CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2013 Honda CR-V

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

381

Complaints

22

Crashes

0

Fires

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Honda CR-V have filed 381 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2013 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 97 of them (25%). The typical failure was reported at 26,000 miles, the median across the 259 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 14 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 9 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

13V143000 · April 15, 2013

The defect
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The risk
If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 204,169 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Electrical overstress

EA19001

Closed engineering analysis · opened April 19, 2019 · closed September 19, 2024 · led to recall 20V024

the air bags

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 381.

ENGINE 97 25%
POWER TRAIN 95 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 48 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 32 8%
AIR BAGS 27 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 25 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25 7%
STRUCTURE 18 5%
STEERING 15 4%
SUSPENSION 15 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2013 at 53.

2013 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

POWER TRAIN

2 injured · 7,000 miles

WE RETURNED FROM SHOPPING AND PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY (APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREE INCLINE). WENT BEHIND TO UNLOAD BACK AND THE CAR ROLLED BACK ON US ABOUT 4-5 FEET AT LEAST. WE HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS TWICE. THE CAR IS FULLY IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY INJURY (THANK GOD!) WAS MY BACK WHICH WAS JUST THROWN OUT A LITTLE DUE TO TRYING TO GET OUT FROM BEHIND THE CAR BEFORE IT RAN OVER ME. MY HUSBAND TWISTED HIS KNEE A LITTLE, BUT APPEARS OKAY OTHERWISE. BECAUSE IT IS SUNDAY, I CANNOT REACH ANYONE TO REPORT TO THE DEALER (BOMMARITO HONDA), BUT HAVE SENT THEM A MESSAGE DEMANDING THEY TOW THE CAR AND GET ME A LOANER IMMEDIATELY. NEITHER OF US WILL GET IN THIS

NHTSA complaint 10556118, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

2 injured · 100 miles

THERE ARE TWO CONCERNS. 1. THE IGNITION KEY BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT, ALMOST BURNING TEMPERATURE WHEN HELD IN BARE HAND. THERE SEEMS NO CORRELATIONS TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN OR THE OUTSIDE CONDITIONS. THIA DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. 2. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF HAVE RECEIVED PAINFUL "STATIC ELECTRIC" SHOCKS WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN EVEN IN WARM WEATHER. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE SHOCKING AND THAT THE KEY GETTING HOT IS NOT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 10745093. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 180,000 miles

ON 11/30/15 OUR 2013 HONDA CRV WAS TAKEN TO FOX HONDA IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI TO HAVE THE DRIVER AIR BAG AND POWER LOCK RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. ON 12/15/15 MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER SLAMMED ON IT'S BREAKS BUT THE TRAILER LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING SO THE CRV SQUARELY IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE TRAILER WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT. THE RADIATOR, ENGINE AND FRAME WERE DAMAGED SO THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE FILED COMPLAINT #04347205 WITH HONDA EXPLAINING THAT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE BODY SHOP WORKERS BOTH BELIEVED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AFTER MY 3RD CALL, THE HONDA

NHTSA complaint 10811760, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 105,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, he was involved in an accident where he crashed into a truck, but the driver's air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that the fumes from the air bag burned his left hand, and he had to seek medical attention. The contact mentioned that his injuries would have been severe had he not been wearing a protectant glove on his hand. The vehicle was towed to the towing lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint 11534198. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I was driving then I shut off like I shut the car off and restart it while I was driving then my electric power steering symbol keeps coming on.

NHTSA complaint 11749223. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
While our 2013 Honda CR‑V was still drivable, we began experiencing a brief but loud rattle or grinding noise at cold start, especially after the vehicle had been sitting. Several years ago the dealer replaced the Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator because of this cold‑start rattle. After a period without noise, the cold‑start rattle returned and became frequent, along with concerns about abnormal oil consumption. We reported these symptoms repeatedly during routine service visits. In March 2026, the CR‑V was brought to the Honda dealer for a routine oil change. The vehicle arrived running normally. After the service, the dealer advised that the vehicle would no longer start and was

NHTSA complaint 11746350, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Transmission shudders on acceleration at low speeds up to 40 mph

NHTSA complaint 11733663. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

83,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30–40 MPH, the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed it with transmission failure. The independent mechanic flushed the transmission fluid; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure was persistent. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA complaint 11732392. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
uUknown. Sometimes I smell gas on & off when the car is running, especially. I open the windows and it subsidesafter ahwile & it not as strong.

NHTSA complaint 11727338. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

267,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 132,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 267,000.

NHTSA complaint 11725308. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda CR-V

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 118 0
2025 239 1
2024 375 2
2023 511 3
2022 250 3
2021 320 4
2020 345 7
2019 1,079 8 1
2018 2,117 5
2017 1,753 7
2016 389 3
2015 668 3
2014 585 1 3
2012 400 3
2011 551 13
2010 480 15 1

Other 2013 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 187 vehicles, 362 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst