TireKick

Published dossier question

2021 Honda CR-V common problems: the named, applicable issues

“Common” here means a reviewed failure syndrome in the published authority—not a frequency claim or a list ranked by raw owner-report volume.

Buy with conditionsEvidence: Medium confidence

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

Main regret risk

No named issue intersects your stated window.

Safer move

No supported substitute yet.

No published alternative cleared the evidence-authority gate for this candidate; broaden the model or year constraint to keep comparing.

Open inspection briefSee what would change this answer
clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Configuration & exposure

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2021 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Named problem dossiers

Fuel/oil dilution pattern

powertrain.engine.fuel-dilution

High severity
Whole generationSingle sourceEvidence: Medium confidence

Fifth-generation Honda CR-V model-year evidence; engine/configuration scope remains disclosed rather than inferred from an untrimmed complaint.

Symptom
Gasoline odor and an oil level above full after use
Why it matters
Fuel-diluted oil may reduce lubrication and contribute to engine damage; reports also describe fuel odor in the cabin.

Observed complaint mileage band; not an incidence probability

Reported onset roughly 1,200–40,000 mi (median 5,000 mi).

Onset band unknown.

Based on 511 usable reports (812 censored). Complaint mileage is an observed report band, not a population incidence estimate.

What to inspect

  • Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Review oil-change and dealer diagnostic records

Pro check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

Mitigation

  • Verify current manufacturer guidance and maintain documented oil changes
  • Have a qualified technician inspect persistent fuel odor or rising oil level
1 evidence receiptShow ▾
clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilution2021 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Fuel-diluted oil may reduce lubrication and contribute to engine damage; reports also describe fuel odor in the cabin.

“IN LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP AND LESS THAN 1,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY CR-V'S OIL RESERVOIR WAS 0.5 QUARTS OVER FULL DUE TO DILUTION FROM UNCOMBUSTED GASOLINE.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2018

Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding

chassis.steering.eps-binding

High severity
Whole generationSingle sourceEvidence: Medium confidence

Fifth-generation Honda CR-V generation evidence; candidate VIN recall inclusion must be checked separately.

Symptom
Steering feels unreliable or sticks during corrections
Why it matters
Unexpected steering effort or release can cause over-correction and loss of lane control.

Observed complaint mileage band; not an incidence probability

Reported onset roughly 18,113–60,000 mi (median 40,525 mi).

Onset band unknown.

Based on 352 usable reports (765 censored). Complaint mileage is an observed report band, not a population incidence estimate.

What to inspect

  • Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Inspect the EPS steering gearbox and verify recall applicability by VIN

Pro check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

Mitigation

  • Obtain a qualified steering-system diagnosis and verify any available remedy
1 evidence receiptShow ▾
clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering2021 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Unexpected steering effort or release can cause over-correction and loss of lane control.

“The mileage on this vehicle is 62,973. I am afraid to drive this vehicle because the steering is unreliable.”
NHTSAcomplaint_detailJun 2026

Unexpected collision-mitigation braking

driver-assistance.aeb.false-activation

Critical severity
Whole generationSingle sourceEvidence: Medium confidence

Fifth-generation Honda CR-V generation evidence; investigation scope includes this model-year range.

Symptom
The collision-mitigation braking system activates unexpectedly
Why it matters
Unexpected braking can create a rear-end collision risk for following traffic.

Observed complaint mileage band; not an incidence probability

Reported onset roughly 599–40,000 mi (median 16,400 mi).

Onset band unknown.

Based on 191 usable reports (635 censored). Complaint mileage is an observed report band, not a population incidence estimate.

What to inspect

  • During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults
  • Verify applicable collision-mitigation software updates and TSB/service history

Pro check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

Mitigation

  • Have the driver-assistance system diagnosed and keep relevant software/service records
1 evidence receiptShow ▾
clm_honda-cr-v-phantom-braking2021 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Unexpected braking can create a rear-end collision risk for following traffic.

“The vehicle has experienced recurring phantom braking events and false activations of the emergency braking system.”
NHTSAcomplaint_detailJun 2026

Published from release rel_pilot_crv_01 with methodology m1-v1b-pilot. Open the full model-year authority →