Is the 2026 Honda CR-V a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2026 Honda CR-V are in line with other CR-V years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2026 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 35 (19%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 33 (18%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 29 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 15 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (3%) | 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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 181 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
173 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 2026 Honda CR-V: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
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: 19
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2026 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 at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is activated while driving, customers may experience unexpected cancellation during vehicle operation
The LKAS warning light comes on when driving in reverse due to possible false detection logic occurred in the multipurpose camera software
Neighbouring years
2025 CR-V: 267 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 2026 Honda CR-V a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (35), visibility and wipers (33), collision avoidance (29), transmission and drivetrain (19), steering (17).
How many recalls does the 2026 Honda CR-V have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
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.