 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-05-13 | service bulletin | Suspension |
| 2021-05-10 | service bulletin | Suspension |
Service brakes 12 documents (2021-03-10 – 2021-10-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-10-25 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-10-05 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-09-10 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2021-08-25 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-08-09 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-07-22 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-07-07 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-06-15 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2021-05-26 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2021-04-22 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-03-30 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-03-10 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
Engine and engine cooling 10 documents (2021-10-26 – 2022-10-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-10-06 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-09-15 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-08-16 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-07-26 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2022-07-21 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2022-07-11 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2022-06-22 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment |
| 2022-06-07 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment, fuel system,… |
| 2022-02-08 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, engine, electrical system, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021-10-26 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
Engine 7 documents (2024-07-26 – 2024-10-11)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-11 | other | Engine |
| 2024-09-21 | other | Engine |
| 2024-09-11 | other | Engine |
| 2024-08-26 | other | Engine |
| 2024-08-23 | other | Engine |
| 2024-08-16 | other | Engine |
| 2024-07-26 | other | Engine |
Power train 7 documents (2022-12-02 – 2024-02-19)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-19 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2023-11-03 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2023-04-07 | service bulletin | Power train, engine and engine cooling |
| 2023-01-23 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2022-12-08 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2022-12-02 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2022-12-02 | service bulletin | Power train |
Show all 18 categories
Equipment:electrical:infotainment 2 documents (2024-02-15 – 2024-02-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-29 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system |
| 2024-02-15 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:infotainment, equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (tou… |
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system 2 documents (2023-05-19 – 2024-01-24)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-24 | service bulletin | Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system, visibility |
| 2023-05-19 | service bulletin | Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system, visibility |
Steering 1 document (2024-09-03)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-03 | service bulletin | Steering |
Visibility/wiper 1 document (2024-06-19)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-19 | service bulletin | Visibility/wiper |
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel 1 document (2022-11-28)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-11-28 | service bulletin | Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, electrical system |
Structure 1 document (2022-08-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-08-25 | service bulletin | Structure, electrical system |
Air bags:SRS malfunction warning lamp/light 1 document (2022-01-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-29 | service bulletin | Air bags:SRS malfunction warning lamp/light |
Seats 1 document (2022-01-04)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-04 | service bulletin | Seats, air bags:SRS malfunction warning lamp/light |
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner 1 document (2021-11-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-16 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, visibility |
Electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge 1 document (2021-09-27)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-09-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge |
123 communications on file, grouped into 18 categories.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 40 | 35 | 38 |
| CR-V FWD | 1.5L 4cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 34 | 30 |
| CR-V AWD | 1.5L 4cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 32 | 29 |
Safety ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides