2021 Honda CR-V recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda CR-V and 336 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are steering (113), forward collision avoidance (87), unknown or other (38). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2021 ranks #3 of 14 CR-V model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (686). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.7 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2021 Honda CR-V. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts · rear/other · retractor
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
*Steering rack assembly and pinion *If this goes out I would not be able to steer the car causing harm to my life and others *yes at 2 Honda dealerships *I only take my car to Honda dealership *no warning lamps came on, the failure started last year in 2025 and finally diagnosed 7/9/25 at Royal Honda and again recently 9/2026 at Honda of Harvey. I notice a lot of Honda crv…
Car shut off and stalled while Driving.
Steering gets slightly stuck when turning left and makes a clicking sound. Seems this is already a recalled issue on newer CRV models. The root cause is a manufacturing defect in the electronic power steering gearbox where an improperly set internal spring and insufficient grease cause the worm gear to bind and suddenly release. Dealer wants over $4000 to fix this issue.
Safety ratings
2021 Honda CR-V SUV AWD
2021 Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2021 Honda CR-V.
CR-V AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
CR-V FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Honda CR-V, most recently for air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger (05/21/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V?
Based on 336 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are steering (113), forward collision avoidance (87), unknown or other (38).
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V safe?
The 2021 Honda CR-V earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2021 a good year for the Honda CR-V?
The 2021 ranks #3 of 14 CR-V model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (686). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.7 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda CR-V get?
EPA ratings for the 2021 Honda CR-V range from 29 to 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2021 Honda CR-V in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: CR-V.