2021 Honda CR-V: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
2021 CR-V offers a spacious, practical cabin, composed ride and strong fuel economy, with the oil-dilution issue resolved on later builds. Reliable and cheap to run, with standard safety tech, a solid buy. 5 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2021 Honda CR-V ranged from $25,350 to $33,650 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
2021 CR-V offers a spacious, practical cabin, composed ride and strong fuel economy, with the oil-dilution issue resolved on later builds. Reliable and cheap to run, with standard safety tech, a solid buy.
Sources (3)
- cars.comhttps://www.cars.com/research/honda-cr_v-2020/consumer-reviews/
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=cr-v&mo…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=cr-v&mo…
Known issues
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Fuel-injector failures causing misfires, warning lights and loss of power, mainly on the early (2017-2018) turbocharged engine.
commonly reported · 95 NHTSA complaints · fuel
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Premature head-gasket failure allowing coolant to leak into the cylinders, leading to overheating and engine damage on early fifth-gen cars.
occasional · 60 NHTSA complaints · engine
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Electric power-steering "sticky steering", the gearbox binds and needs extra effort to turn; addressed under recall 18V-663 on 2017-2019 models.
occasional · 35 NHTSA complaints · steering
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Collision-mitigation braking can trigger sudden unintended braking with no obstacle present.
occasional · 35 NHTSA complaints · brake
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1.5L turbo engine prone to oil dilution (unburned gasoline mixes into the oil, raising the oil level and causing a fuel smell), worst on 2017-2019 cars used for short trips in cold climates; Honda issued a software update and warranty extension.
commonly reported · 25 NHTSA complaints · typically 0k–36k miles · engine
Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.
Sources (2)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=cr-v&mo…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=cr-v&mo…
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Composed, comfortable ride
- Strong fuel economy from the 1.5L turbo engine
- Standard Honda Sensing safety suite on most trims
- Spacious, versatile interior with a large cargo area
Cons
- Noticeable wind and road noise at highway speed
- 1.5L turbo engine prone to oil dilution, especially on early years in cold climates
- Fuel-injector and steering recalls reported on the early model years
- Dated, less-intuitive infotainment system
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $25,350 | $30,920 | 2.4L I4 | — |
| SE | $26,550 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| EX | $27,860 | $33,150 | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| EX-L | $30,450 | $35,400 | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
| Touring | $33,650 | discontinued | 1.5L turbo I4 | — |
Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (3)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2021-honda-cr__v-price
- fueleconomy.govhttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2018&make=Honda…
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-cr-v-price
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($25,350). Higher trims started higher (up to $33,650), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2021 loses roughly another 24% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (2)
- caredge.comhttps://caredge.com/honda/cr-v/depreciation
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-cr-v/resale-value
Cost to own
| Routine maintenance | ≈ $450–500/yr |
| Insurance (low tier) | ≈ $1,900–2,000/yr |
National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.
Sources (1)
- caredge.comhttps://caredge.com/honda/cr-v/depreciation
Frequently asked questions
What problems does the 2021 Honda CR-V have?
Documented issue patterns include: Fuel-injector failures causing misfires, warning lights and loss of power, mainly on the early (2017-2018) turbocharged engine; Premature head-gasket failure allowing coolant to leak into the cylinders, leading to overheating and engine damage on early fifth-gen cars; Electric power-steering "sticky steering", the gearbox binds and needs extra effort to turn; addressed under recall 18V-663 on 2017-2019 models; Collision-mitigation braking can trigger sudden unintended braking with no obstacle present. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?
2021 CR-V offers a spacious, practical cabin, composed ride and strong fuel economy, with the oil-dilution issue resolved on later builds. Reliable and cheap to run, with standard safety tech, a solid buy.
How much did the 2021 Honda CR-V cost new?
Between $25,350 and $33,650 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid. 2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Is the Honda CR-V expensive to maintain?
Estimated routine maintenance runs about $450–500/year.
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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.