The Lemon Index2019 Honda CR-V.
The 2019 Honda CR-V is worse than average by owner complaints: 472 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 120, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 27 to 30 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 98 YouTube videos about the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, 25.1M views. The 2019 is the same CR-V.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical589K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CR-V Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Change Replace CRV Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 589K views - Transmission & shifter483K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Transmission CVT Fluid Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 268K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service450K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Oil Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 209K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS445K views
DIY Honda CR-V Rear Brake Replacement Using Honda Tech Instructions 2017 - 2021 Models with EPBRob's Garage Woodworking · 198K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine438K views
2019 Honda CRV - The Ultimate User GuideTwo Guys and a Ride · 178K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring428K views
2018 Honda CR-V Multiple Warning ADAS System Lights Code P2583-76Phillip Bailey · 178K views · 3 videos - Oil dilution & oil burning384K views
2017 2018 Honda CRV 1.5 Oil Dilution Product Update RecallJack of All Master of None · 212K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4189K views
Honda CRV AWD Rear Differential Fluid Change - 5th Gen - 2018 - Vortex GarageVortex Garage · 189K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems with Honda CRV 2017 to 2022RB The Mechanic · 319K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CRV problemsBCauto_ · 182K views
2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Should You Buy The Hybrid?Ben Hardy · 167K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,106 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda CR-V year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 34K miles on the car (312 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- automatic emergency braking complaints mostly came at 14K–37K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 2K–54K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–20K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- seat belts 2023
A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Show all 8 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- body structure 2019
The rear subframe bolts were improperly manufactured and may loosen, allowing the rear subframe to separate.
- equipment 2019
The owner's guide incorrectly describes when the "Passenger Airbag Off" indicator should illuminate.
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The joint weld between the fuel tank and the vapor return line may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.
- airbags 2019
The metal core of the steering wheel may have burrs which can damage the harnesses routed within, potentially disabling the driver's air bag or causing it to deploy without warning.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 230 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service Bulletin - The vehicle fails to start after being parked for an extended period
- Dealer Message - Today, March 29, 2019, American Honda is announcing a Product Update for…
- Owner Notification Letter - After the vehicle is parked for an extended period, the powertrain…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2022–2024
- ClosedRear differential seizure2022–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Car will randomly brake when there is nothing in front. Has happened several times.
2019 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 11453975
More owner reports
Vehicle braked hard without driver touching brake pedal. This has happened twice in last year. Now reading that this may be common with 2019 CRV
NHTSA complaint 11454427
While getting off highway, traveling about 40mph, sudden severe braking, enough to force me forward in seat. Momentarily and then gone. Could have made me lose control and cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint 11474179
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Honda CR-V reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2019 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (34%), electrical (17%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Honda CR-V have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Honda CR-V get?
27 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Honda CR-V safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,000 and 34,300 miles. The middle report was at 12,000 miles, from 312 complaints.
Does the 2019 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Honda CR-V have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works