UsedScore

2019 Honda CR-V: Use caution

Owners filed 578 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Honda CR-V in its first five years on the road, about 151 for every 100,000 sold: 1.7× the rate of a typical CR-V year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is driver-assistance features and cameras (34% of complaints, median 16,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.7×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical CR-V year
Rank
11th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
578
first five years; 151 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
8
campaigns
5th generation, 2017–2022 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2017 Honda CR-V

Photo: 2017 Honda CR-V · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Driver assistance34% · 196 complaints · median 16,000 miles
  2. Air bags12% · 70 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  3. Brakes11% · 64 complaints · median 6,000 miles
  4. Steering14% · 83 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  5. Electrical17% · 101 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  6. Engine10% · 59 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  7. Fuel and propulsion9% · 54 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  8. Body and structure3% · 19 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  9. Visibility3% · 18 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  10. Powertrain1% · 7 complaints · median 6,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners describe receiving a recall notice about a steering-column part that could short-circuit and cause the driver air bag to deploy on its own, while others report air bags failing to deploy in a crash. Many say dealers had no parts available to complete the recall repair for extended periods.

Warning signs:
Many report an SRS or airbag warning light on the dashboard, sometimes intermittent, along with a false passenger air-bag-off indicator before other issues surfaced.
What shops did:
Most owners say dealers told them replacement parts for the recall were not yet available, leaving the repair pending for weeks or months; a few eventually had the parts installed.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 25,000 miles, among 20 complaints that give it

“The problem was a low voltage code, that it had been reset and the warning no longer showed while the car was at a standstill”

“Passenger seat airbag is disengaged even when passenger is well over the 65 lb weight limit to activate it”

Brakes

Owners of this CR-V describe episodes of sudden automatic braking or, less often, total brake failure, frequently with warning lights and no clear trigger. Dealers sometimes replaced parts like sensors or brake boosters, but many owners say the issue returned or was never fully explained.

Warning signs:
Many report abrupt hard stops or brake pulsing with no obstacle present, sometimes preceded or accompanied by multiple warning lights (brake, VSA, parking brake, steering) or beeping alerts.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or find a cause; some replaced radar sensors, brake boosters, wiring harnesses, or performed software updates, with mixed success.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 15,000 miles, among 39 complaints that give it

“Unintended braking at 45 MPH. Full lock up with no cause. Released at 10 MPH.”

“The system brought the vehicle to a complete hard stop in the middle of the intersection and I was nearly rear-ended”

Driver assistance

Owners of the 2019 CR-V describe the collision-avoidance braking system suddenly slowing or stopping the car with no obstacle nearby, often on highways or over railroad tracks and metal plates. Many say dealers couldn't reliably diagnose or fix it, leaving them uneasy about unexpected hard braking during normal driving.

Warning signs:
Many report a brake warning light, dashboard alert, or audible beep at the moment of sudden deceleration, sometimes with no warning at all.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or diagnose the problem, though some cleaned or recalibrated the sensor, reset the radar, or replaced parts, with mixed success.
Mileage:
most between 15,000 and 40,000 miles, among 44 complaints that give it

“The forward collision avoidance sensor lens was contaminated with road debris. The lens was cleaned and the vehicle was returned to the contact.”

“my Collision Mitigation Braking System inappropriately engaged and brought me to a screeching stop in the middle of the intersection”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (8)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V332000May 202698,892 vehicles

    Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger

    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.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V858000December 20232,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V158000March 2023448,613 vehicles

    Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.

    Risk: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V215000March 2021624,552 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V865000December 2019358 vehicles

    Structure: frame and members

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CR-V vehicles. The rear subframe bolts were improperly manufactured and may loosen, allowing the rear subframe to separate.

    Risk: A separated rear subframe reduces vehicle handling and can suddenly disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts and retorque them or replace them, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V694000September 2019336,468 vehicles

    Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 CR-V vehicles. The owner's guide incorrectly describes when the "Passenger Airbag Off" indicator should illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: If the front passenger does not correctly understand how the airbag functions, they may be at an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners and provide a sticker with the correct information to be added to the owner's guide, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V569000August 2019134 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 CR-V vehicles. The joint weld between the fuel tank and the vapor return line may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.

    Risk: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V383000May 2019161,252 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette · Electrical system: horn · Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module · Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 CR-V vehicles. The metal core of the steering wheel may have burrs which can damage the harnesses routed within, potentially disabling the driver's air bag or causing it to deploy without warning.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, a disabled air bag would increase the risk of injury. An uncommanded deployment of the driver's air bag also increases the risk of injury and a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the steering wheel core and replace clockspring and the harnesses within, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Honda sent NHTSA 229 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2019 CR-V. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • ONL6UV09092026 · September 2026Owner Notification Letter - Honda has developed software updates to the Honda Sensing system to enhance driver experience by modifying the circumstances when the advanced driver assist system (ADAS)…
  • A26-091 · July 2026Honda has developed software updates to the Honda Sensing system to enhance driver experience by modifying the circumstances when the advanced driver assist system (ADAS) decelerates the vehicle or…
  • AEBM07242026901 · July 2026Dealer Message - Due to software programming issues of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), unexpected vehicle deceleration may occur.
  • A26-091 v1 · July 2026American Honda has identified a condition that may affect Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) operation.
  • A21080A · October 2023Service News - If an Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem comes back on when the vehicle is driven in freezing conditions, inform the customer it is likely due to snow or ice buildup on the radar.
  • ATI&10252021904 · October 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
  • ATI&10052021906 · October 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
  • ATI&09102021907 · September 2021Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

All 2019 CR-V bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Honda CR-V reliable?
Owners filed 578 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Honda CR-V in its first five years on the road, about 151 for every 100,000 sold: 1.7× the rate of a typical CR-V year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare CR-V years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2019 CR-V problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve driver-assistance features and cameras (34%), the air bags (12%) and the brakes (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2019 Honda CR-V been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2019 Honda CR-V, the most recent in May 2026 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. The 2019 Honda CR-V on NHTSA.gov · How we rate