Problems · NHTSA complaints
1999 Honda CR-V problems
Owners filed 137 complaints about the 1999 Honda CR-V with NHTSA between Apr 1999 and Dec 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (30).
Complaints
137
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system30
- Air bags29
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Power train15
- Tires13
- Latches/locks/linkages10
- Vehicle speed control6
- Structure6
- Engine5
- Suspension4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Seat belts3
- Exterior lighting3
- Service brakes2
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 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
5
9
6
14
11
9
8
7
5
3
4
1
1
1
3
7
6
1
0
3
22
4
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
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
Electrical system
30 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“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”
Air bags
29 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
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”
Power train
15 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE STALLS/CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC.LAST OCCURENCE WAS 3/6/2016 AND ONE BEFORE THAT WAS 12/19/2015. SUPPOSEDLY THERE WAS A RECALL AND REPAIR DONE 6/7/2005. THIS IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS.”
Tires
13 reports2 crashes
“TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTON DUELER H/T 684 WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM TREAD AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BUMPER, FENDER, HEAD LIGHT. *TR”
Latches/locks/linkages
10 reports
“The contact owns a 1999 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle would lock the doors automatically without warning. The contact stated that she was concerned that they would not be able to open the doors manually during an emergency event. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.