2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

35 owners have reported engine problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 34% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 37,416 mi.

Engine complaints
35
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
37,416 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine35

Engine complaints across Honda CR-V Hybrid years

232020352021112022820231820243202512026
Engine complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 2, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2021 CR-V Hybrid, approximately 103,000 miles. Multiple incidents of loss of propulsion at highway speed with engine shaking and a flashing MIL. Cycling the ignition restores normal operation, and the codes disappear. I have had it scanned, and no errors show up. Spark plugs and ignition coils have been replaced. The vehicle has also displayed an engine high-temperature/reduce-acceleration warning. This can be in relation to NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25016 that has been…
    NHTSA complaint #11761715 · source
  2. Filed Aug 24, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    I am a senior citizen who bought a brand new 2021 Honda CRV hybrid in 2022. I used the vehicle mainly for driving around town in city driving. I ensured that my vehicle received all the necessary scheduled maintenance at either the dealership I bought the vehicle,(Pacific Honda, [XXX];phone [XXX]) or a certified Honda dealership. I have complete maintenance records at the Honda dealership for the entire life onf the vehicle. In early XXX I received a warning light on my dash…
    NHTSA complaint #11759190 · source
  3. Filed Aug 7, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Manufacturer Dealer Diagnostic confirmed that Head Gasket is leaking on cylinder 1 and that this is a known issue. Vehicle just 3 months and barely 2000 miles out of new car warranty. Manufacturer fails to cover repair at 100% Power Loss while driving on the freeway on 2 separate occasions. Engine did not provide power in response to accelerator pedal, car slows down w/o control. Incident 1 traveling 65 mph Hwy [XXX] in [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…
    NHTSA complaint #11755481 · source
  4. Filed Sep 18, 2025CTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle experienced a premature failure of the head gasket; it was blown at 130,000 miles. I was close to home when I received a dash alert stating not to accelerate as the engine was nearing a critically high temperature. If I had not been able to get home so quickly, my safety may have been compromised as my car could have overheated forcing me to pull over on the shoulder of a busy bridge. My local dealership inspected the vehicle and has quoted me nearly $4,500 for…
    NHTSA complaint #11688230 · source
  5. Filed Aug 7, 2025PAEngine
    Traveling on 4 lane highway at 65 mph on slight upgrade-check engine light started flashing and vehicle started to shudder slightly and went into "limp" mode I think. Started to slow down with NO power. Turned on emergency flashers and was able to pull over without incident, although it was close to causing an accident with a tractor trailer. I shut the vehicle down and after 10 minutes, started it again> I was able to drive home another 45 miles without incident. This…
    NHTSA complaint #11679040 · source
  6. Filed Aug 4, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The issue occurs seemingly randomly about once a month when driving on the highway. All of the sudden the car starts de-accelerating. Even if you push the gas pedal all the way down it doesn’t go. It just goes slower and slower and thank goodness I’ve been able to pull over every time. Once I shutdown the car completely and turn back on then I have power again.
    NHTSA complaint #11678339 · source
  7. Filed Jul 12, 2025WAEngine
    When I accelerate up a hill at speed I lose power of the car. Once I pull over and turn the car off and wait a few minutes, the car starts up and drives fine. I have taken it in to be fixed and one time they changed spark plugs and a head gasket and then about 8 months later it did the same thing. I took it in to be checked out and they cannot find anything wrong with it. I have searched online and have found out there are other people having the same issue with this model…
    NHTSA complaint #11673100 · source
  8. Filed Jun 25, 2025WAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Been dealing with an intermittent flashing engine light issue for the past 1.5 to 2 years. We bought this car brand new in 2021 and the first time this happened the car was barely 3 years old. Whenever this issue occurs, the check engine light would flash and the car would lose engine power (pressing down on the accelerator does nothing). Once stopped, we can hear loud knocking noises from the engine. Usually turning the car off and then back on resets the behavior and the…
    NHTSA complaint #11669244 · source
  9. Filed Jun 24, 2025PAEngine
    My 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid has experienced three identical and dangerous incidents over a one month period beginning around 60,000 miles. Each time, while driving at highway speeds (60-70 mph) climbing hills or grades, the vehicle suddenly loses all acceleration power accompanied by a rapidly flashing check engine light. This creates an extremely hazardous situation as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds with fast-moving traffic approaching from behind, forcing…
    NHTSA complaint #11669059 · source
  10. Filed Jun 18, 2025KSEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Engine overheating in short trips with full coolant and oil. My car is 4 years old and after years of mysteriously going into limp mode and no help from the dealer, I believe it has a bad head gasket. this started when the car was 3 years old.
    NHTSA complaint #11667665 · source
  11. Filed Jun 13, 2025KSCrashEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I own a 2021 Honda CR-V Touring hybrid and have had 2 incidents of what I have learned is called sudden unintentional acceleration (SUA). I bought the car new and took possession of it in the spring of 2021. The first incident occurred Nov 14, 2023 when I was parking at a restaurant. I was slowly pulling forward into a parking spot where there were unattended cars on either side of me as well as in front of me. Suddenly, without warning, I was surging with full force into…
    NHTSA complaint #11666749 · source
  12. Filed Apr 19, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngine
    1st incident all failure lights went on while driving on HWy 137 which os a 2 lane hoghway. 2nd i cidenr -All engine failure lights went on and lost power on the fast lane while driving on 15 freeway. Had to be towed hime both times and sat in an unsafe zone while tow truck arrived.
    NHTSA complaint #11655641 · source

Other 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology