2021 Honda CR-V Complaint Log

While I was driving my engine installed and all of the lights on my dashboard lit up, including, but not limited to the check, engine, tire, pressure and disabling of all of my safety features. Once I had it towed to the Honda dealership, I was told my fuel pump was not working. As I was on the interstate, my car stalling was absolutely a risk for a collision. When I asked the technician what could’ve caused this problem he said “I’m not sure but we’ve had a few of these recently.” so I feel like it has been reproduced. Prior to the failure, there was no sign of issue. I recently (August 15th) had my car serviced for an oil change and there were no issues.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticking. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repair would not be performed without a second recall notification from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

On highway driving steering wheel seems to stick

About a year ago, I was driving at speeds of approximately 10-15 mph when my car braked and immediately brought me to a dead stop despite no obstacles being present in the roadway. It appears the automatic emergency braking system malfunctioned. Had there been a car behind me, it likely would have caused an accident. On August 15, 2025, I was driving on the freeway using the adaptive cruise control when traffic in front of me slowed, engaging the automatic emergency braking. Traffic in front of me cleared almost immediately but my car was still very rapidly decelerating. I pressed the gas pedal, but the vehicle continued to bring me to almost a complete, immediate stop on the freeway (I had been traveling at 70-80 mph prior to the stop). I feel incredibly fortunate that I did not end up in an accident due to the traffic behind me and that no one was injured or killed. I pulled off onto the shoulder when it became clear that I was not going to be able to quickly regain control of my vehicle. Driving a vehicle without being able to properly control it was an absolutely terrifying experience. I was bracing myself for impact from behind as I desperately tried to regain control and accelerate back up to the flow of traffic. I am certain that this malfunction will result in deaths if not addressed. On August 23rd, 2025, I was driving on a highway at approximately 60 mph when the car in front of me slowed in preparation for a right turn off the road. I had disabled the CMBS feature at the beginning of my drive, yet the car still braked without me hitting the brake pedal. It was not an immediate, abrupt brake as I had experienced in the other two previously described incidents, but it was still highly unnerving to feel another loss of control of the vehicle, especially since the system was supposedly disabled.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

My 2021 Honda CR-V displays an “All System Failure” message while driving. On multiple occasions, the car has also braked suddenly on its own when there was no obstacle in front of me. This is a serious safety hazard, as it could cause a crash from behind. The issue is intermittent but recurring. It has happened several times recently. I know other Honda CR-V owners are experiencing the same problem, and some mechanics report they are seeing this issue frequently. I am very concerned about the safety of myself and my children while driving this vehicle. This vehicle was in an accident 3 years ago, but these problems only began recently and are consistent with widespread reports from other CR-V owners.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes activated independently. The contact immediately depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving and the brakes released independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,323.

Tailgate latch stopped working and would no longer stay shut. This caused safety risk by allowing contents of the trunk to become unsecured and potentially exit the vehicle while driving. The car was taken to a shop where the malfunction was confirmed and the part replaced. There were no indications of the malfunction other than a warning that the tailgate was open.

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.

• During the short time I have owned this vehicle the automatic emergency braking system has engaged 3-4 times when there was no object in front of the vehicle. The vehicle can be made available upon request. • All incidents happened when driving on the freeway. Fortunately no one was following me which could have resulted in my being rear ended for a sudden stop. • I took the vehicle into the dealership service center today (8/8/25) where they told me it is normal and I should just be a good driver, keeping my distance from vehicle to the front of me. They stated that if they were to replace it the same thing would occur. The problem has not been reproduced by the service center. • When these issues have occurred on one occasion the braking alert sounded ( beeping noise) and then the car started braking. On the other occurrences I do not recall the alert. The car just started braking. Other than that there were no warnings it was going to happen.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel injector was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

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

Sticky steering, clicking on turning and needed to hold on tight while driving. Changing lanes on highway felt unsafe like the car would lose control. Car was recently at Honda for a recall on passenger seat sensor for the airbags. During the repair, a tire bulge was noticed and Honda dealer recommended we get that tire replaced ASAP. (Manager at LEA HONDA said not necessary to replace all 4 on AWD. ?.? ) Shortly after, the steering problem began whether or not related. We had our reliable private mechanic replace the other 3 tires and found the steering gear box defective and had to replace it and quite an expense. We kept the old one. There have been recalls on the steering gear box and this should be added. 2021 SHOULD be on the recall with the others.

