2023 Honda Cr-V Safety Report

2023 Honda CR-V: Excellent Crash Ratings, but Significant Steering and ADAS Malfunction Complaints

484Complaints
3Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
18Injuries
Most reported components: Steering (280)Visibility/Wiper (21)Steering,Lane Departure (14)Structure (14)Unknown Or Other (13)Forward Collision Avoidance (11)Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (9)Engine (9)Electrical System (7)Service Brakes (6)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Honda Cr-V

The 2023 Honda CR-V presents a mixed safety picture, with excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA but a significant number of owner complaints, particularly concerning steering and advanced safety systems. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall 5-star safety rating, with 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests, indicating strong performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 484 total complaints, with 18 resulting in injuries, though no crashes or fires were reported directly from these complaints. A major concern is the high volume of steering-related complaints (280), which is also the subject of one of the three recalls issued for this model. This recall addresses potential difficulty steering, which can increase crash risk. Beyond steering, common complaint patterns include issues with visibility/wipers (21 complaints), forward collision avoidance systems (11 complaints, plus 9 combined with service brakes), and structure (14 complaints, including shattered windows/moonroofs). Several complaints describe the vehicle's automatic braking system activating unexpectedly or failing to engage when needed, and instances of the lane keep assist system behaving erratically, sometimes attempting to steer the vehicle off-road. These issues, while not always leading to crashes in the reported data, highlight potential malfunctions in critical safety technologies. Recall history for the 2023 CR-V includes three significant campaigns. The most prominent is for the steering system, affecting 2023-2025 models, where difficulty steering could increase crash risk. Another recall addresses a potentially improperly welded front passenger seat back frame, which could fail in a crash and increase injury risk. The third recall involves the fuel pump, which could fail and cause an engine stall, increasing crash risk. While the crash test performance is commendable, the high volume of complaints, especially regarding steering and ADAS malfunctions, suggests that real-world safety experiences may vary and warrant careful consideration.

Reliability Score

The 2023 Honda Cr-V receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2023 Honda Cr-V

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Honda Cr-V:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Steering System Malfunction/Difficulty
Owners report sticky steering, difficulty turning, or the steering system moving on its own. This is also subject to a recall.
High Common all miles
Unexpected Automatic Braking/Adas Malfunction
The forward collision avoidance system activates without an obstacle or fails to engage during potential collisions, leading to sudden stops or lack of braking.
High Occasional all miles
Wiper System Inefficiency/Malfunction
Windshield wipers have inconsistent force, hit pillars, leave uncleared gaps, or fluid is not disbursed correctly, affecting visibility.
Medium Common all miles
Shattering Windows/Moonroof
Reports of rear windows or moonroofs spontaneously shattering while parked or driving.
Medium Rare all miles
Engine/Transmission Issues
Reports of engine failure (e.g., head gasket), loss of power, or transmission feeling 'stuck' at highway speeds.
High Occasional 50000-60000 miles
Front Passenger Seat Back Frame Weld Defect
Improperly welded seat back frame may fail in a crash, increasing injury risk. Subject to a recall.
High Rare all miles
Fuel Pump Failure
Fuel pump failure can cause engine stall while driving. Subject to a recall.
High Rare all miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Honda Cr-V:

Steering 57% of complaints

Over half of all complaints relate to steering issues, including difficulty, sticking, and autonomous movement, leading to a recall.

Visibility/Wiper 4% of complaints

Issues with windshield wipers not clearing the glass effectively, inconsistent operation, or fluid dispersion problems.

Steering,Lane Departure 2% of complaints

Malfunctions with lane keeping assist, including erratic steering or attempts to steer the vehicle off-road.

Structure 2% of complaints

Reports of windows (rear, moonroof) spontaneously shattering.

Forward Collision Avoidance 2% of complaints

System activating unexpectedly or failing to engage when needed, causing sudden braking or lack of collision mitigation.

Engine 1% of complaints

Reports of engine failure, loss of power, or unusual noises.

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance 1% of complaints

Combined issues where the braking system malfunctions in conjunction with the forward collision avoidance system.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Honda Cr-V

Is the 2023 Honda CR-V safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 Honda CR-V received excellent crash test ratings (5-star overall). However, it has a high number of owner complaints (484 total), particularly concerning steering malfunctions and issues with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic braking, which could impact real-world safety.

What are common problems with the 2023 Honda CR-V?

The most reported issues are related to the STEERING system (280 complaints), including difficulty steering and autonomous movement, which is also subject to a recall. Other common problems include VISIBILITY/WIPER issues (21 complaints), malfunctions with FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE systems (11 complaints), and STRUCTURE problems like shattering windows (14 complaints).

Are there any recalls for the 2023 Honda CR-V?

Yes, there are 3 recalls for the 2023 Honda CR-V. These include recalls for the STEERING system (difficulty steering), the FUEL SYSTEM (potential fuel pump failure causing engine stall), and SEATS (improperly welded front passenger seat back frame).

How does the 2023 Honda CR-V perform in crash tests?

The 2023 Honda CR-V received an excellent 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It scored 5 stars for side impact, and 4 stars for both frontal impact and rollover resistance.

Should I be concerned about the steering issues?

Yes, the steering issues are a significant concern, as they account for over half of all complaints (280 out of 484) and are the subject of a recall. Owners report difficulty steering, sticking, and the steering moving on its own, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2023 Honda CR-V boasts strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the high volume of owner complaints, especially regarding steering and ADAS malfunctions; thoroughly test drive the vehicle and inquire about all recall remedies.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Honda Cr-V

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Honda Cr-V. The data includes 484 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 18 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Honda Cr-V an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.