2026 Honda CR-V Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 Honda CR-V, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance2418.5%
- Electrical2216.9%
- Visibility2216.9%
- Powertrain (other)1914.6%
- Brakes129.2%
- Steering75.4%
- Engine75.4%
- Fuel system53.8%
- Body & structure53.8%
- Other / unspecified21.5%
- Exterior lighting21.5%
- Airbags21.5%
- Interior & seats10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am writing to formally request that Honda investigate and acknowledge a significant security and safety concern regarding the front radar module used on certain Honda vehicles equipped with Honda Sensing. The front radar module appears to be easily accessible from the front of the vehicle and can reportedly be removed by a thief in a matter of seconds without requiring specialized tools. Because of its location and lack of adequate theft protection, it has become an attractive target for theft. The theft of this component is more than a financial inconvenience. Once the radar module is removed, critical driver-assistance and safety features—including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning, and other Honda Sensing functions—may become unavailable until the sensor is replaced and professionally calibrated. This can leave owners without important safety technologies they relied upon when purchasing the vehicle. I respectfully ask Honda to investigate this issue, acknowledge the vulnerability, and consider implementing a remedy for affected vehicles. Possible solutions could include an improved anti-theft mounting system, a redesigned sensor location, or other security enhancements that make unauthorized removal significantly more difficult. As Honda owners, we should be able to feel confident leaving our vehicles parked without worrying that a critical safety component can be stolen in seconds. Beyond the financial burden of replacing the radar module, the loss of these safety features can affect the safe operation of the vehicle and diminish driver confidence. I urge Honda to take this concern seriously, communicate with affected owners, and evaluate whether a service campaign or safety recall is appropriate. At a minimum, I hope Honda will acknowledge the issue and work toward a solution that improves the security of the front radar module and restores owners' confidence in the safety of their vehicl
We were pulling into a parking space and were almost completely stopped. Suddenly the gas engine revved and we jumped the curb and crashed through the glass front of the restaurant we had ordered food from. as it lurched forward my wife was pressing on the brake yelling it won't stop! The engined revved without any pedal usage. The automatic braking system did not function. Called the dealer and of course they have never heard of such a thing. I talked with the dealer adn they recommended going ahead with the body repairs and then take it to a Honda dealer to run a diagnostic to see if any abnormalities show up. There were no warning signals at all. It happened so quickly. The car ended up going completely through the glass fron and when it stopped it had hit the cashier counter and was completely inside the restuarant. We are so thankful there were no patrons eating in the restaurant at the time.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Explosive ear piercing crackling sound coming through all speakers even when entertainment turned off. Also when parking sensors/safety sensors are alarming. The noise is something I have never experienced. Turned car off then on and happened again. Car is not driveabke when explosive sound is happening. Is not a constant noise. It’s periodic
I am writing to formally request that Honda investigate and acknowledge a significant security and safety concern regarding the front radar module used on certain Honda vehicles equipped with Honda Sensing. The front radar module appears to be easily accessible from the front of the vehicle and can reportedly be removed by a thief in a matter of seconds without requiring specialized tools. Because of its location and lack of adequate theft protection, it has become an attractive target for theft. The theft of this component is more than a financial inconvenience. Once the radar module is removed, critical driver-assistance and safety features—including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning, and other Honda Sensing functions—may become unavailable until the sensor is replaced and professionally calibrated. This can leave owners without important safety technologies they relied upon when purchasing the vehicle. I respectfully ask Honda to investigate this issue, acknowledge the vulnerability, and consider implementing a remedy for affected vehicles. Possible solutions could include an improved anti-theft mounting system, a redesigned sensor location, or other security enhancements that make unauthorized removal significantly more difficult. As Honda owners, we should be able to feel confident leaving our vehicles parked without worrying that a critical safety component can be stolen in seconds. Beyond the financial burden of replacing the radar module, the loss of these safety features can affect the safe operation of the vehicle and diminish driver confidence. I urge Honda to take this concern seriously, communicate with affected owners, and evaluate whether a service campaign or safety recall is appropriate. At a minimum, I hope Honda will acknowledge the issue and work toward a solution that improves the security of the front radar module and restores owners' confidence in the safety of their vehicl
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Honda claims system design is problem and works properly so nothing they will do. ISSUE : when activating windshield washer spray(wiper mounted nozzles), liquid doesn't spray till passenger wiper is straight up, and driver wiper sprays also straight up, hitting door post. NO FLUID gets on whole passenger half of window. This is hazard as debris can't be washed for clear view on half the windshield. Honda says it's normal, and doesn't attempt to do any fix. It is not normal, poor design by going to wiper mounted nozzles.
