2021 Honda CR-V engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

35 owners have reported engine problems with the 2021 Honda CR-V, 10% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 52,000 mi.

Engine complaints
35
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
52,000 mi

Specific components reported

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

ComponentComplaints
Engine32
Engine and engine cooling2
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication: oil cooler1

Engine complaints across Honda CR-V years

320052320075220091010201117222013685820156320520172089620194035202119212023242620259
Engine complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

2Under 10k110k–30k330k–60k360k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Aug 15, 2026ORElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Hello NHSTA -- My Honda is a 2021 CR-V AWD Hybrid. Two very unsafe events to report which occurred within a few weeks of each other, apparently from the same cause. First event, on 27 Feb 2026, I was driving on a two lane county road, traveling about 40 mph, I was in the lead with 2 or 3 cars behind me. Suddenly, on a fairly level grade, I noticed that the car was gradually slowing down; I was not touching the brakes, my foot was on the accelerator. When I pushed it to speed…
    NHTSA complaint #11757183 · source
  2. Filed Jul 21, 2026UTEngine
    While Driving on freeway, engine suddenly stops. This has happened four times now in the last two years one time was almost deadly as we were surrounded by semi’s and lost power completely except for the small amount of hybrid power. I had to quickly get to the side, barely missing a semi truck. 2021 Honda CRV hybrid. I have taken it into Bountiful Honda in Utah after each episode, the first time they did some adjustments it was about $600. The second time they just kept it…
    NHTSA complaint #11751701 · source
  3. Filed Jun 11, 2026MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving a 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the vehicle has intermittently and without warning lost the ability to accelerate. When this occurs, depressing the accelerator pedal — even fully to the floor — produces no response, and the vehicle simply coasts and loses speed. This has happened on three occasions — January 13, 2025; December 16, 2025; and June 10, 2026 — including at highway speed. Each occurrence is documented by a Honda dealer service invoice. In each instance,…
    NHTSA complaint #11743431 · source
  4. Filed May 30, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineVisibility & Wipers
    Dozens of photos&videos avail. When rains or humidity electrical is severely effected. All electrical warning lights turn on. Car wont shut off. Econo mode wont work and car stalls. Wipers wont turn off while driving. Lane change notification warnings go haywire and are unreliable. Has been "fixed"5 times and still happening. Car turned on by itself recently when it rained. Research has revealed that this is a common complaint with this particular vehicle/model. When…
    NHTSA complaint #11741080 · source
  5. Filed Apr 7, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    When driving on the highway at the speed of traffic, the check engine light appeared and was followed by a loss of engine power. Vehicle had to be pulled over to the shoulder. After shutting the vehicle off and turning it back on, engine power was restored. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety is a major concern if unable to move the vehicle out of traffic before coming to a stop with no power. The Honda dealer ran a diagnostic and did not find an issues.…
    NHTSA complaint #11729803 · source
  6. Filed Mar 27, 2026WAEngine
    While driving warning light blink indicating electronic emergency brake issue, unable to drive because the brake set and would not release. After a while it released and drove to Honda dealership for a diagnosis. They stated it was a failed head gasket and due to this failure it leaked coolant onto the spark plugs, all had to be replaced and the estimated cost $5,500. It's a 2021 Honda CRV hybrid with 70,000 that has been well maintained. It should not have a failed head…
    NHTSA complaint #11727542 · source
  7. Filed Mar 24, 2026MDElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2021 Hybrid CR-V - within the last 10 months the vehicle has twice lost engine power while driving on expressways with just enough time to pull off the road. In the same period of time, at least 6 times, when initially starting the engine, the engine runs roughly and will not accellerate. So far, this has happened in cold or cool weather but not extremely cold weather. In an effort to restart the system, we then shut the system off, wait a few minutes and try restarting.…
    NHTSA complaint #11726658 · source
  8. Filed Mar 20, 2026DCElectrical SystemEngine
    Auto-Restart is failing, causing car to stall or shut down entirely. When we pull up to a red light and the engine turns off, the car does not restart. Sometimes, it needs to be manually turned back on — sometimes, it shuts down entirely and requires a jump. Most recently, it required a jump and blocked traffic for 15 minutes on a busy street.
    NHTSA complaint #11725765 · source
  9. Filed Feb 24, 202648,000 miNYEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 73 MPH with two children inside the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to move over to the right side of the road, where the vehicle was turned off and restarted, and operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed;…
    NHTSA complaint #11720182 · source
  10. Filed Feb 19, 2026CAEngine
    License Plate: [XXX] (CA) Vehicle: 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Mileage: 102,700 Description of Incident: While operating the vehicle at highway speeds, a "Engine Temperature Near High" warning suddenly appeared on the dashboard. I immediately heard a loud "gurgling" or "water pouring" sound from the dashboard area. I was forced to navigate through traffic to the shoulder to prevent a total engine seizure and avoid a high-speed collision. I was able to restart and limp the vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11718982 · source
  11. Filed Feb 18, 2026135,000 miNYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact became aware of an abnormal sound coming from the engine with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The engine sputtered, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was driven near the contact's son-in-law's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was…
    NHTSA complaint #11718903 · source
  12. Filed Feb 10, 202661,000 miWAEngine
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who adjusted an unknown valve, but the…
    NHTSA complaint #11717090 · 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