2021 Honda CR-V

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Honda CR-V has 432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: i bought a 2021 honda crv on may 01, 2021. on july 22 and again on july 25 this car just suddenly put on the breaks for no reason. on the second occasion my sister was in the car with me and was slung forward. she has had three heart attacks and has a pace maker and was so upset i feared her heart m. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 13 crash reports 11 injuries

432

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

5.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

114 complaints

26%

• I bought a 2021 Honda CRV on May 01, 2021. On July 22 and again on July 25 this car just suddenly put on the breaks for no reason. On the second occasion my sister was in the car with me and was slung forward. She has had three heart attacks and has a pace maker and was so upset I feared her heart m
• Purchased car on July 7, 2021, that same day the car did not start when stepped on brake and pushed start button. Happened again on July 8, 2021. Called Dealer, Took it in on July 9, 2021. They could not duplicate problem. Assured me it was not a problem. Drove to CT on July 10, 2021, Did not star
• I have a 2021 Honda Crv Awd. On 11/14/2021 the Forward Collision Avoidance System engaged . I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned proceeded in 30 feet the system engaged. There was no car or pedestrian in front of me. The car beeped and brakes engaged. Luckily the car behind me was

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“I bought a 2021 Honda CRV on May 01, 2021. On July 22 and again on July 25 this car just suddenly put on the breaks for no reason. On the second occasion my sister was in the car with me and was slung forward. She has had three heart attacks and has a pace maker and was so upset I feared her heart m”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

97 complaints

22%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND EXCEEDING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT WITH AN ABNORMAL FRICTION SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA SANTA MONICA (1301
• My steering wheel jerks me back when I try to turn right and other times it will stick when I turn right and I have to jerk the wheel back straight. It is also jerky when traveling straight down the highway - just worse when turning right. After taking it to a mechanic, he found nothing. I took it t
• Loss of power steering when stationary and turning the steering wheel.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND EXCEEDING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT WITH AN ABNORMAL FRICTION SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA SANTA MONICA (1301”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

35 complaints

• BLUETOOTH AUDIO BACKGROUND NOISE. I JUST PURCHASED A 2021 CR-V ON 16 FEB 2021. I TRADED MY 2018 HONDA CR-V IN FOR THIS NEW VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE 2018 CR-V, ANYONE I CALLED COMPLAINED OF THE BACKGROUND NOISE WHEN USING THE BLUETOOTH/HANDSFREE SYSTEM. THE BACKGROUND NOISE WOULD INSTANTL
• THE BRAND NEW CR-V HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED UPON COMING TO A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. IT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN
• FIRST TIME DRIVING IN THE DARK SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY LAST WEDNESDAY 3/10/2021. I LIVE ON A VERY DARK STREET. WHEN DRIVING HOME THE CLEARNESS OF THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO DISAPPEAR UNTIL I COULD ONLY SEE OUT OF A SMALL SLIT AT THE BOTTOM F THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS AS IF A SHADE WAS BEING B

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“BLUETOOTH AUDIO BACKGROUND NOISE. I JUST PURCHASED A 2021 CR-V ON 16 FEB 2021. I TRADED MY 2018 HONDA CR-V IN FOR THIS NEW VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE 2018 CR-V, ANYONE I CALLED COMPLAINED OF THE BACKGROUND NOISE WHEN USING THE BLUETOOTH/HANDSFREE SYSTEM. THE BACKGROUND NOISE WOULD INSTANTL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

33 complaints

• OIL LEVEL RAISED UP TO ABOVE THE UPPER MARK ON DIP STICK AND SMELL GASOLINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF AND SITTING MORE THAN A FEW HOURS ON LEVEL GROUND.
• The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the
• 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I have a lemon with Honda CR-V year of car 2021 bought it in October of 2021. The 3-year warranty is about to expire. I have taken the car several times to two different Honda dealerships because they are the closest to my home and I don't have anyone to pick me up or take

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“OIL LEVEL RAISED UP TO ABOVE THE UPPER MARK ON DIP STICK AND SMELL GASOLINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF AND SITTING MORE THAN A FEW HOURS ON LEVEL GROUND.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

32 complaints

• THE BRAND NEW CR-V HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED UPON COMING TO A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. IT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN
• The contact owns a 2021 HONDA CR-V. The contact stated that while seated inside the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the ACC and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The fa
• The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V modified for disabled personnel. The contact stated while attempting to drive the vehicle out of the driveaway, the gear shifter remained stuck in the park position. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE BRAND NEW CR-V HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED UPON COMING TO A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. IT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 432 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I bought a 2021 Honda CRV on May 01, 2021. On July 22 and again on July 25 this car just suddenly put on the breaks for no reason. On the second occasion my sister was in the car with me and was slung forward. She has had three heart attacks and has a pace maker and was so upset I feared her heart m
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND EXCEEDING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT WITH AN ABNORMAL FRICTION SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA SANTA MONICA (1301
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BLUETOOTH AUDIO BACKGROUND NOISE. I JUST PURCHASED A 2021 CR-V ON 16 FEB 2021. I TRADED MY 2018 HONDA CR-V IN FOR THIS NEW VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE 2018 CR-V, ANYONE I CALLED COMPLAINED OF THE BACKGROUND NOISE WHEN USING THE BLUETOOTH/HANDSFREE SYSTEM. THE BACKGROUND NOISE WOULD INSTANTL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: OIL LEVEL RAISED UP TO ABOVE THE UPPER MARK ON DIP STICK AND SMELL GASOLINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF AND SITTING MORE THAN A FEW HOURS ON LEVEL GROUND.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)