The Lemon Index2023 Honda CR-V.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is so far worse than average by owner complaints: 633 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 148, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 29 to 40 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 633 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda CR-V year. 2023 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 5K to 17K miles on the car (50 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 7K–15K miles
Recalls 8
- tires 2026
When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
- tires 2026
When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel.
Show all 8 recalls
- steering 2024
The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
- electrical 2024
The high voltage battery modules may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the battery terminal or busbar to break and spark.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The electronic transmission may have been improperly manufactured, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- seats 2023
The front passenger seat back frame may not have been welded properly, which can cause the seat back position to fail in the event of a crash.
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 111 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service Bulletin - While driving at highway speeds, customers may find that the steering wheel…
- Service Bulletin - Due to a false detection logic in the multipurpose camera software, the…
- Service News - Rearview Mirror Mount Spring Replacement - The rearview mirror mount spring has…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedMomentary increased steering effort2023–2025
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 | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
| Honda CR-V HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda CR-V HYBRID SUV FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1600–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Steering becomes more difficult during a curve and small vibration on straight aways.
2023 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 11558042
More owner reports
Steering wheel sticks causing me to over steer. Took it to dealership twice and was told it was safe to drive. When I asked them to put it in writing they kept my vehicle and Honda provided a rental car for 3 months.
NHTSA complaint 11575883
Intermittent sticky steering - requires effort to make even small adjustments. Feels unsafe.
NHTSA complaint 11574553
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Honda CR-V reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 1.5× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 148; 100 is average). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2023 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (63%), automatic emergency braking (10%) and lane assist (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Honda CR-V have?
8 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Honda CR-V get?
29 to 40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 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 2023 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 17,100 miles. The middle report was at 10,000 miles, from 50 complaints.
Does the 2023 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $1600 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Honda CR-V have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2023?
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