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Engine coolingPart report

2021 Honda CR-V Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 338 total for the year
Median mileage
41,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2021 Honda CR-V, 1% of the 338 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,250 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact received an undisclosed recall campaign for engine oil and gasoline dilution. The contact checked the engine oil and noticed that the engine oil was black and smelled of gasoline. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the engine oil was changed. The vehicle had not received any further repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,500.”

NHTSA complaint #11619320, filed 2024-10, 22,500 miles

“The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The following day, the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #1. …”

NHTSA complaint #11713911, filed 2026-01, 60,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the battery failed to start the engine. The vehicle was jumpstarted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact noticed acid on top of the battery by the terminals and noticed that acid had dripped down the vehicle, and the battery was hot. The dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the battery short-circuited, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The battery failed a third time. …”

NHTSA complaint #11691956, filed 2025-10

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202510%
202131%
202010%
201940%
2018151%
2017101%
201621%
2015122%
201431%
201321%
201221%
201171%
201082%
200972%
2008192%
2007152%
2006123%
2005204%
200414228%
20038618%
20025811%
20012417%
20001512%
19991613%
199897%
199766%

Other parts of the 2021 Honda CR-V

Steering
114 complaintsForward collision avoidance
88 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsLane departure
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Honda CR-V

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology