NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2026 Honda CR-V. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The contact owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated over the curb and crashed into the brick wall of a convenience store. The contact stated that the failure occurred without warning. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The brick wall of the store was damaged due to the impact of the vehicle. The contact was treated for pain in her neck and right shoulder by the paramedics at the scene; she was not transported to a hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard; however, the contact later picked it up. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 1,100.
I am reporting a safety-related issue with the front radar sensor on my Honda CR-V 2026. The sensor is mounted in a location that appears to be easily accessible and insufficiently secured, making it highly vulnerable to theft. My vehicle was recently targeted, and the sensor was removed, resulting in loss of critical driver-assistance features such as collision mitigation braking and adaptive cruise control. This creates a significant safety risk, as the vehicle’s ability to detect and respond to hazards is compromised. Additionally, multiple vehicles in my neighborhood have experienced similar incidents, indicating a potential widespread defect rather than an isolated case. I believe this design exposes owners to both safety hazards and financial burden, and I request that this issue be investigated for possible recall or corrective action to improve the security and protection of the radar sensor.
While driving in normal drive mode, the power train lost power and the car slowed for several seconds before accelerating normally.
While driving at 55 mph in normal drive mode, the power train lost power and the car slowed. I depressed the accelerator pedal further, but the car continued to slow for several seconds before accelerating normally
Well driving down hwy 207 with no other vehicles in site my sunroof spontaneously exploded with no evidence of a rock in sight I did take pictures right afterwards the pictures showed the remaining glass
While accelerating on an on ramp to an interstate highway, in normal drive mode, at approximately 45 mph, the drive train lost power for 4 to 6 seconds and the car slowed. The power meter dropped from approximately 35% to 15%. I depressed the accelerator pedal further but the car continued to slow. Eventually, the car accelerated normally.
1. The vehicle accelerated rapidly and uncontrollably without my touching the gas pedal and despite my slamming the breaks. 2 The vehicle jumped a curb and slammed into a parked car. Someone could have been easily killed if they were in front of the vehicle. 3. Not yet. I will have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. 4. No, See #3 above. 5. No. This was the first time this happened.
While driving at approximately 20 mph in normal drive mode, the power train lost power for 2 or 3 seconds and the vehicle decelerated before accelerating normally.
In the 5 months I have owned this vehicle, the windshield has been chipped at least six time by debris while driving. As I am retired, I do not do a lot of freeway travel and 700 of the 3400 miles were from a trip to visit my mom. I had fewer windshield chips on my previous Honda CRV in 8 years and 90000 miles than I have had with this 2026 CRV. My dealer ignored my request to even look at the issue, saying glass was not covered by their warranty and when I called Honda USA, they took the information and casually told me to 'have a blessed day'. My first big chip was repaired through my insurance in December 2025 and I will have 5 more chips looked at today by their preferred shop, Safelite. I have taken photos, as best I could, of the chips I discovered while washing the car in the bright sunlight. Having a clear field of vision is so critical to safe driving and the manufacturer should provide a durable windshield for passenger safety.
The cover of this car seat has only been cared for per the manufacturer instructions, and the warning labels on the sides are peeling, creating a choking hazard. Clek has issued a recall for Liing before for this specific issue, but is saying that my Liing is not included despite being manufactured after the recall. It appears the issue has not been resolved adequately.
The contact's wife owns a 2026 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, there was an abnormal sound of air coming from the window. The contact checked the windows to ensure that the windows were rolled up; however, the sound persisted. While at a stop, the contact stated that the panoramic sunroof shattered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,200.
While driving at 25 mph in econ mode and accelerating, the drive train partially lost power and the car slowed down for 2 or 3 seconds before accelerating normally.
While coasting at approximately 25 mph, attempting to accelerate resulted in the power train stumbling for several seconds before accelerating.
The infotainment system reboots while driving, including on the highway. This has happened since day one, and Honda has said they do not have a fix. Whether connected by USB or Bluetooth, the system eventually crashes or reboots after some time on the road. After rebooting, it often still does not work properly. I then have to reconnect the device or even reset the infotainment system to get it working again. This creates a serious safety risk because it forces the driver to deal with the system while driving.
When driving vehicle with cruise control on and getting close to or in an intersection the vehicle will slam on brakes without driver apply them. It's happened a few times so far and the vehicle is only about 3 months old. Once While driving down VA Beach Boulevard and starting into an intersection when there was a lot of traffic so was worried a vehicle could have slammed into the back of us. And other times this would happen just before entering an intersection or while approaching an intersection.
