2020 Honda CR-V HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Honda CR-V HYBRID has 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: while driving on the i70 to go skiing with 3 passengers, during portions of the road with steep grades, the car was unable to go the speed limit. despite applying 95 to 100% power, cars were passing. this is a new car and is clearly a design flaw - as a hybrid once the assistive batteries are depl.

5 crash reports 5 injuries

106

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

18 complaints

17%

• WHILE DRIVING ON THE I70 TO GO SKIING WITH 3 PASSENGERS, DURING PORTIONS OF THE ROAD WITH STEEP GRADES, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT. DESPITE APPLYING 95 TO 100% POWER, CARS WERE PASSING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW - AS A HYBRID ONCE THE ASSISTIVE BATTERIES ARE DEPL
• Check engine warning light comes one, vehicle powers down from normal speed and will not exceed 30 MPG. This is a safety hazard on the highway. Problem has been reproduced by the dealer and we have recorded video of the occurrences. Vehicle was purchased new and is under warranty. Has been in th
• I lose power when driving on the freeway.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE I70 TO GO SKIING WITH 3 PASSENGERS, DURING PORTIONS OF THE ROAD WITH STEEP GRADES, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT. DESPITE APPLYING 95 TO 100% POWER, CARS WERE PASSING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW - AS A HYBRID ONCE THE ASSISTIVE BATTERIES ARE DEPL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

17 complaints

16%

• Driving down I-40 with lane keeping and cruise control on the car tries to stop when it comes up to a car on the right. Driving down a two lane road with lane keeping and cruise and it will try to stop for vehicles coming towards me but they are in their lane.
• Driving down I-40 with lane keeping and cruise control on the car tries to stop when it comes up to a car on the right. Driving down a two lane road with lane keeping and cruise and it will try to stop for vehicles coming towards me but they are in their lane.
• Driving down I-40 with lane keeping and cruise control on the car tries to stop when it comes up to a car on the right. Driving down a two lane road with lane keeping and cruise and it will try to stop for vehicles coming towards me but they are in their lane.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“Driving down I-40 with lane keeping and cruise control on the car tries to stop when it comes up to a car on the right. Driving down a two lane road with lane keeping and cruise and it will try to stop for vehicles coming towards me but they are in their lane.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

14 complaints

13%

• NEW VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 3,000 MILES BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED ON HIGHWAY AND EXPOSED OCCUPANTS TO EXTREME DANGER. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT A "FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 60 MPH AND ENGINE DIED ON AN UNDERPASS TURN BARELY VISI
• Complete brake failure while in motion.
• Started the car and drove out of garage and had break failure. My wife was driving and she said that when pushing hard on breaks there was very little break ability (at speed there would be none) At this time a bunch of lights went on warning about break failure. Fortunately this happened at the ini

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“NEW VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 3,000 MILES BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED ON HIGHWAY AND EXPOSED OCCUPANTS TO EXTREME DANGER. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT A "FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 60 MPH AND ENGINE DIED ON AN UNDERPASS TURN BARELY VISI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

12 complaints

11%

• CAR HAS AUTO LIFT AND CLOSE FOR REAR DOOR. WHEN LOADING REAR OR VEHICLE DOOR WILL CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES I WAS UNDER DOOR WHEN IR CLOSED, ONCE IT HIT ME IT STOPPED AND WENT BACK UP, I ALMOST FELL DOWN. ITEM 2. WHEN WASHING REAR OF CAR REAR DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS
• Check engine warning light comes one, vehicle powers down from normal speed and will not exceed 30 MPG. This is a safety hazard on the highway. Problem has been reproduced by the dealer and we have recorded video of the occurrences. Vehicle was purchased new and is under warranty. Has been in th
• On three separate occasions, I was driving on the highway and lost power to accelerate causing a safety issue as I was on a fast-moving highway and had to find an exit or pull over. The three times were September 22, 2022, March 23, 2023 and July 23, 2023. The first time I had it towed to Hennessy

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CAR HAS AUTO LIFT AND CLOSE FOR REAR DOOR. WHEN LOADING REAR OR VEHICLE DOOR WILL CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES I WAS UNDER DOOR WHEN IR CLOSED, ONCE IT HIT ME IT STOPPED AND WENT BACK UP, I ALMOST FELL DOWN. ITEM 2. WHEN WASHING REAR OF CAR REAR DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

11 complaints

10%

• VERY DISTRACTED OPERATION WHEN THE AVAS ACOUSTIC VEHICLE ALERT SYSTEM PRODUCES STRANGE NOISES AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAS NO VALUE IN ANY NORMAL DRIVING SITUATION EXCEPT TO UNNECESSARILY DISTRACT THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLES NEARBY.. THE SYSTEM CAN NOT BE DISABLED. NO MORE THAN ADDITION NOISE POLLUTION W
• 2020 NEW HONDA CR-V HYBRID - THERE'S A VIBRATION AND NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AT TWO MONTHS OLD, HONDA DETECTED IT IN BOTH MY CAR AND TWO OTHER NEW ONES THEY PULLED FROM THEIR LOT TO SEE IF IT WAS IN ANY OTHER NEW ONES. I WAS TOLD "THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ONLY WORSE THAN YOURS". ORIGINALLY
• NEW VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 3,000 MILES BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED ON HIGHWAY AND EXPOSED OCCUPANTS TO EXTREME DANGER. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT A "FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 60 MPH AND ENGINE DIED ON AN UNDERPASS TURN BARELY VISI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“VERY DISTRACTED OPERATION WHEN THE AVAS ACOUSTIC VEHICLE ALERT SYSTEM PRODUCES STRANGE NOISES AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAS NO VALUE IN ANY NORMAL DRIVING SITUATION EXCEPT TO UNNECESSARILY DISTRACT THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLES NEARBY.. THE SYSTEM CAN NOT BE DISABLED. NO MORE THAN ADDITION NOISE POLLUTION W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 106 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING ON THE I70 TO GO SKIING WITH 3 PASSENGERS, DURING PORTIONS OF THE ROAD WITH STEEP GRADES, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT. DESPITE APPLYING 95 TO 100% POWER, CARS WERE PASSING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW - AS A HYBRID ONCE THE ASSISTIVE BATTERIES ARE DEPL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Driving down I-40 with lane keeping and cruise control on the car tries to stop when it comes up to a car on the right. Driving down a two lane road with lane keeping and cruise and it will try to stop for vehicles coming towards me but they are in their lane.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: NEW VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 3,000 MILES BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED ON HIGHWAY AND EXPOSED OCCUPANTS TO EXTREME DANGER. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT A "FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 60 MPH AND ENGINE DIED ON AN UNDERPASS TURN BARELY VISI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR HAS AUTO LIFT AND CLOSE FOR REAR DOOR. WHEN LOADING REAR OR VEHICLE DOOR WILL CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES I WAS UNDER DOOR WHEN IR CLOSED, ONCE IT HIT ME IT STOPPED AND WENT BACK UP, I ALMOST FELL DOWN. ITEM 2. WHEN WASHING REAR OF CAR REAR DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)