Honda CR-V: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Honda CR-V problems by model year, from 9,954 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2015 (56%, 362 drivetrain complaints), 2013 (55%, 176 drivetrain complaints) and 2017 (48%, 812 drivetrain complaints). 8 of the 14 Honda CR-V years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2023 (9%), 2022 (12%) and 2021 (19%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2017 drew the most drivetrain complaints (812 of 3,238 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Honda CR-V year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 CR-V | elevated | 35% | 89 | 481 | 8/14 | 15 |
| 2011 CR-V | no elevated signal | 21% | 54 | 554 | 11/14 | 13 |
| 2012 CR-V | elevated | 35% | 127 | 403 | 7/14 | 3 |
| 2013 CR-V | high | 55% | 176 | 382 | 2/14 | 2 |
| 2014 CR-V | high | 46% | 245 | 587 | 5/14 | 1 |
| 2015 CR-V | high | 56% | 362 | 671 | 1/14 | 3 |
| 2016 CR-V | high | 48% | 171 | 393 | 4/14 | 3 |
| 2017 CR-V | high | 48% | 812 | 1,771 | 3/14 | 7 |
| 2018 CR-V | elevated | 36% | 763 | 2,150 | 6/14 | 5 |
| 2019 CR-V | no elevated signal | 22% | 225 | 1,101 | 10/14 | 8 |
| 2020 CR-V | no elevated signal | 28% | 82 | 353 | 9/14 | 7 |
| 2021 CR-V | no elevated signal | 19% | 58 | 331 | 12/14 | 4 |
| 2022 CR-V | no elevated signal | 12% | 31 | 262 | 13/14 | 3 |
| 2023 CR-V | no elevated signal | 9% | 43 | 515 | 14/14 | 3 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Honda CR-V years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Honda CR-V engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns on the Honda CR-V involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 38 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2011 | 11V395000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2010 |
| Apr 2013 | 13V143000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2012–2013 |
| Mar 2015 | 15V121000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2015 |
| May 2017 | 17V305000 | engine | 2015–2016 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V442000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2017 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V569000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2019 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V215000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2019 |
| May 2022 | 22V380000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2020 |
| Dec 2023 | 23V858000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2013–2023 |
29 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2011 | 11V004000 | electrical system | 2010 |
| Jul 2012 | 12V338000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2012 |
| Oct 2012 | 12V501000 | equipment: other: labels | 2012 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V714000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2016 |
| Feb 2016 | 16V061000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| May 2016 | 16V346000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V030000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Apr 2017 | 17V256000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V417000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V545000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V042000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V268000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V661000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V663000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2017–2018 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V182000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| May 2019 | 19V378000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| May 2019 | 19V383000 | air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette | 2019 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V500000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V502000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V694000 | equipment: other: owners/service/other manual | 2019 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V865000 | structure: frame and members | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V900000 | seat belts: rear/other: retractor | 2021 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V092000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2023 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V158000 | seat belts: front: buckle assembly | 2017–2020 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V228000 | structure: frame and members | 2010–2011 |
| Jul 2023 | 23V524000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017, 2020, 2022 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V064000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2020–2021 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V744000 | steering | 2023 |
| May 2026 | 26V332000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2017–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Honda CR-V
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Honda CR-V
What are the worst years for the Honda CR-V?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Honda CR-V years are the 2015 (56% of relevant complaints, high), the 2013 (55% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2017 (48% of relevant complaints, high). 8 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Honda CR-V?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Honda CR-V years are the 2023 (9%), the 2022 (12%) and the 2021 (19%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Honda CR-V have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 3,238 of 9,063 relevant NHTSA complaints (36%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Is the Honda CR-V reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 8 of 14 Honda CR-V years we score have an elevated complaint share and 6 do not. Pooled across those years, 36% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Honda CR-V?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Honda CR-V years we track, out of 38 in total: 21V215000 (Mar 2021, 2018–2019), 22V380000 (May 2022, 2020), 23V858000 (Dec 2023, 2013–2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.