I had a accident with a another and now both them are totaled but i didn’t got any airbags deployed when i called honda and ingot a person for the case he is like you need to go to dealership and inspect the car and they are like they don’t have any responsibility for safety issue
The vehicle displays inaccurate fuel level and miles-to-empty information, creating a safety risk because the driver cannot reliably determine how much fuel is actually available or how far the vehicle can be driven. The infotainment system also freezes and CarPlay frequently becomes unusable. There was also a key recognition / “key not detected” malfunction. These issues have occurred in a new vehicle and remain unresolved after multiple dealer visits.
Driver's side window would not go up or down. It was wet and rainy. Had the car 2 days. On day three which is sunny the driver side window worked correctly. Safety concern is that window won't work in an emergency situation if there is moisture or water involved.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The windshield washer system on my 2026 Honda CR V EX L is malfunctioning. The washer fluid only sprays on approximately half of the windshield instead of covering the full glass area. This appears to be related to the washer nozzles or fluid distribution system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the washer system does not spray the full windshield, it prevents proper cleaning of the driver’s field of view while driving. This creates a visibility hazard when dirt, road grime, or debris accumulates on the windshield. If driving at highway speeds or in poor weather conditions, the inability to clear the entire windshield could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The issue occurs consistently whenever the windshield washer system is used. It can be reproduced repeatedly. At this time the vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer, but the malfunction is clearly observable. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or other representatives. However, I have observed other owners of the same model reporting the same issue online, suggesting this may not be an isolated case. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lights or dashboard messages prior to the issue. The malfunction was first noticed when attempting to use the windshield washer system during normal driving.
I was driving down the road at approximately 40 MPH. My vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes. The BRAKE warning light appeared on the dash. There was nothing around me - no cars, animals, road obstructions, etc. It really scared me and luckily no one was behind me. I have had this car for 6-ish months and it has less than 6,000 miles on it. This is the first time it has happened.
New vehicle with 299 miles, use remote start and heard loud vibration, ticking noise coming from vehicle. Upon entering vehicle ( check engine light ) emissions system problems. power may be reduced. See your dealer.
On the morning of my incident, I left my home at approximately 5:20 a.m. I entered the New York State Thruway at Exit 25 and continued onto I‑87 North. Around Exit 3, I encountered mixed precipitation and immediately activated the front windshield defroster. Although the center portion of the windshield eventually began to clear, the left and right sides remained completely obstructed. From Exit 3 through Exit 18—approximately 45 minutes of driving at reduced speed due to weather conditions—the defroster failed to clear the outer portions of the windshield. The visibility issue became severe enough that I was forced to pull over to address the problem. Notably, once the vehicle was stopped and turned off, the ice on the windshield began melting within about five minutes. This strongly suggests that airflow while driving (wind chill effect) is preventing the defroster from functioning properly. In more than 40 years of driving, I have never experienced a vehicle in which the defroster, set to high, could not clear the windshield after such an extended period. This is not an isolated occurrence. I have previously experienced similar issues with fogging, where the defroster clears only the center of the windshield while leaving the sides obstructed. I reported this concern to the dealership, but I was told the system was “operating within specifications.” If the system is truly operating within specifications, then the specifications themselves appear to reflect a design flaw. A defroster that cannot maintain safe visibility across the full windshield during normal winter driving conditions represents a serious safety defect. Additionally, I have found multiple reports from other Honda owners describing the same issue, indicating this may be a broader problem affecting this model. Given the severity of the visibility obstruction and the potential risk to driver and passenger safety, I am requesting that this issue be formally investigated and addressed.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) I was pulling into a parking spot in a parking structure. I was coasting into the spot and applied the brakes. Upon releasing the break and allowing the car to coast, it unintentionally lurched forward with some acceleration even though I did not press on the gas petal. This results in the car lurching forward and hitting the parking garage wall. A call to the dealer indicated there is no reported problems of this kind and there are no recalls. There were no symptoms or lights indicating a potential problem. Car is only 4.5 months old and purchased new. This was the first instance of this happening.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report serious and potentially life-threatening safety defects involving my Honda vehicle. 1. Intermittent Failure of Crash Avoidance / Collision Mitigation System The vehicle’s anti-collision/crash-avoidance system has stopped functioning intermittently and without warning. This system is intended to provide critical safety protection, and its unpredictable failure significantly increases the risk of a collision. There is no consistent pattern or driver action that explains the system disengaging, which makes the defect especially dangerous. 2. Sudden and Unexplained Sunroof Explosion While Driving While driving at normal highway speed, the sunroof glass suddenly exploded outward without any impact from debris, other vehicles, or road hazards. There was no prior warning. Glass shattered violently, creating an immediate safety emergency that could have resulted in serious injury or loss of vehicle control. This incident was extremely frightening and posed a serious risk to myself, my passengers, and other motorists. Based on my research, similar incidents involving spontaneous sunroof shattering have been reported by other drivers, suggesting a possible systemic defect rather than an isolated incident. I believe these defects represent an unreasonable risk to public safety and warrant investigation. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this matter and take appropriate action to ensure driver and passenger safety. Thank you for your attention to this serious concern.
