Problems · NHTSA complaints
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems
Owners filed 85 complaints about the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid with NHTSA between Jun 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (22).
Complaints
85
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine22
- Forward collision avoidance15
- Electrical system14
- Service brakes14
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Power train5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Air bags4
- Steering3
- Structure3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Seat belts2
- Wheels2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
6
7
5
32
19
12
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
22 reports
“Since 2021, I have repeatedly taken my car in to Honda because of check engine light followed by loss of power and loud knocking. Each time the code isn't saved after car is turned off and they can't find any issues. In 2025 after leaving Honda getting few miles away car did same thing, without turning it off I drove right back they ended up keeping car for 45 days, changed spark plugs and few other things. Yet again on 19 Oct 2026, my car repeated same thing and Honda again says they can't see any code or error. Now I'm going to pick it up, without resolution hoping this doesn't happen when I'm not able to pull over in a safe place to restart. I have requested all records from Honda and will provide their reports. I've lost track of how many times I've had this issue, but honestly do not feel safe in this car.”
Forward collision avoidance
15 reports1 crash
“All the safety lights came on on the dashboard suddenly the brake assist did not work. Honda tells me the brake servo is bad. This is a known defect as other 2020 crv hybrids were recalled for the same reason. It is a dangerous safety hazard.”
Electrical system
14 reports2 related recalls
“In August 2026, I was driving approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour on the highway when my vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. The check engine light began flashing, and the vehicle started shaking severely. After turning the vehicle off and restarting it, the vehicle appeared to operate normally again. Unfortunately, I experienced another incident a few weeks ago, so this is no longer an isolated occurrence.”
Service brakes
14 reports1 crash
“Traveling at 70 mph on I-5, Washington State, a warning message telling us the braking system was compromised, referencing "VSA", part so the stability control system. We pulled over and turned the car off, deleting the message. Within two miles of proceeding along the road the display presented a message saying the parking/emergency brake was malfunctioning, at 70 mph. Three days later my wife was backing up in the driveway and the car applied the brakes and would not proceed. When my wife engaged the forward gear the car did drive forward while cycling various error messages. It, via computer interpretation, determines how the brake fluid pressure is applied/distributed to all and any of the braking systems. Some systems are automatically initiated and others are initiated by the driver. These systems include the auto-emergency braking, the application of the electric foot brakes, the parking brake among others. We had the car delivered to the local dealership with the above information. The dealer ran an OBD scan and decided that the electric servo booster. I do not challenge this decision. My concern is that this malfunction has triggered a recall in Japan…”
Fuel/propulsion system
9 reports
“My 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid (125,000 miles) has repeatedly lost propulsion power at highway speeds. On Sept. 19, 2026, the vehicle suddenly lost drive power, slowed rapidly, and came to a complete stop in high-speed traffic. The dashboard displayed: “Critical Failure Detected. Stop Driving When Safe” and “Power System Problem. Do Not Drive.” The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted three times before enough power returned to move off the road. No crash occurred, but there was a serious risk of being rear-ended. The vehicle has come to a complete stop twice, and similar power-loss events have occurred multiple times. The same problem resulted in five dealership visits: • Aug. 29: Catalytic converter replaced under California emissions warranty; problem continued. • Sept. 8: Code C1870-00 detected; codes cleared; no repair addressing the failure. • Sept. 15: Code P06AF detected; fuel pump assembly replaced; problem continued. • Sept. 17: Dealership reported “fuel dilution” and drained the tank; failure recurred two days later. • Sept. 20: Returned after the Sept. 19 highway incident. The dealership has documented the repeated problem, but the root cause…”
Power train
5 reports
“My Honda CR-V Hybrid would stop working on the highway at high speeds. Sporadically, I would be driving at speeds from 55-75mph and the accelerator pedal would stop working and my car would start slowing to a halt. I would have to pull over to the side of the highway quickly, turn the car off, and then restart it. It usually would work but occasionally the car would stop a mile or two down the road and I would have to restart it again. This occurred six times between 11/24 and 1/25. In all cases, the car would still have electrical power but the accelerator would simply stop responding. This led to several dangerous situations where I needed to maneuver around trailer trucks while rapidly slowing. In all cases, there was no warning lights or messages. I had two different mechanics, including the dealership where I bought the car, look at it and neither could find a source of the problem. This problem as occurred to other owners of Honda CR-V's if you search for this problem on Reddit and other forums. I ended up selling the car back to the dealership at a loss and buying a different used car.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.