Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics, 2020-2022 CR-Vs, 2022-2023 Pilots & Passports with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen (Civics and CR-Vs only). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Honda CR-V electrical problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 25 electrical complaints filed for the 2021 Honda CR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics, 2020-2022 CR-Vs, 2022-2023 Pilots & Passports with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen (Civics and CR-Vs only). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics & 2020-2022 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics & 2020-2022 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics & 2020-2022 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Honda CR-V electrical architecture exhibits a pattern of intermittent, hard-to-reproduce failures that elude dealership diagnosis. The most serious complaints center on loss of motive power at highway speeds—check engine light flashing, engine unable to accelerate beyond 40 mph, stalling within minutes of startup. One owner paid $1,436 for fuel pump and spark plug replacement after such an event. For Hybrid models, internal engine sludge linked to chronically low operating temperatures has triggered engine replacement, with Honda denying warranty coverage despite referencing internal TSBs.
Braking and collision-avoidance systems malfunction frequently: automated braking engages with no obstacles present, emergency brake light flashes and applies full brakes in traffic, and brake pedal fails to stop the vehicle. Forward Collision Warning systems activate falsely. Dashboard warning lights—covering driver assist, TPMS, brake system, power steering, VSA, and lane-keep assist—illuminate simultaneously or intermittently without matching actual failures. Infotainment screens flicker, freeze on boot screens, display gibberish, or go blank. Audio systems emit loud pops during shutdown.
Start-button pushes require multiple attempts due to abnormally firm brake pedal resistance. Sunroofs shatter spontaneously. Door actuators lock owners inside. Alternators fail at 24,000 miles, killing power steering. Fuel pumps may fail; one owner's vehicle wasn't on the recall list despite known defects. Many failures don't set diagnostic trouble codes—dealers routinely say they "cannot duplicate" the problem or cannot find a code, making repair impossible.
Same Honda CR-V electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Engine Power / Low Power Mode
Engine stalls, loses power, or enters limp mode while driving at highway speeds, often with check engine light flashing. Vehicle unable to accelerate beyond 40 mph or drops to very low speeds. Some owners report the problem resolves after turning vehicle off and restarting.
When: Highway driving, typically within 10 minutes of starting vehicle; intermittent and unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Check engine light flashing; Inability to accelerate beyond 40 mph; Engine stalling; Vehicle jerking and pulling back and forth; Rough idle on cold/cool weather starts
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not captured in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose; one owner paid $1,436 for high-pressure fuel pump and spark plug replacement after dealer diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 21-013 and TSB 22-087 referenced by one owner; warranty denial reported. Owner cites PE25016 evaluation by NHTSA.
Engine Sludge and Low Operating Temperature (Hybrid Models)
Internal engine sludge accumulation tied to chronically low operating temperatures, oil degradation. Issue appears specific to 2021 CR-V Hybrid. One owner reports engine replacement at 78,000 miles (replaced motor had 25,000 miles).
When: After 78,000 miles on original engine; dealer-maintained per schedule
Symptoms owners cite: Internal engine sludge accumulation; Chronically low operating temperatures; Oil degradation; Engine stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in at least one case; cost not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 21-013, TSB 22-087; warranty denial despite proper maintenance and known issue
Infotainment System Shutdown and Audio Pop
Infotainment system suddenly shuts down during highway driving, audio system emits loud 'pop' sound, driver-assist features become unavailable. Display freezes on Honda logo, clock resets to UTC after reboot.
When: At 65 mph on highway with cruise control active; sudden onset, no prior warnings
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment system shutdown for ~5 seconds; Loud 'pop' noise from audio system; Driver-assist features unavailable; Display stuck on Honda logo for ~2 minutes; Clock reset to incorrect time
Collision Mitigation / Forward Collision Warning System Malfunction
Automated braking system engages without obstacles present, or Forward Collision Warning (FCW) light illuminates and brakes engage when nothing is nearby. Occurs at various speeds. Multiple instances reported across complaint cluster.
