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Your vehicleHome›Honda›CR-V› 2021
Honda · Compact SUV

2021 Honda CR-V

Hybrid Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 5
Complaints19 crash · 1 fire · 18 injured reported 444
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 38 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Honda CR-V is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CR-V Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 38 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 444 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Honda CR-V — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Honda CR-V · Photo: © M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CR-V Hybrid AWDHybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl + 266V Li-Ion403538$1,750
CR-V FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo283430$2,250
CR-V AWDGasAWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo273229$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43476, 43472, 43475.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
CR-V Hybrid AWD7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
CR-V AWD, CR-V FWD6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement1.5 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower190 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: EX, EX-L, HYBRID EX, Touring). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length180.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.8 in
Height66.1 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Track, front63.0 in
Track, rear63.8 in
Curb weight3,311–3,483 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear58/42

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV AWD, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 CR-V
Other years The 2027 CR-V Recalls Honda recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Honda CR-V is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

98,892 vehicles 32% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 reported May 21, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

XHP, VHQ
750,114 vehicles 58% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 reported Feb 1, 2024 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KGC, KGD
2,490,460 vehicles 79% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 reported Dec 18, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

FGB
106,030 vehicles 87% reported repaired Hybrid only
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V844000 reported Dec 13, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

ABS, BBT, NBQ, RBR
4,346 vehicles 85% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V900000 reported Nov 18, 2021 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Loss of Motive Power open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 48 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports alleging intermittent loss of motive power in Model Year (MY) 2020–2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles.  These incidents are alleged to occur without warning at highway speeds and are accompanied by a flashing check engine light immediately before the loss of motive power occurs.  Motive power can be restored by turning the ignition off and back on.  However, this action also clears the check engine light and any fault codes that were set.  The fault’s intermittent nature, combined with the lack of fault codes, often results in many visits to re

Opened Oct 28, 2025 · action PE25016 · the investigation’s page →

Forward Collision Avoidance:Software — Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking open

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequat

Opened Apr 15, 2024 · action EA24002 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Power Train — Rear Differential Seizure closed

On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, an

Opened Nov 28, 2022 · closed Jul 22, 2024 · action PE22011 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific CR-V

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Honda publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Honda’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Honda CR-V, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Honda CR-V

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this CR-V →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
444complaints filed

19 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 18 injuries · 0 deaths reported

16 per 10,000 built · Honda reported 286,173 CR-V built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 26 · 2022: 54 · 2023: 40 · 2024: 104 · 2025: 113 · 2026: 107

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance → 139
Steering 114
Engine → 73
Electrical System → 58
Unspecified 51
Fuel/Propulsion System 47

In depth: automatic emergency braking problems → · engine problems → · electrical problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The car is less than 2 years old and needed complete rotor replacements due to brake pads sticking to calipers. No reason for this - pads sticking to calipers - to have occured. Car had normal driving and was parked in a garage. As well, brake fluid needed replacing a year earlier than scheduled.
Service Brakes Jan 13, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11501643
On more than one occasion, the vehicles automatic emergency braking system engaged unexpectedly. This occurred when there was no obstruction in front of the vehicle
Forward Collision Avoidance Dec 16, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11497800
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V modified for disabled personnel. The contact stated while attempting to drive the vehicle out of the driveaway, the gear shifter remained stuck in the park position. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off.
Electrical System at 14,800 miles Apr 22, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11461799
2021 Honda CRV Hybrid. 11/9/22: When accelerating to merge onto a highway, moving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle rapidly decelerated as driver tried to accelerate (went into limp mode), the check engine light came on and the engine made a continuous clattering sound. The vehicle would not go above 15 mph in 55-60 mph traffic.
Engine Dec 1, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11495632
I'm trying to report an incident that involved my Honda CRV running into a totally stopped Tesla in the HOV lane on I-75 in Atlanta Georgia on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at around 9 AM. We came around a large curve and had no time to avoid running into the TOTALLY STOPPED Tesla in the HOV lane.
Air Bags May 20, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11465446
While driving on the highway, my vehicle flash an error "Check 12 Volt Charging System. Power Reduced." Having received this error a few months prior, I immediately moved to the shoulder to prevent a collision
Fuel/Propulsion System Mar 14, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11456711

