Honda CR-V Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Honda CR-V model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (331) and the 2018 the most (2,153).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
149 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 29–40 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
254 | 1 | Steering | 5★ | 28–40 |
| 2022 | 262 | 3 | Steering | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
331 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
355 | 7 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
382 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 25–26 |
| 2009 | 386 | 12 | Air bags | — | 22–23 |
| 2016 | 393 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 27–29 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
393 | 2 | Steering | 5★ | 29–40 |
| 2012 | 403 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 25–26 |
| 2010 | 481 | 15 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2023 | 515 | 3 | Steering | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2011 | 554 | 13 | Air bags | 4★ | 23–24 |
| 2014 | 587 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 25–26 |
| 2015 | 672 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 28–29 |
| 2007 | 887 | 12 | Air bags | — | 22–23 |
| 2008 | 961 | 11 | Air bags | — | 22–23 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
1,102 | 8 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
1,773 | 7 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
2,153 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Honda CR-V years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Honda CR-V: 2,153 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 530 (25%); Forward collision avoidance 394 (18%); Fuel/propulsion system 375 (17%).
Reports mention 46 crashes, 2 fires, 47 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,500 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Honda CR-V: 1,773 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 531 (30%); Electrical system 400 (23%); Fuel/propulsion system 348 (20%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 4 fires, 36 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,500 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Honda CR-V: 1,102 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 298 (27%); Steering 195 (18%); Electrical system 164 (15%).
Reports mention 31 crashes, 2 fires, 35 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Honda CR-V years with the fewest complaints
2021 Honda CR-V: 331 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 112 (34%); Forward collision avoidance 87 (26%); Electrical system 34 (10%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Honda CR-V: 355 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 73 (21%); Air bags 47 (13%); Electrical system 43 (12%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 2 fires, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 16,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Honda CR-V: 382 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 97 (25%); Power train 95 (25%); Electrical system 38 (10%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 26,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Honda CR-V owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 149 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 7,340 |
| 2025 | 254 | 29 | 5 | 23 | 0 | 10,123 |
| 2024 | 393 | 28 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 9,700 |
| 2023 | 515 | 21 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2022 | 262 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2021 | 331 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2020 | 355 | 21 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2019 | 1,102 | 31 | 2 | 35 | 1 | 12,000 |
| 2018 | 2,153 | 46 | 2 | 47 | 0 | 12,500 |
| 2017 | 1,773 | 42 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 17,500 |
| 2016 | 393 | 40 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 19,000 |
| 2015 | 672 | 38 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 4,600 |
| 2014 | 587 | 36 | 7 | 34 | 3 | 20,832 |
| 2013 | 382 | 22 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 26,000 |
| 2012 | 403 | 27 | 4 | 24 | 0 | 36,306 |
| 2011 | 554 | 29 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 52,353 |
| 2010 | 481 | 31 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 57,000 |
| 2009 | 386 | 29 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2008 | 961 | 44 | 3 | 43 | 0 | 74,956 |
| 2007 | 887 | 34 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 80,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Honda CR-V recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2002–2006 model years; 6,281,043 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V320000)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2002–2004 model years; 3,498,481 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V370000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2011 model years; 2,719,386 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V346000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2013–2023 model years; 2,490,460 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V858000)
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2011 model years; 2,232,187 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2016; 16V061000)
All 63 Honda CR-V recall campaigns · Honda CR-V problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Honda CR-V years FAQ
Which Honda CR-V year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (331). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Honda CR-V years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2017 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Honda CR-V problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (2,200 of 12,993 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 63 recall campaigns covering the Honda CR-V. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Honda CR-V recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.