Warnings problems of the 2021 Honda CR-V

14 problems related to warnings have been reported for the 2021 Honda CR-V. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2021 Honda CR-V based on all problems reported for the 2021 CR-V.

1 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2025

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Honda Cr-v involving the collision mitigation braking system (cmbs). On multiple occasions, the vehicle has applied the brakes suddenly and forcefully without any obstacle or vehicle in front of me. This had happened over 20 times since I bought the car on March 10 2024. The most recent incident occurred while I was driving at highway speed on a clear, dry day. The cmbs system engaged abruptly, causing the car to decelerate rapidly and slamed breaks automatically. There were no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstructions ahead. This unexpected braking could have easily resulted in a rear-end collision, endangering me and other drivers. I have kids in the back sit and the car behind us almost hit my car. I am afraid the result might have been much worse if there was truck behind my car. I took the vehicle to the Honda dealership, but they were unable to replicate the issue and did not offer a fix. They also mentioned that unless the problem could be duplicated, any diagnostic or repair fees would not be covered, despite this being a known issue under investigation by the NHTSA. I am aware that the NHTSA has an open engineering analysis (ea24-002) into this very issue affecting millions of Honda vehicles. I’m deeply concerned that this problem continues to put drivers and passengers at risk and believe a formal recall is necessary. I request that this issue be escalated and that Honda be held accountable for a fix before someone gets seriously injured or killed. Please contact me if additional details or documentation are needed.

2 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 09/21/2024

The car's forward collision warning system is defective. The car will randomly bring up "brake" on the dashboard with nothing even close to the car. This has started happening many times over the past few weeks, with even at least one instance of the car braking on its own. I brought this up to the dealership during my last oil change recently, and they inspected and looked into it. They said there was nothing wrong with the sensors/system and they documented it (specifically saying no problem found vehicle is operating normally at this time). However, a day or two after the dealership, the problem returned and it continues to persist. In addition to this, the blind spot warning system also randomly goes off when nothing is nearby, but not as often as the braking system, which is more dangerous in my opinion.

3 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 09/17/2024

The forward collision warning and braking has activated a couple of times without any car front of me for a wide distance or when everything is all clear. It also happened a couple of times when turning a curve or exiiting, also without any car in front of me. The only thing I could notice was the dashboard flashing but I could not read it because I had to focus on the road.

4 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2024

On or about Sep 25th 2023, automatic brake system invertedly activated while driving 40mph with no traffic. Dealership could not find any codes or errors. On or about Apr 01st 2024, automatic brake system invertedly activated while driving 40mph with no traffic. Dealership could not find any codes or errors. On or about Apr 03rd 2024, vehicle turned on all by its shelf with no key fob around. Open door and sat in driver's seat and about 15 second later, the vehicle turned off by its shelf. Step on brake, pushed start button and vehicle displayed "need key fob". Dealership could not find any codes or errors.

5 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2023

Since purchasing the car new, there have been four instances in which the collision sensor has falsely detected object of vehicles that are no where in sight. The "brake" warning flashes and then the car brakes hard, sometimes to a complete stop when no object/car are beside/in front of me. These have happened going at speed between 25-50mph. This is very dangerous because anyone behind could collide with me from behind and put my family in danger. These event happened at 10,000 miles. 20,000 miles, and up to 60,000 miles.

6 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 11/28/2022

My car has done this phantom braking multiple times before, however this time it managed to pull my car into a curb and pop my brand new back tire and ruin my front tire. This is a huge safety issue because if there was anyone in front of or behind the car could’ve caused a major collision. I have done some research and noticed this has been an issue on previous years of my vehicle. I feel unsafe driving my car and my dealership has basically told me there is nothing than can do and that is not acceptable with me. The fact that my life was put in danger due to a malfunction with the forward collision warning is absolutely ridiculous. I will probably never buy another Honda if something is not done to correct the issues.

7 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 07/30/2022

Vehicle will frequently brake at full capacity on its own for cars in the next lane of traffic. This has happened 3 times so far. All three times it was on a highway going at speeds of 60-70 mph. "brake" flashes in big letters on the screen. There are no obstructions in front of me only in the lane next to me. Dealer informed me it is a known problem and there is no fix except to disable the safety features.

8 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 06/23/2022

Twice while driving the fcw warning brake light flashed on the dash with nothing happening. One time the brakes actually engaged and flashed the brake icon on the dash for the fcw and stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road and luckily no one behind me and I didn’t get hit.