Washer for windshield does not clean windshield. Had to pull of highway to manually clean windshield so I could continue to drive. HONDA of Denton told me that washer is normal. New style for CRV.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Honda CRV was parked on the driveway with a little bit of downward slope. The car was started cold in the afternoon in summer time, the gear was shifted to R (reverse). We could see the backview in camera which confirms that the car was in R mode. It move ahead and did not stop. Despite giving acceleration, car keeps moving forward. The remedy for now is to stop the car, open the door, close the door, restart the car and the problem goes away. This has happened twice. We took it to the Honda dealership and the technician did not find any issue which is surprising. We expect Honda to look at the issue in detail, find the root cause and fix.
While making a right turn from a stop the powertrain briefly lost power and the car slowed before accelerating normally
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sudden loss of braking power on June 29, 2026, with sudden brake warnings. We had the same error after taking delivery of the vehicle in September 2025. The dealership repaired the vehicle (brake sensor). We have another dealer appointment on July 6, 2026 to repair this again. Very concerning from a safety perspective that this is occurring again.
I found a part under my brakes while driving and it prevented me from getting brakes. It went under the brakes pedal.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
After having my car for a month I noticed the steering wheel making a cracking noise when turning going down a parking garage. It made this sound when turning both left and right along with suddenly making it hard to turn the wheel in certain angles. The vehicle was taken to service where I was told that it was normal to happen but would still inspect it, the steering wheel clock spring was replaced but the problem persisted. No warning lamps or messages appeared. Steering wheel every so often makes the sound.
The vehicle has difficulty maintaining straight tracking. The vehicle drifts noticeably at highway speeds. I have had it to the dealer twice. Once, the Service Manager did a road test with me. He stated it had tight steering but no solution.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle Information: 2026 Honda CR-V Sport HybridComponent: Power Train / Hydraulic Brakes / Electronic Stability ControlDescription of Incident:On [Date], my 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid was parked facing uphill on a steep incline. I started the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal, released the electronic parking brake, and shifted into Drive. Upon transitioning to the accelerator, the vehicle failed to hold its position. It immediately and rapidly rolled backward down the incline, completely overriding the Hill Start Assist (HSA) mechanism. Despite accelerator input, the hybrid powertrain failed to deliver the instantaneous forward torque required to counter gravity. The vehicle gained rearward momentum and collided with a closed gate.Safety Justification:This un-commanded rollback presents a severe, systemic safety hazard. Research into hybrid consumer data reveals a documented pattern of drivers being blindsided by the lack of traditional automatic transmission "idle-creep" torque on inclines, combined with counter-intuitive electronic HSA deactivation thresholds. The vehicle’s software logic fails to safely manage dual-pedal inputs during hill starts, creating an unreasonable risk of rollback collisions.
My brand new 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport-L experienced sudden significant power loss while operating on highway around 300 or so miles. Dashboard displayed warning: 'Emissions system problem — power may be reduced — see your dealer.' I had to immediately get off the highway and very slowly drive back home and then took it to the dealer as soon as their service dept. opened after that. Vehicle subsequently diagnosed at David McDavid Honda Irving with fuel injector failure requiring complete replacement under warranty. Highway power loss on a brand new vehicle at 300+ miles represents a serious safety hazard. Vehicle has been at dealer since May 26, 2026 for warranty repairs and even after 9 days they have not been able to resolve the issue and i am still waiting to pick up my car. Honda Corporate Case opened.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My brand new 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport-L experienced sudden significant power loss while operating on highway around 300 or so miles. Dashboard displayed warning: 'Emissions system problem — power may be reduced — see your dealer.' I had to immediately get off the highway and very slowly drive back home and then took it to the dealer as soon as their service dept. opened after that. Vehicle subsequently diagnosed at David McDavid Honda Irving with fuel injector failure requiring complete replacement under warranty. Highway power loss on a brand new vehicle at 300+ miles represents a serious safety hazard. Vehicle has been at dealer since May 26, 2026 for warranty repairs and even after 9 days they have not been able to resolve the issue and i am still waiting to pick up my car. Honda Corporate Case opened.
