2026 Honda CR-V Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
scored
Too new for a score. Here is what owners and NHTSA have reported so far.
- Owner complaints
- 137
- 6 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 3.9
- 338,888 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- –
- Serious outcomes
- 55
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 1
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2026 Honda CR-V?
It is too new to judge. The 2026 Honda CR-V has 137 owner complaints and 1 recall so far. We expect a first provisional score around July 2027.
The 2024 CR-V, from the same generation, scored 66 and rated Caution. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
The most reported problem is loss of power (18 of 137 complaints). Owners also complain about windshield wipers and the screen and audio. 55 of the 137 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 1 recall. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
Cons
- Loss of power (cause not stated)18 complaints
- Windshield wipers: washer spray misdirected16 complaints
- Screen and audio: works on and off10 complaints
Why There Is No Final Score Yet
Too new to score. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
So far there are 137 owner complaints, 55 with a serious outcome, and 1 recall. Early counts are not enough to judge a model year. The automaker's production report for it is not complete yet.
It is the same generation as the 2024 CR-V, which scored 66 and rated Caution. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
What Owners Report
We read all 137 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2026 Honda CR-V, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
18 complaints (13%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. All 18 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Windshield wipers: washer spray misdirected
16 complaints (12%)
Washer spray misdirected, washer fluid misdirected and frozen. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Screen and audio: works on and off
10 complaints (7%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and display stuck dim. Median mileage when it started: about 10,000 miles.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
9 complaints (7%)
Shattering or cracking. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
8 complaints (6%)
Sudden acceleration. All 8 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Mirrors: shattering or cracking
7 complaints (5%)
Shattering or cracking and vibration or shudder.
Phone and navigation: works on and off
7 complaints (5%)
Problems that come and go, wrong readings and message playback cuts off.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
7 complaints (5%)
Sticking or stiffness, locking up and a feature that stopped working. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
5 complaints (4%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and the system not working when needed. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Several warning lights at once
5 complaints (4%)
Warning lights.
Brakes: loss of braking
4 complaints (3%)
Loss of braking and a failure that needed a new part. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Defroster: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
4 complaints (3%)
Shattering or cracking, damage and light distortion / glare.
Adaptive cruise control: warning lights
3 complaints (2%)
Warning lights, the system acting on its own and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Show 11 more problems
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises.
Fire (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
A fire. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
12V battery: hard starting
2 complaints (1%)
Hard starting and a failure.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash.
Engine: a loss of power
2 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (1%)
High fuel use.
Instrument cluster: works on and off
2 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Key fob failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Stalling. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Shifter or park: locking up
2 complaints (1%)
Locking up and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Reported Once (22)
Show the 22 problems reported once
- A/C: unusual noises
- EVAP system failure
- Airbag warning light
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
- Forward collision warning: works on and off
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
- Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
- Fuel injector failure
- Fuel leak failure
- Hybrid battery: unusual noises
- Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
- Brake sensor: loss of braking
- Glass (location not stated) (cause not stated)
- Hill start assist or rollback (cause not stated)
- Moves forward in reverse gear (cause not stated)
- Steering wheel cable reel (clockspring): unusual noises
- Windshield glass bonding: damage
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Power liftgate: not opening or unlocking
- Power windows or regulator: works on and off
- Rearview camera: hazy image in rain
- Warning lights (cause not stated)
How the 2026 Honda CR-V Compares With Other Years
The other CR-V years of the 6th generation, 2023 to 2026, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 This year | Too new | – | – | 3.9 | 1 | Loss of power (cause not stated) |
| 2025 | Provisional 69 | – | – | 5.5 | 5 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
| 2024 | Caution | 66 | 1.3× | 11.5 | 4 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
| 2023 | Caution | 63 | 2.0× | 26.6 | 7 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
| 2022 | Good | 70 | 0.75× | 10.9 | 6 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
2026 Honda CR-V Recalls
A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V366000Recall report (PDF)Issued Jun 4, 2026.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2026 CR-V ratings on NHTSA.gov.
Hybrid SUV AWD, Hybrid SUV FWD, SUV AWD and SUV FWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2026 CR-V, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire NHTSA 26V366000
On the Test Drive
- Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
- Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
- Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Loss of power
- Windshield wipers
- Screen and audio
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next