While I was driving on I-75 in Cincinnati OH my vehicle suddenly lost all power with no advanced warning. My car was working fine on the way to work and even when I began my commute home but then suddenly every light on my dash illuminated, my steering wheel became almost impossible to steer and the car stalled. I was on a bridge overpass with little shoulder and I had to call 911 to get a ODOT truck to help protect me from the traffic. I then waited over an hour to get a tow. When I got it to the dealer, I was informed I needed a new alternator but the alternator failed due to a faulty key fob actuator. Apparently, the constant active sensor overworked the battery and alternator causing this potential deadly situation for me. It is ridiculous that Honda knows this is an ongoing issue for this year vehicle but doesn't recall it because the key fob not working isn't deadly, but my car stalling on a highway where people are distracted with phones while drive 70+ miles per hour could be deadly. I will never buy another Honda.
Honda CR-V key fob problems
170 of the 16,122 owner complaints about the Honda CR-V describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 170
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical repair cost reported
- $450
- typical mileage
- 66,450
By model year
Often reported together
Door locks 73Battery drain 10Won't start 7Loss of power 3Grinding brakes 3Wipers 2Warning lights 2Stalling 2
What owners say
I took my Honda in to a dealership for a trade-in value assessment. The dealership used automatic start with my key fob. Once they got in, they began to drive it in immediately it would not go past 10 mph, began jerking, and steering became an issue. It begin throwing the following check engine light codes: Tire pressure monitor problem. Electric Parking Brake problem. Road Departure Mitigation system problem. Collision mitigation system problem. Adaptive cruise control problem. Hill start assist problem. Vehicle stability, assist problem. Power steering system problem. Brake hold system problem. Brake system problem. Emissions system problem. Trade-in became impossible and it was not safe to even drive off the lot. It remains sitting in the car dealerships parking lot, leaving me without a vehicle.
Body control Module failed, resulting the abrupt starting of car draining the battery .... engine starts but doesn't stop. Keyfobs doesn't work. Honda Dealer Diagnosed the issue with the Body control module failure, reached out to Honda for good will assistance ... after 10 days they were able to cover 50% of the repair cost. Remaining repair balance was paid out of pocket.
While driving, car engine stutters and stops. The infotainment system went black while driving. The system is hard to steer often while turning. The trunk would not open when touching button for it to open. Took out the key fob and it also would not respond. Used the door release from dash and still would not open. Cancel the control unit then tried again and key fob worked that time. I went to dealer and it was reset, and this all happened after the reset. Car was inspected on May 6 at Ed Napleton Honda St. Peters. Miles 8766. Car purchased at 6500 miles. Recall SRS Software was performed.
My body control module (BCM) seems to have failed on my 2018 Honda CRV, my first indication was my alarm going off and me being unable to enter my vehicle with my key fob. Once I manually unlocked the car with the embedded key inside the key fob, I was unable to turn off my instrument cluster or lights by hitting the start switch of the car. I then turned on the car and was unable to turn off the car. My instrument cluster reported a key fob error. I replaced my batteries in both my key fobs, and that did not fix the problem. The only way I was able to turn off my vehicle was by disconnecting the battery and removing a relay to force it to turn off. Apparently, this is a known issue, and according to many online forums, there are many people experiencing this exact issue yet there has not been a recall to address this so the cost has been placed on the consumer. My car is currently at the dealership pending a $1000 plus repair where I believe this repair should be covered by Honda in a safety recall.
Subject: Safety Concern: Electronic System/BCM Failure – 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid VIN: [XXX] ] Approximate Mileage: [45,200] Component: Electrical System / Body Control Module (BCM) Description of Incident: On [04/13/2026], my vehicle experienced a sudden and total failure of the Body Control Module (BCM). The vehicle’s security alarm began triggered randomly and could not be silenced or deactivated. Simultaneously, the key fobs became completely unresponsive, preventing me from locking, unlocking, or disarming the vehicle. Upon entering, the dashboard displayed a "Christmas Tree" effect with all warning lights illuminated (ABS, Brake, TPMS, etc.) accompanied by a persistent audible beep. Safety Risk: This failure creates a significant safety hazard. Because the key fob and locking systems failed, I was unable to secure the vehicle. Furthermore, the loss of communication between the BCM and other safety modules (like ABS and Traction Control) puts the driver at risk of losing critical safety features while in motion. Prior History: This issue is identical to the symptoms found in the federal safety agency Recall 20V771 (affecting 2018–2020 Honda models). It appears the defect persists in the 2022 CR-V Hybrid model year, yet no recall has been issued for this specific VIN range. Requested Action: I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid for BCM-related electrical failures to determine if a safety recall is necessary to prevent further incidents of driver stranding and safety system malfunctions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
The alarm and key fob system has a defect, causing me to lose my vehicle via theft. Police and insurance adjuster informed me that Honda CRV’s such as mine are vulnerable to key fob cloning and silent theft. This happened to me on December 4, 2025, between 4:56-4:59am
Complaint: Both rear doors and the front passenger door no longer lock or unlock electronically using the key fob or interior switch. The failure began gradually and worsened over time. I recently had the driver door replaced by A Honda dealer as part of the warranty but the passenger and back door were not part of the warranty and dealership has also confirmed the lock failures. This creates serious safety risks: •Doors randomly unlock while driving and while parked •Cannot reliably open doors in an emergency •At times, the vehicle must be left unlocked •I transport young children, making manual locking unsafe Additionally, the vehicle has a persistent engine oil leak that mechanics cannot permanently fix. Oil loss between changes risks engine damage, loss of power, or fire. I request the federal safety agency investigate these defects and consider a recall for the failing door locks and the engine oil leak.
Vehicle unlocks if you approach it, all doors unlock without using the keyfob or putting your hand into the drivers or front passengers door handle. This happens with both keyfobs. Fresh batteries are in both keyfobs.
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 CR-V vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.
- Risk
- If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is P9D.
Recall number 20V768000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 CR-V passenger vehicles, manufactured from February 19, 2002, through July 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.
- Risk
- If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the recall repair has been performed.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 2, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V486000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2006 cr-v passenger cars manufactured from october 3, 2005, through july 21, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.
- Risk
- If the switch fails, the power windows may become inoperative preventing them from being rolled up or down. If the switch melts, it will produce smoke and a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side power window switch assembly free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about october 5, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 11V456000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 honda accord and cr-v vehicles. There is a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector which may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall will increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 24, 2011. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 11V004000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, metal particles in the key cylinder body could interfere with the interlock lever operation, making it possible to remove the ignition key without shifting the transmission to "park."
- Risk
- If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and test ignition switches for contamination interference. Any switches that fail the test will be repaired. Owner notification began on novenber 3, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 03V422000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An improperly routed under dash wire harness could be damaged by contact with the brake light switch, possibly resulting in a blown fuse. If this occurs, operation of a critical component can be lost, including windshield wipers, headlights, turn signal and hazard lamps, tail lamps, the anti-locking function of the brakes, and battery charging system.
- Risk
- A sudden, unexpected loss of lighting or a failure of the windshield wipers in bad weather, could be hazardous increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a 70mm protective, corrugated plastic tube over the wire harness, in the area of the brake stop switch. If any wire or wires are damaged, they will be repaired.
Recall number 99V282000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda CR-V key fob
Which Honda CR-V years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (45 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2017 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix key fob or push-button start problems on the Honda CR-V?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $450 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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