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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

1999 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints for the 1999 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve electrical system (30) and air bags (29). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
137
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Electrical systemReported May 16, 2002NHTSA 02V120000

Electrical system: interior

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. IF THIS OCCURS, OPERATION OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, THE ANTI-LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Electrical systemReported Oct 19, 1999NHTSA 99V282000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

137 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1999 – Dec 2023
  1. Electrical system30
  2. Air bags29
  3. Engine and engine cooling17
  4. Power train15
  5. Tires13
  6. Latches/locks/linkages10
  7. Vehicle speed control6
  8. Structure6
  9. Engine5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997108
1998143
1999137
2000139
2001152
2002527
2003494
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008963
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

30 reports1 crash
“On my 1999 honda crv ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000. dealer (west hills honda in Bremerton washington does not honor a free repair authorized by Honda”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2023Electrical systemODI 11560652

Air bags

29 reports5 crashes
“1999 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITERS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THE BOLT ON THE INFLATOR WAS STRIPPED AND RECOMMENDED A NEW STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THE BOLT WAS NOT STRIPPED, BUT THE BRACKET WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED , BUT HAD NOT RESPONDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2021Air bagsODI 11433578

Engine and engine cooling

17 reports
“I HAVE A 1999 HONDA CR-V WITH APPROXIMATELY 120K MILES ON IT. THE #4 CYLINDER HAS LOW COMPRESSION DUE TO A BURNED EXHAUST VALVE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL FAILS TO STATE THAT THE VALVES NEED TO BE CHECKED EVERY 15K MILES (HONDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE MISPRINT BUT FAILS TO ASSIST IN REPAIR COSTS). THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS OCCASIONALLY, PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10343725
All 1999 CR-V problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 2-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-V 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
CR-V 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS · 2-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Honda CR-V as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4001
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Honda CR-V have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (30), air bags (29), engine and engine cooling (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Honda CR-V at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026