When: Multiple occurrences; once at 50 mph with child in vehicle; another at 40 mph; intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Automated braking engages with no vehicles/obstacles present; FCW warning light flashes on dash; Emergency brake light flashes, beeps, and applies brakes; Vehicle comes to sudden stop in traffic
Codes mentioned: Collision Mitigation System Problem (error message), Adaptive Cruise Control Problem (error message)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership waiting on part to repair; exact part and cost not specified
Brake System Failure
Brakes fail to function properly or respond slowly, vehicle continues moving forward after brake pedal applied. Multiple error messages appear, including brake system problem, VSA problem, hill start assist problem, lane keeping assist problem, collision mitigation problem, and road departure mitigation problem.
When: At red light; new vehicle; 7,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not come to complete stop at traffic light; Continued forward movement after brake application; Brakes not responding properly; Multiple system error messages on dashboard
Codes mentioned: Brake System Problem, Tire Pressure Monitor Problem, Brake Hold System Problem, Power Steering System (EPS) Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Road Departure Mitigation Problem
Push Button Start Failure with Firm Brake Pedal
Intermittent difficulty starting vehicle; brake pedal becomes extremely firm with high resistance, preventing engine start. Requires multiple attempts; eventually starts with all warning lights illuminating on dashboard. Issue persists after start button replacement.
When: Intermittent; no warning lights appear before occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely firm brake pedal with high resistance; Start button press produces no results; All dash warning lights illuminate; Vehicle eventually starts after multiple attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Start/stop button replaced; problem persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Local Honda dealer states no prior customer reports; independent Honda repair shops report other customers with same issue
Dashboard and Infotainment Display Flickering / Malfunction
Dashboard display, LCD screen, and infotainment screen flicker or show gibberish/lockup. Display information becomes unreadable. Some owners report needing to shut off vehicle to reset display.
When: Intermittent; one report at 8,000 miles; early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard flickers; unreadable screen; LCD and infotainment display flash repeatedly; Screen shows gibberish or locks up; Screen requires vehicle shutdown to reset
Warning Light Illumination (Multiple Systems)
Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously or intermittently without corresponding vehicle malfunctions. Lights appear and disappear over hours or days. Owner reports lights come up every other day then disappear after several hours.
When: Multiple occasions; every other day or intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate at once; Driver assist feature problem lights; TPMS problem lights; Lights appear then disappear after hours; No actual malfunctions correspond to warnings
Codes mentioned: Driver Assist Feature Problem, TPMS Problem
Acceleration / Throttle Response Failure
Vehicle will not accelerate normally when pedal pressed; speed capped at 20 mph or lower, or force of vehicle decreases. Intermittent; dealerships report no fault codes found.
When: Intermittent; dealerships unable to diagnose
Symptoms owners cite: Stepping on gas pedal produces no normal acceleration; Vehicle force decreases instead of increasing; Speed capped at 20 mph or lower; No fault codes appear
Sunroof Spontaneous Shattering
Sunroof shatters while driving with no external impact (no falling objects, rocks, or nearby vehicles). Glass falls on driver during operation, creating distraction and safety hazard. Owner notes multiple other owners reported same issue.
When: At 8,000 miles; sudden, no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof shatters spontaneously while driving; Glass falls on driver; No external cause; No warning prior to failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer in denial about issue
Door Actuator Malfunction
Door actuator fails, causing rear doors to not lock or unlock as part of central locking system. One owner locked inside vehicle; warranty denial due to mileage overage of couple hundred miles.
When: Over warranty mileage by couple hundred miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door won't lock or unlock; Central locking system does not engage door; Door actuator failure
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic conducted; warranty denied
Inclement Weather Sensor Failure
Inclement weather sensor fails to function properly, preventing automatic engagement in wet/rainy conditions. System failure warning light illuminated.
When: At 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Inclement weather sensor does not function; System failure warning light illuminated; No automatic engagement in bad weather
Codes mentioned: System Failure Warning Light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by dealer
Auto Start-Stop System Failure / Stalling
Auto-restart/start-stop system fails; engine stalls at red lights and does not restart, or shuts down entirely and requires jump start. Blocks traffic.
When: At red lights; intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Engine turns off at red light but does not restart; Vehicle shuts down entirely; Requires manual restart or jump start; Blocks traffic
Electrical Lighting Issues (Headlight, Interior Light)
Lights brighten instead of dimming on oncoming traffic (headlight auto-dim failure), or interior lighting functions intermittently. USB ports work intermittently with same charger.
