YearToAvoid

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#6 most-complained of 6 CR-V Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid ranks best among 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 82 complaints logged. It carries 5 recalls, none do-not-drive, and NHTSA data show no fires or deaths tied to this year.

Complaints
82
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
38
40 city / 35 hwy

Top 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine24 (29%)
  2. Brakes18 (22%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (18%)
  4. Electrical System14 (17%)
  5. Other11 (13%)
  6. Fuel System10 (12%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
  8. Airbags4 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body4 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)

What owners report

  • Some owners describe the brake pedal being depressed while the vehicle accelerated on its own, with the auto stop feature failing to engage.
  • Owners report the power steering, braking, and AWD systems locking up or flagging failures within hours of taking delivery.
  • The automatic power tailgate has closed unexpectedly on people standing near the bumper, and in one case opened on its own during a wash.
  • A transmission warning message appeared while driving around 35 mph, requiring the vehicle to be pulled over and restarted.
  • At higher altitude and on steep grades, owners say the engine could not maintain highway speed once the hybrid battery assist was depleted.
  • The tire pressure monitor system has triggered repeated false low-pressure warnings that dealers could not permanently resolve.
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month8Jun 2020Mar 2021Aug 2022Aug 2023Jun 2024Nov 2024Jun 2025Jan 2026
116 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2024 (8).

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

  3. NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

See all 5 recalls for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid →

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
40 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
38 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other CR-V Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Best082538
2021Good40103338
2022Best2075438

All Honda CR-V Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 CR-V Hybrid is the best-ranked year among the 6 years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 82 total complaints.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
Engine issues lead at 29% of complaints (24 cases, median mileage 64,509), followed by brakes at 22% (18 cases, median mileage 33,000) and collision avoidance/camera issues at 18% (15 cases, median mileage 18,359).
Does the 2020 CR-V Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 CR-V Hybrid, covering airbags, fuel system, and electrical system components, including a 12-volt battery cable fuse issue and a DC-DC converter software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 CR-V Hybrid compare to other years?
It ranks 6th out of 6 years worst-first, meaning it has the lowest complaint index (0) and is rated Best, while 2024 and 2025 carry higher complaint indexes of 100 and 80 and are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 38 mpg combined (40 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.