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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Honda CR-V1997–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚙 SUV
Honda CR-V
1997–2026
B−
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.7/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Elevated
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×2
Engineering Analysis: forward collision avoidance
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
117
Recalls
0
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2002
30
Years Analyzed
117
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Honda CR-V

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK5yr old
2021
Strong Buy · 76/100
Reliability71/100
Value window86/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#2 PICK4yr old
2022
Strong Buy · 75/100
Reliability71/100
Value window83/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#3 PICK6yr old
2020
Good Buy · 72/100
Reliability65/100
Value window85/100
Recalls3
Complaints0

Honda CR-V Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2002

11 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2003

10 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2010

10 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 8 past investigations into the CR-V became recalls.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Apr 2024NHTSA #EA24002
inadvertent automatic emergency braking
Component: forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking · affects 2017–2022
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Oct 2025NHTSA #PE25016
loss of motive power
Component: engine · affects 2020–2022
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
Recently concluded investigations
EA23003 · steering · closed Jan 2025→ Became recall
EA19001 · air bags · closed Sep 2024→ Became recall
PE22011 · power train · closed Jul 2024Closed, no recall
PE22003 · forward collision avoidance · closed Apr 2024Closed, no recall
DP22005 · electrical system · closed Aug 2023→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 14, 2026.

Honda CR-V — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
73
38
61
Excellent
202510——
73
53
66
Excellent
202410——
73
66
71
Excellent
202330——
65
76
69
Good
202220——
71
83
75
Good
202120——
71
86
76
Good
202030——
65
85
72
Good
201960——
48
81
60
Caution
201830——
65
75
69
Good
201730——
65
68
66
Good
201600——
73
61
69
Excellent
201500——
73
54
66
Excellent
201400——
73
48
64
Excellent
201310——
73
43
63
Excellent
201220——
71
39
60
Good
201180——
48
36
44
Avoid
2010100——
48
36
44
Avoid
200980——
48
36
44
Avoid
200870——
48
36
44
Caution
200780——
48
36
44
Avoid
200690——
48
36
44
Avoid
200580——
48
36
44
Avoid
200490——
48
36
44
Avoid
2003100——
48
36
44
Avoid
2002110——
48
36
44
Avoid
200110——
73
36
60
Excellent
200010——
73
36
60
Excellent
199900——
73
36
60
Excellent
199800——
73
36
60
Excellent
199700——
73
36
60
Excellent

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the CR-V compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 76).

Best: 2021
2021 · 762022 · 752020 · 722024 · 712018 · 692023 · 692025 · 662026 · 612019 · 60

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 69).

Best: 2016
2016 · 692015 · 662017 · 662014 · 642013 · 63

Pre-2013

Older CR-V models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
1997 · 601998 · 601999 · 602000 · 602001 · 602012 · 602002 · 442003 · 44

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year CR-V to buy?+

The 2021 Honda CR-V scores highest on our Buyer Score (76/100) — combining a reliability score of 71/100 with a value score of 86/100. It has 2 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which CR-V years have the most problems?+

The 2002, 2003, 2010 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2002 CR-V leads with 11 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common CR-V problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Honda CR-V.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every CR-V year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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