2021 HONDA CR-V

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

3RecallsNHTSA Verified100ComplaintsNHTSA Data1InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
โš ๏ธElevated Concerns

The 2021 Honda CR-V demonstrates notable reliability concerns, particularly due to multiple recalls affecting critical systems such as seat belts and fuel delivery. With a peak failure range occurring between 20k and 40k miles, this model's issues require close attention from both current owners and potential buyers.

Key Factor:Multiple critical recalls

๐Ÿ“‹Why This Matters

The specific defects in the 2021 Honda CR-V can significantly impact safety, particularly the recalls related to seat belts and airbag systems. An improperly functioning seat belt retractor may jeopardize the security of child restraint systems, potentially leading to severe safety risks during accidents. Additionally, ongoing issues with the fuel pump could lead to stalling or engine failures, presenting a danger on the road. Such vulnerabilities challenge Honda's historically strong reputation for reliability in their compact SUV segment.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
๐Ÿ“Š

Expert Analysis

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • โš ๏ธ
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • โš–๏ธ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.3)
    ๐Ÿ“
    Summary: In light of this data, the year-over-year safety trend for the Honda CR-V appears troubling compared to segment expectations. While Honda has long been revered for its engineering quality, these recent defects highlight a worrying shift that could compromise its legacy in reliability and consumer trust.
Critical Component: Warning

Safety & Reliability Score

66/100
Average

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-24
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 HONDA CR-V

Engine1.5L Turbo / 2.0L Hybrid
Cylinders4
Drive TypeFWD / AWD
Fuel TypeGasoline / Hybrid
Body ClassSUV
Model Year2021
MakeHONDA

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more โ†’
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued
Oct24
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

โš ๏ธ

Most Reported Issue

31 complaints (31% of total)
โžก๏ธ

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
โœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

๐ŸŸ High
8(8%)
๐ŸŸกMedium
23(23%)
๐ŸŸขLow
69(69%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

โš™๏ธEngineering Insight

For owners of the 2021 CR-V, understanding that most failures arise between 20k and 40k miles is paramount. This is typically when owners may experience critical issues like fuel pump failures or airbag malfunctions, indicating that preemptive inspections around this mileage threshold are essential for safe ownership.

๐Ÿ“Š Mileage data extracted from 24 of 100 complaints (24% coverage)
0-20k
3 reports (13%)
20k-40k
9 reports (38%)
40k-60k
6 reports (25%)
60k-80k
4 reports (17%)
80k-100k
2 reports (8%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

SEAT BELTSAIR BAGSFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

๐ŸŽฏRisk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Fuel Pump

Issue: Potential for fuel pump failure that can cause engine stalling.

โœ…

Schedule an inspection at your dealership immediately if you notice any starting issues or engine misfires.

๐Ÿ”

Request comprehensive service records and inquire about any completed recall campaigns before making a purchase.

Campaigns:21V48900021V19300022V195000
2

Seat Belt System

Issue: Automatic locking retractor may deactivate improperly, affecting child seat security.

โœ…

Confirm compliance with safety standards by having your vehicle's seat belt system checked at a certified repair facility.

๐Ÿ”

Verify recall status regarding seat belt systems with your Honda dealer prior to buying.

Campaign:21V522000
3

Air Bag System

Issue: 'Front passenger weight sensor may crack' leading to airbag deployment failure.

โœ…

'Check passenger weight sensor functionality regularly; report any issues immediately.'

๐Ÿ”

'Ensure that any previous air bag recall work has been done before purchasing.'

Campaign:22V064000
๐Ÿ’กVisit NHTSA.gov or contact your HONDA dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (3)

Campaign: 21V900000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Summary

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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Campaign: 24V064000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Summary

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, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Campaign: 23V858000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Summary

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. 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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 CR-V.

INV-2021-1000๐ŸŸข Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding CR-V performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 24,510

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 CR-V.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning31%
Accident11%
Noise9%
Acceleration Issues8%
Check Engine Light6%
Stuck5%
Electrical๐Ÿ”ต Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

My dash board lit up and started dinging. Many different messages were flashing across the screen such as driver assist feature problem, TPMS problem, and others related to the electronic driver assist features. I noticed a difference in the way my car handled as I was pulling off the highway to a gas station to check my tire pressure. It seems drivable at the moment and I don't have another vehicle option. It's a 2021 CRV.

Dec 20, 2025Open
Brakes๐Ÿ”ต Low
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Phantom emergency braking. Vehicle slamming on brakes at intermediate times when there is no emergency.

Dec 18, 2025Open
Other๐Ÿ”ต Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When driving on a state route vehicle began to slow down. Going 55mph with other vehicles going the same speed behind me, I was stopped in the middle of the road and barely was able to get to the side of the road before possibly getting hit. There is a warning light that came on stating โ€œemission system problemโ€. I am currently getting it towed to a Honda dealership to get it assessed. Iโ€™ve only had this vehicle for a year.

Dec 12, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ต Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Emissions light came on took to dealer. All the fuel injectors need replaced with 84,000 miles. Carbon buildup dealer has done many should be a recall but there isnt.