The power steering rack failed making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The problem steadily grew worse over several months and was verified by a dealer service center. Clearly, faulty steering is a safety risk and one that Honda is aware of, having previously recalled 1.7 million vehicles similar to mine. The dealer merely changed out the power steering rack rather than actually investigating to determine the specific problem (i.e. opening the power steering gear box). The following is a synopsis of my complaint: 1) Honda produced a defective part which clearly impacted the safety and performance of my vehicle after only 53,000 miles. 2) Honda refused to acknowledge the defect in this particular vehicle despite recalling 1.7 million others. 3) Honda advised that if the defect is acknowledged in the future, only vehicles repaired by a Honda dealership may be eligible for compensation. 4) Honda technicians, upon performing the necessary repair did NOT investigate whether the problem was caused specifically by the same gearbox issue that warranted recalling the other vehicles. The faulty power steering rack was not inspected by anyone. It is currently in my possession. There were no warning lamps or messages. There was difficulty steering the vehicle. There was a "sticking" sensation in the steering wheel which grew worse and eventually kept the vehicle from being able to be steered smoothly at speed.

I own a 2021 Honda CR-V with approximately 47,011 miles. I’ve noticed that when I hold the steering wheel perfectly straight, the vehicle pulls slightly to the right. This happens on flat, level roads and is most noticeable at speeds over 45 mph, especially on highways. At higher speeds, the drifting becomes more pronounced, and the car feels unstable. It seems like the vehicle is fighting against my steering input, which raises a serious safety concern, especially during long highway drives or in emergency situations. I took the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership, and they diagnosed a failing steering rack, which they say needs to be replaced. The repair estimate is $4,478. This seems unreasonable for a vehicle with under 50,000 miles and no accident history or modifications. The steering rack is a critical safety component, and its failure at this mileage suggests a potential defect. I am filing this complaint to report the issue and urge NHTSA to investigate whether this is an isolated case or part of a wider problem. If others are experiencing the same failure, I believe a safety recall may be warranted. I also request that Honda be required to assist affected customers.

Sticky steering/stiffness in steering. Steering sticks in place and then when forced the car jerks quickly to either side. This has put my family and others at risk as it is hard to control the steering and causes sudden movements from side to side. No warning lamps or messages appear on the dash. The Honda dealer inspected the vehicle and determined the vehicle has an internal failure to steering rack and will require replacement. Replacement cost is $4,204.17. The vehicle is one year out of warranty. The large Honda steering recall is for model years 2022 and newer. Honda would not cover this repair under the current recall and will only do so if the recall is extended. I called American Honda to see if they would offer any goodwill and after their internal review they decided against any goodwill unless the recall is expanded as the vehicle is out of warranty. This is our first and last Honda. We will share our experience with our friends and neighbors - Honda seems to not understand what customer service means but they do know how to lose current and future customers.

During wet conditions or after a car wash, the steering get stuck and requires force to free it up. Usually resulting in overcorrecting and erratic steering. I believe there is a recall for the same issue on CRV models but not in my year range.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, there was an abnormal popping sound, with an abnormal tug of the steering wheel in the same direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the electric power steering rack assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,753.

When parallel parking, steering became extremely heavy making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. This was followed by heavier-than-normal steering when driving at speeds ranging from 25-45 mph.

