2021 Honda CR-V Problems

2021 Honda CR-V problems owners report most

2021 Honda CR-V problems are documented in public: owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2021 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the steering clearly first, at 113 of the 334 complaints, close to a third of everything filed.

A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 34 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.

Against the 2020 car, this model year has drawn 6 per cent fewer complaints (334 against 354). The 2020 car was led by its forward collision avoidance instead, so the pattern shifted between the two years.

Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash and 1 describes a fire. Filers reported 13 injuries.

Recalls on the 2021 Honda CR-V

A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 4 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.

In owners own words

These are complaints filed about the steering, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.

My 2021 Honda CR-V Touring model, with around 59000 miles on the odometer, has developed a problem in which the steering wheel gets "stuck" and resists being turned. Then, when more force is applied to turn the wheel, the steering mechanism suddenly "lets go", and this is accompanied by a clunking sound from the front of the vehicle. I first noticed this a few weeks ago, and at first the resistance and noise was barely noticeable. However, since then, the degree of resistance and volume of the clunking sound have been steadily INCREASING. This has prompted me to get the problem diagnosed

I love my Honda CRV however, I recently have experienced what I call "Sticky Steering". I purchased this vehicle brand new from Jones Honda in Lancaster and have followed all the service suggestions for the most part to the "T". I used it for my Real Estate job along with filling in the gaps with driving for lyft. About 4 months ago I noticed the steering sorta wanted to stay in the position it was in when I wanted to slightly adjust the steering it was "Stuck" and I had to extend more pressure than normal to get it to move. Than all of the sudden it moved to another spot but got stuck in that

While driving my 2021 Honda CR-V at highway speeds, the steering intermittently binds and becomes difficult to move, creating a dangerous “sticky steering” condition. The steering will momentarily resist normal input, and when I apply additional force to correct it, the wheel suddenly releases, causing the vehicle to jerk or swerve within the lane. This makes it difficult to maintain smooth, controlled steering and creates a serious safety concern, especially at higher speeds where precise steering is critical. The condition is unpredictable, unnerving, and significantly affects my confidence

What component or system failed? Is it available for inspection? The component is the Steering Gearbox Assembly / Rack and Pinion. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving at highway speeds (40–70 mph), the steering wheel "sticks" or "catches" in the center position. To change lanes or follow a curve, I must apply sudden, extra force to "break it loose," which results in a jerking motion and significant overcorrection. This creates a high risk of losing control of the vehicle or u

Every component, by complaint count

The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.

What parts cost for the 2021 Honda CR-V

Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 181 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.

The cheapest way to keep it serviced

Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $68.95 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.

Battery. 7 products listed, from the ACDelco Silver Group Size 47 Battery 47S at $179.99 up to the OPTIMA Yellow Top Group Size 47 / H5 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery DH5 at $359.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 4 of them, starting at $179.99.

Brake rotors. 25 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor JBR1721SCR at $39.99 up to the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor Set JBR1750XPR at $211.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 6 of them, starting at $90.99.

Brake pads. 40 products listed, from the PowerStop Z16 Evolution Ceramic Performance Brake Pads 16-2037 at $29.99 up to the EBC Yellowstuff High Friction Organic Performance Brake Pads DP43085R at $195.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 11 of them, starting at $39.99.

Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.

How other model years compare

The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Honda CR-V has drawn the most complaints and the 2021 Honda CR-V the fewest.

What to check on the steering

Steering reports describe the wheel going heavy or sticky at speed, pulling to one side, or a loose feeling where the car wanders and needs constant correction. Several describe the effort changing mid-drive rather than being wrong from the start.

Buying a used 2021 CR-V

Take it on a road where you reach a steady highway speed and hold it there. Most of these complaints describe a fault that only shows after some minutes at speed, which a drive around town will not find.

If you already own one

Raise it with a dealer before paying for a repair yourself. Steering faults draw manufacturer service bulletins and extended warranties more often than most components, and some of these cars were covered after the standard warranty ended.

• Drive at a steady highway speed for several minutes, not around town.
• Ask whether a service bulletin or extended coverage applies to the VIN.
• Check for play at the wheel with the engine running and stopped.
• Have the alignment checked before replacing any steering part.