Dec 9, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ต Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

This has happened twice in a month. I was driving on the interstate and the check engine light began flashing. The engine lost power and would not accelerate beyond 40 mph. The situation was incredibly unsafe as both times I was on the interstate and had to pull over. The second time was at night and around heavy construction which increased the danger. On each occasion the light turned off and the problem fixed when I turned off the car and turned it back on. Both times I took the vehicle to the dealership and they were unable to find the code or any issues. On the second time they recommended adjusting the valves and replacing spark plugs. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else. There were no warnings prior to the flashing check engine and the car losing power. On both occasions this happened within ten minutes of starting the vehicle.

Dec 9, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ต Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

On two recent occasions over the past month, my 2021 CR-V Hybrid has lost motive power/check engine light flashing, with the while driving on busy interstate roads between 60-70 mph, decelerating in fast-moving multi-lane traffic. The dealership service department has not been able to fix the issue. I believe this issue is similar to others that the NHTSA is evaluating (PE25016). This issue could be very dangerous if a driver is not able to safely move off the road or shoulder. Please issue information to car owners and dealers on how to fix this serious issue.

Dec 9, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ถ Medium
ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while parking, and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently up a slight incline and collided with a stone boulder/wall. Neither the contact nor the passenger sustained injuries. The contact stated that no collision warnings were activated to detect the collision. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the failure could not able to be replicated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle has yet to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Dec 5, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ต Low
ENGINE

Report from dealer: Customer states that the vehicle feels like it's sporadically shooting forward when accelerating between 20-30mph. Check and advise vehicle failed AF test,all cylinders failed (rich).

Nov 30, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ถ Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

Model: 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid VIN: [XXX] ]] Mileage: [78000 old motor | 25000 replaced motor] Issue Type: Engine Stalling / Rough Idle/ Low Operating Temperature / Warranty Denial Maintenance History: Dealer-maintained per schedule Dealer Name/Location: [American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Attn: Customer Relations / Warranty Department 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501] Manufacturer Contacted: Yes โ€“ denied assistance despite known issue TSB References (if applicable): TSB 21-013, TSB 22-087 --- Complaint Summary: I am reporting a known issue with my 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid involving engine sludge accumulation and chronically low operating temperatures, which I believe are tied to a systemic design flaw affecting hybrid models of this generation. Despite proper maintenance at a Honda dealership, I was informed of internal engine sludge. The issue appears linked to the engine not reaching optimal operating temperaturesโ€”leading to oil degradation and sludge formation over time. This matches problems detailed in official Honda Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 21-013 and TSB 22-087), yet I was denied warranty support, even under a Goodwill request. Honda regional representatives and mechanics provided no meaningful analysis or assistance and defaulted to denying support without adequately addressing the root cause. This is deeply concerning, particularly since multiple owners nationwide have reported similar problems. I believe this issue poses a long-term reliability and potential safety risk and should be investigated. I seek resolution from Honda, including coverage of necessary repairs and full acknowledgment of the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Nov 25, 2025Open
Engine/Powertrain๐Ÿ”ต Low
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I am experiencing the problems that are described in investigation NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25016. When driving on the highway, there have been multiple times (8-10) when the car stops accelerating and the check engine light starts flashing. I am not able to accelerate the car. If it turn the car off for 5-10 minutes, the check engine light stops flashing and I am able to drive the car again. It has always happened when I haven't driven the car for a while (either driving it for the first time for the day or after sitting idle at work for 8 hours), the problem happens within minutes of getting on the highway. I have taken the car to the dealership for service twice with this problem. The first time was in late August. They said there was no code with the check engine light and they could not replicate or find a problem. The most recent time was this past Friday (Nov. 21, 2025). I experienced the problem and immediately took it to the dealership. Because the check engine light was flashing, they were able to pull diagnostics and retrieve a code. They said a fuel check showed cloudy fuel and a spark plug was brown to copper color. They removed the old fuel and replaced all four spark plugs. This did not fix the problem, as I experienced it again this morning (Sunday, Nov. 23).

Nov 23, 2025Open

Frequently Asked Questions

'What are common issues reported with the 2021 Honda CR-V?'

'Common issues reported by owners include problems with seat belts not retracting properly, malfunctioning airbag sensors which can lead to improper deployment during crashes, and faults in the fuel system causing intermittent stalling. Each of these factors presents significant risks regarding overall vehicle safety.'

'How does warranty coverage apply to recalls on the Honda CR-V?'

'Honda provides warranty coverage on repairs related to recalls for affected vehicles regardless of mileage within a specified period. Itโ€™s important for owners to stay informed about open recalls as they can have direct implications on vehicle safety and operation.'

๐Ÿ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

๐Ÿ“ˆImproving Trend

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 50%.

๐ŸงญWhat This Means for You

Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified HONDA service centerโ€”repairs are performed at no cost to you.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in HONDA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
๐Ÿ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Obtain proof of recall completion for all 3 campaigns before purchase.
  • Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.
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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.