48 complaints reported

2021 Honda CR-V FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
48
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2023

You have 87 complaints about the Forward Crash Avoidance / Braking System for this vehicle. Since my previous complaint, (#11470565) this unsafe, DANGEROUS, condition has occurred on two additional dates. Nearly all of the complaints that I read, mention the same issue: you are driving along and the system forces the vehicle to brake to a stop or nearly to a stop, NEARLY causing numerous rear end collisions. It’s scary and DANGEROUS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Feb 2023
Apr 2023

On two separate occasions on local roads while driving under 15 miles an hour I was drawing near an intersection and the car in front of me was actively turning onto a side street and I had ample distance from that car and my car suddenly decided I was about to get in an accident and slammed on the breaks. Its a good thing the cars behind me were responsible and were able to break in time or there would have been an accident both times because no one would have expected me to suddenly break in either situation. There were other people in the car each time and we were all surprised.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Apr 2023
Apr 2023

On 2 separate occasions I was driving on the highway and the screen started flashing brake with nothing in front of me. While it was flashing the automatic braking system engaged causing me to come to almost a complete stop and get rear ended.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Apr 2023
Mar 2023 Injury

A car was way in front of me and had turned right into a driveway, before I was even a close and it stopped in the driveway entrance out of the road. I had my car turning away from the driveway knowing the car was moving slow in front of me. When I reached to pass this my ABS kicked on and brakes locked by itself and scared the pants off me!! My hands came off the steering wheel, my neck jerked forward and my glasses flew off my face at 50 MPH!!! I wasn’t even close to hitting this person. A few days later driving down the road a goose was on the same side right side on side of road as I’m rounding the bend my brakes lock up again!!! Again. The bird wasn’t even in the road!!!!! I had to pull over to read how to turn off this auto braking. I had to go to emergency room days later because my neck and shoulder pain was worsening. I went to ER last night. 3/23/23. Thank god just muscle damage. I was scared it was something worse! It’s just awful. Sometime you can see it say brake and nothing is in front of you. So I make sure I turn it off now. First incident was I think 3/12, when my car was doing 50 mph, second with the goose was 35 mph on 3/18.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2023
Feb 2023

I was driving on State Road 426 in Florida at 40 MPH. The weather was cool and sunny with light traffic on the roadway on both sides of the median. Suddenly, the vehicle “Hard-braked” on its own while my foot was on the gas pedal. The brake action lasted about two seconds and luckily the car behind me was not following too close or it would have rear-ended us.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Feb 2023
Jan 2023

2021 Honda CR-V with about 17,000 miles. On at least 3 occasions, the vehicle activated the emergency brake warning and applies brakes, on 2 of the occasions, driving in a straight road with no vehicles or persons in sight. On another occasion, the brakes were also applied in the highway reducing the speed dramatically and almost causing an accident behind me, there were no cars nearby in front but on the lanes adjacent to our driving lane.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2023
Jan 2023

When changing lanes on a 60 MPH highway to avoid vehicles that were stopped, the brakes auto engaged and the car came to a stop. The driver coming from behind had to swerve into a ditch to avoid rear ending my car. Thank God nobody was injured this time.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2023
Dec 2022

On two occasions now, the Automatic Emergency Braking has engaged without there being an actual danger, meaning nothing in front. The first time I was driving at about 55mph on the highway and it engaged with a dash alert to brake and then proceeded to decrease my speed. Luckily, no cars were behind me or else I would have been rear ended. The second time, I was going 5mph at a grocery store parking lot and it did the dash brake alert and stopped. Again, luckily no cars were behind me. Honda will be inspecting the car this coming week but did not seem worried about my initial report. It wasn't until my second incident of 5mph that they suggested taking a look at it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2022
Dec 2022

Vehicle suddenly emergency braked, by slamming on the brakes, when driving on a highway with no cars in front of us and no cars to the sides of us. This happened twice within the same afternoon. We had the adaptive cruise control on at these times. The highway was clear of obstructions and was in perfect shape. The car was clean on the outside. It was a bright sunny afternoon and the road was dry. We recall no warning as this happened. We had just purchased the vehicle used with 11000 miles on it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2022
Nov 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2022
Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Dynamic Brake Assist activated, and the vehicle came to a sudden stop without another vehicle nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2022
Nov 2022

Twice on 10/10/2022, the automatic brake warning system engaged while the car was in cruise control at approximately 55 mph. There were no other vehicles or safety hazards in the lane of travel that should have prompted a brake system activation. The incidents happened on separate trips, with the car having been parked and turned off in between.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Oct 2022
Sep 2022 Injury

I was just driving on Ventura blvd, a busy street, it was very sunny out and suddenly for no reason, as I am driving around 35 MPH at least... the car fully brakes. everything goes flying - my neck is now sore, as is my upper back and shoulders... if someone had been behind me they would have hit me. It's pure luck it didn't cause an accident. This has never happened before and I want to get rid of this car now...

