Honda CR V Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Honda CR V options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Honda CR V has 7,275 owner complaints and 40 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- CR V
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 7,275
- Safety recall campaigns
- 40
- Crash-related complaints
- 248
- Fire-related complaints
- 22
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (2,150 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (146 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Honda CR V: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe HONDA CR V has 7,275 NHTSA complaints and 40 recalls on record. 248 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 7,275 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 40 federal recall campaigns
- 248 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
40 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
STEERING
STEERING
STEERING
TIRES:MARKINGS
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 7,275 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
7,275 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The car randomly braked hard and suddenly. There were no obstacles in the road. It was a clear day with no weather issues.
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 1-2 MPH into a parking space, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The contact's wife suffered neck pain. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact requested the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The insurance company was notified of the failure but had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 7,400.
The vehicle's infotainment/display and wireless smartphone projection system is malfunctioning. Specifically, wireless Apple CarPlay can suddenly disconnect while I am driving and the system does not reliably recover or re-establish the connection. When this occurs, Apple CarPlay functions including navigation, maps and audio become unavailable, sometimes for the remainder of the drive. The vehicle and infotainment system remain in my possession and are available for inspection. This creates a potential safety hazard because I primarily drive the vehicle alone, with no passenger available to safely operate the phone or infotainment system while the vehicle is moving. The issue has occurred during highway driving. When Apple CarPlay fails to recover, I can be left without my normal navigation and other functions. Attempting to diagnose or restore the connection may require interaction with the phone or infotainment system by the driver, creating a potential driver-distraction hazard. This is particularly concerning at highway speeds. The problem has been reported to and evaluated by an authorized Honda dealership/service department. The dealership observed/acknowledged the issue and informed me that it was related to a Honda software/update issue, but no dealer-level repair was available at that time. There have been no dashboard warning lamps associated with the problem. The primary symptom is the sudden loss of wireless Apple CarPlay while driving. Bluetooth may remain functional, but Apple CarPlay, including navigation, maps and audio, becomes unavailable and does not reliably recover after the connection is interrupted. The issue first began around December 2025 and has occurred repeatedly since then. The vehicle has been inspected by the Honda dealership. To my knowledge, it has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives.
The steering wheel makes a clicking and knocking noise when turning left or right at any speed. The problem occurs every time I turn the steering wheel and can also be felt when changing lanes. The steering becomes stiff and feels like it catches or binds while turning, requiring more effort to steer. The problem has been occurring repeatedly and has not gone away. I am concerned that the steering could become more difficult to control while driving and create a safety risk. 2023-2025 Honda CRV have been recalled for a similar steering problem.
My wife and I leased this 2026 crv on XXX. Six days old, with approx 89 miles on it. We were heading to [XXX] from [XXX] on [XXX] when there was a engine noise, then a loud pop, my wife said it was smoking and no oil pressure came across the instrument panel, immediately after that message the screen turned red saying to turn vehicle off immediately. We were on a corner on the interstate right at XXX exit, we coasted to shoulder, there was flames coming up from hood cowl between windshield wipers/hood/ windshield while we were still in the vehicle. We were able to exit the vehicle and get to a safe distance and i called [XXX]. [XXX] fire department responded to put out the fire, as well as montana highway patrol to make a report. The Honda dealer we leased from sent us a replacement vehicle, they also had the towing company haul the car to there lot, and the payed the wrecker bill. We initially called our insurance to let them know about the fire, and that the car was a total loss. But we thought it would be best to talk to corporate honda before we filed a claim. It took honda about a week to respond, they said we have to turn it into our insurance. We finalized our insurance claim XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am requesting immediate assistance with an ongoing safety issue involving my 2026 Honda CR-V EX AWD, VIN [XXX], which I purchased in July 2025. Each time it rains, multiple warning lights come on in my vehicle. The warning message shown includes: “Electric power steering system problem. Steering assist reduced. See your dealer.” The dashboard also shows several other warning indicators, including the battery/charging, brake system, tire-pressure, and other safety-system warnings. This is extremely concerning because it affects a vehicle I rely on every day to transport my two children. I have already brought the vehicle to two Honda dealerships: Honda of [XXX], [XXX], [XXX]. My paperwork identifies [XXX] as the service advisor/signatory. I was told the vehicle received a multi-point inspection and battery test. Honda of [XXX], [XXX], [XXX]. My service advisor was [XXX]. Technician A88 documented stored code P065A-00, an ACG/no-charging malfunction code. The paperwork states that the battery, alternator operation, and wiring were checked, but that further diagnosis would only be needed if the problem persisted. The problem has persisted. I have been told that Honda cannot fix it until it “actually breaks down.” That is not an acceptable response when the vehicle is displaying a reduced steering-assist warning and multiple other warning lights, especially when the issue repeatedly occurs in rainy conditions. A nearly new vehicle should not have recurring electrical and safety-warning problems like this. I should not have to wait for a complete breakdown, loss of steering assist, or another dangerous failure before a meaningful repair is performed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the infotainment screen went completely blank, and the contact was unable to see important vehicle information or the rearview camera while shifted in reverse. Additionally, the sound coming from the speakers operated intermittently. The dealer was contacted in person. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7.
