Which has more total NHTSA complaints, the Highlander or the CR-V?

The CR-V has 13,685 complaints across 21 model years versus 4,713 for the Highlander. That works out to 652 per model year for the CR-V versus 224 for the Highlander, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so this isn't adjusted for how many of each were sold.

What years should I avoid for each model?

For the Highlander, avoid 2008 and 2019 through 2023. For the CR-V, avoid 2017 through 2019 and 2023 through 2025.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The CR-V averages 26.9 mpg combined across its model years versus 21.4 mpg combined for the Highlander.

Which model has more recall campaigns?

The CR-V has 52 total recall campaigns across its lifespan versus 47 for the Highlander.

Do either models have years with no Good or Best verdict?

No, both models have years rated Best: 2014, 2016, 2024, and 2025 for the Highlander, and 2012, 2013, and 2022 for the CR-V.

Toyota Highlander vs Honda CR-V: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Highlander logs 4,713 complaints across 21 model years (224 per year, 47 recalls); Honda CR-V logs 13,685 (652 per year, 52 recalls). Highlander should be avoided in 2008 and 2019-2023; CR-V in 2017-2019 and 2023-2025. Totals aren't sales-normalized, so neither figure alone proves which model has fewer problems per vehicle on the road.

Head to head

Toyota Highlander

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 4,713
Per model year: 224
Recall campaigns: 47
Years to avoid: 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2014, 2016, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Honda CR-V

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 13,685
Per model year: 652
Recall campaigns: 52
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Highlander				CR-V
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	224	6	20	Caution	479	12	22
2006	Caution	277	7	19.5	Caution	398	12	22
2007	Good	123	4	19.5	Caution	887	12	22.5
2008	Avoid	404	11	19.5	Caution	961	11	22.5
2009	Caution	134	9	20	Caution	386	12	22.5
2010	Caution	216	10	20	Caution	481	15	23.5
2011	Good	181	5	20	Caution	553	13	23.5
2012	Good	182	2	20	Best	403	3	25.5
2013	Good	207	3	20	Best	382	2	25.5
2014	Best	135	4	21	Caution	587	1	25.5
2015	Caution	192	1	21	Caution	670	3	28.5
2016	Best	110	2	21	Good	393	3	28
2017	Caution	267	3	22.5	Avoid	1,768	7	28.5
2018	Caution	265	4	22.5	Avoid	2,141	5	28.5
2019	Avoid	482	3	22.5	Avoid	1,099	8	28.5
2020	Avoid	315	4	23	Caution	353	7	29.5
2021	Avoid	517	4	23	Good	330	4	29.5
2022	Avoid	249	5	23	Best	259	3	29.5
2023	Avoid	181	9	24	Avoid	515	3	29.5
2024	Best	42	7	24	Avoid	392	2	33.5
2025	Best	10	4	24	Avoid	248	1	37

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which has more total NHTSA complaints, the Highlander or the CR-V?: The CR-V has 13,685 complaints across 21 model years versus 4,713 for the Highlander. That works out to 652 per model year for the CR-V versus 224 for the Highlander, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so this isn't adjusted for how many of each were sold.
What years should I avoid for each model?: For the Highlander, avoid 2008 and 2019 through 2023. For the CR-V, avoid 2017 through 2019 and 2023 through 2025.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The CR-V averages 26.9 mpg combined across its model years versus 21.4 mpg combined for the Highlander.
Which model has more recall campaigns?: The CR-V has 52 total recall campaigns across its lifespan versus 47 for the Highlander.
Do either models have years with no Good or Best verdict?: No, both models have years rated Best: 2014, 2016, 2024, and 2025 for the Highlander, and 2012, 2013, and 2022 for the CR-V.