Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic vs Honda CR V
How the Honda Civic and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Civic vs Honda CR V: The Civic averages 374 complaints per year over a decade, while the CR-V averages 717. Both suffer from sticky steering and phantom braking, but the CR-V also has frequent engine power loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic or Honda CR V more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, in ownership terms, is a compact car that owners rely on for daily commuting and errands. Over the past decade, it has accumulated a high volume of complaints, with steering issues dominating the reports. Owners describe a steering wheel that intermittently sticks or requires extra force, which can be unsettling and potentially dangerous at highway speeds. Beyond steering, there are notable electrical gremlins, including battery and sensor failures, and the advanced driver-assist system has been reported to brake unexpectedly, which can be alarming in traffic.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that families often choose for its space and versatility. However, its complaint history reveals a similar but even more pronounced pattern of steering problems, with many owners citing a 'sticky steering' defect that is under investigation. Engine troubles are also prominent, with reports of sudden power loss and limp mode, which can be frightening when driving at speed. The forward collision avoidance system also frequently triggers phantom braking, and electrical issues can lead to stalling or smoke from under the hood, indicating serious reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,744 Better | 7,174 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 Better | 40 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 206 Better | 244 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 374.4 Better | 717.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 143 Better | 214 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Civic
- 01STEERING1,922
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER507
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM333
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE257
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215
Owners report the electric power steering motor failing, causing the wheel to require excessive force or stick intermittently, especially at highway speeds. This can make the car feel unstable and increase the risk of a crash.
Battery failures are common, with some owners replacing the battery multiple times. Other electrical issues include problems with the PCV valve, MAF sensor, and spark plugs, leading to poor performance and repeated repairs.
The automatic emergency braking can activate without warning, slamming the brakes when no obstacle is present. This 'phantom braking' can cause the driver to lose control or be rear-ended by following traffic.
“The component that has failed is my electric power steering motor. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. While driving, the steering wheel should turn in a fluid motion, without requiring much force to turn the wheel. When i turn my wheel, it some…”
“Vehicle: 2021 Honda Civic Mileage: Approximately 58,000 miles Over the past couple of months, I have experienced a steering issue that appears to be worsening. While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently feels as though it “sticks” or c…”
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,356
- 02ENGINE1,328
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,315
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,025
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM989
The CR-V is notorious for a 'sticky steering' defect where the wheel locks or pauses at highway speeds, then releases with a jerk. This is under NHTSA investigation and poses a serious safety risk.
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, often accompanied by flashing check engine lights and the vehicle entering limp mode. This can happen at highway speeds, making it dangerous to merge or maintain speed.
Phantom braking is a frequent complaint, where the system applies the brakes unexpectedly in slow traffic, causing abrupt stops and near-misses. This erodes driver confidence and increases collision risk.
“While driving my 2022 Honda CRV at highway speeds and at operating temperature, the steering sticks and/or pauses then releases causing the steering to jerk back in the opposite direction. This creates a major safety issue while driving on the highway and can…”
“My 2022 Honda CR-V experiences the "sticky steering" defect that has been widely reported and is currently under NHTSA investigation (EA23003). While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently locks, requiring increased effort to move the wh…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Civic — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, w…
The risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
The defect: 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 R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 ar…
The defect: 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,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 expansi…
The defect: 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…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: 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 th…
The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 expansi…
The defect: 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…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
Buyer analysis
Honda Civic or Honda CR V: which should you buy?
The Honda Civic has fewer complaints per year (374.4) compared to the Honda CR-V (717.4), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, both vehicles share serious steering and driver-assist problems, so the difference in volume suggests the Civic may be slightly less troublesome, but neither is without significant reliability concerns.
Key differences
- The CR-V has nearly double the annual complaints of the Civic, with engine issues being a major differentiator.
- Both have sticky steering, but the CR-V's is more widely reported and under investigation.
- The Civic's electrical problems often involve battery and sensor failures, while the CR-V's can lead to stalling and smoke.
- Phantom braking is a common complaint in both, but the CR-V's reports are more frequent.
- Test the steering at highway speeds for any stickiness or hesitation, as EPS motor failures are common.
- Check the battery and charging system, and ask about any recent replacements or electrical issues.
- Drive at highway speed and feel for steering that sticks or requires extra effort, a known defect.
- Ask about any engine warning lights or power loss incidents, and check for recalls related to fuel pump or steering.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles, especially for steering and fuel pump recalls.
- During a test drive, include highway speeds and slow traffic to assess steering and phantom braking.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering rack and EPS motor for signs of wear or previous repairs.
- Review maintenance records for battery, spark plugs, and engine sensors on the Civic; for the CR-V, look for engine or transmission work.
- Ask about any open investigations or known issues, such as the CR-V's sticky steering investigation.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda Civic | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 127 |
| 2025 | 89 | 243 |
| 2024 | 266 | 383 |
| 2023 | 582 | 516 |
| 2022 | 881 | 253 |
| 2021 | 142 | 326 |
| 2020 | 222 | 351 |
| 2019 | 348 | 1088 |
| 2018 | 598 | 2128 |
| 2017 | 589 | 1759 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Civic or Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic vs Honda CR V
- Honda Civic total complaints
- 3,744
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 7,174
- Honda Civic total recalls
- 38
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Honda Civic avg complaints/year
- 374.4
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 717.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Civic
- Honda Civic top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING