Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda CR-V Reliability by Year
Honda CR-V reliability stands good with low repair costs. Sticky steering and false emergency braking top the complaints; 2024 is the used year to buy.
Honda CR-V Reliability Overview
Repair costs run low at an estimated $407 a year, against $521 for compact SUVs, and reliability stands good. Steering that turns sticky or notchy and emergency braking that fires with nothing ahead are the complaints to know. Skip 2018, where gasoline seeps into the engine oil, and look at 2024 first.
Current generation: 6th gen (2023–present).
Best & Worst Honda CR-V Years
Best Honda CR-V Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreAt 10.1 complaints per 10,000 sold, 2024 sits well below 2018 at 51.7 and 2019 at 25.9, and it has been on the road long enough for that record to mean something. Engine complaints are not among its top three. Steering still leads its complaints, so check how the wheel feels above 40 mph.
Honda CR-V Years to Avoid
Engine trouble leads the 361 engine complaints: gasoline in the oil, a fuel smell in the cabin, stalling at intersections, and sudden power loss with limp mode. Failed fuel injectors are the usual finding, and Honda sells them only as a set of four. Sticky steering and false emergency braking add to the list.
Honda CR-V Reliability Score Trend
Honda CR-V reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Honda CR-V
0 recalls · 35 complaints
The newest and best-scoring CR-V year, with no recalls so far, though early owners already report electrical, automatic braking and power steering problems.
2025 Honda CR-V
6 recalls · 201 complaints
Last year of the sixth generation, with excellent reliability and fewer complaints and recalls than 2024, though steering and parking-lurch complaints remain.
2024 Honda CR-V
4 recalls · 406 complaints
Rates good and sits mid-pack among CR-V years, with fewer complaints than 2023 but a steering problem that tends to show up early.
2023 Honda CR-V
7 recalls · 578 complaints
First year of the sixth generation, with sticky, jerking steering as its main complaint and a weaker standing than the 2022 and 2024 model years.
2022 Honda CR-V
5 recalls · 242 complaints
Final year of the fifth generation, with good reliability and a mid-pack standing among CR-V years, though sticky steering leads its owner complaints.
2021 Honda CR-V
3 recalls · 241 complaints
Good standing, well above other 2021 SUVs, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2020, held back by sticky steering and false emergency braking.
2020 Honda CR-V
10 recalls · 358 complaints
Good reliability and above average for its class, held back by false automatic braking and sticky steering reports, and rated between the weaker 2019 and the stronger 2021.
2019 Honda CR-V
7 recalls · 996 complaints
Good standing, but among the weaker CR-V years, with false automatic braking, sticky steering and fuel system recalls leading owner complaints.
2018 Honda CR-V
4 recalls · 1960 complaints
The weakest of nine scored CR-V years, with fuel in the oil, sticky steering, and false automatic braking among 1,960 owner complaints.
Common Honda CR-V problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Honda CR-V? Check Its History
Visibility wiper (8) problems come up most in Honda CR-V owner complaints, and 46 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Honda CR-V Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$407
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
9%
$114 below the compact SUVs average of $521/yr.
Ranked #2 of 26 among compact SUVs.
Honda CR-V Resale Value
The Honda CR-V is estimated to retain about 76.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 76.4%
- Depreciation
- 23.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Honda CR-V depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comHonda CR-V Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Honda Models
Compare all Honda models by reliability
Compare Honda CR-V With Similar SUVs
The Honda CR-V competes with other compact suvs such as Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-50.
CR-V vs Kia Sportage
9 years tracked · 810 complaints
CR-V vs Toyota RAV4
8 years tracked · 2734 complaints
CR-V vs Mazda CX-50
4 years tracked · 96 complaints
CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson
9 years tracked · 1838 complaints
CR-V vs Subaru Forester
9 years tracked · 2301 complaints
More Honda CR-V comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used Honda CR-V?
- The 2024 is the best pick. It has been on the road long enough to build a real record, and its complaint rate is far below 2018 and 2019. Steering is still its main complaint, so drive it at highway speed before you buy.
- Is the Honda CR-V reliable?
- Yes, reliability is good, and the CR-V ranks above average among SUVs on this site. Most model years rate good. The weak spots are steering that sticks, false emergency braking, and in 2018, fuel getting into the engine oil.
- What are the most common Honda CR-V problems?
- Steering is the most reported area, at 1,159 complaints. Owners describe a wheel that feels sticky or notchy, worse when warm and at highway speed. Next come emergency braking that slams on with nothing ahead, battery and electrical faults, and gasoline seeping into the engine oil.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Honda CR-V?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $407. The average for compact SUVs is $521. That makes the CR-V cheaper to keep running than most of its class, though a failed steering rack can still cost thousands.
- Is the newest CR-V the most reliable?
- Not necessarily. The 2025 and 2026 years rate highest, but they are new, and complaints build up over time. The 2026 has only 35 complaints because it has had little time on the road. Treat those years as unproven and favor 2024.
How we score the Honda CR-V
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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