2020 Honda CR-V HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,359 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 76 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 27.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 14.5% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 13.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Engine: 19; Electrical System: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 11; Service Brakes: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Power Train: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2020: 4; 2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 32; 2025: 17; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11326898 · 2020-06-01 (June 1, 2020)
VERY DISTRACTED OPERATION WHEN THE AVAS ACOUSTIC VEHICLE ALERT SYSTEM PRODUCES STRANGE NOISES AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAS NO VALUE IN ANY NORMAL DRIVING SITUATION EXCEPT TO UNNECESSARILY DISTRACT THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLES NEARBY.. THE SYSTEM CAN NOT BE DISABLED. NO MORE THAN ADDITION NOISE POLLUTION WITHOUT VALUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 330 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11364032 · 2020-10-12 (October 12, 2020)
THE AUTOMATIC CLOSING OF THE TAILGATE IS HAZARDOUS AND HAS CLOSED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES. CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT MOVING EVERY TIME LEANING INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITH FEET UNDER THE BUMPER IS ENOUGH TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE.. TURNING AROUND WHEN NEAR THE BUMPER WILL CAUSE IT TO CLOSE.ONE TIME I WAS KNOCKED DOWN TRING TO AVOID THE CLOSING AND FELL AND TOOK SEVERAL LAYERS OF SKIN OFF MY SHOULDER AND ARM. ONCE IT STARTS IT WILL NOT STOP EVEN IF A PERSON TRIES TO HOLD IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374546 · 2020-11-13 (November 13, 2020)
2020 NEW HONDA CR-V HYBRID - THERE'S A VIBRATION AND NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AT TWO MONTHS OLD, HONDA DETECTED IT IN BOTH MY CAR AND TWO OTHER NEW ONES THEY PULLED FROM THEIR LOT TO SEE IF IT WAS IN ANY OTHER NEW ONES. I WAS TOLD "THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ONLY WORSE THAN YOURS". ORIGINALLY I NOTICED IT AT 63 MPH (SO DID THE SHOP FOREMAN WHO DROVE IT WITH ME), BUT NOW, I'M EXPERIENCING IT ON SURFACE STREETS AS WELL. IT REMAINS CONSTANT REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT - TRIED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11374546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378132 · 2020-12-06 (December 6, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND A MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY DISPLAY OF A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR IT SEEMED OK. THE CAST HAS ABOUT 5000 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11398006 · 2021-02-26 (February 26, 2021)
I LEASED A BRAND NEW CR-V AND 12 HOURS AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO BUMP INTO A CONCRETE SIDEWALK BARRIER. MY COMPUTER SYSTEM ALERTED ME TO SYSTEM FAILURES FOR POWER STEERING, BRAKING, AWD, ETC. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS SCUFFED UP TIRES AND HUBCAPS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID I WRECKED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION. THEY ALSO SAID THE WHEEL ROD WAS BENT TO A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. I FIND IT VERY CONCERNING THA…
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11400232 · 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
NEW VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 3,000 MILES BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED ON HIGHWAY AND EXPOSED OCCUPANTS TO EXTREME DANGER. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT A "FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 60 MPH AND ENGINE DIED ON AN UNDERPASS TURN BARELY VISIBLE TO TRAFFIC BEHIND AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI CRUISING AT 60+ MPH. FAILURE OF ALL SYSTEMS RESULTED AND COULD HAVE KILLED THE HONDA CR-V OCCUPANTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403130 · 2021-03-15 (March 15, 2021)
CAR HAS AUTO LIFT AND CLOSE FOR REAR DOOR. WHEN LOADING REAR OR VEHICLE DOOR WILL CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES I WAS UNDER DOOR WHEN IR CLOSED, ONCE IT HIT ME IT STOPPED AND WENT BACK UP, I ALMOST FELL DOWN. ITEM 2. WHEN WASHING REAR OF CAR REAR DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN WHILE SPRAYING DOOR . IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN AN AUTOMATIC WASH IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS OFF NOT RUNNING. THANKS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11403130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405031 · 2021-03-26 (March 26, 2021)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE I70 TO GO SKIING WITH 3 PASSENGERS, DURING PORTIONS OF THE ROAD WITH STEEP GRADES, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT. DESPITE APPLYING 95 TO 100% POWER, CARS WERE PASSING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW - AS A HYBRID ONCE THE ASSISTIVE BATTERIES ARE DEPLETED, IT IS ONLY RUNNING ON THE ENGINE - AT ALTITUDE THE ENGINE IS STARVED FOR OXYGEN AND DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. THIS IS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL ON THE DRIVER AND UNSAFE WHILE IN THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405031 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V798000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Module:Software | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V844000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 2023-12-13 (December 13, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cable routed outside of the body frame is missing a fuse on the power circuit, which can allow the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash.
Consequence: An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FGB.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