In December, 2025 my brand new 2026 Honda CRV Hybrid began making a clicking noise on the steering wheel. I had the dealer work on it and they said I had a faulty cable reel and they replaced it. This past week I noticed the same clicking sound in the steering wheel. I had the dealership look at the car again today and they were not able to replicate the noise. The service advisor at the dealership said that they are getting a lot of 2026 Honda CRVs in the shop with this very issue. When my steering wheel made the clicking sound last week, my steering wheel was a little hard to turn so my concern is that my wheel will lock up, which could cause an accident.
Date of Incident: February 6, 2026 Time: Approximately 2:30 PM On February 6, 2026, at approximately 2:30 PM, I came to a complete stop at a stop sign. As I began making a turn, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated without my intention to increase speed. This unexpected acceleration caused the vehicle to strike a small tree. The vehicle sustained damage to the passenger-side front area. No other vehicles or individuals were involved. I was not injured. Component/System Suspected: Possible unintended acceleration related to the engine, throttle, or electronic acceleration control system. Exact cause UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The sudden acceleration placed my safety at risk and could have resulted in serious injury or a more severe accident if other vehicles or pedestrians had been present. Dealer Inspection: On February 7 at 9:30 AM, my husband and I took the vehicle to Honda West, the dealership where it was purchased in December. We explained the incident and requested a safety inspection. No diagnostic or technical tests were performed. The dealer only drove the vehicle approximately 4 miles and stated that everything appeared normal. Manufacturer Contact: On February 9, I contacted Honda Customer Service and opened a safety case (Case No. 16162399). I was told I would receive a return call within 24 hours. As of February 13, after calling daily, I have not received any follow-up. I was informed again that I may receive a call on February 17. Warning Signs Prior to Incident: No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms were present before the incident. Request: I am requesting a full technical and safety inspection to determine the cause of this incident, as I am concerned about the ongoing safety of this vehicle.
The infotainment display on my [2025/2026] Honda CR-V became stuck in an extremely dim state during daylight hours. While the menus, maps, and settings were nearly illegible, the backup camera continued to display at full, normal brightness when shifted into Reverse. I attempted a full system reboot (holding the power/volume knob) and adjusted the physical brightness dial on the instrument cluster, but the screen remained locked in the dim state. The system did not return to normal functionality until the vehicle was parked and shut off overnight. This indicates a deep software logic error that resists manual resets and only clears after a prolonged power-down cycle. This failure resulted in a significant safety hazard. The dimness rendered the navigation system unusable, causing extreme driver distraction as I had to take my eyes off the road to attempt to read the screen. The unpredictable nature of this glitch means it could recur at any time, potentially disabling access to critical vehicle safety information or navigation during transit. I performed a manual software reboot and cycled the ignition multiple times, yet the screen remained dim. The hardware clearly had the capacity for full brightness (as evidenced by the backup camera), but the software refused to restore daytime levels for any other function until the car performed a "deep sleep" cycle overnight.
I have reduced visibility due to the fact the windshield washer spray is not directed at the middle of the windshield. Because of the design of the washer nozzle being part of the wiper arm, the spray does not dispurse on the windshield until the arm of the wiper is in a vertical position near the edge of the driver side window, hence 90% of the fluid flies beyond the side of the car. The little bit of fluid that does dispurse on the window causes smears which further reduce visibility. I have owned many vehicles and never had this issue. I have been reading more and more complaints about this same issue with this make and model. This needs to be fixed immediately as visibility is obviously a huge safety concern.
Took my 2026 Honda CRV Touring Sport Hybrid through the car wash exactly one month and one day after purchasing. Upon leaving, I noticed a perfect horizontal crack the length of the passenger side mirror. I was later told this was a known issue due to extreme temperature changes (low temperatures) and to report it here.
