Honda CR-V problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 5,760 owner complaints and 24 safety recalls for the Honda CR-V. That averages 137.9 complaints per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (index 3.28 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #12 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Honda CR-V has logged 5,760 owner complaints and 24 safety recalls, averaging 137.9 complaints per year which is far more than typical at an index of 3.28 against all tracked vehicles. While it ranks #12 of 12 in its Compact SUVs segment for fewest complaints per year with a segment average of 62.1, the 2018 model year stands out as the one to research most carefully because it runs at least 50% above the model's own average with a rate of 245.3 complaints per year. The most common problem area is Steering accounting for 23.3% of complaints and occurring 3.6 times as often here as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Engine at 15.7% and Driver-assist systems at 13.3%. Owners have reported 189 injuries and 1 death among 233 complaints describing a crash or fire, with the latest open investigation being "Loss of Motive Power" opened on 2025-10-28.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 19% of the 2018 and 2019 models (441 early complaints per model year versus 415).
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (245.3 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (63.8). The 2018 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2020, 2021 and 2022 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Steering (23.3% of complaints), followed by Engine (15.7%) and Driver-assist systems (13.3%). Steering complaints are 3.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “steering”, “fuel”, “gasoline”, “sticky” and “wheel”. 233 complaints (4.0%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 189 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 995 complaints versus 1,259 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2018 model year generated the most recent reports (235). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 36 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 24 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (6). 6 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2025-10-28, still open).
Every other tracked model among Compact SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 2,128 | 245.3 | 5.83 | 584 | 6.56 | 235 | 5 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 1,088 | 141.8 | 3.37 | 247 | 3.06 | 134 | 8 | Driver-assist systems | View › |
| 2020 Fewest complaints | 426 | 63.8 | 1.52 | 60 | 1.05 | 96 | 9 | Driver-assist systems | View › |
| 2021 | 427 | 75.3 | 1.79 | 80 | 1.31 | 116 | 5 | Steering | View › |
| 2022 | 327 | 70.0 | 1.66 | 71 | 0.96 | 111 | 6 | Steering | View › |
| 2023 | 626 | 170.4 | 4.05 | 490 | 5.9 | 70 | 7 | Steering | View › |
| 2024 | 468 | 175.0 | 4.16 | 393 | 5.59 | 106 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2025 | 270 | 161.4 | 3.84 | — | — | 127 | 4 | Steering | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 995 · Previous 12 months: 1,259 Steady
Problem areas
Driver-assist systems ›
766 · 13.3% · 2.32 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- braking370
- behind286
- automatic203
- brake322
Fuel system ›
680 · 11.8% · 2.74 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- fuel583
- system gasoline315
- gasoline recall270
- distribution disconnect241
Interior & equipment ›
367 · 6.4% · 0.71 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- sunroof63
- glass71
- shattered44
- exploded42
Airbags & seat belts ›
163 · 2.8% · 0.74 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- air bags62
- notification air37
- seat57
- belt41
Transmission / powertrain ›
127 · 2.2% · 0.19 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- differential11
- power38
- awd11
- reverse17
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
69 · 1.2% · 0.48 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- tire52
- tread18
- sidewall11
- flat14
Other
53 · 0.9% · 0.51 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated13
- seat15
- police filed8
- injuries8
Lighting
25 · 0.4% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlights12
- night13
- beam8
- high10
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- steering1498
- fuel948
- gasoline571
- sticky386
- wheel905
- distribution disconnect412
- rack268
- sticks208
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 36 months
What owners report
Car accelerated unexpectedly when braking at a parking spot. Car accelerated over the curb and hit another car.
I was driving on hwy when I had to do a hard stop because traffic stopped suddenly in front of my vehicle, no physical contact was made to any cars in front or back of me, suddenly dark smoke started coming from under the hood of car, The car started stalling…
One of the rear sensor batteries randomly stopped working. All the features stopped working and would light up the whole dashboard, including TPMS, automatic braking, cruise control, etc.
While driving with my 3yr old in the car multiple dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminated simultaneously (including the Check Engine light, Emissions system warning, and various safety sensor alerts).
Steering wheel sticking when I turn left and making ticking noise. Took it to Honda and I have to pay $5k to replace the steering wheel rack.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 24
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (5) · 2019 (8) · 2020 (9) · 2021 (5) · 2022 (6) · 2023 (7) · 2024 (4) · 2025 (4)
Investigations
- Loss of Motive Power Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 48 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports alleging intermittent loss of motive power in Model Year (MY) 2020â2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles. Â These incidents are alleged to occur without warning at highway speeds and are accompanied by a flashing check engine light immediately before …
- Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking Open
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no …
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort Closed
On November 29, 2023, the Oï¬ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering eï¬ort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required ste…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Rear Differential Seizure Closed
On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicleâs wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion.…
- Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking Closed
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no …
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda CR-V model year has the most complaints?
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (245.3 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (63.8).
Is the Honda CR-V getting better or worse?
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 19% of the 2018 and 2019 models (441 early complaints per model year versus 415). In the last 12 months owners filed 995 complaints versus 1,259 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Honda CR-V problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Steering (23.3% of complaints), followed by Engine (15.7%) and Driver-assist systems (13.3%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “steering”, “fuel”, “gasoline”, “sticky” and “wheel”.
How does the Honda CR-V compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #12 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Every other tracked model among Compact SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass.
Does the Honda CR-V have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 24 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (6). 6 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2025-10-28, still open).