2023 Honda CR-V: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
515 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
For six years the fourth-generation CR-V (2012–2016) was one of the most dependable cars in the dataset, scoring in the 80s. Then the fifth generation arrived in 2017 with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, and the record turned: petrol diluting the engine oil in cold climates, rising oil levels, misfires and stalling, and a heater that would not warm the cabin in winter. Read the full note on the model page. 2023 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 515 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Honda CR-V: the years to buy and the years to avoid, including 2023 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 515 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 171.67
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Vehicle was brought in for steering gearbox recall repair. After the recall was performed, the vehicle developed a loud thumping noise from the front passenger side. Upon returning to the dealer for diagnosis, the dealer found the passenger front wheel was missing 3 lug nuts and had only 1 lug nut holding the wheel on. The lug lock was also loose. The vehicle was driven at highway speeds in this condition. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, several warning lights remained illuminated, including the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), power steering, and check engine warning lights. Additionally, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed replacemen…
Battery overheats and emits visible smoke from positive terminal and strong sulfur (rotten egg) odor. Notices the problem a few days ago. Called AAA for assistance on Sunday August 23 and technician stated that a lot of Hondas have had this issue including his own and it is due to a recall. A search online shows a recall issued for approximately 98 2023 Honda crv hybrids for Electrical system: Propulsion system: T…
Recalls: 3 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 24V744000 | Steering | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive… |
| 23V092000 | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 CR-V vehicles. 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. |
| 23V858000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 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… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Steering323 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Forward Collision Avoidance38 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Unknown Or Other34 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Lane Departure31 complaints · typical job: Camera module replacement and calibration (2.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,700
- Service Brakes28 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System27 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
Other Honda CR-V years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Honda CR-V?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Steering (323 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2023 Honda CR-V a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 39/100, computed from 515 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2023 Honda CR-V's most common problem?
323 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2023 Honda CR-V sit in the Steering group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement: about 5.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,020–$2,500 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2023 Honda CR-V cost to run per year?
About $6,451 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $32,258 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2023 Honda CR-V have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2023 Honda CR-V, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/10/2024. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2023 Honda CR-V really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 515 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 515 NHTSA complaints on record (171.7/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (63.0/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems