YearToAvoid

2020 Honda CR-V Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2020 Honda CR-V, 14% of its 353 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. There is no related engine recall on file, though owners describe fuel dilution and sudden power loss patterns.

Engine complaints
49
14% of 353
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report fuel odor and gasoline mixing into the engine oil, sometimes discovered during routine oil changes.
  • Some owners describe the check engine light flashing while driving, followed by a sudden loss of motive power and the vehicle entering limp mode at various speeds, including around 50 mph.
  • A few reports describe engines that would not restart after a warning light appeared, with dealers stating a new engine was needed.
  • One owner reported oil needing to be changed far more often than the standard interval, at roughly 1,500 miles.
  • A separate report described a blown head gasket with coolant entering a cylinder, causing loss of power and a flashing check engine light.
  • One report described the accelerator sticking at low speed and the brakes failing to stop the vehicle, resulting in a crash.

When 2020 Honda CR-V engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 15, 2020, latest Sep 16, 2026.

2020 Honda CR-V engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2020Mar 2022Jan 2023Aug 2024Mar 2025Feb 2026Jun 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2026 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Honda CR-V

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CR-V model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200549 (10%)
  2. 200636 (9%)
  3. 200739 (4%)
  4. 200853 (6%)
  5. 200924 (6%)
  6. 201080 (17%)
  7. 201159 (11%)
  8. 2012107 (27%)
  9. 2013119 (31%)
  10. 2014222 (38%)
  11. 2015271 (40%)
  12. 2016123 (31%)
  13. 2017577 (33%)
  14. 2018591 (28%)
  15. 2019129 (12%)
  16. 202049 (14%)
  17. 202138 (12%)
  18. 202221 (8%)
  19. 202334 (7%)
  20. 202440 (10%)
  21. 202535 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2020 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2020 CR-V, making up 14% of the 353 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2020 Honda CR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to this engine complaint category for the 2020 CR-V.
At what mileage do 2020 CR-V engine problems typically occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 50,000 miles at the time engine failures were reported.
What kind of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners describe gasoline mixing into engine oil, sudden loss of power with the check engine light flashing, and in some cases a stated need for full engine replacement.
Have engine problems caused crashes or injuries in the 2020 CR-V?
NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 1 injury among the complaints filed in this engine category, with no fires reported.

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.