Honda CR-V Seat Problems

Owners have filed 172 complaints about seats problems with the Honda CR-V — 1% of all CR-V complaints. The worst model years are 2015 (39), 2002 (24) and 2017 (13). Problems typically start around 35,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

172complaints
2015worst year
35ktypical miles
2related recalls
14crashes
4fires

Seat complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26911224154465166283991375422321
Seat complaints per model year, Honda CR-V.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202611%—
202421%—
202331%—
202221%—
202121%—
202041%—
201950%43,000 miles
201870%3,000 miles
2017131%6,000 miles
201692%8,000 miles
2015396%1,000 miles
201481%0 miles
201321%—
201261%18,000 miles
201161%20,000 miles
201010%86,000 miles
200951%0 miles
200861%80,000 miles
200740%190,000 miles
200641%100,000 miles
200451%70,000 miles
200310%—
2002245%102,000 miles
200121%—
200011%60,000 miles
199911%—
199798%—

Which parts fail

  • Front assembly › Recliner
    8
  • Front assembly › Head restraint
    5
  • Mid/rear assembly
    4
  • Front assembly › Power adjust
    1

Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    6365%
  • 25k–50k
    1111%
  • 50k–75k
    55%
  • 75k–100k
    66%
  • 100k–150k
    66%
  • 150k+
    66%

What owners report

The back two bolts in the driver seat were never installed at the factory, thus the back of the seat is not attached to the car. The dealership did not notice on the PDI. I drive it for a month before I noticed it.

2023 CR-V · Dec 2022

Had my car inspected on Aug 5 everything was good and as I was driving down the road on Monday Aug 7 that afternoon and my airbag system (SRS) problem light came on we called the dealership on Tuesday morning and they said that we could drop it off and leave it on Wednesday and they would look at it when they got to it. So they called on Thursday and said it was u3000-49 internal failure of srs system also said found to be communication issue with the seat sensor which is made onto the frame and said the seat will have to be replaced If isn't replaced and if I was to get in. Wreck the air bag or seat belt could not work properly and could result in someone getting hurt.

2020 CR-V · Aug 2023

I received a notice in March 2024 regarding a recall for my 20 CRV involving a Seat Weight Sensor Circuit Board. I contacted my local Honda Dealer, Serra ,Honda Grand Blanc, Michigan to inquire about obtaining a time to service the recall. I was told at that time that they did not have the parts available and to call back in the fall to schedule. I spoke to the same dealership on September 27, 2024 and was told that they did not have the parts and had no idea when they would arrive. They continued to state Honda offers vague communication on when the parts will be available. This is unacceptable and is a definite safety issue.

2020 CR-V · Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while in a building he heard a loud explosion. Upon going outside, he noticed the vehicle seat was on fire. The fire was extinguished by the owner. The fire department was contacted and stated the fire may have been started in the passenger seat due to the coils. There were no reported injuries or police reports filed. The contact stated the heater in the seat was previously used. The contact had some items on the seat. The contact mentioned that he had his dog in the vehicle and could have died due to the safety failure. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42, 800.

2019 CR-V · 43,000 miles · Apr 2022 · fire

The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the driver's side seat would continuously adjust independently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the seat adjustment buttons were replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after five days. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

2019 CR-V · 34,000 miles · Dec 2021

During a motor vehicle accident I was hit from behind while stopped by a vehicle going 40-45 miles per hour. I was pushed into another stopped vehicle in front of me. My drivers seat fully reclined and twisted as a result of the impact, and I was not secured into the seat properly as a result. I have multiple injuries from the accident due to the way my body was able to be thrown around the vehicle.

2018 CR-V · Dec 2021 · crash · 1 injury

For some weeks, the driver's heated seat began to heat to excessive temperatures without me turning on the seat warmer. The seat heating system intermittently reaches temperatures high enough to cause painful burn-type irritation to my back and buttocks. I have experienced repeated episodes where normal seat heating settings produced dangerously high heat. I returned the vehicle multiple times to Townsend Honda for diagnosis and repair (repair orders are on file with the dealer and with Honda corporate). Despite multiple service visits, the dealership has been unable to permanently resolve the overheating condition. On 09162025 and 09222025 repairs or diagnostics were attempted but the defect persists. Honda corporate has since opened Case #15869482 for further review but I have not heard from Honda corporate till now.

2018 CR-V · Aug 2025 · 1 injury

I've reporter to Honda dealer about seat and brake pedal squeaking when pressed several times when my vehicle was under warranty. They always said its normal wear and tear. Car only had 12,000 miles on it at the time. Fast forward to 30K miles, they finally greased the brake pedal and noise went away for another 10K but returned. I was then told its hydrolic brake so it's normal. But I know its not normal to have squeaking noise like that. Moreover, seat squeaking noise has gone worse now. I can literally not take the noise to the point I try not to move at all while driving. I was told this is normal behavior and if I want to replace it it'll cost me $$$$. This should've been covered under warranty and I have few other friends and coworkers with similar issues and they're also being told to deal with it. …

2017 CR-V · May 2018

Related recalls (2)

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 23V-092 · Feb 16, 2023 · 98 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat back frame assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Seats

NHTSA recall 02V-251 · Sep 17, 2002 · 2 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles, the front seat anchorage nut strength is insufficient because the nuts were installed improperly.

Remedy: Telephone calls were made to each owner and the vehicles have been replaced.

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda CR-V years have seat problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (39), 2002 (24), 2017 (13), 1997 (9) and 2016 (9) model years. Seat complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2015.

Is there a recall for Honda CR-V seat problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-092 (recliner, Feb 16, 2023); 02V-251 (seats, Sep 17, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Honda CR-V seat problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 76% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (8 mentions), followed by the front assembly › head restraint (5).

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.