Owners have reported 25 crashes, 2 fires and 20 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Honda CR-V. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints59
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the 2020 Honda CR-V's Forward Collision Avoidance system frequently engages the brakes unexpectedly, often without any obstacles in the vehicle's path. Typical symptoms include sudden braking at various speeds, sometimes bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, and random activation of the "BRAKE" warning light. These incidents are commonly reported around mileage of 30,000 to 38,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three complaints involving crashes and one injury reported, highlighting the potential risk of rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues, as they may affect the driving experience and safety.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints46
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues related to airbag recall repairs, specifically citing delays in part availability for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000. Many owners describe contacting dealers multiple times, only to be informed that the necessary parts are not available, leading to frustration over prolonged wait times. Some complaints also mention that dealers refuse to perform repairs unless specific warning lights are illuminated. While no specific mileage range is consistently noted, the timeline of complaints extends into 2024, indicating ongoing part distribution challenges. Notably, there are reports involving crashes and injuries, highlighting potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports
Owner complaints42
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, including problems with battery drainage and malfunctions in the body control module, which can lead to battery failure and erratic electronic behavior. Complaints often describe dashboard warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, with some reports of the vehicle entering limp mode or losing motive power, typically between 25,000 to 96,000 miles. Safety concerns are notable, with two reports of fires originating inside the cabin and two incidents involving crashes, including one where the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. These issues highlight potential risks for used car buyers considering this model, particularly in terms of unexpected electrical failures and safety hazards.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the sunroof shattering unexpectedly while driving, with no apparent cause such as debris impact. Multiple complaints also highlight persistent problems with the infotainment system, particularly when connecting Android devices, leading to system crashes and potential distraction while driving. Additionally, there are reports of delays in recall repairs due to parts availability, affecting the ability to refinance vehicles. Some owners experience battery drainage if the vehicle is not driven for a week, and there are instances of unexplained gasoline odors in the cabin. The mileage at which these issues occur varies, with some complaints noted at under 41,000 miles. Safety implications include one reported crash involving unintended vehicle movement while parked, though no injuries were mentioned in that event.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints31
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the steering system of the 2020 Honda CR-V, primarily describing a "sticky" or "binding" steering wheel, especially noticeable at higher speeds or when making slight turns. Typical symptoms include a clicking noise and increased effort required to return the steering wheel to the center, with several complaints noting these issues arise around 23,000 to 60,000 miles. Multiple owners mention the need for costly steering rack replacements and note that similar issues have led to recalls in later models. Safety implications are significant, with two complaints involving crashes and two injuries reported, as the steering problems can lead to difficulty maintaining lane position and potential loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated repair costs when considering a used 2020 Honda CR-V.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints28
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the braking system, including uncommanded braking events and brake pedal stiffness. Complaints describe the brakes engaging unexpectedly, often at highway speeds, and the brake pedal becoming difficult to depress, which can make the vehicle hard to stop. Several reports mention these issues occurring around 15,000 to 66,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three reported crashes and two injuries associated with brake malfunctions. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly regarding the automatic emergency braking system's false activations and brake booster failures.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints20
ENGINE
Owners report several issues with the 2020 Honda CR-V's engine. A common problem involves oil dilution, where gasoline mixes with engine oil, leading to frequent oil changes and a gasoline smell in the oil. This issue is often noted around the first oil change, typically between 1,500 and 6,300 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe sudden engine power loss or stalling, particularly at highway speeds, with some attributing it to head gasket failures around 70,000 to 84,000 miles. Complaints also frequently mention the dashboard illuminating with multiple warning lights, and in some cases, misfiring and loss of power occur without diagnostic codes being detected. These issues include potential safety implications such as sudden power loss while driving, which could increase the risk of accidents.
Owner complaints18
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues related to power loss and transmission malfunctions. Common symptoms include sudden deceleration, inability to shift gears, and warning lights such as check engine or AWD system alerts. These issues often occur at various speeds and can lead to dangerous situations, including two reported crashes with injuries. Problems are noted at low mileages, sometimes under 5,000 miles, indicating potential early onset of these issues. Buyers should be aware of these safety implications and consider the potential for recurring power train problems when evaluating this vehicle.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report that the 2020 Honda CR-V experiences issues primarily related to the fuel pump and fuel injectors. Complaints frequently mention sudden stalling, loss of power, and erratic engine behavior, often accompanied by dashboard warning lights. These issues tend to occur at various mileages, with some reports as early as 42,961 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several owners describe loss of power at highway speeds and near-miss incidents. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential issues, particularly since some vehicles with similar problems are not covered by existing recalls.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving sudden deceleration or unintended acceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle losing power while driving, often accompanied by a flashing or static check engine light, and unexpected braking when cruise control is engaged. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 8,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one report involving a crash where the accelerator pedal was stuck, resulting in the vehicle crashing into a house and trees, causing an injury. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially since some problems remain unresolved despite dealer intervention.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
