Honda CR-V Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 16,013 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

2007, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019

NHTSA has 16,013 owner complaints and 63 safety recalls on file for the Honda CR-V, across 30 model years (1997–2026). The 2018 model year has the most complaints (2,158). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.

Peak: 2018, with 2,158 complaints

n = 16,013 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Honda CR-V years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CR-V year: 2007, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

2018 CR-V: 2,158 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 CR-V: 1,774 complaints, 7 recalls
2019 CR-V: 1,105 complaints, 8 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

1997 CR-V: 108 complaints, 2 recalls
1999 CR-V: 127 complaints, 3 recalls
1998 CR-V: 128 complaints, 3 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Honda CR-V problems (all years)

Problem area	Complaints	Model years	Crashes
Electrical System problems	2,504	30	50
Air Bags problems	2,392	30	373
Engine problems	2,276	30	54
Steering problems	1,761	30	52
Forward Collision Avoidance problems	1,349	17	48
Fuel/propulsion System problems	1,183	25	27
Power Train problems	1,017	30	50
Service Brakes problems	844	29	136
Structure problems	665	30	58
Latches/locks/linkages problems	571	21	5
Exterior Lighting problems	558	29	7
Vehicle Speed Control problems	549	30	154
Engine and Engine Cooling problems	499	26	7
Fuel System, Gasoline problems	479	27	1
Visibility/wiper problems	386	27	2
Suspension problems	344	30	24
Tires problems	270	29	11
Seat Belts problems	269	29	57
Lane Departure problems	228	12	4
Visibility problems	219	28	1
Wheels problems	204	28	10
Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems	183	19	12
Equipment problems	173	23	3
Seats problems	173	27	14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems	118	26	17
Back Over Prevention	46	12	4
Communication	38	1	1
Equipment Adaptive/mobility	21	11	1
Service Brakes, Air	14	9	3
Parking Brake	11	7	0
Interior Lighting	8	5	0
Fuel System, Other	6	4	0
Traction Control System	4	4	1
Child Seat	3	3	0
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness	2	1	0
Electronic Stability Control	2	2	1
Insert, Padding	2	2	0
Other/i Am Not Sure	2	2	0
Firerelated	1	1	0
Fuel System, Diesel	1	1	0
Service Brakes, Electric	1	1	0

Honda CR-V problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

2025: steering (55)
2024: steering (126) · forward collision avoidance (50)
2023: steering (325)
2022: steering (140)
2021: steering (113) · forward collision avoidance (87)
2020: forward collision avoidance (74)
2019: forward collision avoidance (299) · steering (196) · electrical system (164) · fuel/propulsion system (143) · fuel system, gasoline (119) · engine (112) · service brakes (99) · air bags (79)
2018: engine (530) · forward collision avoidance (395) · fuel/propulsion system (376) · steering (330) · electrical system (284) · fuel system, gasoline (232) · service brakes (186) · vehicle speed control (65) · power train (64)
2017: engine (531) · electrical system (401) · fuel/propulsion system (348) · forward collision avoidance (282) · service brakes (170) · power train (144) · steering (65) · electronic stability control (esc) (54) · vehicle speed control (52)
2016: engine (101) · fuel/propulsion system (65) · electrical system (64)
2015: engine (243) · power train (150) · electrical system (84)
2014: engine (190) · electrical system (77) · power train (68) · tires (52)
2013: engine (97) · power train (95)
2012: engine (89) · electrical system (68)
2011: air bags (295) · electrical system (55)
2010: air bags (217) · engine (53)
2009: air bags (176)
2008: air bags (325) · electrical system (218) · latches/locks/linkages (200) · structure (94) · steering (70)
2007: air bags (267) · electrical system (264) · latches/locks/linkages (232) · structure (77)
2006: exterior lighting (118) · electrical system (75) · air bags (74)
2005: air bags (129) · exterior lighting (122) · electrical system (77)
2004: engine and engine cooling (142) · air bags (103) · electrical system (73)
2003: air bags (125) · engine and engine cooling (86) · electrical system (62)
2002: air bags (143) · electrical system (95) · exterior lighting (60) · engine and engine cooling (58)
2001: air bags (52)

All Honda CR-V model years

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Crash rating	Top problem	Compared with other years
2026 CR-V	154	0	5★	Unknown or Other	Far fewer complaints than other years
2025 CR-V	257	1	5★	Steering	Fewer complaints than other years
2024 CR-V	391	2	5★	Steering	About as many complaints as other years
2023 CR-V	516	3	5★	Steering	More complaints than other years
2022 CR-V	265	3	5★	Steering	Fewer complaints than other years
2021 CR-V	335	4	5★	Steering	About as many complaints as other years
2020 CR-V	355	7	5★	Forward Collision Avoidance	About as many complaints as other years
2019 CR-V	1,105	8	5★	Forward Collision Avoidance	Far more complaints than other years
2018 CR-V	2,158	5	5★	Engine	Far more complaints than other years
2017 CR-V	1,774	7	5★	Engine	Far more complaints than other years
2016 CR-V	394	3	5★	Engine	About as many complaints as other years
2015 CR-V	672	3	4★	Engine	More complaints than other years
2014 CR-V	587	1	5★	Engine	More complaints than other years
2013 CR-V	382	2	5★	Engine	About as many complaints as other years
2012 CR-V	403	3	5★	Engine	About as many complaints as other years
2011 CR-V	554	13	4★	Air Bags	More complaints than other years
2010 CR-V	481	15	—	Air Bags	About as many complaints as other years
2009 CR-V	386	12	—	Air Bags	About as many complaints as other years
2008 CR-V	962	11	—	Air Bags	Far more complaints than other years
2007 CR-V	887	12	—	Air Bags	Far more complaints than other years
2006 CR-V	398	12	—	Exterior Lighting	About as many complaints as other years
2005 CR-V	479	12	—	Air Bags	About as many complaints as other years
2004 CR-V	501	12	—	Engine and Engine Cooling	More complaints than other years
2003 CR-V	468	13	—	Air Bags	About as many complaints as other years
2002 CR-V	515	15	—	Air Bags	More complaints than other years
2001 CR-V	142	1	—	Air Bags	Far fewer complaints than other years
2000 CR-V	129	2	—	Air Bags	Far fewer complaints than other years
1999 CR-V	127	3	—	Air Bags	Far fewer complaints than other years
1998 CR-V	128	3	—	Electrical System	Far fewer complaints than other years
1997 CR-V	108	2	—	Electrical System	Far fewer complaints than other years

More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda CR-V years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2007 (887), 2008 (962), 2017 (1,774), 2018 (2,158), 2019 (1,105) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CR-V year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Honda CR-V?

Electrical System, with 2,504 complaints across 30 model years.

How many recalls does the Honda CR-V have?

63 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.