Honda · Known Issues
2020 Honda CR-V Problems: 22 Known Issues
2020 model year · 19,018+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2020 model year · 19,018+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 19,018+ owner reports, the 2020 Honda CR-V has 22 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution ($0-$500 repair), Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111 ($0-$0 repair), 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure ($200-$5,000 repair), Front Seat Belt Buckle Won't Latch — Recall 23V-158 ($0-$0 repair), Phantom Braking — Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Activates With No Obstacle ($0-$200 repair) and Low-Density Fuel Pump Impeller — Stalling / No-Start (NHTSA Recalls 21V-215 & 23V-858) ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution with 5,000 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
STEERING
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
TIRES:MARKINGS
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 CR-V vehicles. The tire identification number (TIN) is missing the four-digit date code. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, "New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles."
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
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.
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.
+ 3 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 19,018+ owner reports, the 2020 Honda CR-V has 22 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution, Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111, 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2020 Honda CR-V has 22 known issues documented across 19,018+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution and Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111 and 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure and Front Seat Belt Buckle Won't Latch — Recall 23V-158 and Phantom Braking — Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Activates With No Obstacle and Low-Density Fuel Pump Impeller — Stalling / No-Start (NHTSA Recalls 21V-215 & 23V-858). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Honda CR-V issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution, typically costs $0-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Gasoline mixes with engine oil in the 1.5L turbocharged engine, causing the oil level to rise above the full mark. The issue is most prevalent in cold climates where short trips don't allow the engine to reach full operating temperature. Unburned fuel bypasses the piston rings an… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
The 5th generation CR-V (2018-2022) is included in Honda's largest fuel pump recall affecting over 5.7 million vehicles. Denso-manufactured fuel pump impellers were made with improperly molded low-density material that swells and deforms under fuel exposure, interfering with the… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The 5th generation CR-V (2017-2022) with 1.5T engine uses a Honda-designed CVT (Earth Dreams CVT) that exhibits shuddering/juddering during acceleration between 10-45 mph, especially on grades and in hot weather. Unlike the 2015-2016 HR-V/Fit CVT issues which were purely belt-rel… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
Honda recalled roughly 448,000-500,000 vehicles — including 2017-2020 CR-V — because the front seat belt buckle may fail to latch. The buckle channel surface coating deteriorates with continuous use and, at low temperatures, the release button can shrink against the channel, incr… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The CR-V's Honda Sensing automatic emergency braking (CMBS) is the subject of a major NHTSA defect probe for 'phantom braking' — sudden, hard, unrequested braking when no obstacle is present. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened the case on 2017-2019 CR-V and 2018-2019… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: high.
Certain CR-Vs were built with a Denso fuel pump module containing a low-density impeller that can absorb fuel, swell, and deform. A deformed impeller binds the pump and makes it inoperative, which can prevent the engine from starting or, worse, stall the engine while driving — a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The A/C compressor shaft seal can swell and leak due to interaction with the new R-1234yf refrigerant and PAG oil. This causes refrigerant to leak from the compressor, resulting in reduced or no cooling from the air conditioning system. Honda extended the warranty on this compone… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The 5th generation CR-V with the 1.5T Earth Dreams engine (L15B7) produces excessive engine shake and rough idle during cold start and warm-up that is distinctly abnormal compared to competitive vehicles. The vibration is felt through the steering wheel, floorboard, and seats. Ho… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The A/C compressor can fail prematurely, often due to internal clutch issues or compressor bearing failure. When the compressor fails internally, it can send metal debris through the A/C system, requiring a complete system flush and replacement of multiple components. Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The 5th generation CR-V uses electronically controlled Active Engine Mounts (ACM) that use an electromechanical actuator to cancel engine vibration in real time. These mounts fail prematurely at 40,000-80,000 miles, causing a dramatic increase in cabin vibration, especially at id… Repairs typically run $550-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The CVT transmission can develop a shudder or judder, particularly during light acceleration at low speeds. This vibration is often felt between 15-40 mph and may feel like driving over rumble strips. The issue is related to the torque converter or CVT fluid degradation. Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
The Honda Sensing adaptive cruise control can behave erratically, including phantom braking on the highway when no obstacle is present, or failing to detect vehicles ahead. Weather conditions, sun glare, and road conditions can affect system performance. Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
Fifth-gen CR-Vs commonly lose A/C cooling because of a leak at the A/C compressor main shaft seal. Honda traces the root cause to the North American switch to a new refrigerant (R-1234yf) and PAG oil, which causes the compressor shaft seal to swell and wear abnormally, opening ga… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The hands-free / power liftgate on 5th-gen CR-Vs (EX-L and Touring) is a common complaint. Each side of the tailgate uses a motorized strut (power liftgate spindle) containing a motor, gearbox, and drive screw; these struts wear and fail internally. A classic symptom is the tailg… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
The CR-V's A/C condenser sits low and exposed at the very front of the vehicle, making its thin tubes and fins vulnerable to perforation by rocks and road debris, and to corrosion pinholes where the tubes meet the side tanks. The result is a slow refrigerant leak and A/C that gra… Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The infotainment display can freeze, go black, or become unresponsive. This affects the audio system, backup camera, and climate control display. The system may reboot randomly while driving. Issues are often caused by software bugs. Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.
The CR-V Hybrid (2020+) uses regenerative braking as the primary retardation method, meaning the conventional friction brakes are used less frequently than on non-hybrid models. This reduced usage causes brake rotors to develop surface rust and corrosion significantly faster, cre… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: low.
Some CR-V owners experience unexplained battery drain that can result in a dead battery after sitting for a few days. This can be caused by various electronic modules not going to sleep properly, Bluetooth module issues, or aftermarket accessories. Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
The fifth-gen CR-V's Display Audio head unit is widely reported to freeze, go dark, spontaneously reboot, and lose Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connections. Owners describe CarPlay dropping with a 'Device Not Connected' message, audio continuing to play with no sound output, the… Repairs typically run $0-$150. Severity: low.
P0455 is the large/gross EVAP leak code on the CR-V and points to a big open path in the fuel-vapor system. The most frequent CR-V causes are a missing, cross-threaded, or aftermarket gas cap that will not hold vacuum; a corroded or damaged fuel filler neck/main flap where the ca… Repairs typically run $20-$500. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.