Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 673 owner complaints for the 2015 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve engine (243) and power train (150). The EPA rates it 28–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
673
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Engine

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.

EngineReported May 4, 2017NHTSA 17V305000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 2, 2015NHTSA 15V121000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

673 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine243
  2. Power train150
  3. Electrical system85
  4. Steering45
  5. Seats39
  6. Service brakes36
  7. Structure35
  8. Fuel/propulsion system32
  9. Vehicle speed control31

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
2008962
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
38
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

243 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 80 MPH. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,893.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2026EngineODI 11738172

Power train

150 reports4 crashes1 fire
“I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the transmission housing of my 2015 Honda CR-V. The transmission housing has been diagnosed as porous, allowing transmission fluid to leak through the housing itself. This is not ordinary maintenance or normal wear; the transmission casing is allowing fluid to escape because of an apparent defect in the housing material. The vehicle has approximately 115,158 miles. The condition was diagnosed by a Honda dealership, JL Freed & Sons, and I was advised that the transmission housing is porous and that the transmission requires significant repair/replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $5,900. I believe this condition presents a potential safety hazard because a continuing transmission-fluid leak can result in loss of a critical vehicle fluid while the vehicle is being operated. If the leak worsens or results in a substantial loss of transmission fluid, it could affect transmission operation, potentially causing unexpected loss of power or the vehicle to become unable to move as intended. Leaked fluid may also reach the roadway and create a hazard for the vehicle and other motorists. I am requesting that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Power trainODI 11768623

Electrical system

85 reports1 fire
“9/18/26 During driving at city road speeds (25-40 mph) vehicle unexpectedly stalls. Vehicle does restart. Light on dash was illuminated. Code p0685 on OBD reader. Code cleared to attempt to obtain solid evidence of issue. Light again appeared 6 days later when accelerating up hill at 20mph. Taken to dealership where they confirmed same code. Vehicle repaired at dealership on 9/28/26 - Repair required new battery and complete power train control module as well as power train relay fuse to be replaced. Vehicle still has slight hesitation uphill.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11768416
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 Nov 3, 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 (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200306
CR-V 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
263228$2,300317
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Honda CR-V SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9101Vehicle 9100
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

2015 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Honda CR-V have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2015 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 673 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (243), power train (150), electrical system (85). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Honda CR-V at 28–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Honda CR-V?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Honda CR-V 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026