The Power Steering Rack/Gearbox has been determined to be faulty and needs to be replaced. It will keep getting harder to steer. The dealership said that another had recently been replaced. There has not been any inspection by Honda, only the dealership who diagnosed the issue. There has been a recall of later models by Honda. October 9, 2024 — TORRANCE, Calif. Approximately 1.7 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the U.S. affected by a defective part in steering gearbox Issue can cause increased steering effort and difficulty that can increase risk of a crash or injury Free repair of steering gearboxes will be completed at authorized Honda and Acura dealerships American Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 1.7 million 2022-2025 Acura and Honda vehicles in the U.S. for a free repair of a defective part in the steering gearbox that could result in an increased risk of a crash or injury. 2023-2025 Honda CR-V. It seems unreasonable that a model 4 years old and less than 63,000 miles will need $3,450 repair for a safety issue related to steering the vehicle. It occurs at all speeds. The steering problem appears to be very similar to the issue related to the 2023 models.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) independently activated, causing the vehicle to suddenly come to a stop, and the front driver’s and front passenger’s side seat belts to independently lock. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA24002 (Forward Collision Avoidance). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Honda CR-V involving the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). On multiple occasions, the vehicle has applied the brakes suddenly and forcefully without any obstacle or vehicle in front of me. THIS HAD HAPPENED OVER 20 times since i bought the CAR on March 10 2024. The most recent incident occurred while I was driving at highway speed on a clear, dry day. The CMBS system engaged abruptly, causing the car to decelerate rapidly and SLAMED BREAKS automatically. There were no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstructions ahead. This unexpected braking could have easily resulted in a rear-end collision, endangering me and other drivers. I have kids in the back sit and the car behind us almost hit my car. I am afraid the result might have been much worse if there was TRUCK behind my car. I took the vehicle to the Honda dealership, but they were unable to replicate the issue and did not offer a fix. They also mentioned that unless the problem could be duplicated, any diagnostic or repair fees would not be covered, despite this being a known issue under investigation by the NHTSA. I am aware that the NHTSA has an open Engineering Analysis (EA24-002) into this very issue affecting millions of Honda vehicles. I’m deeply concerned that this problem continues to put drivers and passengers at risk and believe a formal recall is necessary. I request that this issue be escalated and that Honda be held accountable for a fix before someone gets seriously injured or killed. Please contact me if additional details or documentation are needed.

The steering wheel sticks when beginning to turn it. Occurs at all speeds and seems to be more prevalent at warmer temperatures.

The steering wheel sticks during turns causing the wheel to jerk back into place afterwards. There were no warning lights to alert of this issue. The dealership says that the entire power steering system needs to be replaced and quoted me $3500. I bought the car 6 months ago with 27000 miles on it. I have now learned that this issue is common on the CRV and that newer models have been recalled. I'm hoping that the 2021 can be added to the recall.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The dealer made the contact aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

My 2021 Honda CR-V has experienced incidents where it suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes while I was driving, despite: - No vehicle, pedestrian, or object is present in front of me - No driver input on the brake pedal - Not using cruise control at the time My car occasionally jerks or shows warning lights before stopping, sometimes without any warning. I suspect an issue with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) or related driver-assistance components. These braking incidents occurred under normal driving conditions and pose a high risk of being rear-ended. My car's issues remain unresolved, and I feel unsafe while driving my vehicle. Two dealerships conducted four diagnostic tests (on 18, 19, 21, and 24 May 2025) to evaluate the Honda Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) and the associated driver-assistance components. But no issues were identified during these evaluations. - 23 May 2025, I discussed my car’s issues with a Honda Case Manager (in California). He did not accept any responsibility for the reported Honda braking issues. - 27 May 2025, I filed a formal complaint with Honda Customer Service. Honda has not taken any action to address my car’s issues.

I was driving down a main road and with no cars in front of me, my Automatic Emergency Breaking came on, flashed Brake and then brought my car to an immediate stop. I made an appointment at my dealership. The dealership said there were no recalls and said they would charge me $50 to try to recreate the issue but they didn't think they would be able to recreate it.

