Reliability report · 2023 Honda CR-V · Updated July 2026
First year of the all-new 6th generation — and it repeats a familiar Honda pattern: complaint volume roughly doubles versus the outgoing year, led by steering. The difference this time: NHTSA investigated, and Honda recalled the steering gearbox (24V-744).
A first-model-year vehicle with a completed recall history is a reasonable buy; one without is a negotiation lever.
Evidence: 502 NHTSA complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 4 mechanic & forum sources
Canary status
Chirping
What that means: First year of the new generation, and complaints doubled — led by steering. The difference from past years: NHTSA investigated and Honda recalled the gearbox. The fix is free; your job is confirming it worked.
502
Federal complaints
3
Recalls
$0
Recall remedy
Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.
Steering is the runaway #1 complaint component. Excessive internal friction in the steering gearbox causes momentary sticking or heavy steering — this became recall 24V-744 (worm gear spring replaced and re-greased, free) after NHTSA investigation EA23003. Verify completion by VIN, and confirm the fix actually resolved the symptom on your own test drive at 40+ mph.
What to check
Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.
Dark brownDamage underway.
Recall remedy
$0
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2023 CR-V, incl. investigation EA23003 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (6th-gen CR-V)
Service brakes is #2: phantom automatic-braking events and brake-feel reports carry into the new generation. Include highway driver-assist behavior in the test drive.
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2023 CR-V, incl. investigation EA23003
'Unknown or other' ranks high in the complaint data — typical first-model-year scatter: rattles, infotainment glitches, trim issues. Individually minor, collectively the tax you pay for a new platform. Later-build 2023s (check the door-jamb build date) benefit from running production fixes.
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2023 CR-V, incl. investigation EA23003 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (6th-gen CR-V)
Early-build 2023s had improperly welded passenger seat frames (recall 23V-092); replaced free. Letters went out long ago — just verify by VIN.
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2023 CR-V, incl. investigation EA23003
$0
Recall remedy
The new hybrid sells in volume; community reviews are largely positive with scattered drivability reports. Too new for a failure pattern — treat it as unproven rather than problematic.
Sources: Mechanic channel and owner signal (6th-gen CR-V)
This time the steering complaint became a federal investigation — and then a free fix.
Free fixes at any Honda dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.