Is the 2023 Honda CR-V a bad year?
518 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Honda CR-V are in line with other CR-V years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 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 14,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 325 (63%) | 8k–25k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Collision avoidance | 38 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 30 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 29 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 28 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 28 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 24 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 23 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 21 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 14,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 518 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 16 report an injury · 17 say the car was towed.
59 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.
Recalls for the 2023 Honda CR-V: 3
The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle. Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
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 front passenger seat back frame may not have been welded properly, which can cause the seat back position to fail in the event of a crash. A seat back position that fails may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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: 76
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire
Oil leak or a dealer noticing an oil leak from the cylinder head cover gasket during routine maintenance
Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold] stored
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Neighbouring years
2022 CR-V: 270 complaints, keep it · 2024 CR-V: 400 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda CR-V year
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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 2023 Honda CR-V a bad year?
518 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years. At 14,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (325), collision avoidance (38), lane assist (30), brakes (29), electrical system (28).
How many recalls does the 2023 Honda CR-V have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 24V-744), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Seats (NHTSA 23V-092). 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.