Worse than most CR-V years
Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical CR-V year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 1,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CR-V years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 673 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Honda CR-V. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (254, 38% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the electrical system. That ranks 4th of 13 CR-V years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Honda CR-V before you buy.
Engine and cooling
254 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 80 MPH. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 169,893 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. The failure also occurred several times while stopped at a stoplight. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and a dealer; however, neither was able to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 175,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
150 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the transmission housing of my 2015 Honda CR-V. The transmission housing has been diagnosed as porous, allowing transmission fluid to leak through the housing itself. This is not ordinary maintenance or normal wear; the transmission casing is allowing fluid to escape because of an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle stalls when it sits overnight and is put in reverse. Stalk happens after going in reverse for a few feet such as backing out of the driveway or parking spaceOwner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
85 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Doors unlock when driving No apparent reason. Doors do not open and relock when I press the lock button. It's been a long time problemOwner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Honda CR-V. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 203,000. The contact stated that the dealer stated the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 203,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
47 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while his son was driving 45 MPH in the rain, the son rear ended the vehicle in front. The contact's vehicle was in the middle lane and the vehicle in front was stopped at the traffic light. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 137,000 miles
My daughter recently experienced a braking system failure in our 2015 Honda CR-V EX while backing down a steep driveway. She has reversed the car down the same driveway many times in the past without incident. This time, she was unable to stop the vehicle, despite pushing on the brake pedal as hard as she could. The brake pedal was very…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
45 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Steering Assist Fault" warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and was able to reset the power steering assist. The contact stated that the power steering…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 44,000 miles
March 2017 car parked in driveway. When started power steering light on. Called dealership and car was towed to dealership. When repair was complete, cost was $250.00 and charged to us. Not covered under warranty due to "rodent" damage. October 31, 2017 exact same issue; however, car pulled up on ramps at home and repair to wiring was…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 37,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
44 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 honda cr-v. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear driver's side seat belt tightened around a young passenger and it was difficult to release the seat belt. The contact stated that the seat belt was cut to release the child. The vehicle was taken to darcars honda (2260 crain hwy, bowie, md…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 17,000 miles
Cr-v lx 3.2l CVT transmission14,000 miles I switched from a 2007 toyota rav4 to a 2015 honda cr-v, never considering that I'd deeply regret the decision and be pining for my old rav seats, which were quite comfortable. Sadly, I didn't discover the problem with these incredibly uncomfortable seats until I'd already purchased the car from…Owner complaint, filed 2017
Fuel system
35 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Aug 1, 2021: On rural highway at approx 50-55 mph, all dashboard warning lights came on as engine power was cut drasticly, (over 50%). Minimal traffic, so was able to continue cautiously at very low speed with warning flashers to nearby service station, called local Honda dealer who towed in the CRV. Dealer said the high pressure fuel…Owner complaint, filed 2025
While driving on the highway, vehicles dashboard lights came on and car immediately began to slow down which resulted in a complete stop. Let vehicle rest and started up again no issues. After driving for a period of time it occurred again. Dealership reviewed and reported no problems. Requested dealership to drive vehicle at a higher…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
35 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 2,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (29).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle unlocks if you approach it, all doors unlock without using the keyfob or putting your hand into the drivers or front passengers door handle. This happens with both keyfobs. Fresh batteries are in both keyfobs.Owner complaint, filed 2025
My battery keeps running down, even after I had it replaced by aaa. Took it to kingsport honda and had it checked out. They said it was the driver side door handle that was drawing down the battery. They already knew what the problem was, but to make sure they put a meter on it. The handel has gotten so hot it has visibaly damaged the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
31 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 honda cr-v. The contact stated that the vehicle [VIN] on its own after he released the brake pedal. There were no warning indicators illuminated. On one occasion, the failure causedthe contact to strike two vehicles and his vehicle ended up stopping on the other side of the road in a wooded area. The entire…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 honda cr-v. While reversing out of a parking lot at a low speed, the vehicle independently [VIN] rapidly. The contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle went over a curb and crashed into a tree without warning. The air bags did not deploy. It was unknown if a police report was not filed. There…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 22,200 miles
Air bags
25 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Systematic safety opponent failure - passenger side air bag. It deployed into my daughter's face. I took it to Hayward Honda for repair. No police, no insurance as of yet. The dealership is claiming that the impact occurred in the undercarriage, but no report, no pictures, no EDR data provided. This was simply a spontaneous, non-impact…Owner complaint, filed 2026
A serious accident that totaled the car happened. The driver side curtain airbag did not deploy and the driver broke her wrist. Side curtain airbags on passenger side opened even though there was no passenger in the seat. The driver steering wheel airbag did deploy. Car appears to have been hit head on based on the damage that I saw.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
25 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 17,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, she became aware that the sunroof glass was cracked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that it was a common failure with the year, make, and model vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at an…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Windshield wipers randomly do not turn on. There is no warning of malfunction I turned them on in rain and they would not start. This could potentially cause an accident in heavy rain. After a few minutes they worked. This has happened 3 times. I looked on internet and there are other Honda CRV owners experiencing similar issue.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
20 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I took the vehicle in to have oil change, tire rotation and alignment. The dealership stated that the rear camber is at its upper limits so we would have to replace both rear springs, upper links, [VIN] remove the hitch and replace all 4 tires. Total cost would be $2165. Their reasoning was the weight of the hitch caused the springs to…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 84,736 miles
Took vehicle in for it regular oil change and tire rotation (alignment when dealership states it is needed) on 12/21/19 to the dealership that has done all maintenance since purchase of brand new vehicle 12/4/15. After performing the alignment that the service dept. Couldn't do the day before 12/20/19 I was told due to a manufacturing…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Wheels and tires
19 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Around February of 2022 I noticed air started leaking from my driver's side front tire. When I took it to be looked at, I was told the rim was cracked and that's why the tire leaked air and began running flat. I bought a new rim and had no further issue with that wheel. Now as of the beginning of June, I noticed it happening again but on…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The tire pressure monitoring warning light continually activates when driving and there is no issue or problem with any of the tires when checked. The light activates under all driving conditions, I.e., smooth road versus rough road. Twice I have driven in excess of 400 miles in one day and it did not activate followed by periods of…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 390 miles
Driver assist systems
9 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Adaptive cruise control (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Windshield camera and all its functions does not work. The following systems do not work. LKAS ACC CMBS LDW I drive 3 hours to work and back and not having these safety features is dangerous for me because my foot and ankle hurts to keep a consistent speed, and when I am drowsy the LKAS helps me stay in my lane. All of these warning…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, she noticed traffic stopped ahead and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was able to stop immediately; however, when the contact released the brake pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 148,000 miles
Honda CR-V complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Honda CR-V | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 4 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | Worse than most years | 3 |
2015 Honda CR-V recalls
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Engine
- Risk
- The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge.
Full recall summary
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.
2015 Honda CR-V questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Honda CR-V?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Honda CR-V are the engine and cooling (254 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (150 complaints) and the electrical system (85 complaints).
Is the 2015 Honda CR-V a good year to buy?
Worse than most CR-V years. Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical CR-V year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 1,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CR-V years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Honda CR-V. The most recent, from Dec 2023, covers the fuel pump. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 1,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 1,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda CR-V years should I avoid?
The CR-V years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2017, 2018 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2015 Honda CR-V?
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