2021 Honda CR-V complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · STEERING · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EPS steering rack locks up and causes jerking in steering wheel. This is a known recall on 2022 models but happening on older models as well. There is a clicking noise and a feeling of a stuck steering wheel. My Vehicle has less than 50k miles on it and has only been to Honda for inspections and this was missed. Dealership has even confirmed and charging a hefty repair fee. If these are not caught soon enough they will only get worse causing accidents due to locking steering wheels

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE · VISIBILITY/WIPER

Dozens of photos&videos avail. When rains or humidity electrical is severely effected. All electrical warning lights turn on. Car wont shut off. Econo mode wont work and car stalls. Wipers wont turn off while driving. Lane change notification warnings go haywire and are unreliable. Has been "fixed"5 times and still happening. Car turned on by itself recently when it rained. Research has revealed that this is a common complaint with this particular vehicle/model. When conditions are dry it goes back to normal. This has been happening for a year and nobody has been able to fix it because they seem to not understand Honda Electrical. I have to tarp my car when off.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · EXTERIOR LIGHTING · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving on the highway with my child in the vehicle, all dashboard warning lights suddenly turned on at once. Immediately after, the vehicle began to shake, lose power, and would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was jerking and pulling back and forth, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. I took the vehicle to a mechanic, and they diagnosed a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump and all four spark plugs. The repair cost was $1,436. This failure happened unexpectedly in a 2021 Honda CR-V, which raises serious safety concerns due to sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2021 Hybrid CR-V - within the last 10 months the vehicle has twice lost engine power while driving on expressways with just enough time to pull off the road. In the same period of time, at least 6 times, when initially starting the engine, the engine runs roughly and will not accellerate. So far, this has happened in cold or cool weather but not extremely cold weather. In an effort to restart the system, we then shut the system off, wait a few minutes and try restarting. Occaisionally, the engine will start normally after this "reset". More often, if the "reset" doesn't work, we shut off the heat/cooling system (to keep the system from calling for the engine power) and restart the system in EV Mode. The car will begin moving in EV Mode. The engine then starts and runs normally when accellerating beyond the EV system's capacity to accelerate. We understand this problem does not register in the car's computer as a "fault" once the car's engine operation returns to normal. Therefore, the dealers are unable to diagnose the problem. We have read of many other people having the same experience without any satisfactory correction from the dealerships or mechanics. Because this is an intermitant and unpredictable failure, and because the engine and system operates normally for long periods between incidents, the error must be computer/electrical and not related to the fuel pump. We have also replaced the aged engine battery and cleaned the cables. This did not correct the problem. Any assitance in resolving this issue is appreciated. We are concerned that the system will fail completely at the most inopportune time, leaving someone stranded on the highway or being a road hazard on a highway.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE

Auto-Restart is failing, causing car to stall or shut down entirely. When we pull up to a red light and the engine turns off, the car does not restart. Sometimes, it needs to be manually turned back on — sometimes, it shuts down entirely and requires a jump. Most recently, it required a jump and blocked traffic for 15 minutes on a busy street.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

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.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

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.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 – 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 temperatures—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)

