2020 Honda CR-V problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda CR-V, most often about driver assistance & safety tech. There are 7 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 354
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 21
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 17
- Median mileage
- 16,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech is the most-reported problem area, named in 76 of 354 complaints (21%).
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (48) and airbags (47) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 16,000 mi.
- Owners reported 21 crashes, 2 fires and 17 injuries.
- The 2020 Honda CR-V has 7 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 6th of 22 Honda CR-V model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 62% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (942).
2020 Honda CR-V problems by category
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 4 crashes76 complaints
- 48 complaints
- Airbags · 8 crashes47 complaints
- Electrical System · 3 crashes43 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash42 complaints
- 40 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 4 crashes36 complaints
- Brakes · 3 crashes29 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 3 crashes20 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes13 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 3 crashes11 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers9 complaints
- Body & Structure7 complaints
- Wheels & Tires7 complaints
- Lighting7 complaints
- Suspension · 1 crash3 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 64 |
| Air bags | 47 |
| Steering | 42 |
| Electrical system | 42 |
| Engine | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 38 |
| Unknown or other | 36 |
| Service brakes | 27 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Honda CR-V recalls (7)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Risk: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V vehicles. The clip for the absorber inside the fuel tank was not secured properly and may detach, which can cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RCB.
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CR-V vehicles. The rear subframe bolts were improperly manufactured and may loosen, allowing the rear subframe to separate.
Risk: A separated rear subframe reduces vehicle handling and can suddenly disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts and retorque them or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is R6M.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA24002Opened Apr 15, 2024Open
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Hon…
- PE22011Opened Nov 28, 2022Closed Jul 22, 2024
Rear Differential Seizure
On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to …
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2020 Honda CR-V complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 4, 2026SCSteering
In XXX I began experiencing a sticking/notching sensation in the steering wheel. Because this involves the steering system and therefore raises an obvious safety concern, we contacted Honda Customer Service and opened Case #XXX. Honda Customer Service instructed us to take the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer for evaluation. We took the vehicle to Fred Anderson Honda in Greenville, South Carolina where the steering problem was inspected, verified and documented. They…
NHTSA complaint #11768831 · source - Filed Sep 18, 2026WVSteering
No warning lamps. Steering is "sticky". Driving at higher speeds such as on the interstate. Steering to the left then when straightening the steering wheel, it is sticky. Dangerous especially at higher speeds. May cause the driver to over correct steering. Putting them and others around them in danger of colliding. Other Honda Crv models have recalls for this issue. My vehicle is no safer with the issue and deserves to be addressed as well.
NHTSA complaint #11765389 · source - Filed Sep 18, 2026FLSteering
At 29,100 miles on the odometer I started noticing a little difference in the steering, especially at low speeds. There were no dashboard warning messages. I took it to a local Honda Service Center (Vatland Honda) and they diagnosed the problem as "Electric steering rack internal failure" and an estimated repair cost approaching $6,000 after taxes and fees. They said there's no way to predict if or when the power steering would completely fail, but it could be a sudden…
NHTSA complaint #11765263 · source - Filed Sep 17, 2026GASteering
Honda Dealership (Grainger Honda in [XXX]) replaced a steering neck on my 2020 Honda CRV at approximately 87,000 miles in XXX The vehicle was brought into the dealership in XXX with symptoms of loose steering, creaks/groans during turns/curves and the steering wheel was catching during turns/corners. The recommendation by Honda was to replace the struts, which was completed at another location. The symptoms became evident again in the summer of 2026 and in XXX was advised by…
NHTSA complaint #11765031 · source - Filed Sep 16, 2026155,000 miNJEngine
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. While the contact's wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle operated sluggishly with an engine misfire. The contact's daughter used a scan tool and retrieved information of a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Another check with the scan tool indicated a misfire in…
NHTSA complaint #11764766 · source - Filed Sep 10, 2026FLSeats & Seat Belts
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's seat belt failed to latch as intended. The contact attempted to latch the driver's seat belt several times before the seat belt latched as needed. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall.
NHTSA complaint #11763434 · source - Filed Sep 5, 2026OHSteering
when turning the steering wheel would momenterily stick. germain honda of college hills said steering motor bad. replaced motor ,but still was sticky,said needed steering rack also. that fixed it for a total of 7500 hundred dollars. complained but have not receive any compansation.
NHTSA complaint #11762356 · source - Filed Aug 27, 2026MASteering
This appears to be the exact same problem as the Recall Campaign 24V744000 that applies to other model years of the same Honda CR-V. The steering rack for my car had to be replaced due to a defective gear box causing the steering wheel to be sticky.
NHTSA complaint #11760095 · source
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Other 2020 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology