The Lemon Index2021 Honda CR-V.
The 2021 Honda CR-V is better than average by owner complaints: 224 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 64, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 29 to 38 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 98 YouTube videos about the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, 25.1M views. The 2021 is the same CR-V.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical589K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CR-V Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Change Replace CRV Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 589K views - Transmission & shifter483K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Transmission CVT Fluid Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 268K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service450K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Oil Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 209K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS445K views
DIY Honda CR-V Rear Brake Replacement Using Honda Tech Instructions 2017 - 2021 Models with EPBRob's Garage Woodworking · 198K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine438K views
2019 Honda CRV - The Ultimate User GuideTwo Guys and a Ride · 178K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring428K views
2018 Honda CR-V Multiple Warning ADAS System Lights Code P2583-76Phillip Bailey · 178K views · 3 videos - Oil dilution & oil burning384K views
2017 2018 Honda CRV 1.5 Oil Dilution Product Update RecallJack of All Master of None · 212K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4189K views
Honda CRV AWD Rear Differential Fluid Change - 5th Gen - 2018 - Vortex GarageVortex Garage · 189K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems with Honda CRV 2017 to 2022RB The Mechanic · 319K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CRV problemsBCauto_ · 182K views
2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Should You Buy The Hybrid?Ben Hardy · 167K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 440 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda CR-V year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 56K miles on the car (62 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 32K–57K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- airbags 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Show all 5 recalls
- electrical 2023
The 12-Volt battery cable routed outside of the body frame is missing a fuse on the power circuit, which can allow the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash.
- seat belts 2021
The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 163 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service Bulletin - Steering effort complaint while driving at moderate or highway speeds, with…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenLoss of motive power2025
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedRear differential seizure2022–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda CR-V HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1700–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I was driving 50 mph and the automatic braking system engaged without any cars directly in front of me in my lane. It puts us and everyone behind us when it suddenly brakes.
2021 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 11526063
More owner reports
The car detected an forward collision in error and began to brake. Emergency warning came on with beeping. No object was in front of the vehicle. Was traveling approx 40 mph on city streets.
NHTSA complaint 11440062
2021 Honda CR-V hybrid. Consumer writes in regard to software issues. The consumer stated while using acc the vehicle would brake prematurely. The consumer was concerned this would cause a rear-end collision.
NHTSA complaint 11464501
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 64; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2021 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (42%), electrical (17%) and steering (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda CR-V get?
29 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,500 and 56,000 miles. The middle report was at 28,500 miles, from 62 complaints.
Does the 2021 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $1700 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works