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2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is engine and cooling, typically around 59,018 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical CR-V Hybrid model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
76/100
Owner complaints
87
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
30
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Check engine light 17Loss of power 9Brake failure 7Stalling 7Adaptive cruise 5Collision warning 5Misfire 5

Recalls 5

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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 the federal safety agency recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning May 29, 2026.

Recall number 26V332000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported February 1, 2024 · 750,114 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 24V064000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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 the federal safety agency recall numbers 21V‑215 and 20V‑314.

Recall number 23V858000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported December 13, 2023 · 106,030 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 23V844000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: charging: module: softwareReported December 17, 2020 · 27,838 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 20V798000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Defect investigations

Loss of Motive PowerOpened October 28, 2025, still open

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

PE25016

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency BrakingOpened April 15, 2024, still open

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, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

EA24002

Pedestrian alert soundsOpened January 27, 2023, closed August 7, 2023

the federal safety agency 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 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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22005

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid 30

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 30 bulletins for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

What 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · 49,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency Action Number: PE25016 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. The failure mileage was 49,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

While freeway driving at flow of traffic, typically in the HOV lane, on three separate occasions, the vehicle without any warning lost power completely causing me to immediately manuever the vehicle under extremely dangerous conditions to the right shoulder, but in the process nearly becoming involved in collisions with other vehicles, then coasting off the off-ramp. Other drivers are not necessarily courteous when attempting quick lane changes to prevent a more dangerous situation of becoming stranded in the middle of a freeway. On each occasion, my passengers were elderly ([XXX] & [XXX]) and my wife, all with sensitive high anxiety, and completely in states of fear. Concurrent with the vehicle shutting down, the check engine warning appears on the instrument panel. On two other separate occasions, all vehicle dash electronics, again without any warning whatsoever, go completely dark preventing any telemetry displaying, including radio, navigation via Apple link, and remain completely dark for up to 6 mins time. I'm unaware if lane sensors, etc., fail also or if it limited to the dash components only. I have taken the vehicle to our dealership, Spreen Honda of Corona to have the problems addressed, but they were unable to replicate the incidents, nor discover any cause of the problems. I have suggested that these are extremely similar to conditions attributed to other years of this model, but the dealership insists the do not apply to our vehicle. This vehicle will cause us to be involved in a very bad accident! And with two elderly, disabled, and medically-impaired seniors typically as my passengers, including my extremely sensitive wife who can barely muster up enough courage due to her phobias to ride in a vehicle, on the freeway, The next occurrence may not fair so well. I'm a very skilled driver, but there is so much I can control under such helpless conditions. These issues must be investigated and corrected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Engine · TX

Since 2021, I have repeatedly taken my car in to Honda because of check engine light followed by loss of power and loud knocking. Each time the code isn't saved after car is turned off and they can't find any issues. In 2025 after leaving Honda getting few miles away car did same thing, without turning it off I drove right back they ended up keeping car for 45 days, changed spark plugs and few other things. Yet again on 19 Oct 2026, my car repeated same thing and Honda again says they can't see any code or error. Now I'm going to pick it up, without resolution hoping this doesn't happen when I'm not able to pull over in a safe place to restart. I have requested all records from Honda and will provide their reports. I've lost track of how many times I've had this issue, but honestly do not feel safe in this car.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical · TX

In August 2026, I was driving approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour on the highway when my vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. The check engine light began flashing, and the vehicle started shaking severely. After turning the vehicle off and restarting it, the vehicle appeared to operate normally again. Unfortunately, I experienced another incident a few weeks ago, so this is no longer an isolated occurrence.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Engine · NC

This happened to my Hybrid 2020 CRV" * accelerated to merge onto a busy interstate and immediately after the flashing check engine light came on and the front of the car felt like it was shaking. I was able to maintain speed (around 50 mph) but the car would shake and not go any faster. Drove 10 miles home since I did not want to be stranded. The problem has not come back.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