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.

The steering wheel was sticking when steering to the left then back to center, almost like it was catching on something. Took to the dealer and they replaced the electric rack due to the steering issue.

The steering is sticky and makes a grinding noise as it is turned to its neutral position. Notice more during a right turn. But overall steering is not smooth.

Sticky steering wheel. It catches when beginning to turn(i.e. when changing lanes or turning corners). Right now, it doesn't keep me from continuing to turn, but issue is getting worse in terms of frequency of occurrence. It occurs every time I take the car out. Currently, the car has less than 14,000 miles on it. Problem has not been examined nor confirmed by dealer. There have been no warning lamps, messages, or other symtoms prior to problem occurring.

Driving on the highway going 55 mph when the car in front of me in the left lane more than 5 car lengths began to break, recognizing this I put my blinker on and tried to switch to the right lane when suddenly the automatic breaking kicked in and slowed the car down to a near stop. I was unable to deactivate with the break or the gas for a few seconds and by that time I was stuck between the lanes nearly getting t-boned in the right lane before the car swerved to avoid my vehicle. Had there been someone behind me in the left lane I would have surely been in a terrible and fatal accident. I was in complete control of the car and received no more than a one second warning (in the form of a short beep) that the automatic breaks would kick in suddenly. This put myself and my passenger in serious danger. This is not the first time this has happened and has happened as I have approached an exit on the highway as well. Again, fortunately no one was driving behind me that time as well. There is something seriously wrong and I no longer trust the safety of my vehicle. There is also no way for me to turn this feature off until there is a formal recall issued. The dealership says there is no active recall therefore I will need to pay $175 to get the issue checked out.

When turning (any direction and any speed) the steering wheel will get stuck requiring more effort to turn the vehicle. It was initially intermittent but has recently become more frequent. After searching online this appears to be a common issue with newer Hondas.

Head gasket failure. 79,600 miles. Car consumes coolant. Coolant is entering the firing ring when car sits after being driven a distance of 5 miles or more and sits for about 8 hours, vehicle starts with a misfire and makes a small amount of white sweet smoke out of the exhaust pipes even in 85 degree weather. Car smooths itself out after 10-30 seconds. No OBDII or Honda specific codes. Spark plugs, ignition coils, and spark plugs again since 75K. Over $2,000 into this car in repairs. Refilled coolant reservoir 3 times since April 8TH (3 full jugs of Peak Asian blue from Advanced Auto Parts). I want justice for this car and other Honda 1.5T vehicle owners as many of them have this happen at the 80K mark and they’re being quoted $10K for an engine and $5K for a head gasket. There are several people with Accords, Civics, CR-Vs equipped with the 1.5T engine that have coolant leaking into one cylinder. Oil looks fine and not milky. And besides the coolant being low, it looks fine (blue/aqua). Only when the car sits. Car was brought to Rivera Honda in Port Jeff and they couldn’t find any issues. Car is consuming coolant. No leaks. It’s being burned when you start the car after it sits. Gushing liquid noise when car starts or with idle engine stop activated and car restarts.Design flaws on cylinder head has grooves that allow coolant to flow on top of the head to cool it. Failure point according to a Honda mechanic on YouTube. Second flaw is poorly designed head bolts that are too thin and are brittle, not making a good seal as the vehicle ages. Parts are not expensive at all, but the man hours needed to replace this are the killer. 4.5 years old with 80K, it’s Honda. It’s supposed to run forever. Not die under 100K. I would expect this problem after 250K or when the car is over 10 years old. My Godmother had a 1998 Accord that she had for over 20 years and it only needed a fuel pump as a major repair. A testament to Honda’s rock solid reliability. What happened?

