Is the 2021 Honda CR-V a bad year?
342 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Honda CR-V are in line with other CR-V years. Steering and collision avoidance stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 CR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 33,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 116 (34%) | 20k–43k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 89 (26%) | 10k–40k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 36 (11%) | 15k–68k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 34 (10%) | 1k–31k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 31 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 28 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 17 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 33,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 342 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 12 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
119 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Honda CR-V: 4
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 117
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire
Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored
Some customers have complained of fluid leaking from the rear differential after it has been serviced due to over-torqueing of the drain plugs during servicing
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Rear Differential Seizure
Neighbouring years
2020 CR-V: 361 complaints, keep it · 2022 CR-V: 270 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda CR-V year
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Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V a bad year?
342 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years. At 33,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (116), collision avoidance (89), engine (36), electrical system (34), fuel system (31).
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-064), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Seat belts (NHTSA 21V-900). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.