Honda CR-V 2023: common problems

Owners of the 2023 Honda CR-V filed 518 complaints with NHTSA, and steering leads by far with 325 of them, followed by forward collision avoidance (38), unknown or other (34), lane departure (30) and service brakes (29). The data also lists 21 crashes and 1 fire across these complaints, and 3 official recalls: front passenger seat back frame (23V092000), fuel pump (23V858000) and steering gearbox (24V744000). These are owner reports, not confirmed defects, and this data comes from the United States, so the same model may differ in other countries. Check your VIN to see which recalls apply to your car.

What owners complain about

• Steering325 complaints

  Most samples describe a steering wheel that becomes stiff, sticky or binding, sometimes at highway speed, and one owner says they could not turn to avoid a rear-end hit. Several owners say the problem returned after the recall repair, and one reports a dealer diagnosis that the whole steering rack needed replacing at over $4,400.

  An OBD2 scanner sometimes picks this up. Power steering warnings can come with codes, but the steering gearbox itself is mechanical and a generic scanner may not point to it.

• Forward collision avoidance38 complaints

  Owners describe the car braking hard on its own with no warning, and collision mitigation or driver assist warnings that stay on. One owner says a broken camera bracket disabled several driver-assistance features, and another says the safety features did not engage before an off-road crash.

  Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Driver-assistance systems sit in separate modules that a generic scanner usually cannot read.

• Unknown or other34 complaints

  This mixed group includes Android Auto and Bluetooth disconnecting, an active grille shutter warning with code P16E8 and reduced power, a vibrating hood, peeling paint and a rear window that shattered while parked.

  An OBD2 scanner sometimes picks this up. The grille shutter warning came with a code, but infotainment, paint, hood and glass problems do not show up on a generic scanner.

• Lane departure30 complaints

  Owners report repeated lane keeping assist and road departure warnings at startup, even after a body control module replacement. One owner says the car tried to change lanes on its own, and another says the steering felt stiff on a mountain curve.

  Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Lane keeping and road departure systems are driver-assistance modules that generic scanners mostly cannot read.

• Service brakes29 complaints

  Owners describe automatic braking with nothing in front of the car, one warning of a brake malfunction with very little braking power, and the car surging forward while the brake was applied. One owner reports neck pain after a sudden hard-braking event.

  Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Brake and automatic braking systems have their own modules that a generic scanner usually cannot read.

• Electrical system28 complaints

  Samples include a hybrid battery that overheated and smoked with a sulfur smell, an engine fire, sudden power loss and stalling at highway speed, limp mode (reduced power) with a new battery needed, and a car stolen in under 5 minutes.

  An OBD2 scanner usually picks this up. Many charging, battery and power-loss problems set codes, though the theft and some warning-light cases may not.

• Visibility/wiper25 complaints

  Owners report wipers that leave an uncleared gap or hit the pillar, washer fluid that runs off the windshield, driver-side mirrors that shake above 40 mph, and rear windows that broke suddenly.

  Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Wipers, mirrors and glass are not monitored by engine codes, so a generic scanner will not show them.

• Structure23 complaints

  Most samples describe the hood shaking or wobbling at highway speed. One owner says the hood's inner frame detached and another saw rust at the panel joints. A dealer told one owner the hood needed replacement, which was not done because of the cost. Mirror vibration and a rear window break are also mentioned.

  Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Body and structure problems do not set engine codes.

Recalls

• 23V092000 · 16/02/2023

  The front passenger seat back frame may not have been welded properly, so the seat back could fail in a crash and not hold the occupant, raising the risk of injury. Dealers replace the front passenger seat back frame assembly free of charge. Check your VIN with Honda or NHTSA to see if your car is included.

• 23V858000 · 19/12/2023

  The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which can stall the engine while driving and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the fuel pump module free of charge. Check your VIN with Honda or NHTSA to see if your car is included.

• 24V744000 · 04/10/2024

  The steering gearbox may have been built incorrectly, causing extra internal friction and difficulty steering, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the worm gear spring and add or redistribute grease free of charge. Check your VIN with Honda or NHTSA to see if your car is included.

Frequently asked questions

Data: owner complaints and recalls published by the US NHTSA, retrieved 2026-11-09. Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects. Summary written with the help of AI.