The steering sticks really bad when going around a curve or turning. It has been doing it for months, but it keeps getting worse.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became sticky while turning. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The contact was informed that the repair of the vehicle would be an out-of-pocket expense. Upon investigation, the contact discovered and linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Steering sticking at highway speed

Excess friction between the worm wheel and worm gear.

I have noticed an issue with the steering wheel in my vehicle. It feels sticky and does not turn as smoothly as it once did. Specifically, it sticks at certain intervals when steering at highway speeds, such as when making long right or left turns. Additionally, when making sharper/ slower turns, like when turning into a parking space, I hear cracking or popping sounds coming from the steering wheel as I turn.

Today was the fourth time that the automatic breaking system engaged when there was no other car present to trigger it. I was going under 5 miles an hour. The car next to me was making a left-hand turn, and there was no car in front of me to cause the breaking system to engage with such a force that I thought I was rear-ended by a truck

On Friday, March 21, 2025, there was a very loud explosion (bomb-like) while driving. Parts started flying off the car, including shattered glass. The next day I took the car to the Honda Dealership and was told the sunroof had exploded. I was very fortunate that I or anyone in the cars behind me were not injured. Unfortunately, Honda is not covering this as part of my warranty. I currently have a little over 27,000 miles on the car.

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the seat belt and the steering wheel were deteriorated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that it was normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

The steering wheel sticks.

I have a 2021 Honda CRV with only 15,166 original miles on this car. I am the original owner and only driver of this car. The entire rear windshield defroster is leaking ! Windshield is unsightly but possible hazard for shattering I live in Florida and have NEVER used any defroster with this Honda. Honda has not recalled these cars for this manufacturing defect

February 5, the car infront of me swerved to avoid a 2x4 in the road and I tried to do the same but my lane assist beeped and took control and forced me to run it over now I am going through another insurance claim because my electrical system is broken now due to the new damage. Since my last accident, even my passengers can feel when the car resists my steering and when I try to correct it by turning the steering wheel slightly more, it just lets go and causes me to have to correct the over maneuver. I drive 60+ miles a day and I feel my car resist my steering too often, I do not feel comfortable. I purposely since my last accident don't even have my lane features turned on and it still over corrects.

On several occasions since I’ve owned the vehicle, it has come to a complete stop while driving at highway speeds without any apparent reason, accompanied by a warning of a possible collision. On one such occasion, the vehicle stopped so abruptly that I initially thought I had been rear-ended, though thankfully no cars were near me at the time. If other vehicles had been nearby during any of these incidents, I believe it could have resulted in a serious accident. While I am grateful for the technology, as it has also helped me avoid an accident on two separate occasions (different from the above referenced instances), I believe the system needs improvement to prevent these unexpected stops from occurring.

Steering sticks and will not return to center without correction. I am told there is a recall for 2022 models for this same issue.

Rear liftgate struts did not hold the liftgate up and it hit me in the head. Outside temperature was 12 degrees. Aside from a minor bump and some humiliation, no injury done. But I had to hold the tailgate door to put my mailman bag in the trunk because it wouldn't stay open.

Since new, TPMS fails to warn of a low tire unless the car is driven for 5 miles. The TPMS in this car is ABS-based, and each wheel does not have an individual TPMS sensor, rather the wheel speed is what determines if the car has a low tire or not. Brought to Honda several times, could not duplicate, says TPMS performs as it should. Recently had a flat, 3/4 tires were inflated to 37 PSI and the left rear had 4 PSI. Warning light did NOT come on. Drove on low tire for 2.5 miles before noticing I had a flat tire from a nail. AAA came, put the "donut" on the car, and within another 2.5 miles, the TPMS warning light came on, followed by "TPMS System Problem." Not the first time this happened, but I had to buy a new tire because I drove on it flat - which was ~ $267 in Costco for a Michelin Defender 2. Luckily, I did not drive too long of a distance that would've damaged the wheel, but this is problematic especially if you're on the highway. As you can tell, a 4-year-old car with 74K on it, I do a lot of driving. This needs to get rectified.