NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Honda CR-V years to buy are the 2000, 2001, 2009 and 2011 to 2016. The 2014 scores highest, at 89 out of 100.
No CR-V year rates Avoid, but the 2017, 2018 and 2023 need a careful look. Owners of the 2017 and 2018 most often report fuel diluting the engine oil. On the 2023, the main complaint is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness.
Want something recent? Of the CR-Vs from 2017 on, the 2020 to 2022 rate Good. Watch out for the 2017 to 2019, 2023 and 2024. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
Looking at older CR-Vs, from before 2017? The 2000, 2001 and 2005 to 2016 rate Good or Excellent. Think twice about the 2002 to 2004.
No CR-V year falls in this band.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score.
Nine CR-V years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2014 leads with 89.
4th generation
Where the 587 complaints are
1st generation
Where the 142 complaints are
1st generation
Where the 129 complaints are
4th generation
Where the 382 complaints are
4th generation
Where the 392 complaints are
4th generation
Where the 403 complaints are
3rd generation
Where the 553 complaints are
4th generation
Where the 670 complaints are
3rd generation
Where the 386 complaints are
Also rated Good: 2005–2008, 2010, 2020–2022.
No CR-V year rates Avoid. These four rate Caution, the lowest scores of all CR-V years.
5th generation
Where the 1,765 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (19-032). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2017 report →5th generation
Where the 2,137 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (19-032). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2018 report →6th generation
Where the 630 complaints are
6th generation
Where the 473 complaints are
Also rated Caution or Avoid: 2002–2004, 2019.
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
Provisional score 69 (likely 65 to 73), in the middle third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 66 (Caution).
What we know so far →137 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 66 (Caution).
What we know so far →All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Honda programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6th generation | Too new | – | – | 137 | 3.9 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 6th generation | Provisional 69 | – | – | 275 | 5.5 | 5 | Report |
| 2024 | 6th generation | Caution | 66 | 1.3× | 473 | 11.5 | 4 | Report |
| 2023 | 6th generation(first year) | Caution | 63 | 2.0× | 630 | 26.6 | 7 | Report |
| 2022 | 5th generation | Good | 70 | 0.75× | 330 | 10.9 | 6 | Report |
| 2021 | 5th generation | Good | 70 | 0.87× | 432 | 14.0 | 5 | Report |
| 2020 | 5th generation | Good | 73 | 0.62× | 432 | 12.1 | 9 | Report |
| 2019 | 5th generation | Caution | 69 | 1.0× | 1,097 | 22.6 | 8 | Report |
| 2018 | 5th generation | Caution | 64 | 1.6× | 2,137 | 44.3 | 5 | Report |
| 2017 | 5th generation(first year) | Caution | 64 | 1.8× | 1,765 | 54.5 | 7 | Report |
| 2016 | 4th generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.36× | 392 | 10.7 | 3 | Report |
| 2015 | 4th generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.55× | 670 | 18.2 | 3 | Report |
| 2014 | 4th generation | Excellent | 89 | 0.34× | 587 | 14.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2013 | 4th generation | Excellent | 85 | 0.30× | 382 | 12.9 | 2 | Report |
| 2012 | 4th generation(first year) | Excellent | 82 | 0.44× | 403 | 16.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2011 | 3rd generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.27× | 553 | 11.7 | 13 | Report |
| 2010 | 3rd generation | Good | 77 | 0.36× | 481 | 14.6 | 15 | Report |
| 2009 | 3rd generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.34× | 386 | 13.5 | 12 | Report |
| 2008 | 3rd generation | Good | 75 | 0.64× | 961 | 30.2 | 11 | Report |
| 2007 | 3rd generation(first year) | Good | 76 | 0.60× | 887 | 27.8 | 12 | Report |
| 2006 | 2nd generation | Good | 74 | 0.55× | 398 | 21.7 | 12 | Report |
| 2005 | 2nd generation | Good | 72 | 0.68× | 479 | 27.1 | 12 | Report |
| 2004 | 2nd generation | Caution | 69 | 0.83× | 501 | 29.0 | 12 | Report |
| 2003 | 2nd generation | Caution | 69 | 0.82× | 468 | 28.7 | 13 | Report |
| 2002 | 2nd generation(first year) | Caution | 68 | 0.90× | 515 | 32.3 | 15 | Report |
| 2001 | 1st generation | Excellent | 87 | 0.26× | 142 | 8.3 | 1 | Report |
| 2000 | 1st generation | Excellent | 87 | 0.25× | 129 | 8.5 | 2 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Honda made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Honda's own model history.
Across its model years, the CR-V has had 70 recalls. Honda also extended the warranty on 5 known problems that were not safety recalls. If the car you are looking at qualifies, those repairs may be free.
Engine oil diluted by fuel, misfire and engine damage
Honda 19-032 · 2017–2018 CR-V
A/C compressor clutch
Honda 12-072 · 2007–2011 CR-V
High oil consumption from sticking piston rings
Honda 12-089 · 2010–2011 CR-V
Door lock actuators
Honda 14-084 · 2007–2009 CR-V
Passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)
Honda 06-009 · 2002–2004 CR-V
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Honda made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.