While driving on a mountain road/ 2 lane highway, I experienced a sudden momentary freezing of my steering. I saw a warning flash on my dashboard and thought I saw the word "steering". I pulled over, turned my car off and then back on to "reset" the computer. I traveled a bit further, in an attempt to get to the nearest business, so I could pull over and call a tow truck, but before I could do so, I experienced the same thing a second time. I saw a warning flash on my dash again, but did not see the words. Both times it occurred, I could not steer but it unlocked quickly. When these two incidents occurred, I was within the lanes and not crossing over a painted line on the highway. Both times it occurred, I could not move my steering wheel, as if the power steering was no longer active. I had my car towed to the closest Honda Service Center, and they said they could not find a computer code and were not able to replicate it. It was transferred to the dealership and was reassessed, but they had the same conclusion. I was told that it was the "lane assist", but my lane assist setting had never been turned on since I bought the car. I tried to explain that but they insisted it was lane assist. I sent the Service Center Manager some information I found online regarding the previous reports of steering freezing up on the gas powered 2026 Honda CRVs, and he offered to "replace my rack". Today, those repairs should be done, but I am not clear if the replacement parts are the same parts and whether or not that repair will guarantee that the same problem will not occur in the future.
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, and significant effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. There were 2 green parallel lines illuminated on the instrument panel above the odometer with the steering wheel warning light illuminated in the far-right corner during the failure. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted but was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,750.
Emission system Check engine light. The dealer said there is water in it & it’s not covered under the warranty. There’s multiple people online claiming the same problem. Multiple forums with people saying Honda won’t cover the problem.
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormally loud noise followed by air rushing into the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected. Upon pulling back the sunroof cover, glass fell into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,340.
While pulling into a parking space in a parking lot with foot on the brake coming to a stop, the vehicle suddenly and without warning accelerated up over the curb onto and across a sidewalk and finally stopped on a lawn. Had someone been on the sidewalk in front of the vehicle they would have been struck. Had the vehicle not stopped it would have continued into the side of a building. The vehicle's engine continued to run after the vehicle finally came to a stop. The vehicle is currently scheduled for a service appointment at the dealership where it purchased. There were no warning or caution indications on the instrument panel.
While backing into the home driveway, with foot on the brake, the vehicle suddenly accelerated backward for a distance of about eight feet toward a closed gate, coming to rest just short of the gate. The vehicle could have damaged the gate as well as itself. A vehicle inspection is scheduled at the dealer from which it was purchased new. There were no warning or caution indications displayed on the instrument panel.
Recurring, intermittent fuel smell inside the vehicle, even with the air on recirculate. Seems to occur when on very hot days when the vehicle has been running a lot. The dealership found a soaked evap canister, replaced the fuel tank and evap canister, and the symptoms returned after about one week with a fuel smell entering the cabin. The fumes cause migraines and are unacceptable for a new car.
New, 2026 Honda CRV purchased on 07/02/2026. The washer system doesn't adequately clean the windshield because the washer nozzles are mounted on on the wiper arms and are timed poorly. During our 1st highway trip on 08/13/2026, visibility was impaired due to an obvious, unsafe windshield wiper design. My spouse and I were on a 60 mile return trip to our home during darkness and realized the wipers were rendered helpless due a windshield covered w bug debris, fortuneately we were able to arrive home safely. The driver's side wiper at the very top of it's cycle (verticle position) sprays the wash over the top/side of the car and doesn't spray at all at the driver's line of view. The passenger wiper does the same, sprays at the top of the wipe cycle, but the driver's side wiper wipes over a little residue left behind on the down cycle. Today, 09/09/2026, an authorized dealer confirmed and inspected the system and stated the issue described above is characteristic of 2023-2026 6th generaction Honda CRV. The service staff report the design is working as intended, Honda's goal was to save washer fluid. I am reporting the above as a safety concern because I don't feel the washer system can reliably provide adequate windshield visibility under real-world driving conditions, particularly at highway speeds when covered w insects and dirt and other debris. I've already filed a complaint to Honda Corp. Customer Service; Customer Relations: Case # 16619499 on 09/09/2026.
