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Exterior lightingPart report

2020 Honda CR-V Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
2%of 358 total for the year
Median mileage
4,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Honda CR-V, 2% of the 358 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Approximately 80% of the front windscreen is completely black and the driver can only see the road ahead through the lower 20% of the field of view. This occurs at night in situations with minimal surrounding lighting (eg. Not in the city). The distance which can be seen is less than 100 ft. There is a straight line with abrupt change from the lower illuminated region to the upper completely black windscreen through which hardly anything can be visualized. I have never seen this completely black windscreen in any other vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11378185, filed 2020-12, 4,000 miles

“Vehicle headlights -low beam or high beam are inadiquate and dangerious. An automotive tech confirmed the oem headlights fail safe driving at night even on lighted city streets. The plastic headlight assms do not allow light to safely show thru. Even after new LED bulbs installed the assemblys defuse lighting. My wife and I no longer can safely drive at night with this vehicle. This safety problem has been reported to the selling dealer, to no avail! My son has driven this vehicle at night - and was also terrified. …”

NHTSA complaint #11480217, filed 2022-08

“This our 2nd Honda vehicle - quality vehicles. The headlighting system is highly inadequate in night driving in low light and very dangerious. Contacted dealer service director ,but the responce was I never heard any thing about that ! The dealer need to be alerted about this dangerous headlights ! I have found out thru research, this in adequate head lighting is somewhat common ! This dealership is great and I will continue to referr people to them, its like dealing with family ! My wife will not drive this vehicle, truth be told we avoid driving at night. …”

NHTSA complaint #11446228, filed 2022-01

“We have a 2020 Honda crv lx -purchased new. This is our second Honda vehicle, that has the same defect, poor head lights. Night driving is a nightmare and we limit it as much as possible. High beams and low beams on a dark street are driving at risk. Several Honda crv lx owners on our street have the same night driving experience. I contacted the dealer staff regarding this saftey fault, but the responce was I never heard any thing about that ! ? They need to be updated ! This is a great vehicle, had prior great dealer service, we have been treated as family, from the owner on down ! …”

NHTSA complaint #11443337, filed 2021-12

“When I first purchased the vehicle (brand new in 2020), the condensation in the tail lights occurred but the Honda dealer replaced it since it was under warranty. It’s still happening and it’s even more severe now risking the brake and turn lights burning out. The same Honda dealer now refuses to replace them despite the tail lights still being under the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11499803, filed 2023-01

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202621%
202531%
202492%
202351%
202141%
202072%
201991%
2018121%
2017221%
201621%
201561%
2014214%
2013328%
2012143%
201131%
201061%
200931%
200840%
200720%
200611830%
200512225%
2004398%
2003398%
20026012%
200121%
200032%
199932%
199843%
199722%

Other parts of the 2020 Honda CR-V

Forward collision avoidance
74 complaints
Fuel system
49 complaints
Air bags
47 complaints
Electrical system
43 complaints
Steering
43 complaints
Engine
39 complaints
Other or unknown
36 complaints
Brakes
31 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Seat belts
10 complaints
Lane departure
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda CR-V

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology