Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Honda CR-V brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Honda CR-V have filed 21 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 CR-V | 9 |
| 2017 CR-V | 92 |
| 2018 CR-V | 123 |
| 2019 CR-V | 65 |
| 2020 CR-V (this page) | 21 |
| 2021 CR-V | 21 |
| 2022 CR-V | 11 |
| 2023 CR-V | 18 |
| 2024 CR-V | 10 |
1crash
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2021 Accords, 2019-2017 Civics, 2017-2021 CR-Vs, 2018-2021 Odysseys & 2018-2021 Pilots with a customer complaint of an unexpected CMBS operation or a brake application. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report 13 distinct brake system failure modes in 2020 CR-Vs. The most serious incidents involve unintended activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System, which has caused sudden stops at highway speed (including one at 70 mph) with no obstacle ahead—several times with shadows from signs or trees as apparent triggers. Multiple owners also report brake pedal locking or jamming 10-15% of the time before engine start, with concerns raised in online forums about the pedal potentially locking during motion.
Other recurrent complaints include hard brake pedal (loss of power assist) often paired with cascading warning messages including VSA, parking brake, and collision mitigation alerts—issues that multiple visits to dealerships and independent shops have failed to resolve. One owner experienced a brake booster failure at 15,000 miles and paid $2,400 out of warranty; another's vehicle rolled backward while parked with engine running, injuring the owner. Brake warning lights remain illuminated without clear cause, brake response is delayed in some cases, and one dealership repair left a brake line tangled and fastener loose, requiring additional corrective work. Several owners report dealerships either cannot replicate the problems or cannot diagnose the root cause.
Same Honda CR-V brakes reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Brake line damage and loose fasteners after repair
Right rear brake line tangled and bolt left loose after initial repair at dealership, causing right brake to come off while traveling at highway speed.
When: 06-Apr-2023 during interstate travel
Symptoms owners cite: Right brake came off while traveling interstate; Vehicle steered to safety without major accident
Repairs/costs cited: Initial repair at Brickell Honda: $1,151.31. Secondary inspection at Gerald Jones Honda found brake line tangled and loose bolt; correction estimated at $175.00. Diagnostic fee $201.25.
Brake pedal lock or jam before engine start
Brake pedal becomes firmly locked or jammed 10-15% of the time when trying to depress pedal before pressing start button. Issue occurs randomly regardless of engine temperature, terrain, or weather. Owner expresses concern based on online reports that pedal may lock while vehicle is in motion, causing loss of braking capability.
When: Intermittent throughout vehicle ownership, no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal cannot be depressed or is firmly locked in place; Pedal may soften slightly after electronics cycle on/off; May require multiple start button presses to get engine to start; Issue appears random, unrelated to warm/cold start or terrain
Repairs/costs cited: Two local dealerships reported unfamiliarity with problem; technician said everything working fine when tested.
Electric servo booster failure
Vehicle displayed VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning at highway speed, followed by parking brake malfunction warning. Later, vehicle applied brakes unexpectedly while backing and would not proceed. Dealer OBD scan diagnosed electric servo booster failure. Owner notes malfunction triggered recall in Japan with worldwide reports.
When: Initially at 70 mph on I-5, Washington State; later during driveway backing
Symptoms owners cite: VSA warning message at 70 mph on interstate; Parking/emergency brake malfunction warning at 70 mph; Vehicle applied brakes unexpectedly while backing and would not proceed; Multiple error messages cycled through
Codes mentioned: OBD scan performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed electric servo booster failure; owner notes Japanese recall and worldwide reports of this malfunction exist.
Brake warning light illumination with VSA modulator concern
Brake warning light remains continuously illuminated on dashboard regardless of parking brake position or vehicle state (on, off, moving, or stationary). Vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles and regular maintenance. Dealership inspection suggests possible VSA modulator involvement but cannot confirm with certainty.
When: Continuous at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light continuously illuminated; Light remains on when parking brake fully disengaged; Light remains on while vehicle in motion; Creates uncertainty about braking system function
Codes mentioned: No code shown on initial test
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership suggested VSA modulator replacement but stated they cannot confirm it will resolve issue; repair would be expensive with no warranty of success.
