2020 Honda CR-V problems, complaints & recalls

More Within ±30% year on year

NHTSA has received 439 owner complaints about the 2020 Honda CR-V, or 64.7 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.60, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 83 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #67 of 83 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Honda models its rate is 9% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 7% higher.

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

Complaints filed between 2020-01-26 and 2026-10-12. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.

439Complaints

64.7Complaints per year on the road

1.6Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles

9Recalls

6.2%Share involving a crash or fire

99Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2019) drew 141.9 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 75.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 60 complaints, 7% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Driver-assist systems (15.9% of complaints), followed by Engine (14.4%) and Airbags & seat belts (13.2%). Driver-assist systems complaints are 2.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 27 reports (6.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 20 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 50 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (38% of incidents). In the last 12 months 99 new complaints were filed, versus 83 in the 12 months before — up 19%.

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for this model year. 4 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (preliminary evaluation, opened 2025-10-28, still open).

Complaint index

vs. all tracked vehicles1.6
vs. other Honda models0.91
vs. other 2020 models1.72
vs. other Compact SUVs1.07
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (60)1.07
#67 of 83 · 2020Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

2018245.5 per year6.08
2019141.9 per year3.52
202064.7 per year1.6
202175.8 per year1.88
202271.2 per year1.76
2023166.8 per year4.13
2024172.1 per year4.26
2025160.0 per year3.97
2026157.0 per year3.89

Honda CR-V problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

Driver-assist systems70 · 15.9% · 2.78×
Engine63 · 14.4% · 0.65×
Airbags & seat belts58 · 13.2% · 3.48×
Electrical44 · 10.0% · 0.64×
Steering40 · 9.1% · 1.42×
Brakes39 · 8.9% · 1.48×
Unspecified or other35 · 8.0% · 0.89×
Fuel system34 · 7.7% · 1.78×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Steering · Engine · Driver-assist systems · Fuel system · Electrical · Brakes · Unspecified or other · Body & structure · Airbags & seat belts · Transmission / powertrain · Wheels, tires & suspension

When complaints were filed

Crashes reported: 25
Fires reported: 2
Injuries: 20
Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

<1 yr8.9%
1–2 yrs9.1%
2–3 yrs12.1%
3–5 yrs38.0%
5+ yrs31.9%

Median age at incident: 50 months

What owners report

While operating a 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the vehicle suddenly caught fire with flames originating from the rear seat/rear passenger compartment area. There was no crash involved.

Electrical · 2026-02-02 · ODI 11715175 · Fire
Vehicle was parked on a slight incline with transmission in Park and electronic parking brake engaged. Engine was running. While unloading groceries, driver leaned into vehicle and pressed the engine start/stop button to turn the vehicle off.

Electrical · 2026-02-01 · ODI 11714829
At under 36,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total failure of the factory electronic brake booster assembly. The vehicle's dashboard illuminated multiple critical braking system warning lights.

Brakes · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770224
In XXX I began experiencing a sticking/notching sensation in the steering wheel. Because this involves the steering system and therefore raises an obvious safety concern, we contacted Honda Customer Service and opened Case #XXX.

Steering · 2026-10-04 · ODI 11768831
This happened to my Hybrid 2020 CRV" * accelerated to merge onto a busy interstate and immediately after the flashing check engine light came on and the front of the car felt like it was shaking.

Engine · 2026-10-03 · ODI 11768698

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2020 · Compact SUVs

Models	Complaints	Complaints per year on the road	Complaint index
2020 Mazda CX-5	107	15.8	0.39
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan	141	20.8	0.52
2020 Jeep Compass	143	21.1	0.52
2020 Kia Sportage	162	23.9	0.59
2020 Hyundai Tucson	178	26.2	0.65
2020 Nissan Rogue	210	30.9	0.77
2020 Chevrolet Equinox	313	46.1	1.14
2020 Jeep Cherokee	324	47.7	1.18
2020 Honda CR-V	439	64.7	1.6
2020 Subaru Forester	601	88.5	2.19
2020 Toyota RAV4	648	95.4	2.36
2020 Ford Escape	1,826	268.9	6.66

Safety recalls (9)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 26V332000 · 2026-05-21

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 24V064000 · 2024-02-01

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 23V858000 · 2023-12-18

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES Campaign 23V844000 · 2023-12-13

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cable routed outside of the body frame is missing a fuse on the power circuit, which can allow the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash.

Risk: An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FGB.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Campaign 23V524000 · 2023-07-27

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Campaign 23V158000 · 2023-03-09

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.

Risk: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Campaign 22V380000 · 2022-05-26

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V vehicles. The clip for the absorber inside the fuel tank was not secured properly and may detach, which can cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.

Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RCB.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER Campaign 20V798000 · 2020-12-17

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Campaign 19V865000 · 2019-12-05

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CR-V vehicles. The rear subframe bolts were improperly manufactured and may loosen, allowing the rear subframe to separate.

Risk: A separated rear subframe reduces vehicle handling and can suddenly disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts and retorque them or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is R6M.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Loss of Motive Power Open

PE25016 · preliminary evaluation · ENGINE · Opened 2025-10-28 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022

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) 2020–2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles. These incidents are alleged to occur without warning at highway speeds and are accompanied by a flashing check engine light immediately before the…
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking Open

EA24002 · engineering analysis · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE · Opened 2024-04-15 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

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 a…
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

DP22005 · defect petition · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM · Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07 · Campaign 22V063000 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022

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

PE22011 · preliminary evaluation · POWER TRAIN · Opened 2022-11-28 · Closed 2024-07-22 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

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 vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. T…