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2022
Sep 2022

I was driving at about 35-40 MPH and the automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. There was nothing on the road ahead of me. The vehicle braked very hard and had there been a vehicle behind me I suspect there would have been an accident. This is not the first time this has occurred - it has happened several times before - but it was the most severe braking that has occurred. There was no damage, so the police were not involved. I have not yet reported this to the manufacturer.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2022
Jul 2022

I have had 4 separate instances where the automatic braking system abruptly applied the brakes. Two of them happened at a place on the road where the pavement color changed. One was a pedestrian crosswalk painted on an asphalt road surface. Another was where a new concrete roadway changed to new asphalt. Those 2 situations led me to believe the system may see road color change as if there was an obstacle in front of the car. However, 2 additional events happened with no obvious reasons as the road surface did not change. This is a 2021 Honda CRV. I have not taken it to a Honda dealer nor have I discussed it with Honda. I was fortunate that nothing was close behind and the road surface was not slippery. There is no telling what might have happened if the road was snow packed or icy.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Oct 2022
Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the roadway surface changed and the Forward Collision Avoidance feature activated and the vehicle independently started braking. The vehicle then started driving normally after the failure. The dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 12,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022

I was driving at approximately 35 MPH on a straight, flat road. There were no cars in front of me, behind me, or oncoming. Without warning or any action on my part, the vehicle wheels locked up, the vehicle jerked to an abrupt stop, and the display went black. I noticed what appeared to be a red block of text on the display, but I was unable to read it before the vehicle started moving again. Luckily, I had both hands on the steering wheel, and I was alone in the vehicle. I was shaken up at the abruptness of the stop. If I had my dogs in the car, they would have been launched forward. If I or anyone else in the vehicle was not belted in and facing forward, there for sure would have been injuries. If there were someone behind me, there would have been impact. I am grateful none of these things happened, but I remain fearful of driving this vehicle if it were to happen again. I brought the vehicle immediately to my dealer for inspection. (Balise Honda, West Warwick, RI). The service manager stated this was a know issue with CR-V's, a result of the radar on the front of the vehicle that controls the ABS malfunctioning for some reason. He was unaware of a solution. His only recommendation was to turn off the ABS and LKAS, the very safety features that I purchased this car for, and paid extra for. I reported this to Honda on July 5, case number 13119359. They were to get back to me with an update by July 12, but I have yet to hear from them. The case manager only said there were no know recalls or bulletins on this issue. I had requested they open a bulletin as this is certainly a safety issue that needs to be addressed. For now, I am driving my vehicle without the safety features this vehicle advertised, and have limited my travel with this vehicle as well. NOT what I expect from a new 2021 vehicle.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2022
Jun 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Oct 2021
Mar 2022

This has happened approximately once a month since i got the car and i've had the car for 13 month. When using adaptive cruise control on the freeway going at least 60, the car will randomly give me a forward collision warning. Sometimes the car slams on the brakes, and other times the warning goes away after about a second. I can override it by pressing on the accelerator. This always happens when theres no cars anywhere near the front of me. The car has not been inspected by the manufacturer because the problem cannot be recreated on demand. its very infrequent. Other than that the car has had no other major problems.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Oct 2022
Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended braking. The contact then deactivated the collision mitigation braking system. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2021
Nov 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2021
Jul 2021

I bought a 2021 Honda CRV on May 01, 2021. On July 22 and again on July 25 this car just suddenly put on the breaks for no reason. On the second occasion my sister was in the car with me and was slung forward. She has had three heart attacks and has a pace maker and was so upset I feared her heart might fail her. I have had one heart attack and my heart was pounding too. Fortunately there was no car close behind me on either occasion or I would have been rear ended. Now I feel I must drive slowly because of this but that increases the likelihood of someone driving too close behind me and hitting me if the car stops suddenly. I took the car to the dealership but they said there was nothing wrong with it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2021
Feb 2021

Purchased car on July 7, 2021, that same day the car did not start when stepped on brake and pushed start button. Happened again on July 8, 2021. Called Dealer, Took it in on July 9, 2021. They could not duplicate problem. Assured me it was not a problem. Drove to CT on July 10, 2021, Did not start several times during the trip. On July 11, on return trip from CT a warning light came on dashboard. IN black letters in a red rectangular box - BRAKE. I called dealer on Monday July 12, 2021 and reported the warning. He said it meant there were cars in the way. The BRAKE IN A BOX occurred 2 more times (8/6 and 8/17). I called dealer who said it was not a problem. I subsequently searched the warning on line and it says "BRING YOUR CAR TO A DEALER. TO CONTINUE DRIVING COULD BE DANGEROUS!" I left the car with the dealer for 9 days. Sept 3 through September 11, 2021. They said they could not find anything wrong. I continue to have problems with starting the car, often getting the message that says TO START ENGINE: BRAKE+PUSH. Which is exactly what I do to start the car. When I picked up the car on September 11 (after 9 days with the dealer) the service manager told me he would contact their regional manager to report the problem to the regional manager. That's the last I heard from him except when I called and he said he had not heard from regional manager yet. I called again and left message but have not heard back. I have also submitted a complaint with HONDA and I have written 3 emails to the VP of Customer Relations. the VP has not responded to me at all. The complaint person contacted the dealer and dealer told him they could not duplicate the problem. After many weeks, complaint person contacted me to let me know this. He has no other recommendations. At this time i am afraid to drive the car and just drive it locally. I have avoided the highway, and any long trips because of my fear that there is something seriously wrong with the car and brakes.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HONDA CR-V, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2021

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Honda CR-V has 48 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.