The Honda CR-V is a people’s favorite in the American crossover segment and stands tall with many happy customers. The hybrid crossover has gathered quite the number of customers in its current generation, with more than 350,000 units sold in 2021. With the numbers come numerous complaints as well. The crossover has gained 40 complaints registered on the NHTSA and has been recalled once. Let’s see what the most recurring issues were and why the CR-V Hybrid was recalled.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Problems
Electrical issues:
- Battery issues: Many owners have complained that the battery in their CR-V Hybrid drains abnormally. The battery discharges when the crossover is sitting idle for a couple of days and has to be jump-started. Some people have complained that the battery died while driving, stalling the car on the road.
- False warning lights: The crossover flashes random warnings on the instrument cluster. In some cases, these warnings trigger the limp mode and limit the car’s speed. Complainants state that many times, no issue is found after diagnosis.
- Charging system malfunction: Some owners have faced issues with the hybrid charging system. This malfunction triggers an error in the ECM and limits the power of the crossover. This power limitation increases the risk of a rear-end collision.
Mechanical issues:
- Brake failure: Many 2021 CR-V Hybrid owners have reported brake failure. People state that the brakes become unresponsive and there is a total loss of brake assistance. This issue has caused the crossover to collide with other vehicles and cause injuries to the occupants inside. No warning light popped up before this failure.
- Steering alignment issues: Some people have reported that their CR-V Hybrid veers to the left or the right while driving at highway speeds. The issue happened on new cars with very low mileage. Dealerships reported an issue with the steering setup and corrected the same under warranty.
Exterior issues:
- Hood latch issues: A handful of owners have reported the hood of the CR-V Hybrid flying open when driving at highway speeds. This issue causes a lot of distraction and can lead to a crash.
- Windshield cracks: Some owners have reported the windshield to develop cracks near the top of the windshield. The cracks seem to develop without an impact and tend to get bigger as time passes.
Safety issues:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) issues: The AEB on the CR-V Hybrid activates without warning and slams on the brakes. The error usually happens at low speeds and without any object in proximity.
- False airbag warning: People have reported that the SRS airbag light stays on in the instrument cluster. This error might disable the airbag and cause injuries in a crash.
- Lane Departure System (LDS) issues: The LDS in the CR-V Hybrid is reported to give issues and not maintain the lane while driving on a freeway. The complainants also stated that the system caused the car to downshift randomly, causing the engine to rev unnecessarily.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Recalls
The 2021 Honda CR-V has been recalled once by the carmaker. The recall was issued on November 18, 2021 with NHTSA Campaign Number 21V900000. American Honda Motor Co. recalled many vehicles including the 2021 CR-V, Accord, Ridgeline, and Insight for a faulty seat belt retractor.
This automatic retractor may improperly deactivate and unsecure the child restraint system. This increases the risk of injury. The crossover also fails to comply with FMVSS Number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection”. The dealers inspected and replaced the affected seat belt assemblies free of charge.
Should you buy the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
The 2021 CR-V Hybrid has been on the top shelves of the segment since its foray into the current generation. The sales have been great and the people are pretty satisfied with the car on offer. Although the crossover carries some complaints and niggles, we expect the Japanese carmaker to promptly deal with them. If you want to go for a used CR-V Hybrid, we’d suggest checking for any braking issues and seeing if the battery is replaced.