The vehicle's defroster system and wiper sweep are unable to provide sufficient visibility in winter weather. At 10F at speeds of 65 and below, the wipers stay frozen. The defroster cannot defrost the wipers or the left and right areas of the windshield. Instead, ice builds up on the sides of the windshield. The frozen wipers cannot clear the windshield from splatter since the wiper fluid is passed over by the frozen wipers. This is unsafe. Even in town driving doesn't doesn't provide enough heat to the windshield. I saw no other cars with ice build up like mine, and my car is brand new. I submitted a complaint to Honda Motor Company and my dealer and have received no response.
The driver side mirror cracked. It occurred overnight during the first freeze since purchasing the vehicle. The crack was not a result of any physical impact to the mirror.
This is a new vehicle with around 800 miles purchased in early December, 2025. I started the vehicle and let it warm up at least 10 minutes. I was able to drive to my destination around 5 miles from home. 20 minutes later when I planned to drive home, many dashboard lights came on with some flashing and one beeping. Vehicle started but was cold and limp. Would not accelerate beyond around 20 mph. Had to drive home with flashers on. Based on reading, it may be caused by an inadequate 12v battery. Have service appt at Honda dealer on 1/26/2026. Talked to Wilde Honda service dept. staff immediately after incident, and they mentioned that they had recently seen other CRV hybrid vehicles with multiple warning lights. I scheduled a service appt for 1/26/2026 but am concerned about driving safely to dealership.
When it rains, back up camera footage becomes hazy, unclear, blurred, unreadable- cause rain water falls on to the rear camera. So backing up becomes very difficult and unsafe, when it rains. Can’t see clearly what’s behind of the car. This is a serious safety issue.
Honda emblem & sensor stollen very easily from vehicle, took the thief seconds to take off. All features disabled! Something this important & vital to the vehicle should not be that easily accessible to a thief! In researching, this issue has been reported on models in previous years! This is an extreme safety issue & should have been fixed & rectified with the new 2026 models. Will be reporting to all outlets!
January 2026, NY, in normal winter conditions with windshield defroster on, fan speed high, temperature set at 76, the vehicle is unable to prevent the wipers from freezing. The wipers are unable to clear windshield even after 30 minutes or one hour of vehicle operation. I have never, ever, had a vehicle that was unable to deal with a normal Northeastern winter. This is unsafe in the extreme.
During a cold spell in my city my brand new Honda Crv Hybrid had difficulty starting and major warning signal appeared on the dash. We took it to the dealer of purchase but they are giving us difficulties replacing the low voltage battery that doesn't work in this climate! When looked up reviews on this car the websites of poor battery performance in cold weather areas are numerous.
Driving in light to moderate snow, temperature 25F, NY and NJ. Defroster fan on High, temperature at 78F (and highly uncomfortable inside), vehicle is unable to prevent wipers from freezing. Wipers cannot clear windshield. Visibility is extremely poor. This is very dangerous for anyone driving this vehicle. I have never had a vehicle that was unable to handle normal Northeastern winter conditions.
This happened mid-Jan 2026. I started my car with the key to remote start to start defrosting it. I noticed that my driver side mirror was cracked vertically. There was no other damage or any spot that would have been an impact point. It had not been there the night before. It's available for inspection. The mirror is still usable but since it has a crack it is distorted and it takes longer to check my mirrors/blind spots before changing lanes. I looked it up online because I haven't had the car for very long. I saw many examples of people having the same issue and there vertical crack looked the same as mine. It has been an issue on CRVs for a few years and some people were able to get it covered under warranty. I did take it to the dealership and they claimed it was not a Honda bulletin yet so it could not be covered by warranty at this time. There were no warnings/etc. I included a photo of the mirror and the price I was given for the part when I came to the dealership about it since they said it would be out of pocket.
Vehicle: 2026 Honda CR-V Issue Type: Parts – Design Vulnerability / Theft-Related Defect I am submitting this complaint regarding the front radar/calibration sensor located behind the Honda “H” emblem on my 2026 Honda CR-V, which was stolen due to what I believe is a serious design vulnerability. The sensor is positioned in a manner that makes it exceptionally easy to access and remove, even without specialized tools. As a result, my vehicle was targeted shortly after purchase, the sensor was stolen, and my vehicle was rendered unsafe and undrivable due to disabled safety and driver-assist systems. This is not an isolated incident. I have since learned that this specific sensor placement has become a known and repeated target for theft, impacting Honda owners nationwide. The accessibility of this critical component creates an unreasonable risk of theft, repeated financial loss, vehicle downtime, and safety system failure for owners. To make matters worse, the replacement sensor is currently on national backorder, leaving me without my vehicle for an extended and indefinite period. I purchased this vehicle expecting reasonable protection of essential safety components and did not anticipate that a core system could be removed so easily and leave the vehicle unusable. I am requesting that Honda: 1.Formally document this as a design vulnerability 2.Review and redesign the placement and protection of the front sensor 3.Provide guidance, support, or remediation for affected owners 4.Consider goodwill assistance due to the financial and logistical burden caused by this design issue This complaint is being submitted not only for resolution of my situation, but to ensure Honda addresses a preventable design flaw that continues to place owners at risk. I look forward to Honda’s response and a meaningful resolution.
