Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated upon attempting to continue driving, the vehicle failed to respond as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that a cylinder had misfired; however, the dealer informed the contact that the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); because of the plant where the vehicle was manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 59,018.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinders #4 and #6. The fuel injectors were replaced. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to exceed 35 MPH, with the check engine warning light flashing. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic failed to retrieve a fault code and found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the spark plugs had been replaced by the dealer. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
While driving my 2020 Honda CRV Hybrid the check engine light came on and my speed reduced to 30mph on the highway. This first happened 5/31/2024 and I had it towed to Honda and Honda could not find the problem. I was told to bring it back in if it happened again. I asked Honda to report to their corporate representative because it was a dangerous issue, and was told we should not at this time. Then on 3/21/2025 less than a year later this occurred again and I bought it back to Honda and I am waiting for Honda to tell me what the issue is. This is a safety issue that has happened to other Honda hybrids not just to mine. Please help me on this matter they don't seem to be able to know what the problem is and this is quite a safety concern.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the message that the engine was reaching the max engine temperature and to pull over was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the EV water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on four times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
While driving in the freeway at 65mph, car starts to loose power, the accelerator does not respond to the push of the pedal. Even if I press the gas, the car just shows in the dashboard that the car is receiving power but speed lingers in 50mph but it clearly is way below this speed and keeps decreasing even if it shows the 50mph, the car just cruises with it's own momentum. The hybrid battery depletes completely and warning lights start flashing to check engine. The car will also jerk front to back and the main motor will make a loud noise as if at high power with a hint of rattling. It's difficult to maneuver between high speed vehicles passing by while not having any power in the vehicle. The only thing I can do is turn on my hazard lights and cruise to the right lane and look for the first exit and safely park. …
Vehicle: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2.0L engine VIN: [redacted] Mileage at failure: ~73,000 miles Dealer: AutoNation Honda Fremont, California Estimated repair cost: ~$4,200 Issue: Blown head gasket Summary of Complaint: At approximately 73,000 miles, my 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid suffered a blown head gasket. The vehicle began showing symptoms of overheating and coolant loss, and a dealer diagnostic confirmed head gasket failure. The repair estimate from AutoNation Honda Fremont is approximately $4,200. A head gasket failure at this mileage is abnormal and indicates a potential design defect. I am aware of an ongoing class-action lawsuit concerning premature head gasket and engine failures in late-model Honda vehicles with turbocharged and hybrid engines, and my experience appears consistent with these allegations. …
There was no crash, but it is the second time within a month the vehicle stalls on the highway. The engine keeps running gives a loud banging sound. Also, the hybrid batteries are drained quickly to 0. The first-time the car started work again as normal after 1/2-1 hour standing on the side of the highway. The second time we turned the vehicle off/on, and it started to work again. In both cases the 'check engine' light came on. Twice the dealer ship inspected the car but could find anything wrong with it. We know there is a recall on the model and year, for a full pump issue (which I think is the issue here), but not for the VIN of this vehicle. The symptoms of the recall are identical to our experience. We are afraid to drive this car again. It is scary as the car stalls, power steering stops working, so does the power breaks and the car becomes uncontrollable. …
On four separate occasions while driving anywhere from 35 to 55 mph the engine light begins to flash and I lose all power. I am given just enough time to pull to the side of the road. I turn off the engine, wait a few minutes, and turn the engine back on, which seems to remedy the problem. At that point, I am able to drive off like nothing happened. I am on a CRV forum and I'm seeing more and more people discuss the same issue! Because there's no code that comes up, and I am not able to replicate the scenario at the mechanics... There is nothing that can be done. It's quite scary to be going 55 miles an hour and have to pull over on the side of the freeway. One time there was not a shoulder of the road that I was on, luckily a gas station was just up ahead and I was able to pull in there to reset the engine.
Check engine warning light comes one, vehicle powers down from normal speed and will not exceed 30 MPG. This is a safety hazard on the highway. Problem has been reproduced by the dealer and we have recorded video of the occurrences. Vehicle was purchased new and is under warranty. Has been in the dealer for more than 40 days combined for issue with no resolution and the dealer has received instructions from Honda USA not to attempt any further repairs. Dealer stated Honda is aware of the issues in isolated cars and are working on a fix but does not have one. Honda has been sent a written notice and contacted by me on multiple occasions, has promised call backs but has never responded. There have been multiple occurrences of the same issue with no resolution to date from Honda.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 48 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports alleging intermittent loss of motive power in Model Year (MY) 2020-2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles.
Engine complaints in other CR-V Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 27% of the model year's 84 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.