The Lemon IndexHonda CR-V.
The best Honda CR-V years are 2001, 2011, 2010. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2015. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 99, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2001.
Compare the Honda CR-V.
vs Toyota RAV4 · vs Nissan Rogue · vs Ford Escape · vs Chevrolet Equinox · vs Jeep Grand Cherokee · vs Ford Explorer · vs Toyota Highlander · vs Jeep Wrangler
Quick answers.
Is the Honda CR-V a good car?
It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 99; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2001 and the worst is 2017.
What are the best Honda CR-V years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2001, 2011, 2010.
What Honda CR-V years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2017, 2018, 2015.
How many recalls does the Honda CR-V have?
206 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2002 (16), 2010 (15), 2003 (14). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Honda CR-V problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, steering and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 32 | 3.1× fewer complaints than average | 42 | transmission & drivetrain (17%) | 2 | — | 21 |
| 2001 | 18 | 5.6× fewer complaints than average | 22 | seat belts (18%) | 1 | — | 21 |
| 2002 | 91 | about average | 136 | electrical (18%) | 16 | — | 21–23 |
| 2003 | 130 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 154 | engine (27%) | 14 | — | 21–22 |
| 2004 | 115 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 146 | engine (45%) | 13 | — | 21–22 |
| 2005 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 87 | suspension (23%) | 14 | — | 21–23 |
| 2006 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 39 | electrical (15%) | 13 | — | 21–23 |
| 2007 | 47 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 91 | transmission & drivetrain (15%) | 12 | — | 22–23 |
| 2008 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 90 | tires (14%) | 11 | — | 22–23 |
| 2009 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 51 | tires (20%) | 12 | — | 22–23 |
| 2010 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 71 | transmission & drivetrain (17%) | 15 | — | 23–24 |
| 2011 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 72 | electrical (22%) | 13 | ★★★★☆ | 23–24 |
| 2012 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 149 | electrical (24%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–26 |
| 2013 | 47 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 173 | engine (23%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 25–26 |
| 2014 | 82 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 300 | engine (25%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 25–26 |
| 2015 | 135 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 454 | engine (39%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 28–29 |
| 2016 | 56 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 199 | engine (20%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 27–29 |
| 2017 | 237 | 2.4× the average car's complaints | 946 | engine (38%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 27–30 |
| 2018 | 209 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 803 | engine (48%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 27–30 |
| 2019 | 120 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 472 | automatic emergency braking (34%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 27–30 |
| 2020 | 56 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 176 | automatic emergency braking (36%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 29–38 |
| 2021 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 224 | automatic emergency braking (42%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 29–38 |
| 2022 | 72 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 238 | steering (34%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 29–38 |
| 2023 | 148 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 633 | steering (63%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 29–40 |
| 2024 | 139 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 481 | steering (31%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 29–40 |
| 2025 | 117 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 288 | steering (23%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 28–40 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data