When: Intermittent; 7,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights brighten instead of dimming on oncoming traffic; Auto-dim feature failure; USB ports work intermittently; Interior lights malfunction
Power Steering Failure / Electrical Power Loss
Alternator failed suddenly, causing power steering to fail and vehicle to shut down on roadway. Complete electrical system failure.
When: At 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator failure; Power steering loss; Vehicle shutdown on roadway; Complete electrical system failure
Odometer Inaccuracy
Odometer reading inaccurate; mileage recorded does not match actual driving distance. One owner reports driving 80 miles but odometer only increased 10 miles.
When: Early ownership; one month after purchase at 9,877 total miles
Symptoms owners cite: Odometer does not accurately record mileage; 80-mile drive recorded as 10-mile increase; Inaccurate fuel consumption tracking
Windshield Calibration and Durability Issues
Lane assistance system requires windshield recalibration after replacement. Windshield has durability issues and has been replaced twice with third replacement scheduled, in early ownership. Replaced windshield is a recalled Pilkington part.
When: Early ownership; three replacements within first year/few months
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield calibration issues; Windshield breaks from small rock impacts; Lane assistance problem after windshield replacement; Rapid windshield failures
Repairs/costs cited: CarMax authorized Pilkington windshield replacement (recalled part); replaced twice, third pending
High Oil and Fuel Consumption
Excessive fuel and oil consumption, especially when AC is engaged. Oil consumption between changes exceeds manufacturer specification; vehicle has required 4 oil changes when manufacturer specifies 7,000-10,000 miles between changes.
When: Early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive fuel consumption when AC running; Excessive oil consumption between changes; 4 oil changes before normal interval
Fuel System Issue - Engine Won't Start / Rotten Egg Smell
Vehicle smells of rotten eggs (sulfur odor indicating catalytic converter strain); fuel pump recall issued but vehicle VIN not included on recall list. Vehicle won't start; all systems flash and go dead. Fuel pump may have failed or is about to fail.
When: 4 years old; sudden onset of smell, then failure to start
Symptoms owners cite: Rotten egg smell (sulfur); Engine will not start; All systems flash then go dead; Suspected fuel pump failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel pump recall exists but vehicle VIN not included on recall list
Airbag Electrical Defect / Internal Short Circuit
Internal short circuit defect from environmental humidity causes risk of airbag deployment and increased injury risk. Defect documented in recall; limited parts supply for repair.
When: Defect identified under recall
Symptoms owners cite: Internal short circuit in airbag system; Risk of unintended airbag deployment; Environmental humidity contributing to defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued; limited parts supply; recall status unresolved per manufacturer care program
Display Screen Intermittent Blank
Infotainment and dashboard display screen intermittently goes completely blank while driving. Dealer unable to reproduce failure. No repair attempted.
When: At 1,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Display screen goes blank intermittently; Screen fails while driving
Exhaust System Odor Issue
When vehicle is idling, rear exhaust emits smell similar to spray paint fumes or chemical smell, indicating potential catalytic converter or fuel system issue.
When: At 7,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unusual exhaust smell at idle (spray paint or chemical fumes); Rear exhaust odor
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My 2021 sunroof shattered out of no where when i was driving, nothing fell on it and no cars nearby so it was not rocks. I think this should be looked into because there are many owners who have reported the same issue. I contact my local dealer and they were in denial but it is very dangerous since the glass from the sunroof was falling on me while i was driving it could have caused a major…
My dash board lit up and started dinging. Many different messages were flashing across the screen such as driver assist feature problem, TPMS problem, and others related to the electronic driver assist features. I noticed a difference in the way my car handled as I was pulling off the highway to a gas station to check my tire pressure. It seems drivable at the moment and I don't have another…
This has happened twice in a month. I was driving on the interstate and the check engine light began flashing. The engine lost power and would not accelerate beyond 40 mph. The situation was incredibly unsafe as both times I was on the interstate and had to pull over. The second time was at night and around heavy construction which increased the danger. On each occasion the light turned off and…
On two recent occasions over the past month, my 2021 CR-V Hybrid has lost motive power/check engine light flashing, with the while driving on busy interstate roads between 60-70 mph, decelerating in fast-moving multi-lane traffic. The dealership service department has not been able to fix the issue. I believe this issue is similar to others that the NHTSA is evaluating (PE25016). This issue could…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the display screen intermittently went blank. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Honda CR-V?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 25 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 33,478 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.