Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Honda CR-V engine problems
severe Owners of the 2021 Honda CR-V have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 CR-V | 364 |
| 2018 CR-V | 388 |
| 2019 CR-V | 71 |
| 2020 CR-V | 26 |
| 2021 CR-V (this page) | 20 |
| 2022 CR-V | 7 |
| 2023 CR-V | 12 |
| 2024 CR-V | 12 |
| 2025 CR-V | 7 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Service Bulletin - The vehicle message "All Wheel Drive System Problem" is shown on the dash. The possible cause is the machining marks on the motor shaft allowed differential oil to be pulled into the motor assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2022 Accords, CR-Vs, Odysseys, Passports, Pilots, Ridgelines, 2020 Fits, 2020-2021 Civic Hatchbacks, 2020-2023 Civic Sedans/Coups with a customer complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored. In some cases, the customer may also experience such conditions as engine hard to start, no start or start & stumble in conjunction with CEL. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2022 Accords, CR-Vs, Odysseys, Passports, Pilots, Ridgelines, 2020 Fits, 2020-2021 Civic Hatchbacks, 2020-2023 Civic Sedans/Coups with a customer complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored. In some cases, the customer may also experience such conditions as engine hard to start, no start or start & stumble in conjunction with CEL. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2021 Accords, CR-Vs & Odysseys with a customer complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored. In some cases, the customer may also experience such conditions as engine hard to start, no start or start & stumble in conjunction with CEL. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect 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
Owners of 2021 Honda CR-V vehicles are documenting a cluster of engine failures that Honda has not formally recalled. The most frequent complaint is premature head gasket failure, typically occurring between 60,000 and 80,000 miles on vehicles that are well-maintained. The gasket lifts as head bolts stretch over time, allowing coolant to seep into cylinders. Owners describe white smoke on cold start, gurgling sounds from under the dash, sudden power loss on highways, and repeated misfire codes. Repairs run $5,000 to $10,000. Several owners reference an ongoing class-action lawsuit and NHTSA Investigation PE25016 without a formal recall in place.
Fuel system problems run a close second: oil dilution with gasoline starting around 22,500 miles, high-pressure fuel pump failure, and faulty fuel injectors causing misfires and limp mode. One owner reported a fuel pump replacement bill of $1,786 and had warranty coverage denied. Another documented cloudy fuel with water contamination.
Additional failures include unintended acceleration while braking, sudden loss of power on the highway requiring restart, A/C condenser failure with toxic gas emission, and battery failures tied to underlying electrical faults. Dealers have been unable to diagnose or replicate many issues, and some have refused further repair attempts.
Same Honda CR-V engine reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Head gasket failure with coolant intrusion
Premature head gasket failure allowing coolant to leak into cylinders, mixing with oil and causing misfires, white smoke on cold start, coolant consumption, and eventual engine wear. Owners report the gasket lifts due to stretched head bolts that cannot maintain proper seal as vehicle ages. This appears in multiple narratives as a documented widespread defect.
When: 20,000 to 80,600 miles; most commonly reported around 60,000–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: White sweet smoke from exhaust on cold start; Engine misfire on cold start after vehicle sits 8+ hours; Gurgling/water pouring sound from dashboard; Check engine light illuminated; Excessive coolant consumption; Loss of power/inability to accelerate above 30–60 mph; Engine temperature warning light; Vehicle limp mode requiring restart
Codes mentioned: P0300 (general misfire), P3001 (misfire cylinder 1)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement quoted at $5,000–$10,000 engine replacement. Some dealers have replaced head gaskets; one narrative mentions intake manifold reinstallation as attempted fix. Rivera Honda (Port Jefferson, NY) unable to locate issue despite customer reporting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Investigation PE25016 (Engine) open; class-action lawsuit Bissell v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. cited in one narrative. Honda has released technical service bulletins acknowledging the issue per owner reports. Manufacturer has engaged in some warranty assistance but not issued recall.
Oil dilution with gasoline and fuel contamination
Engine oil becoming diluted with gasoline, turning black and smelling of fuel. Related to fuel injector malfunction and carbon buildup causing rich-running condition. Oil level rises above full mark due to fuel contamination.
