One of the best recent CR-V years
By 2021 the oil problem was largely solved, and complaints per car sold dropped to about half the CR-V average. Steering feel and occasional phantom braking are the main gripes, so test both on the drive.
Updated November 2026 · based on 447 owner complaints and 5 recalls
124 45% below the CR-V average
5 free to fix at a dealer
Every CR-V year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2021 CR-V
Top problems and what they cost
Sticky steering at highway speed
The most common complaint: the wheel binds slightly when making small corrections, causing over-correction.
Fix: Ask a Honda dealer about the steering service bulletin; a gearbox outside coverage costs about $1,200 to $2,000.
Steering
Automatic braking with nothing ahead
Some owners report hard braking on open highway, sometimes with adaptive cruise on.
Fix: Radar check and software update: about $150 to $400 out of warranty.
Collision avoidance
Hybrid fuel economy and warning lights
A few hybrid owners report lower mileage than advertised or power loss with the check engine light on.
Fix: Diagnosis $100 to $200; hybrid parts are covered 8 years or 100,000 miles in most states.
Engine
Recalls
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Honda CR-V
- Confirm all 5 recalls show as repaired, including the rear seat belt (21V900) and battery cable (23V844) recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2021 CR-V has 5 recalls on record, listed below.
- On the highway, make small steering corrections and feel for binding.Steering should feel smooth and even. Clicks, a heavy wheel, wandering or a catch can mean a worn coupler, steering gear or tie rods, and some failures were recalled.122 of the 447 owner complaints about the 2021 CR-V involve the steering (27%).
- Drive with adaptive cruise on for a few miles and watch for false braking.The automatic emergency braking system can brake hard for no reason, called phantom braking. Testing it around parked cars and overpasses shows whether this car does it.Owners filed 51 complaints about automatic emergency braking problems on the 2021 CR-V.
- On a hybrid, check that no warning lights stay on and ask for the remaining hybrid warranty.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.58 of the 447 owner complaints about the 2021 CR-V involve the electrical system (13%).
Questions
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?
One of the best recent CR-V years. By 2021 the oil problem was largely solved, and complaints per car sold dropped to about half the CR-V average. Steering feel and occasional phantom braking are the main gripes, so test both on the drive.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
5 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Honda CR-V problems?
Sticky steering at highway speed; Automatic braking with nothing ahead; Hybrid fuel economy and warning lights.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Honda CR-V SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.