2021 Honda Cr-V Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (15) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (12) · Engine (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Cr-V Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2026-05-21 · campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles
Defect: 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 ma
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 2024-02-01 · campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2023-12-13 · campaign 23V844000 · 106,030 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (46)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-25 · A26-018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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).
Engine 2026-08-26 · AEBM08262026901 · Other
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.
Engine 2026-08-26 · A26-018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Power Train 2026-04-27 · ATI&04272026903 · Other
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 cau
Power Train 2026-04-10 · ATI&04102026906 · Other
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 cau
Engine 2026-03-27 · ATI&03272026903 · Other
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 cau
Showing the 6 most recent of 46 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Engine“i was recently informed that my request was denied because my vehicle is currently at 160,000 miles, which exceeds the 150,000-mile threshold. however, i would like to clarify the timeline of events regarding this issue: - prior to reaching my current mileage, i brought my vehicle into the dealership for inspection. at that time, the head gasket…”
2026-10-19 · Engine“i was driving, the check engine light started flashing at me, then the accelerator stopped working. probably related to active investigation pe25016.…”
2026-09-29 · Vehicle Speed Control“i was driving my 2021 honda cr-v hybrid touring at approximately 55 mph on [xxx] near the [xxx] exit. the vehicle had been operating normally. approximately 115 miles before the incident. i had filled the vehicle with gasoline at bj's in [xxx]. at approximately 11:50 am on xxx, the malfunction indicator lamp (check-engine light) began flashing whil…”
2026-09-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“august 13, 2026- driver was traveling on route 30 west approaching the reeceville exit. driver attempted to pass a tractor trailer. as car accelerated to pass tractor trail, engine light flashed and car lost the ability to accelerate. as driver lost ability to power the car, he allowed truck to pass him and then coasted into right lane and eventual…”
2026-09-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 …”
2026-08-24 · Power Train“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…”
2026-08-07 · Power Train“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 pe…”
2025-09-18 · Power Train“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 …”
2025-08-16 · Visibility/Wiper“brittle / torn top black windshield seal gasket tendency to fog / moisture / rain/water penetration inside the car . also decolorize all black plastic side panels …”
2025-08-08 · Service Brakes“while traveling northwest at 37 mph, the automatic brake system engaged jolting the driver. the camera shows no objects in front of but there were two vehicles traveling southeast in the opposite lane prior to the brakes applying. there were shadows from trees. if there was a vehicle behind, and the driver did not react fast enough, this would have…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.