Owners have reported 11 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda CR-V. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints70
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the steering system of the 2021 Honda CR-V, primarily describing a "sticky" or stiff steering wheel that suddenly releases, causing overcompensation and difficulty in maintaining control. This issue is often noted at highway speeds and during turns, with some reports of the steering wheel not returning to the center without manual correction. Complaints typically arise around 17,000 to 53,000 miles, with several owners having been advised to replace the steering rack at significant cost. Safety implications include two reported crashes and one injury, emphasizing the potential for loss of control. Buyers should be aware that similar steering issues have been recalled in later model years, suggesting a possible defect in the steering components.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints66
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report unexpected activation of the Forward Collision Avoidance system, often resulting in sudden braking without any apparent obstacles. Complaints commonly describe the vehicle abruptly decelerating or coming to a complete stop, particularly when cruise control is engaged, with dashboard warnings like "BRAKE" flashing. Incidents occur at various speeds, from city streets to highways, and some reports note occurrences during lane changes or while passing under bridges. The issues are reported across a range of mileages, with some vehicles experiencing problems as early as 30,000 miles. Safety implications include a reported crash and two injuries, with many owners expressing concern about the potential for rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints44
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several issues with the electrical system of the 2021 Honda CR-V, with frequent mentions of dashboard warning lights flashing and electronic driver assist feature malfunctions. Complaints often describe sudden power loss and inability to accelerate, particularly at highway speeds, posing a potential safety risk. Many owners also mention infotainment system failures, such as screens going blank or rebooting, and issues with automatic braking systems engaging unexpectedly. These problems are noted at various mileage levels, from as low as 1,200 miles to over 70,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes, and four report injuries, highlighting significant safety implications.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the sunroof spontaneously shattering, often described as a loud explosion while driving, with several incidents occurring around 27,000 miles. Another common issue involves the touch screen malfunctioning, affecting features like the backup camera and navigation, with some owners noting the screen going black or displaying errors. Multiple complaints also mention sudden and inappropriate activation of the automatic braking system, posing a risk of rear-end collisions. Additionally, there are reports of tire pressure monitoring system delays in detecting low tire pressure, leading to potential tire damage. Safety concerns are underscored by reports of a crash and injuries related to sudden acceleration and braking issues. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints23
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues related to engine misfires, loss of power, and head gasket failures. Common symptoms include flashing check engine lights, engine knocking noises, and sudden deceleration, often occurring during highway driving or when climbing hills. These problems typically emerge between 20,000 to 80,000 miles, with some owners noting engine overheating and coolant consumption as indicators of more severe issues. Safety implications are evident, as one complaint involves a crash due to unintended acceleration. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially concerning the hybrid models and potential repair costs associated with head gasket and fuel system failures.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints22
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the automatic emergency braking system engaging unexpectedly, often without any obstruction present, leading to sudden deceleration or stops. Typical symptoms include abrupt braking at various speeds, sometimes accompanied by warning lights or alarms, though not always. These incidents are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three reports involving crashes and one injury, highlighting the risk of rear-end collisions or loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly the potential for unexpected braking and the challenge of diagnosing the issue, as many dealerships reportedly cannot replicate the problem.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints14
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues related to power loss and unexpected deceleration, often accompanied by engine warning lights. Complaints commonly describe incidents where the vehicle loses power or enters limp mode, particularly in hybrid models, with several reports occurring around 23,000 to 130,000 miles. Some owners mention problems with the CVT housing leaking, resulting in transmission sluggishness and power loss. Safety implications include one crash involving sudden unintentional acceleration, as well as multiple instances of power loss on highways, posing risks of rear-end collisions. Buyers should be aware of these power train issues and the potential for significant repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V report issues primarily related to airbag recall repairs being delayed due to unavailable parts, with multiple instances of parts distribution disconnects. Complaints frequently mention airbags not deploying during crashes, even when significant impact occurs, with some incidents resulting in injuries. These issues are noted at low mileages, such as 1,800 and 4,000 miles. Safety implications include four reported crashes, two of which resulted in injuries, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers considering this model. Additionally, some owners report dashboard warning lights for airbag faults, which persist despite attempted repairs.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with unexpected loss of power and acceleration problems, particularly during highway driving. Common symptoms include sudden deceleration, inability to accelerate despite pressing the gas pedal, and flashing engine lights. These incidents often require drivers to pull over and restart the vehicle to regain normal function. Additionally, some owners describe instances of unintended acceleration, both from a stopped position and while parking. Safety implications are significant, with one report involving a crash and injury when the vehicle accelerated into another vehicle without driver input. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with no clear pattern based on usage duration.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V frequently report issues related to the fuel propulsion system, with common symptoms including the check engine light activating and a loss of engine power, particularly at highway speeds. Several complaints describe failures of the fuel injectors and fuel pump, often leading to stalling or significant power reduction, typically occurring around 50,000 to 84,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, as these failures often occur without warning while driving at high speeds, posing a risk of collision due to sudden loss of acceleration. Additionally, some owners report a strong fuel smell when using the heater, which appears around 50,000 miles. These reports suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers, especially for those considering vehicles with mileage within the affected range.
