The Lemon Index

All cars · Honda CR-V · 2021

2021 Honda CR-V. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index64100 = average car
Complaints224NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold361,271U.S. model year
Per 100K sold62complaints
Year rank#13 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.5L 4-cyl turboAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD28 / 34 / 30Regular$2,100
1.5L 4-cyl turboAuto (variable gear ratios)AWD27 / 32 / 29Regular$2,150
2.0L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)AWD40 / 35 / 38Regular$1,650

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,500 and 56,000 miles. Median 28,500, from 62 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering40,00032,800–57,50019
Automatic emergency braking30,0009,000–56,00011
Engine52,0008,900–69,20012
Electrical9,9001,200–27,10010
Transmission & drivetrain15,80011,200–32,2006

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Automatic emergency braking42%
Electrical17%
Steering15%
Engine9%
Brakes8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
44019115017

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 26V332000 May 2026 Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger

    Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve

  • 24V064000 Feb 2024 Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger

    Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

    Risk. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

  • 23V858000 Dec 2023 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

  • 23V844000 Dec 2023 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery / Cables

    Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. 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.

    Risk. An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FGB.

  • 21V900000 Nov 2021 Seat Belts / Rear/Other / Retractor

    Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenLoss of motive power2025–
OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023
ClosedRear differential seizure20222024

Manufacturer communications 163

Honda filed 163 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Service Bulletin - Steering effort complaint while driving at moderate or highway speeds, with…
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Honda CR-V SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Honda CR-V SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Honda CR-V HYBRID SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

YouTube repair topics

98 videos about the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, 25.1M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical1589K
Transmission & shifter2483K
Oil changes & service3450K
Brakes & ABS3445K
Timing chain & engine3438K
Gauges, lights & wiring3428K
Oil dilution & oil burning3384K
Driveshaft, axles & 4x41189K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2018209803379,013Engine
2019120472384,168Automatic emergency braking
202056176333,502Automatic emergency braking
202164224361,271Automatic emergency braking
202272238238,155Steering
2023148633361,457Steering
2024139481402,791Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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