The most-reported CR-V run is 2HKRW2H5XJH (2018 builds) with 30 complaints, 8.1× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 17% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 7.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 65 recall campaigns for CR-V model years 1997–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Honda CR-V has 4,017 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every CR-V complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2HKRW2H5XJH•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 5J6RW2H80HL•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| JHLRD78892C•••••• | 2002 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2HKRW2H82HH•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| 7FARW2H58JE•••••• | 2018 | 2 | — | |
| 7FARW2H56JE•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 2HKRW2H53HH•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| JHLRD78812C•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 2HKRW2H53JH•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 2HKRW2H89HH•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| JHLRD788X2C•••••• | 2002 | 3 | — | |
| 2HKRW2H81JH•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 4,005 CR-V runs has 27 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 1,108 CR-V VINs so far, most often 2026, 2024, 2025 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Honda CR-V the gap between build years is 4.3×: a 2018 car draws 7.7 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.8.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 116 | 64 | 9 | |
| 2025 | 255 | 140 | 29 | |
| 2024 | 391 | 172 | 27 | |
| 2023 | 519 | 168 | 21 | |
| 2022 | 264 | 140 | 5 | |
| 2021 | 333 | 177 | 14 | |
| 2020 | 354 | 200 | 21 | |
| 2019 | 1085 | 271 | 30 | |
| 2018 | 2098 | 272 | 45 | |
| 2017 | 1717 | 222 | 40 | |
| 2016 | 377 | 162 | 37 | |
| 2015 | 611 | 169 | 35 | |
| 2014 | 547 | 152 | 35 | |
| 2013 | 338 | 131 | 21 | |
| 2012 | 371 | 134 | 24 | |
| 2011 | 515 | 171 | 26 | |
| 2010 | 451 | 135 | 29 | |
| 2009 | 364 | 137 | 28 | |
| 2008 | 865 | 173 | 38 | |
| 2007 | 755 | 118 | 32 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 7.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2020 at 1.8. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Honda CR-V owners report: Electrical System, 2,293 of 14,848 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 48 | 65 | |
| Air Bags | 331 | 8 | |
| Engine | 52 | 28 | |
| Steering | 50 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 56 | 16 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 48 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 26 | 6 | |
| Power Train | 47 | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 65 recall campaigns on the Honda CR-V; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V858000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2013–2023 |
| 18V268000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2002–2011 |
| 19V182000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2002–2011 |
| 26V332000 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger | 2017–2022 |
| 19V500000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2007–2011 |
| 17V030000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2007–2011 |
23V858000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2013: 10 years on the road before the recall.
The CR-V against its rivals
The CR-V draws 3.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Jeep Wrangler 4.7 and the Mazda CX-5 2.7.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 14,848 reports on the Honda CR-V, 5.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Honda CR-V | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 14,848 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 750 (5.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 162 (1.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 623 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Honda CR-V share of that is 14,848 complaints over 4,017 runs, 1.3% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Honda CR-V VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 14,848 NHTSA complaints from 4,017 CR-V runs and 65 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which CR-V production run has the most complaints?
2HKRW2H5XJH, a 2018 build, with 30 complaints. The typical CR-V run has 3.7.
Which CR-V years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 7.7 complaints per run and 2020 lightest at 1.8.
Does the CR-V get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 3.7 complaints per production run for the CR-V against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many CR-V complaints involve a crash?
5.1% of 14,848 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 162 involved a fire.
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