On 01-01-2026, while driving my 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the vehicle suddenly emitted heavy smoke followed by fire. This occurred without warning and created a life-threatening situation. I had to immediately stop and exit the vehicle for my safety. Emergency services responded, and a fire department report exists. The vehicle had no modifications and was operated under normal conditions. This incident presents a serious safety risk to occupants and other drivers.
While driving my new Honda CR-V, the vehicle suddenly caught fire without any accident, collision, or external cause. Warning lights appeared and smoke/fire followed shortly after. The incident was extremely dangerous and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. No physical injury occurred, but this was a serious safety failure. The vehicle was well within the manufacturer warranty period.
The hybrid battery fan is emitting a loud, high-pitched noise from the back of the vehicle while driving on the highway. It makes it difficult to drive and gives me a headache, which makes it difficult to focus and endangers my own safety and those around me. The dealership has acknowledged that this is an issue for my vehicle, but states that there is no solution offered by Honda at this time.
New 2026 Honda CRV, 2 months old, 1,500 miles on it. Total brake failure, no response when pressing pedal. Had to hit curb to stop car. CMBS warnings occurred. Turned car off and back on and brakes started working again. Drove for 10 minutes with CMBS warning. Turned car off and let sit for 30 minutes. Since then, have drove car multiple times for over 10 minutes each time and brakes worked and no CMBS warnings.
The audio system including the computer screen/monitor which controls the CarPlay, am/fm radio, Bluetooth connection, etc. malfunctioned while driving on the highway. It was stuck on AM radio at a very high volume for an unusually long period of time (15 minutes +approximately) The audio system sound and the entire system was unresponsive to attempts to power off, turn down volume and remained frozen even after I pulled over and powered off the vehicle engine ( I waited about 5 Minutes and then turned the car back on). This could present safety issues for drivers and passengers. The overwhelming loud chaotic noise remained static .
Collision mitigation braking system malfunctioned while pulling into a chic fil a parking lot at approximately 1800 on 12 December 2025. Entering the parking lot with a right hand turn, a car was exiting the parking lot and pulling up to their stop sign at the same time I was entering. Me and my wife were both in the car when the Honda crv we were in decided to absolutely slam on the breaks for no apparent reason. Both of us were stunned, I checked to see how close I was to the curb on the cars passenger side and I was clear. Wasn’t close to the oncoming car either. I was going a very conservative below 10 miles per hour , with being in a parking lot and all, and it was the hardest braking I’ve ever experienced while being in a car. It’s impossible not to think of the horrible consequences this “glitch” may have on my safety, others safety (who’s driving behind me), or someone’s savings of hard earned money. If they don’t trust someone to drive safely without this system, then don’t let them drive at all. The psychological effects of knowing your car is capable of glitching and potentially injuring or killing you with no ability to counter the cars action is not to be overlooked.
Car burst into flames after sitting idle for 9 hours.
I've owned my car less than 4 months and it's acted up twice! I turn on the car and it refused to move. A steering wheel icon with an exclamation point displays on the dash. It just remains idle and it will NOT drive. It's a brand new 2026 and it's November 2025. It's extremely frustrating.
Driving on the highway, when the glass suddenly shattered, there is no evidence of a projectile causing it.
Dealer installed pulsing/flashing third brake light (CHMSL) that violates FMVSS 108 — light pulses instead of burning steady and it violates 49 U.S.C. § 30122. They would not sell the vehicle without it on the vehicle. Said it is “required” on every vehicle they sell. 2026 Honda CRV “Trailsport” Superior Honda of Omaha Nebraska. I did not purchase the vehicle since I don’t want it installed on any vehicle I purchase.
The drivers seat causes pain in my lower back. The longer I drive, the worse it gets. I have tried every seat adjustment and lumbar support that the seat comes with, and nothing helps. I am unable to drive long distances in this car and it would be unsafe because the pain might provoke me to drive too fast or hit one of the pedals by mistake in an effort to get comfortable in the seat. This defect should be corrected.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026