CarModelProblems.com

2021 Honda CR-V Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 11/01/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 5.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
340Complaints
4Recalls
14Crashes
1Fires
13Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (34.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Steering complaints here are 5.5× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.

An open NHTSA investigation (EA24002, opened Apr 2024) covers Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, but no recall has been issued for it yet.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering116 · 34.1%No official action—
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking70 · 20.6%Under investigationEA24002
Engine33 · 9.7%No official action—
Electrical System32 · 9.4%No official action—
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings28 · 8.2%Under investigationEA24002
Fuel/propulsion System27 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 23V858000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING116 · 34.1%
Unspecified / other38 · 11.2%
ENGINE33 · 9.7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS28 · 8.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM27 · 7.9%
SERVICE BRAKES25 · 7.4%
AIR BAGS15 · 4.4%
POWER TRAIN12 · 3.5%

Percentages are the share of the 340 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

NHTSA campaign 21V900000 · 2021 · reported 11/18/2021

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 2024 · reported 02/01/2024

An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2023 · reported 12/18/2023

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 2026 · reported 05/21/2026

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“The steering wheel began sticking some time ago. It seemed to come and go, so I didn't pay a lot of attention to it. It…”NHTSA complaint 11593846 — filed 06/12/2024 · STEERING
“Steering feels sticky and temporary requires extra force to get the wheel to turn”NHTSA complaint 11593491 — filed 06/10/2024 · STEERING
“The steering is sticking. It takes effort to correct the steering. There is also a clicking sound when the wheel sticks. This can make steering…”NHTSA complaint 11593176 — filed 06/07/2024 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

25202155202244202392202412520251422026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 116 of 340 NHTSA complaints (34.1%), followed by forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (70), unspecified/other issues (38), engine (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?

340 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2021 Honda CR-V have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V900000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2021 Honda CR-V's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (EA24002) into forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 11/01/2026.