Is the 2015 Honda CR-V a bad year?
674 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 254, 9.1× a quiet CR-V year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 0k–26k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 8 of 143 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 CR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 2,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 254 (38%) | 0k–26k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 150 (22%) | 0k–9k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 45 (7%) | 0k–18k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seats | 39 (6%) | 0k–3k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 35 (5%) | 0k–14k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 35 (5%) | 2k–41k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 20 (3%) | 0k–28k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Wheels | 16 (2%) | 1k–18k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (1%) | 0k–26k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 86 (13%) | 9k–54k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 37 (5%) | 3k–35k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 31 (5%) | 4k–28k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 25 (4%) | 12k–49k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 19 (3%) | 8k–40k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 2,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 674 complaints: 38 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 18 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
23 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
SUV would not start. Vehicle parked in parking lot. Outside temperature 27F. Battery checked ok. Dash board lights came on but engine would not start.
I purchased new 2015 Honda crv ex-l 01/21/2015. Only 3 mile on it. Immediately after purchased, the vehicle exhibited severe vibration when the car fully stop and on "D" Position.
After driving my car for a while and I'm waiting at a light my car stars to vibrate and sometimes it's stronger than others.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 2,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Honda CR-V: 3
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance. The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil. Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 80
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
When cold-starting the engine and shifting to Reverse, the engine stalls in the first 10 to 14 seconds
By some 2015 CR-V customers that they were experiencing unpleasant vibration
There is a knocking or clicking from the engine during cold startup
Servicenews article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2014 CR-V: 587 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2016 CR-V: 395 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda CR-V year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All CR-V years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Honda CR-V a bad year?
674 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 254, 9.1× a quiet CR-V year. At 2,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 0k–26k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 8 of 143 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (254), transmission and drivetrain (150), steering (45), seats (39), body structure (35). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 0k–26k miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Honda CR-V have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Engine (NHTSA 17V-305), Engine (NHTSA 15V-121). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.