Honda CR-V Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the Honda CR-V years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which carry complaint indexes of 95, 100, 85, 80, 75, and 90. The best years based on NHTSA data are 2012, 2013, and 2022, each with low complaint indexes of 20, 5, and 15.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2012Best 2013Best 2022
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 13,685
- Recall campaigns
- 52
- Crashes reported
- 634
- Fires reported
- 84
- Top problem area
- Engine
CR-V Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Honda CR-V problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 10 | 479 | 40 | 18 | 12 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 0 | 398 | 27 | 16 | 12 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 55 | 887 | 34 | 4 | 12 | Structure & Body | 22.5 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 70 | 961 | 44 | 3 | 11 | Airbags | 22.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 35 | 386 | 29 | 2 | 12 | Airbags | 22.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 40 | 481 | 31 | 2 | 15 | Airbags | 23.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 25 | 553 | 29 | 2 | 13 | Airbags | 23.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 20 | 403 | 27 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Best | 5 | 382 | 22 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 587 | 36 | 7 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 65 | 670 | 38 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 30 | 393 | 40 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 95 | 1,768 | 42 | 4 | 7 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 2,141 | 46 | 2 | 5 | Fuel System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 85 | 1,099 | 31 | 2 | 8 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 353 | 21 | 2 | 7 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 45 | 330 | 14 | 1 | 4 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 15 | 259 | 5 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 80 | 515 | 21 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 75 | 392 | 28 | 0 | 2 | Steering | 33.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 90 | 248 | 29 | 5 | 1 | Steering | 37 | 5★ |
CR-V years to avoid: what went wrong
2018 Honda CR-V Index 100 · 2,141 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 CR-V has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 2,141 total complaints. Fuel system problems account for 599 complaints (28%) at a median 8,000 miles, and engine issues account for 591 complaints (28%) at a median 6,300 miles. NHTSA recorded 5 recall campaigns, including a fuel pump module recall and a seat belt buckle recall. Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration and brake pedals that failed to respond at low speeds.
2018 fuel system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2017 Honda CR-V Index 95 · 1,768 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2017 CR-V has a complaint index of 95, the second worst of all 21 model years covered. Engine complaints lead at 577 reports (33% share) with a median failure mileage of 15,035 miles, followed by electrical system issues at 412 complaints and fuel system problems at 378 complaints. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including a fuel pump module replacement and an airbag seat weight sensor campaign. Owners reported brake response failures tied to the collision mitigation system and airbags that did not deploy in crashes.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →
2025 Honda CR-V Index 90 · 248 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 CR-V has a complaint index of 90 despite being an early model year, with 248 complaints logged so far. Steering issues lead at 51 complaints (21%) with a median 7,500-mile failure point, followed by collision avoidance camera problems at 42 complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign so far, for the steering worm gear spring. Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration while parking and brakes that failed to slow the vehicle despite repeated pedal application.
2025 steering problems →2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 engine problems →
2019 Honda CR-V Index 85 · 1,099 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2019 CR-V carries a complaint index of 85 with 1,099 complaints. Collision avoidance and camera problems top the list at 301 complaints (27%) with a median 22,500-mile failure point, followed by fuel system issues at 260 complaints. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, including seat belt buckle and fuel pump module recalls. Owners reported vehicles rolling unexpectedly after being placed in park and airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2019 fuel system problems →2019 steering problems →
2023 Honda CR-V Index 80 · 515 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2023 CR-V has a complaint index of 80. Steering complaints dominate at 325 reports, 63% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of just 10,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including a steering worm gear spring replacement and a fuel pump module recall. Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration events during low-speed parking maneuvers and a seat back that collapsed in a rear-impact crash.
2023 steering problems →2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2023 engine problems →
2024 Honda CR-V Index 75 · 392 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 CR-V has a complaint index of 75. Steering complaints lead with 126 reports (32% share) at a median 14,000 miles, followed by visibility/wiper issues at 55 complaints and collision avoidance problems at 54 complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns, covering the steering worm gear spring and a tire identification labeling issue. Owners reported loss of steering control on the highway and electronic power steering rack parts on extended backorder.
2024 steering problems →2024 visibility & wipers problems →2024 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Honda CR-V problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine2,696 (20%)
- Electrical System2,429 (18%)
- Airbags1,845 (13%)
- Steering1,682 (12%)
- Other1,664 (12%)
- Fuel System1,600 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,351 (10%)
- Structure & Body1,175 (9%)
- Brakes1,018 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain889 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Honda CR-V should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Honda CR-V. The 2018 has the worst complaint index at 100, followed by 2017 at 95 and 2025 at 90.
- What is the best year for the Honda CR-V?
- The 2012, 2013, and 2022 CR-V rank best based on NHTSA data, with complaint indexes of 20, 5, and 15 respectively, the lowest in the lineup.
- Why is the 2018 Honda CR-V rated Avoid?
- The 2018 CR-V has 2,141 complaints and the highest complaint index (100) of any year. Fuel system complaints (599) and engine complaints (591) are the top issues, with median failure mileages around 8,000 and 6,300 miles.
- Does the Honda CR-V have steering recalls?
- Yes. The 2023, 2024, and 2025 CR-V share a steering recall (campaign 24V744000) for a worm gear spring replacement, and steering is the top complaint area for all three of those model years.
- How many total complaints does the Honda CR-V have on file?
- NHTSA lists 13,685 total complaints across 21 model years (2005-2025) and 52 recall campaigns for the Honda CR-V.