Diagsheet

Fifth generation

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The most reported problem on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is brake wear, with 18 complaints, usually around 33,000 miles.

  • 82owner complaints
  • 5recalls
  • 4involved a crash
  • 36,000median miles at failure

Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

miles

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Problem sheets

No single problem on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.

Is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid reliable?

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid has 82 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 6 CR-V Hybrid model years since 2020, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.

At a glance

Next to the 2021
At 12 complaints for each year on the road, the 2020 runs below the 2021 (17). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
Top problem
Brake wear leads with 18 of the 82 complaints (22%), ahead of stalling at 12. A quarter of the 10 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 20,000 miles, and half by about 33,000.
Crash, fire and injury reports
5 of the 82 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 4 reports mention a crash and 3 people were hurt.
Recalls behind the top problems
5 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
When owners filed
Filings peaked in 2024 at 32 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 19. So far in 2026, 9 more have come in.

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 18 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Every complaint with a mileage26 of 82
26 complaints state a mileage. The most, 4, fall between 0 and 10,000 miles.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early18 reports2 crashes

middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid82
        Median 2020 model here (75 vehicles)219
        Median 2020 SUV here (42)233

        82 complaints is 2.7 times fewer than the median 2020 model on this site and 2.8 times fewer than the median 2020 SUV. Among the 5 CR-V Hybrid model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Service bulletins for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

        Honda filed 29 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid. 1 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.

        Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

        Check engine light or misfire 1 bulletin · 11 complaints

        • Service bulletinA26-018Aug 26, 2026

          Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.

        Complaints filed by year

        Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2020: 4, 2021: 6, 2022: 7, 2023: 5, 2024: 32, 2025: 19, 2026: 94'206'217'225'2332'2419'259'26

        32 complaints came in 2024, 6.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        PE25-016opened Oct 28, 2025
        Engine · model years 2020 to 2022

        Loss of motive power. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 48 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports alleging intermittent loss of motive power in Model Year (MY) 2020–2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles. These incidents are alleged to occur without warning at highway speeds and are accompanied by a flashing check engine light immediately before the loss of motive power occurs. Motive power can be restored by turning the ignition off and back on. However, this action also clears the check engine light and any fault codes that were set. The fault’s intermittent nature, combined with the lack of fault codes, often results in many visits to repair facilities yielding no repairs. Honda indicated it was unaware of any related complaint or repair trends. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the alleged fault and to fully assess the possible safety consequences. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
        EA24-002opened Apr 15, 2024
        Collision avoidance · model years 2020 to 2022

        Inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury. The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources. In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged. In total, there were X,XXX reports
        DP22-005opened Jan 27, 2023
        Electrical · model years 2020 to 2022

        Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.

        NHTSA summary
        NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

        Recalls that include the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        26V-332May 21, 2026
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
        24V-064Feb 1, 2024
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
        23V-858Dec 18, 2023
        Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
        23V-844Dec 13, 2023
        Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:Cables

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cable routed outside of the body frame is missing a fuse on the power circuit, which can allow the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FGB.
        20V-798Dec 17, 2020
        Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E.

        All 5 recalls on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

        Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean

        Questions

        What is the most common problem on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid?

        Brake wear, with 18 of the 82 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 33,000 miles.

        At what mileage do 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems start?

        Of the 26 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 15,000 miles and half by about 36,000.

        Is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid better or worse than the 2021?

        Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than the 2021: 12 a year against 17.

        How many 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?

        5 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.

        Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid?

        No recall on file for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is on the same system as brake wear. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        Other model years

        20208220211032022762023116202485