9 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2022

As my wife and I were driving downtown at about 20 mph on a regular city street with no cars in front of us, the automatic breaking system suddenly beeped and slammed on the breaks, giving us whiplash. There was clearly some kind of failure in the collision mitigation breaking system. Previously, the orange "break" light sometimes came on the dashboard if you got too close to the car in front but it was always accurate--there always was a car in front of us. But this time it was really startling because there was nothing in front of us and it almost caused an accident because the car behind us obviously wasn't expecting us to stop suddenly. We have a 2021 Honda crv hybrid and have had no other problems with it. We haven't had any maintenance on it in besides a bit of standard care (oil change, tire rotation) so I assume whatever problem it has has been there since the purchase (we are the car's original owner). Overall it was quite worrying.

10 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 03/13/2022

My 2021 Honda crv is activating the brakes at inappropriate times. I've had 5 total instances that could have resulted in a rear-end collision both on the street driving 5-35 mph and freeway at 30-50 mph. The system on the dash board flashed "brake. " however, there is more than a car space between the car in front of the car. The braking system activates and I am unable to counteract the brakes locking up on the car. I am very concerned that if I were to continue to drive my car , it may result in an accident with a car crashing into the back of my car. At this time I am waiting for the vehicle to be inspected.

11 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2022

We were driving at about 45-50mph on a 4 lane road (2 lanes in each direction) when the car in front of us moved to the right side of the road (bike/turn lane) to make a right turn. There was enough room for the other car to safely turn right without stopping or slowing traffic. The 2021 Honda crv hybrid braked suddenly as if to avoid a high speed crash. The collision avoidance feature was on (the car was delivered with the feature activated and it was never turned off. ) the car forcefully slammed on the brakes, seatbelts locked up and the driver felt a pop inside the left shoulder blade and neck pain; later in the day, the pain radiated throughout the left side of the back, up to the neck / base of skull and down past the waist. The passenger seatbelt also locked and there were no injuries to the passenger. No passengers or children were in the back seat. The sudden braking caused the car behind the Honda crv to brake and swerve, but no accident occurred. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealership or others. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lamps and no indication that this was going to occur. This is a serious safety issue and injuries occurred from a car safety feature when there was no imminent danger or collision that was actually needing to be avoided.

12 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 11/14/2021

I have a 2021 Honda crv awd. On 11/14/2021 the forward collision avoidance system engaged . I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned proceeded in 30 feet the system engaged. There was no car or pedestrian in front of me. The car beeped and brakes engaged. Luckily the car behind me was able to stop. Like another car with the same problem brought it to the dealer and was told they couldn’t find anything was wrong. They did lower the sensitivity of the sensors. The also said that a leaf could set it off. My wife is not comfortable riding in the car now. She fears that it could happen on the hiways.

13 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2021

While driving on a highway at approximately 60-65mph, the vehicle in front of me began to brake. I was a safe distance from the vehicle in front of me. I also started to brake, but allowed the gap between us to close somewhat due to a vehicle following closely behind me. The Honda’s emergency braking system suddenly took over with maximum braking, causing items in my vehicle to fly around and the vehicle behind me to nearly rear end me. I had no control over the braking. My wife screamed at me, thinking that I had slammed my foot on the brakes, but it was beyond my control. I’ve asked my Honda dealer if the system can be adjusted but I was given no help. I understand the emergency braking system’s intended purpose, but the manner that this system has engaged (3 times) is unsafe. It’s not like I wasn’t paying attention, I was, and I was already braking. It’s actually scary the way it locked up. Yes, I know that the brakes didn’t actually lock up, they are antilock brakes, but it was like I was standing on the brake pedal. Have there been similar complaints about this? * the date below, 10/26/2021, is approximately the first time that this happened. It happened two additional times. It pretty scary when it happens.

14 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 06/11/2021

On more than one occasion while driving the touch screen went black couldn’t access my navigation nothing couldn’t get the screen to turn on it wouldn’t do anything. Then it will tell me connect device when my phone is plugged in I’ve changed the cords replaced them with generic apple cords nothing bought apple cord and still nothing, apple car play doesn’t connect says you need to unplug device for car play to work nothing. The sensors are not working like they should there will be nothing around the car will alarm brake then it will automatically brake. I should not have to at to replace the touch screen in my vehicle it’s under warranty well under the miles as well. I work at a car dealership and the touch screen issue is a big problem I get several complaints about the touch screens not working.


Other Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of the 2021 Honda CR-V


CR-V Service Bulletins
CR-V Safety Recalls
CR-V Defect Investigations