1999 Honda CR-V Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 18, 2023 · 127 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CR-V years
Far fewer complaints than other years 29th of 30 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Honda CR-V. That ranks 29th out of 30 CR-V model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (28 complaints, 22%), typically at around 158,921 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 7 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V (6th generation) hybrid in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1999 Honda CR-V problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags28 · ~158,921 mi
Electrical System27 · ~134,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling16 · ~100,000 mi
Tires13 · ~84,000 mi
Power Train11 · ~88,260 mi
Latches/locks/linkages10 · ~60,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control6 · ~98,567 mi
Engine5 · ~115,500 mi
Structure5 · ~160,000 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~140,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags2822%158,921——
Electrical System2721%134,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling1613%100,000——
Tires1310%84,000——
Power Train119%88,260——
Latches/locks/linkages108%60,000——
Vehicle Speed Control65%98,567——
Engine54%115,500——
Structure54%160,000——
Unknown or Other54%140,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic43%102,500——
Suspension43%175,000——
Exterior Lighting32%190,000——
Seat Belts32%27,000——
Equipment22%———
Service Brakes22%98,567——
Seats11%———
Service Brakes, Air11%———
Steering11%———
Wheels11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 22 complaints
1999: 519992000: 42001: 920012002: 62003: 1420032004: 92005: 720052006: 72007: 420072008: 42009: 320092010: 42011: 120112012: 12013: 120132014: 32015: 720152016: 62017: 120172019: 32020: 222020222021: 42022: 120222023: 1

n = 127 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1999 Honda CR-V recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 17, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V026000 · 1,439,841 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Electrical system:ignition:switchMay 16, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V120000 · 1,000,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.

Risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.

Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dashOct 19, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V282000 · 100,891 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An improperly routed under dash wire harness could be damaged by contact with the brake light switch, possibly resulting in a blown fuse. If this occurs, operation of a critical component can be lost, including windshield wipers, headlights, turn signal and hazard lamps, tail lamps, the anti-locking function of the brakes, and battery charging system.

Risk: A sudden, unexpected loss of lighting or a failure of the windshield wipers in bad weather, could be hazardous increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a 70mm protective, corrugated plastic tube over the wire harness, in the area of the brake stop switch. If any wire or wires are damaged, they will be repaired.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

On my 1999 honda crv ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000…

Electrical System · received Dec 18, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11560652

The contact owns a 1999 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over safely, restarted the vehicle five times, and drove home. The contact stated that the failure was with ignition…

Electrical System · received Jul 25, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11475657

The contact owns a 1999 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle would lock the doors automatically without warning. The contact stated that she was concerned that they would not be able to open the doors manually during an emergency event. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be…

Latches/locks/linkages · received Nov 22, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11441373

1999 honda cr-v. Consumer writers in regards to nhtsa safety recall 20v-026. The consumer stated the dealer initially stated that the bolt on the inflator was stripped and recommended a new steering wheel. The consumer was later informed the bolt was not stripped, but the bracket was loose. The…

Air Bags · received Sep 20, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11433578

Yes just a couple of days ago Someone took off the catarac converter from my Vehicle, and I had to replace that with another one, and since than my vehicle has not been the same since, plus they also cut the oxygen cable also, what to do???

Unknown or Other · received Aug 1, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11427367

Other Honda CR-V years

← 1998 CR-V · 2000 CR-V →

See all Honda CR-V problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Honda CR-V?

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 28 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Honda CR-V?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1999 Honda CR-V a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CR-V model years, the 1999 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.