2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid engine problems

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 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 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 · 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.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Engine · OR

On four separate occasions while driving anywhere from 35 to 55 mph the engine light begins to flash and I lose all power. I am given just enough time to pull to the side of the road. I turn off the engine, wait a few minutes, and turn the engine back on, which seems to remedy the problem. At that point, I am able to drive off like nothing happened. I am on a CRV forum and I’m seeing more and more people discuss the same issue! Because there’s no code that comes up, and I am not able to replicate the scenario at the mechanics… There is nothing that can be done. It’s quite scary to be going 55 miles an hour and have to pull over on the side of the freeway. One time there was not a shoulder of the road that I was on, luckily a gas station was just up ahead and I was able to pull in there to reset the engine.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Engine · WA

Description of event: I was driving approximately 35 mph when the check engine light began flashing, the engine began shuddering, and acceleration began decreasing. I was able to safely pull over and turn off the vehicle. After approx. 10 minutes, I turned on the car and plugged in a code reader but no codes were available to view. I restarted the car and it functioned normally and the check engine light has not returned. Safety: If there had been more traffic, if I had been on a highway, or some other circumstance, it could have been difficult to safely pull over with a loss of power. The car has not been inspected by a third party but there are numerous anecdotal accounts of this same issue on Reddit and Honda forums.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Engine · CA

Vehicle: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2.0L engine VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: ~73,000 miles Dealer: AutoNation Honda Fremont, California Estimated repair cost: ~$4,200 Issue: Blown head gasket Summary of Complaint: At approximately 73,000 miles, my 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid suffered a blown head gasket. The vehicle began showing symptoms of overheating and coolant loss, and a dealer diagnostic confirmed head gasket failure. The repair estimate from AutoNation Honda Fremont is approximately $4,200. A head gasket failure at this mileage is abnormal and indicates a potential design defect. I am aware of an ongoing class-action lawsuit concerning premature head gasket and engine failures in late-model Honda vehicles with turbocharged and hybrid engines, and my experience appears consistent with these allegations. This defect is a safety hazard because it can lead to sudden overheating, engine stalling, or complete failure while driving, which puts drivers and passengers at risk. It also creates an unreasonable financial burden on owners. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue as a potential widespread defect across Honda CR-V Hybrid and related models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)