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Component or system involved: Electrical system / infotainment unit / audio system / driver-assist camera systems. Yes, the affected components are available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The incident occurred at highway speeds, which created a potential safety hazard because the infotainment system suddenly shut down, the audio system emitted a loud “pop” sound, and driver-assist features became unavailable. The distraction and temporary loss of information could increase crash risk. Reproduction: The issue has not been reproduced yet and has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center at this time. Inspection: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, dealer, police, insurance, or any other agency. Warning signs: No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the failure. The issue started suddenly while driving. What happened: While driving at approximately 65 mph on a major highway with cruise control active, the infotainment system suddenly shut off for about five seconds. At the same moment, the audio system emitted a loud “pop” noise similar to a small explosion. After that, the screen restarted and remained stuck on the Honda logo for around two minutes. When it finally rebooted, the clock reset itself to UTC instead of the correct local time. All of this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, which created a distraction and potential safety concern. No previous warnings or symptoms were present before the event.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the battery failed to start the engine. The vehicle was jumpstarted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact noticed acid on top of the battery by the terminals and noticed that acid had dripped down the vehicle, and the battery was hot. The dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the battery short-circuited, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The battery failed a third time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C condenser had failed. The vehicle was repaired. Upon leaving the dealer, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. An unknown toxic gas emitted from the A/C vents and splashed the contact's face. The contact went to the emergency room and was informed that an unknown toxic gas had burned and injured the contact’s left eye. The contact was partially blind in the left eye. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the intake manifold had failed. The dealer stated that the intake manifold needed to be snapped back into place. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and abnormal sounds were coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle and issued a no trespass order against the contact. The contact towed the vehicle to another dealer in Sarasota, Florida. The dealer installed a switch near the starter. The contact stated that afterwards it was found out that the dealer in Bradenton, Florida had failed to install the A/C filter. The A/C failure persisted. Several warning lights were illuminated. Most recently, after entering the parking lot at a gas station, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front end. Upon investigation, the contact noticed that the overflow of the coolant had leaked out. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the coolant sensor and the engine control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

On 7/21/2025, the car smelled of rotten eggs. When I got home I checked the Honda website for recalls. There is a recall on the fuel pump for my type of car, but not with my vin number. I researched that if the fuel pump goes without repair it can lead to the catalytic converter needing replaced. So, I went outside to go get some dinner and the car wouldn't start. Everything inside flashed a few times and then went dead. This car is only 4 years old. I believe they've missed my car on their recall list.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Alternator failed suddenly at 24000 miles causing power steering to fail and vehicle yo just shut down in roadway.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I had 2 unrelated issues in the past 2 days: 1) rear door actuator malfunction. The door won't lock or unlock as part of the central locking system 2) The "break" alert went off without any cars around. Happened once, breaks weren't activated by the car.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the contact stated that the automated brake warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that the brake would inadvertently engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,233.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

AIR BAGS · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Important safety recall unresolved. There are defects to the internal short circuit from environmental humidity. This issue may cause the airbags to deploy and increase the risk of injury. There is a limited supply of parts; according to the recall letter, the dealership confirmed the current status. I called the manufacturer's care program and was told there are no changes in the status of the recall being repaired.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

With keyless transmitter in my possession…Intermittent Attempts to start the vehicle can be almost impossible due an extremely firm brake pedal with high resistance. First attempt.. extremely firm brake pedal with high resistance…pressing the start button… no results. Second attempt brake pedal will have a slight “give” .. pressing the start button only results in all dash warning/ inspection lights illuminating. Third attempt usually results in the vehicle starting normally. In an attempt to remedy the problem… I have replaced the start/stop button… problem still persists. Have read numerous articles and posts in forums and on the internet that other owners of various Honda models with the push button start switches experiencing the same issue. I have contacted my local Honda dealer… they state to date they have not had any customer reports of this problem … However… …. contacting an independent Honda repair shop reveals they in fact have had customers report this issue. When this happens… there is no warning… no illumination of DTC lamps on the dash… intermittent… but very concerning

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · POWER TRAIN

EPS gearbox. When entering into a turn the steering wheel gets stuck and requires additional force to pull wheel out of the turn for both left turns and right turns. The risk of overcorrecting or being unable to return the wheel to a forward direction is a major risk to the driver and to others. The vehicle is uncomfortable to drive due to the unpredictability of the sticking steering. The more severe the turn the more sticky the steering. The issue seems to be progressing over time since it was first noticed (May 2024; vehicle purchased Aug 2021). The vehicle was taken to the Honda service center for diagnosis; however, there were no warning lamps or messages triggered by the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by the service technician with the recommendation to replace the EPS gearbox assembly. The observations by the technician were "The EPS steering assist is not performing correctly on left turns. Checked suspension for binding. No damage found. Gearbox assembly will need to be replaced". The vehicle is a 2021 Honda CR-V with 42,000 miles (Honda warranty 3 YR/36,000 miles). The Honda service center initially placed responsibility on customer to repair at a cost of approx $4,000. This case has still not been settled and no authorization for repair has been agreed upon.

Retrieved Sep 30, 2026