2021 Honda CR-V brakes problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

27 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V, 8% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 3,000 mi.

Brakes complaints
27
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
3,000 mi

Specific components reported

Brakes covers: Service brakes (hydraulic, electric, air), ABS and parking brake.

ComponentComplaints
Service brakes25
Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic1

Brakes complaints across Honda CR-V years

1200541200725201065201223201468201693142201885292020271520222923202431132026
Brakes complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

3Under 10k210k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 10, 2026MIBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    On the morning on 7/10/26 I was driving 30mph around a gentle turn and the brakes activated briefly. I also received a dashboard notification to brake. The weather conditions were sunny and probably around 80 degrees. There was no one in front of me and the closest car, in oncoming traffic was around 40 feet away. The safety risk was my car temporarily applied the brakes but did not stop completely. Luckily, the closet car behind me was ~30 feet behind me. Over the past 2…
    NHTSA complaint #11749590 · source
  2. Filed Jun 22, 2026OHBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    In the past two weeks, the automatic brake light came on when there was nothing in front of me. Then this past Thursday, I was in the middle lane approaching a stoplight that was about 500 ft. ahead of me, nothing was in front of me and the brake light came on and the car made a quick and hard stop. If anyone was behind me, they would not have been able to stop. Now I am very leery of driving my car, and I disable this feature so I feel safe transporting myself and my family.
    NHTSA complaint #11745539 · source
  3. Filed Apr 13, 2026ORBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The automatic emergency brakes deployed for no reason while I was driving through traffic. There was nothing in the road and nothing that should have triggered the emergency brakes. It could have caused an accident
    NHTSA complaint #11730915 · source
  4. Filed Apr 8, 2026WVCrashBrakes
    Pulled into driveway and put car in park. I had to close gate and lock it up and when returning to the car to turn off I was standing outside the car and it started rolling backwards. I tried to jump in the car to stop it and it was picking up speed. Driveway has a slight incline but nothing like the speed was on the car. I was in between the car door and the car seat running with the car. I am shocked I didn't get ran over. Car went across the street and hit my neighbors…
    NHTSA complaint #11729865 · source
  5. Filed Mar 27, 2026CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    I was driving past a school zone at 20 mph, came to a stop to allow children to cross street, as I began my acceleration past the school crossing, I reached a 20mph speed again and my CRV activated the emergency braking system without having anything in front of me that could have activated the forward collision braking system. Luckily I was not rear ended.
    NHTSA complaint #11727445 · source
  6. Filed Sep 12, 2025OHBrakesOther / Unknown
    My 2021 Honda CR-V displays an “All System Failure” message while driving. On multiple occasions, the car has also braked suddenly on its own when there was no obstacle in front of me. This is a serious safety hazard, as it could cause a crash from behind. The issue is intermittent but recurring. It has happened several times recently. I know other Honda CR-V owners are experiencing the same problem, and some mechanics report they are seeing this issue frequently. I am very…
    NHTSA complaint #11686911 · source
  7. Filed Aug 18, 2025NYBrakesWheels & Tires
    Ever since we purchased the vehicle in 2021, it it has made a loud screeching noise when backing up in humid weather or after rain. Whenever we brought it to the dealer's attention, we were told Honda National is aware of the issue and working on a solution. After 3 years of hearing the same thing, we wrote a letter to Honda National and filed a complaint with the NYS Attorney Generals Office. The Attorney General sent our complaint on to Honda for response. See attached…
    NHTSA complaint #11681246 · source
  8. Filed Aug 9, 2025HIBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    • During the short time I have owned this vehicle the automatic emergency braking system has engaged 3-4 times when there was no object in front of the vehicle. The vehicle can be made available upon request. • All incidents happened when driving on the freeway. Fortunately no one was following me which could have resulted in my being rear ended for a sudden stop. • I took the vehicle into the dealership service center today (8/8/25) where they told me it is normal and I…
    NHTSA complaint #11679500 · source
  9. Filed Jul 28, 202526,323 miNYBrakes
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes activated independently. The contact immediately depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving and the brakes released independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,323.
    NHTSA complaint #11676565 · source
  10. Filed Jul 1, 2025FLBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Honda CR-V involving the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). On multiple occasions, the vehicle has applied the brakes suddenly and forcefully without any obstacle or vehicle in front of me. THIS HAD HAPPENED OVER 20 times since i bought the CAR on March 10 2024. The most recent incident occurred while I was driving at highway speed on a clear, dry day. The CMBS system engaged abruptly, causing the car to decelerate…
    NHTSA complaint #11670462 · source
  11. Filed May 28, 2025VABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    My 2021 Honda CR-V has experienced incidents where it suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes while I was driving, despite: - No vehicle, pedestrian, or object is present in front of me - No driver input on the brake pedal - Not using cruise control at the time My car occasionally jerks or shows warning lights before stopping, sometimes without any warning. I suspect an issue with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) or related driver-assistance components.…
    NHTSA complaint #11663387 · source
  12. Filed Apr 28, 2025MABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    Driving on the highway going 55 mph when the car in front of me in the left lane more than 5 car lengths began to break, recognizing this I put my blinker on and tried to switch to the right lane when suddenly the automatic breaking kicked in and slowed the car down to a near stop. I was unable to deactivate with the break or the gas for a few seconds and by that time I was stuck between the lanes nearly getting t-boned in the right lane before the car swerved to avoid my…
    NHTSA complaint #11657307 · source

Other 2021 Honda CR-V 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