My 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid (125,000 miles) has repeatedly lost propulsion power at highway speeds. On Sept. 19, 2026, the vehicle suddenly lost drive power, slowed rapidly, and came to a complete stop in high-speed traffic. The dashboard displayed: “Critical Failure Detected. Stop Driving When Safe” and “Power System Problem. Do Not Drive.” The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted three times before enough power returned to move off the road. No crash occurred, but there was a serious risk of being rear-ended. The vehicle has come to a complete stop twice, and similar power-loss events have occurred multiple times. The same problem resulted in five dealership visits: • Aug. 29: Catalytic converter replaced under California emissions warranty; problem continued. • Sept. 8: Code C1870-00 detected; codes cleared; no repair addressing the failure. • Sept. 15: Code P06AF detected; fuel pump assembly replaced; problem continued. • Sept. 17: Dealership reported “fuel dilution” and drained the tank; failure recurred two days later. • Sept. 20: Returned after the Sept. 19 highway incident. The dealership has documented the repeated problem, but the root cause remains unresolved. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores power, which may complicate diagnosis. Because the loss of propulsion occurs suddenly at highway speeds, there are sometimes no safe places to pull over. I am aware of the federal safety agency Preliminary Evaluation PE25016 concerning loss of motive power in 2020–2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles. My symptoms appear similar, although I am not claiming they have been determined to be the same defect.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal almost went down to the floorboard, and the braking distance became extended. The vehicle was driven to supermarket parking lot and gradually slowed down before slowly being driven back to the residence. The brakes, VSA and road departure warning lights were illuminated with several other unknown warning lights. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with brake failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Engine · WA

One four occasions our 2020 Honda CRV Hybrid has started after sitting overnight in the greater Seattle area in the spring and summer with a rough idle. Within two miles of leaving our home at speeds of no more than 35 miles per hour, the check engine light began to flash. All four times, the rough idle and check engine light were accompanied by degraded speed responsiveness and the error cleared with turning the car on and off again. We have taken the vehicle to a mechanic twice and each time they couldn’t find any stored codes or replicate the issue. The issue continues to occur and seems to be getting worse. I’m concerned this will happen at high speeds and result in a total loss of power which will be unsafe.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

2/19/26 My car lost power while accelerating up a hill at about 60mph and the car had been operating for an hour and a half or so. The car was shaking, running on reduced power and the check engine light was flashing so we had to pull over to safety on a busy road. The car was towed to the local Honda dealer. The dealer said the code was a misfire on cylinder #4 but once they restarted the car the error went away. They did perform multiple tests including a compression test on all four cylinders and a leak test, and the car passed them all. They were unable to reproduce the problem. They did swap the #4 coil so that if it happened again, we would have more diagnostic information. They recommended no further action at that time. On 5/11/26 we had the same experience, also while accelerating uphill, after about 30 minutes of driving, this time on the interstate which was very scary; reduced power, car shaking and check engine light flashing. We pulled over, turned off the engine, and sure enough, when we restarted the car, it started normally. When we went to the repair shop a few days later there were no engine codes showing. On 6/12/26 the same thing happened again. While going uphill, on the interstate, after a couple of hours of driving. This time, as soon as we got home, we used an engine code reader and saw code P0304 – Cylinder 4 misfire. On 8/13/26 Lehigh Valley Honda reproduced the problem on the interstate, going uphill and do not have a clear fix. They want me to spend $587 on a Valve Clearance Inspection and Adjustment that I think won't yield any result.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinders #4 and #6. The fuel injectors were replaced. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to exceed 35 MPH, with the check engine warning light flashing. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic failed to retrieve a fault code and found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid reliable?

Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, fewer than a typical CR-V Hybrid model year.

What is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid year score?

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Honda CR-V Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

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

Engine and cooling, with 26 complaints, typically around 59,018 miles. Next is brakes (18).

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.

What year does the Honda CR-V Hybrid have bad engine?

The Honda CR-V Hybrid model years with the most engine complaints are 2021 (37 complaints), 2020 (26 complaints) and 2024 (18 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda CR-V Hybrid?

Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).

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