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Honda itself: 81 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 101 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 28 per 100,000 built. Every CR-V model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 33k

miles, typically

Half the 60 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 15,000 and 56,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 14
10k–20k 10
20k–30k 5
30k–40k 6
40k–50k 9
50k–60k 4
60k–70k 4
70k–80k 2
80k–90k 2
90k–100k 2
100k–150k 2
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Steering1940,0001.6×
Engine1456,0001.12×
Forward Collision Avoidance1340,0004.0×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2021-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported later: steering (1.6×), forward collision avoidance (4.0×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2018–2022 model years the Honda CR-V ranks 20 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 0.61× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 14,800 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Driver-assist crash reports (6)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
6reports filed

2 no injury reported · 4 severity unknown

Oct 2021 to May 2022 · 5 with an air bag deployment · 3 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Unknown 5 · Passenger Car 1

Filed by: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
May 2022Level 2Passenger CarunknownCA—62-2955
Feb 2022Level 2Unknownno injury reportedNJ—62-2912
Dec 2021Level 2UnknownunknownPA—62-2340
Oct 2021Level 2UnknownunknownMI—62-2439
—Level 2UnknownunknownUN—62-2692
—Level 2Unknownno injury reportedVA—62-2940

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

Customer called requesting assistance in obtaining parts needed to complete their vehicle's repair. The repair was needed due to a stated incident, however, no details of the incident were provided. The customer stated Lane Keeping Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged at the time of the incident
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2692 — NHTSA SGO filing
Customer was turning left at an intersection and crashed into a vehicle that he did not notice speeding up on his left side. The customer alleges that both the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2340 Dec 2021 NHTSA SGO filing
The customer was driving through an intersection when another driver T-boned the customer on the driver's side. The customer alleges that the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2439 Oct 2021 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 6 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Honda warranty extension (66) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 173
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 133 service bulletins, 40 others

Most often about: Engine, Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion System, Visibility/Wiper, Suspension.

  • A26-018 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).
  • A26-016 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).
  • 2026-08-26 · Engine
  • Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or DTCs P0300 through P0304 stored.
  • A26-018 Service bulletin
    2026-08-26 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.
  • A26-016 Service bulletin
    2026-08-26 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.
  • 2026-04-27 · Power Train
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of an oil leak coming from the passenger side transmission/differential oil seal. The leak may also be found during normal service or an oil change. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempt
  • 2026-04-10 · Power Train
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of an oil leak coming from the passenger side transmission/differential oil seal. The leak may also be found during normal service or an oil change. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempt
  • 2026-03-27 · Engine
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021 CR-V FHEVs with a customer complaint of an oil leak coming from the passenger side transmission/differential oil seal. The leak may also be found during normal service or an oil change. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempt

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0172
P0172 on Honda →		The engine is running rich on bank 1: too much fuel for the air going in.Fuel/Propulsion System · Oxygen sensor →21 bulletins
P0087
P0087 on Honda →		Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →9 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P0304
P0304 on Honda →		Cylinder 4 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →6 bulletins · 2 owner reports
P0300
P0300 on Honda →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →6 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0441
P0441 on Honda →		The evaporative purge is not flowing the way it should.Electrical System · EVAP purge valve →4 bulletins
P04F1
P04F1 on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
P0302
P0302 on Honda →		Cylinder 2 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →2 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Honda CR-V failed the emissions check on 0.63% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.82% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 0.63%

failed emissions

15,890 initial inspections of 15,668 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 CR-VEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check0.63%1.9%15,861
Failed the safety inspection0.82%1.5%15,890
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.20%0.19%15,890
Miles driven a year9,88210,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer52,75654,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

CR-V by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 40 mpg2026 B 2 171 40 mpg2025 D 6 290 40 mpg2024 C 5 481 40 mpg2023 D 8 633 40 mpg2022 D 6 348 38 mpg2021 this page C 5 444 38 mpg2020 D 9 441 38 mpg2019 D 8 1,107 30 mpg2018 D 5 2,161 30 mpg2017 F 7 1,776 30 mpg2016 C 3 394 29 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 CR-V

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Honda CR-V have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Honda CR-V. The most serious on file is 26V332000, covering Air Bags. 1 campaign is phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Honda CR-V?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Honda CR-V 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (70/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Honda CR-V, the best EPA combined figure is 38 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Transport Canada measured it at 180.7 in long, 72.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.1 in tall, on a 104.7 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,311–3,483 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Honda CR-V, most often about forward collision avoidance, steering, engine. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 18 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Honda CR-V?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Honda CR-V runs 6 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Honda CR-V?

The manufacturer has filed 173 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda CR-V, most often covering engine, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Honda CR-V do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Honda CR-V failed the emissions check on 0.63% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.82% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations3 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates3 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls5NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints444NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins173NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations4NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports6NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 CR-V The CR-V model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Honda recall on file All campaigns filed against Honda vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this CR-V by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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