Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 358 owner complaints for the 2020 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (74) and air bags (47). The EPA rates it 29–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
358
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 1, 2024NHTSA 24V064000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

358 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance74
  2. Air bags47
  3. Steering43
  4. Electrical system43
  5. Fuel/propulsion system39
  6. Engine39
  7. Service brakes29
  8. Power train20
  9. Vehicle speed control11

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
21
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
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

Forward collision avoidance

74 reports4 crashes
“At under 36,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total failure of the factory electronic brake booster assembly. The vehicle's dashboard illuminated multiple critical braking system warning lights. The vehicle was taken directly to an authorized Honda dealership for diagnostic testing. The dealership pulled Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC C1250-98 (ECU Internal Malfunction - Over Temperature), confirming a hard internal electronic processor failure within the brake booster unit itself. The dealership had to completely remove and replace the faulty electronic brake booster assembly, costing $3,206.00 out of pocket for parts and labor. An internal computer processor overheating on a critical, non-maintenance braking component at this incredibly low mileage represents a severe safety hazard and indicates a manufacturing or supplier defect. Honda has previously issued safety recalls for integrated electronic brake booster faults on other models from this production window (such as NHTSA Campaign 23V431000), but has not yet extended coverage to the 2020 CR-V. I am filing this report to document the premature component failure and urge an expansion of the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11770224

Air bags

47 reports8 crashes
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted, but an appointment was not scheduled. The contact stated that the unrepaired recall repair posed a safety hazard and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Air bagsODI 11743047

Steering

43 reports1 crash
“My 2020 Honda CR-V (approx. 51,000 miles) developed steering resistance and an intermittent creaking noise when turning in either direction, with noticeable resistance when turning the steering wheel to the left. No warning light came on. It happens at speeds under 45 mph, during lane changes, curves, and after driving for awhile. On October 12, 2026, Tampa Honda (Tampa, FL) road-tested the vehicle and confirmed the concern. The technician traced the noise to the electronic power steering gear assembly. With the outer tie rod ends disconnected to isolate the gear, resistance in the steering was still present. The dealer recommended replacing the electronic power steering gear assembly, estimated at $5,296.28. American Honda declined goodwill assistance. Safety risk: resistance in the steering requires extra effort and can cause the driver to over-correct, especially at highway speed, increasing the risk of leaving the lane or a collision. The symptoms match those in Honda recall 24V-744 and NHTSA investigation EA23-003 (momentary increased steering effort from a defective EPS gearbox worm wheel), which covered 2022-2025 Civics and 2023-2025 CR-Vs but not the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026SteeringODI 11772074
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
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
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 FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283430$2,150294
CR-V AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
273229$2,200305
  • CR-V FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    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
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda CR-V SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14823Vehicle 14820
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

2020 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda CR-V have?

7 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 2020 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 358 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (74), air bags (47), steering (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Honda CR-V at 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Honda CR-V?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Honda CR-V 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026