Honda CR-V Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Across 2010-2025, Honda CR-V years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2024, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. 2018 has the highest Complaint Index (100) with 2,141 complaints, mostly Fuel System and Engine issues. Best years are 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2022, led by 2013's Complaint Index of 0.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2010Best 2012Best 2013Best 2022
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 10,573
- Recall campaigns
- 39
- Crashes reported
- 460
- Fires reported
- 41
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 480 | 31 | 2 | 15 | Airbags | 23.5 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 33 | 553 | 29 | 2 | 13 | Airbags | 23.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 13 | 403 | 27 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Best | 0 | 382 | 22 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 60 | 587 | 36 | 7 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 53 | 670 | 38 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 27 | 393 | 40 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 87 | 1,768 | 42 | 4 | 7 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 2,141 | 46 | 2 | 5 | Fuel System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 1,099 | 31 | 2 | 8 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 353 | 21 | 2 | 7 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 47 | 330 | 14 | 1 | 4 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 7 | 259 | 5 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 73 | 515 | 21 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 80 | 392 | 28 | 0 | 2 | Steering | 33.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 93 | 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 ranks worst of all years with a Complaint Index of 100 and 2,141 complaints. Fuel System problems lead at 28% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 8,000, and Engine problems follow closely at 28% with a median mileage of 6,300. Owners report intermittent engine stalling at intersections and low speeds, sometimes with a sudden burst of acceleration afterward. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 19% of complaints. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, including a seat belt buckle recall and a fuel pump module recall.
2018 fuel system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2025 Honda CR-V Index 93 · 248 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 CR-V carries a Complaint Index of 93, ranking 2nd worst despite being one of the newest model years, with 248 complaints. Steering issues lead at 21% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 7,500, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems follow at 17% with a very low median mileage of 100. Owners report brake pedals that depress to the floor without stopping the vehicle and instances of engine warning lights preceding fires. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign so far, covering a steering worm gear spring issue.
2025 steering problems →2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 engine problems →
2017 Honda CR-V Index 87 · 1,768 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2017 CR-V has a Complaint Index of 87 and 1,768 complaints, ranking 3rd worst of all years covered. Engine problems make up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 15,035. Electrical System issues account for 23% (median mileage 20,000), and Fuel System problems 21% (median mileage 15,200). Owners describe sudden unintended braking from the collision mitigation system and reports of engines revving and lurching forward when brakes are applied. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including fuel pump module and airbag-related actions.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →
2024 Honda CR-V Index 80 · 392 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 CR-V has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 4th worst, with 392 complaints. Steering problems dominate at 32% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 14,000. Visibility & Wipers issues follow at 14% (median mileage 14,000), and Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems at 14% with a much lower median mileage of 5,400. Owners describe steering wheels locking up while turning and unexpected acceleration paired with brake warning messages. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns, including one for a steering worm gear spring and one for a missing tire date code.
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. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine2,494 (24%)
- Fuel System1,579 (15%)
- Electrical System1,566 (15%)
- Steering1,526 (14%)
- Other1,428 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,348 (13%)
- Brakes893 (8%)
- Airbags874 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain755 (7%)
- Structure & Body504 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Honda CR-V years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the CR-V years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2024, and 2025. The 2018 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100 with 2,141 complaints, the most of any year covered.
- What are the best Honda CR-V years to buy?
- The best years, based on NHTSA data, are 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2022. The 2013 CR-V has a Complaint Index of 0, the lowest across all 16 model years covered.
- What is the most common problem with the Honda CR-V?
- Across all years covered (2010-2025), Engine issues are the top problem area with 2,494 complaints, or 24% of the 10,573 total complaints logged with NHTSA. Fuel System and Electrical System issues follow closely at 15% each.
- Does the Honda CR-V have steering recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a steering-related recall (campaign 24V744000) covering 2023-2025 CR-V models for a worm gear spring issue, which relates to steering problems reported in the 2024 and 2025 model years.
- Is the 2018 Honda CR-V reliable?
- The 2018 CR-V ranks worst of all covered years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 2,141 complaints, mostly tied to Fuel System and Engine problems reported at low median mileages of 8,000 and 6,300.