High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2021-honda-cr-v

2021 Honda CR-V Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

← Compare All CR-V Years
Defect Risk Score
97 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
338
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
4
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
15
14 Crashes • 1 Fires
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2021 Honda CR-V Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Steering System 33.7%
114 reported failures
Driver Assist & Tech 16.9%
57 reported failures
Unknown Or Other 8.6%
29 reported failures
Electrical System 8%
27 reported failures
Engine & Cooling 6.2%
21 reported failures
Braking System 6.2%
21 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2021 Honda CR-V (4)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #21V900000 Component: Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor

Defect 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."

Safety Hazard: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #24V064000 Component: Airbags & Restraints

Defect 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.

Safety Hazard: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #23V858000 Component: Fuel System

Defect 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.

Safety Hazard: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #26V332000 Component: Airbags & Restraints

Defect Summary: 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.

Safety Hazard: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Free 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 NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

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🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11772890 • Fuel/Propulsion System 10/22/2026

"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..."

ODI #11772409 • Steering System 10/20/2026

"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."

ODI #11771571 • Suspension 10/16/2026

"*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...."

ODI #11769816 • Steering System 10/08/2026

"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..."