July 3 2026 multiple error codes vehicle assistant, brakes, steering wheel, vehicle stability. Vehicle was stuck in Park. Unable to put in reverse drive or neutral was stranded for 30 plus minutes before vehicle would shift out of park. Vehicle towed to dealership by tow truck driver who witness codes Vehicle stayed over night was not looked at until the next day and Honda dealer stated no error on their end I submitted photos fir referenceand evidence. August 1 driving vehicle dashboard went black was able to pull over turn vehicle off then dashboard return drived up to dealer on Monday was told the vehicle would have to stay over night but because the dashboard was on at the time probably will not get an error code. Vehicle has been feeling like it wants to stop while driving since July 3rd. Since August 1st Vehicle has been making this on and off humming noise from the AC and Heater. August 27th took a video of the constant humming . Filed a case with Honda manufacturer I was told that if they can't produce the errors then I would have to keep the car and nothing they can do about it. That seems a little more like willfully putting a human life in harms way with safety issues. September 7th Vehicle is at Honda to see about the humming noise and the feeling of shutting off.
Supplemental restraint system problem. See you dealer. After 10 miles on my new car. Got error just after I left my dealer.
The vehicle was purchased Aug 7th and since delivery date the car has been having issues. The primary issue is the infotainment system, the monitor sometimes disconnects from apple CarPlay abruptly. During the use of this feature the navigation system will also disconnect making it unsafe when using navigation. The vehicle has a persistent problem with squeaking and tapping noise coming from the engine Bay Area. When going over and bumps or uneven surfaces the car rattles. The vehicle also has worse mpg than advertised. Currently getting 22.4mpg with ECON active.
The very first time I used the wiper fluid spray, it sprays too late, when the wipers are vertical. I have had the vehicle 1 month and it has 1000 miles on it. This will be extremely dangerous during winter when I can't get road spray off the windshield. I will be calling the dealership tomorrow. I noticed this just trying to get bug splats off the windshield. The washer fluid system is useless in my opinion.
I am experiencing recurring problems with the infotainment system, GPS navigation, and Apple CarPlay in my 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid. Apple CarPlay connects to the vehicle, but the navigation/GPS does not consistently display or function correctly. I have experienced the problem using both wireless Apple CarPlay and a wired connection and also different phones but with same problem. The infotainment display has also experienced abnormal behavior, including the screen becoming black or failing to properly display the navigation information. I have restarted the system and tested different connection methods, but the problem continues to occur. More concerningly, on several occasions the GPS has provided incorrect navigation instructions, including directing me to make turns onto streets where I would have been traveling in the wrong direction. This has created dangerous situations while driving. On at least two occasions, I nearly had an accident as a result of following or reacting to these incorrect GPS directions. I am very concerned that this malfunction could create a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers if it continues. I am reporting this issue because I have found other owners of 2026 Honda CR-V vehicles reporting similar GPS, Apple CarPlay, infotainment, and black-screen problems. I believe this issue should be investigated to determine whether there is a software or hardware defect affecting the infotainment/GPS system in the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid. I am particularly concerned about the incorrect navigation directions because they have already resulted in potentially dangerous driving situations and the issue remains unresolved despite having the vehicle inspected by Honda service.
Showing 20 of 7,275 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Honda CR V
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Honda CR V, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Honda CR V has 7,275 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Honda CR V has 40 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 248 of the Honda CR V's 7,275 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Honda CR V vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Honda CR V vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Honda CR V has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Honda CR V.
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Honda CR V reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Honda CR V reliable?
Poor. The Honda CR V has 7,275 NHTSA owner complaints and 40 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Honda CR V years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (2,150 complaints), 2017 (1,771 complaints), 2019 (1,101 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Honda CR V problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (1,394 complaints); ENGINE (1,344 complaints); FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1,322 complaints).
Does the Honda CR V have recalls?
Yes — 40 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Honda CR V. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.