1. The vehicle accelerated rapidly and uncontrollably without my touching the gas pedal and despite my slamming the breaks. 2 The vehicle jumped a curb and slammed into a parked car. Someone could have been easily killed if they were in front of the vehicle. 3. Not yet. I will have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. 4. No, See #3 above. 5. No. This was the first time this happened.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle ran over a small wooden plank in the roadway, and the plank became wedged between the front passenger’s door and the body seal. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of a uniform one-inch gap between the body panel and each door on the vehicle. The gap was insulated by a plastic foam sealant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was determined to be the driver’s error. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my new Honda CR-V which is 6 months old. Water seeped into my parked and closed vehicle, and after that I experienced multiple hazard warning lights on the dashboard while driving on XX, which caused panic and concern for safety. The next day, the vehicle became unresponsive and the battery went dead. This was alarming because the warning lights appeared during highway driving, where a sudden electrical or system failure could create a crash risk. The vehicle had been parked and closed when the water intrusion occurred, so I am concerned there may be a defect related to water sealing, electrical systems, or battery failure. The dealer confirmed that the seal was broken and might have been a manufacturing defect. This caused water seepage. But they were not sure if the water seepage was related to battery giving electrical warnings and going dead. This uncertainty caused more insecurity as we do not know the reason for battery failure exactly when water leaked into the vehicle. Please investigate whether this issue is related to a safety defect. I request that this complaint be reviewed for any pattern involving water intrusion, dashboard warnings, electrical failure, or battery drain in this model. Vehicle information: Year: 2026 Make: Honda Model: CR-V VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 3166 mi Date of incident: 05-24-2026 Location of incident: [XXX] Additional details: Water seeped into the vehicle while it was parked and closed. Dashboard hazard lights illuminated while driving on I-95. The next day, the vehicle was unresponsive and the battery was dead. I have photos/videos/repair records. The warning lights were flashing hazard icons and system warning lights. The vehicle lost power and had to be towed to Dealership on Tuesday, 05-26. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
My dealer cancelled my appointment because it doesn’t have required parts. They say waiting time can be more than two months, and don’t provide a loaner or replacement car. The other dealers said waiting time is 2 months. When I call the manufacturer to solve this issue they said to call the dealer. I believe the manufacturer is failing to remedy this safety recall within a reasonable time and is leaving consumers without a safe alternative. Vehicle information: 2026 Make Honda Model CR-V VIN [XXX] Dealership Honda of North Hollywood 5841 Lankershim Blvd , North Hollywood , CA 91601 First contact date 6/16/2026 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The cover of this car seat has only been cared for per the manufacturer instructions, and the warning labels on the sides are peeling, creating a choking hazard. Clek has issued a recall for Liing before for this specific issue, but is saying that my Liing is not included despite being manufactured after the recall. It appears the issue has not been resolved adequately.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
When it rains, back up camera footage becomes hazy, unclear, blurred, unreadable- cause rain water falls on to the rear camera. So backing up becomes very difficult and unsafe, when it rains. Can’t see clearly what’s behind of the car. This is a serious safety issue.
Dealer installed pulsing/flashing third brake light (CHMSL) that violates FMVSS 108 — light pulses instead of burning steady and it violates 49 U.S.C. § 30122. They would not sell the vehicle without it on the vehicle. Said it is “required” on every vehicle they sell. 2026 Honda CRV “Trailsport” Superior Honda of Omaha Nebraska. I did not purchase the vehicle since I don’t want it installed on any vehicle I purchase.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver-side frontal airbag/restraint system may have failed to operate during a collision involving a significant impact to the front driver’s side of my 2026 Honda CR-V. The vehicle was declared a total loss, but the driver’s airbag did not deploy. The seat belt locked and appeared to function properly. The insurance company has already taken possession of the vehicle, so its present availability for inspection is UNKNOWN. My safety was put at risk because the driver’s airbag did not provide additional protection during the impact. Following the accident, I experienced a concussion, dizziness/vertigo, and neck, shoulder, and back pain. The issue has not been reproduced or formally confirmed by a Honda dealer or an independent service center. I notified Honda that the airbag did not deploy, but Honda did not inspect the vehicle. No police officer, insurance representative, collision center, or other qualified person gave me an explanation or confirmed whether the airbag should have deployed. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives for the total-loss claim, but, to my knowledge, the airbag system itself was not specifically inspected. Whether any airbag or SRS warning lamp or message appeared before the collision is UNKNOWN. I do not recall receiving an airbag warning before the accident. The exact cause of the non-deployment is UNKNOWN and requires inspection of the vehicle, crash data, sensors, and airbag control system.
I had a accident with a another and now both them are totaled but i didn’t got any airbags deployed when i called honda and ingot a person for the case he is like you need to go to dealership and inspect the car and they are like they don’t have any responsibility for safety issue
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The drivers seat causes pain in my lower back. The longer I drive, the worse it gets. I have tried every seat adjustment and lumbar support that the seat comes with, and nothing helps. I am unable to drive long distances in this car and it would be unsafe because the pain might provoke me to drive too fast or hit one of the pedals by mistake in an effort to get comfortable in the seat. This defect should be corrected.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .