2025 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Complaints on the 2025 CR-V cluster around steering that feels stiff, sticky or notchy, and around the forward collision and adaptive cruise systems braking or disengaging when owners see no reason for it. Many other reports are about early build quality and parts availability, filed on vehicles with low mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Stiff, sticky or notchy steering / hard to turn

   • 31 complaints (12%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 1.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel feeling stiff, firm or hard to turn, and some say it resists small corrections near center and then jerks or clicks when it moves. Several complaints say the behavior is intermittent, appears after a stretch of driving, or is noticed making turns or a slow curve. Some owners link it to the steering gearbox recall and report that dealers could not duplicate the symptom, or that parts were on backorder. Reported from a couple hundred miles up to roughly 50,000-84,000 miles, with several notes of it appearing intermittently or after 30-40 minutes of driving.

   Recall 24V744000

   What to check: Ask whether the steering gearbox recall (24V744000) was performed and whether parts were available; on a test drive, check for stiffness or a click when turning the wheel slowly and after 30 minutes of driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am experiencing a “sticky, notchy” steering issue on my 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid. When the steering wheel is approximately 1–2 degrees off center (either left or right), the steering resists movement and then suddenly jerks when correcting. This makes it difficult to make smooth corrections and maintain a steady lane position. The issue only occurs after driving for about 30–40 minutes, which suggests it may be related to component warm-up or prolonged operation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11710672, filed 2026-01

   “The 2025 Honda CRV, while driving on the highway, gets stuck, the steering wheel does not maintain a centered position in the lane, and also has strange noises coming from the steering wheel.”

   NHTSA complaint #11651553, filed 2025-03
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Forward collision braking or ACC canceling unexpectedly

   • 33 complaints (13%)
   • median 100 mi at 0.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the automatic emergency braking engaging when nothing is in the path, sometimes slowing the vehicle sharply, and in other cases adaptive cruise control pausing or disengaging while passing trucks. Complaints mention turning right at intersections or parking-lot maneuvers where the system reacted to a vehicle that was not actually in the way. Some owners say a dealer told them the system operates as designed or that a software update addresses the condition. Reported at very low mileage, some within the first 100 miles, and described as repeatable over the first months of ownership.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any adaptive cruise control or collision-mitigation software update has been applied, and test adaptive cruise on a highway drive to see whether it holds speed and stays engaged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Twice, while making a right turn the car braked on me, I assume because a car was in the other lane of the road I was turning into. This could have been a problem and could have caused an accident if someone was behind me and my car stopped suddenly”

   NHTSA complaint #11677152, filed 2025-07

   “While driving to store for errands today, 09May26, I came to a stop at a red light with intent to turn right next. I turned on my right blinker and turned a bit to the right and rolled forward to gain visibility to my left as I came to a complete stop. There was a car coming from the left that was preparing to turn left. I observed that car turn on its left blinker, and slow down while entering its turn. I confirmed the intersection was clear and there was nothing in front of me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11736781, filed 2026-05
3. 3
   Brakes

   Grinding or stiff brake pedal

   • 24 complaints (9%)
   • median 14,061 mi at 1.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a grinding or scraping noise from the brakes when backing out or starting off, and a stiff or soft brake pedal at startup. In some reports the pedal went to the floor and the vehicle did not stop as expected, while others were told by the dealer that the grinding is normal for the model. Several say the concern was raised repeatedly without a repair being made. Reported at low mileage, generally under about 20,000 miles, and often noticed on the first drive of the day or when reversing.

   What to check: On a cold start, listen for grinding while reversing and press the brake pedal before and after startup to feel whether it is firm or sinks; ask whether the brake fluid and pedal feel were checked at the last service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When starting the car up and backing out of my garage It sounds like my rotors or brakes are grinding I took it to the dealer, and they told me that that was standard on the 2025 CRV. It is grinding so loud and hard like it is cutting into the rotors. I need someone to take responsibility.My car is only less than one year old.It will be one year on 2/20/2026. This is my seventh c r v and i've never had this problem before.”

   NHTSA complaint #11717425, filed 2026-02

   “Stiff brake pedal when trying to start the vehicle, happens intermittently. Purchased 6-4-25, repeatedly complained to DARCARS of Bowie soon after the purchase of the vehicle. The issue is still happening to this present day. Each time the issue was raised, the situation was completely ignored. No inspection was performed before the purchase of this vehicle. On 6-25-25 after repeated attempts to have the vehicle looked at, the vehicle was taken in for service and nothing was done, brake pedal still stiffens on and off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11670284, filed 2025-06
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine stalling, loss of power or fluid leaks

   • 18 complaints (7%)
   • median 5,915 mi at 1.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, sometimes with warning lights and a need to restart or tow the vehicle. Other reports mention a shudder with oil found in the engine air filter, metal debris in the oil, or a rocker arm issue identified by the dealer. Some say the fault returned after repairs and that the cause was never confirmed. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition for a fuel smell or debris, ask for the service history of any stalling or powertrain repairs, and note whether the vehicle has had repeated repairs for the same fault.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact's son owned a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her son was driving on the parkway at approximately 40 MPH, a loud, booming sound emit from the vehicle. After the booming sound emitting from the vehicle, several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle caught fire. Due to the sudden failure, the vehicle caught fire and the authorities were called to the scene. Once the fire department arrived at the scene the fire was extinguished. No injuries or property damage were reported. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11737823, filed 2026-05, 10,850 miles

   “The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving on a toll road, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine and vehicle started losing automotive power and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer who inspected the engine and discovered metal shavings inside the engine oil. The cause of the engine failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. No further information was available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11751593, filed 2026-07, 980 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers and washer issues

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report front wiper motors that do not run, wipers that rest out of position, wiper fluid that does not spray, and no low-washer-fluid warning on some trims. Some complaints describe reduced visibility in winter weather or in rain when the wipers did not engage right away. Dealers are described as investigating the condition rather than repairing it in some cases. Reported from very low mileage up to around 15,000 miles, including in cold weather.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the wipers at every speed and the washer spray, check that the blades park in the correct position, and top up the washer fluid before winter driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My driver side mirror gets extremely shaky especially when I'm on the highway with speeds over 50miles. The image gets distorted, which makes us dizzy while driving. We are afraid the mirror will crack while driving and we'd have no way seeing. This is too dangerous. Brand new car and all these issues we have to deal with. Too frustrating. I want a solution from Honda asap. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #11624289, filed 2024-11

   “Safety Issue: Absence of Low Windshield Washer Fluid Indicator I am reporting a significant vehicle safety concern involving my 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L, which is not equipped with a low windshield washer fluid level indicator. This omission created a serious safety risk to myself and other motorists during real-world driving conditions. While driving on a Michigan highway during a severe winter storm, I unknowingly ran out of windshield washer fluid. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11710563, filed 2026-01

Buying note. On a used 2025 CR-V, confirm whether the steering gearbox recall was completed and check steering feel on a longer test drive, then verify the cruise and collision-mitigation software are current. Review the service record for repeated stalling or brake complaints before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.