When: 22,500 miles and earlier; one report at 24,203 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil black in color; Gasoline smell in oil; Oil level rising above full mark; Check engine light illuminated; All cylinders failing air-fuel test (running rich); Sporadic forward acceleration surge between 20–30 mph
Codes mentioned: DTCP0087 (fuel system pressure too high/fuel pump malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change performed at dealer; no further diagnostics. Fuel pump replacement ($1,786.11 billed in one case, not including rental). Spark plugs replaced (four plugs) in another narrative. Fuel sample showed cloudy fuel with slightly out-of-spec water content.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign for engine oil and gasoline dilution issued; owners reference NHTSA CAMPAIGN PE25016. No TSB or formal recall explicitly stated in narratives, though owners note Honda is aware and has issued mechanics' articles.
Fuel injector failure
Fuel injectors becoming faulty, causing lean or rich running conditions, misfires, and engine performance loss. Some owners report carbon buildup behind injectors.
When: 6,851 miles to 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Engine misfire (especially cylinder 1); Loss of motive power; Inability to accelerate; Cold-start hesitation and misfire; Rich fuel condition (all cylinders failed AF test)
Codes mentioned: P0300 (general misfire), P3001 (misfire cylinder 1)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement recommended and performed in some cases. One dealer replaced all four spark plugs and injector. Parts swapped (coils and plugs) without resolving misfire in another narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2020 model year had recalls for fuel pump, injector, and carbon buildup per owner statement; 2021 model missed by one year.
High-pressure fuel pump failure
Fuel pump unable to maintain proper fuel pressure, causing loss of engine power and limp mode. Fault code DTCP0087 indicates fuel system pressure issue.
When: Unknown mileage in primary narrative; appears after vehicle sits idle
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Dashboard error messages; Check engine light; Vehicle becomes undriveable
Codes mentioned: DTCP0087
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump replacement; bill $1,786.11 for parts and labor. Extended warranty refused to cover repair.
Coolant sensor and engine control module failure
Coolant sensor and ECM (engine control module) failures occurring after repeated cooling system issues. Multiple warning lights illuminate; vehicle becomes difficult or impossible to diagnose.
When: Unknown; occurs after coolant overflow leak and related repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated; Abnormally loud sound from front end; Coolant overflow leak; Vehicle not repairable at dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant sensor and ECM diagnosed as failed; vehicle not repaired.
A/C condenser failure with refrigerant toxic gas emission
A/C condenser failure allowing unknown toxic gas to escape through vents, causing chemical burn injury to occupant's eye and partial blindness. Related to failed A/C filter installation by dealer.
When: Unknown; diagnosed after third battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: A/C vents emitting unknown toxic gas; Abnormal sounds from vehicle after A/C repair
Repairs/costs cited: A/C condenser replaced; later found that A/C filter was never installed by initial dealer (Bradenton, Florida). Second dealer (Sarasota, Florida) installed switch near starter.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial dealer refused further repairs and issued no-trespass order. Second dealer completed repairs but persistent issues remained.
Battery failure and short-circuit
Battery failing to start engine repeatedly, with acid corrosion on terminals and battery overheating. Multiple battery replacements did not resolve underlying electrical system issue.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start; Battery acid visible on terminals; Acid dripping down vehicle body; Battery hot to touch; Battery short-circuit
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced three times; third failure revealed A/C condenser issue as root cause.
Throttle/acceleration control loss and unintended acceleration
Vehicle losing motive power on highway or failing to accelerate, sometimes requiring restart to restore function. One separate incident of unintended acceleration while parking (brake pedal depressed but vehicle accelerated uphill into boulder).
When: 56,000–102,700 miles; some instances within minutes of starting after idle
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Inability to accelerate above 5–60 mph; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle limp mode or complete power loss; Unintended acceleration while applying brakes; Loss of power on highway requiring pull-over and restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate failure in most cases; one dealer adjusted unknown valve without success. Independent mechanic unable to diagnose in unintended acceleration case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Investigation PE25016 cited; manufacturer not notified in some cases.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dear NHTSA, There needs to be an immediate recall on this (VIN#: [XXX] ) 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Motor Nightmare. Despite proper maintenance and care, the vehicle has experienced persistent problems that stem from known defects. The engine has a fatal flaw with the head gasket. The high compression turbo engine stretches the head bolts, lifts the cylinder head just enough to blow the gasket…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and no error codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2021 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 46,392 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.