Steering, brakes, electrical system and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
SUVs come in many shapes and sizes, but the 2020 Honda CR-V seems to be among the most popular. The automaker claims it is “engineered to take you farther,” but many owners simply drive to the dealership for more service. This model has an electrical system, engine, structure, service brakes and steering that continually fail.
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Modern vehicles need to have a top-notch electrical system, but the CR-V suffers from numerous defects.
Here is one listed on the Edmunds website. “I bought a new CRV 2020 EX L model and I got issues in display navigation system within a month. Also there are lot of issues in Apple CarPlay. If I give my vehicle to the service center to fix the issue then they are not testing the issue properly and I am not satisfied with this vehicle at all. In online review seems to be great but in reality it’s waste.”
In this situation, Honda has nothing to say. There are no communications or correspondence from Honda addressing the electrical system problems. While the CR-V might be able to go farther, the ride isn’t that enjoyable with all of the electrical system glitches. Customers should simply save their money and buy the base model without all of the technology. They are pretty much the same thing as the high-end models, but for far less money.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Steering |
The same quality concerns are seen with the engine. What once was considered a company that provided durable engines is now just a failure.
Another customer review from Edmunds states, “Honda needs to solve the problems that they’re having with their 1.5 turbo engines. I intended to purchase a new 2020 CR-V, but when I learned of the problems that are occurring with the 1.5 turbo engine, I changed my mind. In some cases, gas is getting into the oil.”
In this case, there are some minor topics discussed by Honda. Service Bulletin #APaS03272020903 states that some vehicles have an indicator light that is showing trouble with EVAP System Purge Flow malfunction. However, there is no solution. Instead, Honda is simply investigating the trouble and coming up with a solution. Maybe then, the SUV will be able to take customers farther.
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Honda also seems to have trouble with the structure. It seems durability isn’t what it once was.
Here is an NHTSA complaint. “Soon before driving my new vehicle, in a preliminary inspection, I found extensive rusting around the exhaust pipes and system. The mechanic from the dealership said that was normal.”
Even larger than this, is a recall issued for several Honda vehicles. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V865000 states that the rear subframe bolts might not have been manufactured correctly and could loosen. If this happens, the subframe could separate, causing an out of control vehicle. Apparently, to get farther, it’s easier if the SUV splits into two. After all, two are better than one.
When one of these defects occur, owners want a reliable system of brakes. Yet, this is one more common complaint.
Here’s another NHTSA comment. “Approximately 10-15% of the time, when trying to depress the brake pedal before pressing the start button on my 2020 Honda CR-V, the brake pedal cannot be depressed. It is firmly locked/jammed in place. In some instances, I can apply very firm pressure on the pedal, just enough to get the engine to start, but in other cases, the pedal cannot be depressed at all. When this occurs, pressing the start button initiates the electronic systems but does not start the engine. Once electronic systems are on, the pedal sometimes remains firmly locked, and other times may slightly soften to the point that I can press the start button again and start the engine.”
Surprisingly, Honda is aware of brake problems and is willing to talk about them. Service Bulletin #APaS07062020901 states that there could be a brake fluid leak. However, there is no remedy to the situation. Instead, Honda is “looking into it.” Hopefully, while they look into it, customers can continue to drive farther, but could also stop when the time comes.
Above all, drivers want to remain under control while on the road, but the defective steering makes that difficult.
One more NHTSA complaint states, “Soon after I drove my car out of the dealership, I experienced 4 episodes of car becoming unstable, flipping from one side of road to the other. This occurred over 23 miles of driving on highway. I called the dealership immediately. They dismissed it as normal.”
There’s nothing to note from Honda. Apparently, the automaker got tired of saying “it’s normal” or “we want to investigate farther.” It’s just a broken record and it’s time to give up.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Honda pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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