NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 9 recalls, 389 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Honda CR-V.
29–38 mpg combined
6.2–8.1 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2020 CR-V centers on the automatic emergency braking system behaving unexpectedly. Owners frequently report the system triggering hard, sudden stops when no obstacle is present, what's often called phantom braking, and several describe near rear-end collisions as a result. Lane departure warning also comes up alongside these reports, with owners describing the system steering the vehicle toward lane boundaries rather than away from them. Airbag-related complaints form the second-largest named category, though the reported symptoms vary enough that no single sub-pattern stands out clearly. The fuel and propulsion system draws the third cluster of reports, with owners describing check engine lights, engine shudder, and loss of acceleration, sometimes without any diagnostic codes stored at the time of the event.
389
Total Complaints
25
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
18
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Honda CR-V has 9 recalls, the most serious being a cluster of issues that can cause sudden loss of drive power, rear structural separation, fire risk in a crash, and airbags that may deploy incorrectly during a collision.
Several of these recalls only affect hybrid models. On hybrid trims, a missing fuse on a battery cable routed outside the frame can allow that cable to overheat or short circuit in a crash, raising the risk of fire. Also on hybrid trims, the DC-DC converter can shut down and stop recharging the 12-volt battery, cutting drive power without warning. Across both hybrid and non-hybrid versions, the rear subframe bolts can loosen and allow the subframe to detach from the vehicle, causing a sudden loss of handling. Two related recalls address the front passenger seat sensor, which can cause the airbag to deploy when it should not in a crash.
On the safety equipment side, the front seatbelt buckle channel on certain vehicles can interfere with the release button, preventing the buckle from latching at all. The fuel pump can fail and stall the engine while driving. A loose clip inside the fuel tank can cause the fuel gauge to read incorrectly, potentially leaving the driver unaware the tank is nearly empty. There is also a compliance recall: the certification label on the driver's door lists incorrect weight ratings and tire size.
At a glance
What can fail
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 12-volt battery cable routed outside the frame lacks a fuse on the power circuit, allowing it to short or overheat during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the battery cable at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The certification label on the driver's door lists incorrect weight ratings and tire size information, which violates federal safety standards for tire selection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the label with a corrected version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckle channel may interfere with the release button, preventing the buckle from latching properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or buckle assemblies as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clip securing the fuel gauge absorber inside the tank may not be properly fastened and could detach, causing inaccurate fuel gauge readings.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The DC-DC converter can shut down, stopping the 12-volt battery from recharging. This may cause loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power converter unit software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe bolts were not properly manufactured and may loosen over time, which could cause the rear subframe to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts, tighten them, or replace them as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.