Hard brake pedal (loss of power assist) with multiple system failures
Brake pedal became very hard to depress, requiring great effort to stop vehicle as if power assist was lost. Accompanied by multiple dashboard warning messages: brake system problem, electric parking brake problem, brake hold system problem, hill start assist problem, collision mitigation system problem, VSA problem, road departure mitigation problem, and adaptive cruise control problem. Emergency brake light illuminated and persistent. Multiple visits to dealerships and independent shop resulted only in code clearing; issues recurred within days.
When: Intermittent at unknown mileage, 2020 CR-V Hybrid Touring
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes became very hard to depress; Required great effort to stop vehicle; Multiple dashboard warnings illuminated; Emergency brake light on and persistent; Warnings sometimes clear after pressing '!' button but often persist
Codes mentioned: Unknown code found at independent shop
Repairs/costs cited: First Class Halt cleared code; issue recurred in 2 days. Hendrick Honda also cleared code; issue recurred within days. Neither shop nor dealership could correct problem.
Engine power loss at highway speed (may relate to brake/throttle system)
While driving on Florida Turnpike at 77 mph, engine lost power and vehicle slowed to 50 mph despite driver applying throttle. Loss lasted 5-7 seconds then power returned. Occurred three times during same trip. Owner notes similar issue reported for 2018-2019 CR-Vs and suspects same problem.
When: Florida Turnpike incident; vehicle rarely driven at high speeds afterward so no recurrence noted
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power suddenly quit despite driver pressing throttle; Vehicle slowed from 77 mph to 50 mph; Loss lasted approximately 5-7 seconds then power returned; Occurred three times during same trip; Later episodes were shorter duration described as 'hiccups' in gas
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer took vehicle for test drive but could not replicate problem and had no diagnosis.
Unintended automatic emergency braking activation
Collision Mitigation Braking System activated unexpectedly multiple times with no actual obstacle or vehicle ahead. Events occurred in various conditions including wet weather and clear highway driving. Braking was sudden and violent in some cases.
When: Multiple incidents, including one at 70 mph on I-35 and incidents on highway and city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle braked suddenly without driver input; No obstacle or vehicle ahead in most cases; Violent, abrupt braking motion; Vehicle came to full stop; Events occurred in wet conditions and on open highway; Braking lasted varying durations
Brake pedal does not depress or sticks when trying to start vehicle
Brake pedal intermittently cannot be depressed, making it impossible to start vehicle. Owner reports solution is opening and closing driver door, after which pedal goes down. Once while stopped in traffic, brake pedal came up hard as rock; opening and closing door resolved issue. Multiple dealership visits, with service foreman finally experiencing issue firsthand but unable to diagnose cause or repair.
When: Intermittent throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal intermittently cannot be depressed; Brake pedal becomes hard as rock while driving; Opening and closing door temporarily resolves issue; Prevents engine start when pedal locked
Repairs/costs cited: Visited dealership three times; no repair completed despite service foreman experiencing issue.
Brake warning light with hesitation during braking
Brake warning light flashed and illuminated while driving at 30 mph, accompanied by hesitation in vehicle response while depressing brake pedal. Issue occurred four times. Neither independent mechanic nor dealer consulted.
When: Four separate incidents at 44,505 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light flashed and illuminated; Vehicle hesitated when depressing brake pedal; Occurred four times
Repairs/costs cited: No service performed.
Brake booster failure at low mileage
Brake pedal felt stiff with difficulty coming to a stop over several days. Service diagnosed brake booster failure at approximately 15,000 miles, well before typical booster failure age. Vehicle was out of warranty; owner paid $2,400 for repair. Honda claim for reimbursement was denied. Owner notes Honda has brake booster recalls in multiple models but not this one.
When: Approximately 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal felt stiff; Hard time coming to stop; Issue persisted for several days
Repairs/costs cited: $2,400 repair cost. No warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claim denied. Owner notes Honda has booster recalls in other models but not CR-V.
Vehicle rollaway while parked with engine running
While parked with engine on and emergency parking brake not engaged, vehicle began rolling backward when owner reached to press start button. Vehicle rolled over owner's legs, causing injury requiring medical attention. Vehicle rolled across street and stopped after striking neighbor's house. Police report filed. Vehicle towed to collision shop.
When: At approximately 17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolled backward while parked; Owner trapped under rolling vehicle; Vehicle did not stop until hitting neighbor's house; Owner sustained injury requiring medical attention
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to collision shop; diagnostic testing has not been completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised contacting Honda manufacturer. Contact reports inability to reach manufacturer.
Brake pedal depression with unintended braking at highway speed
While driving 35 mph, brake pedal depressed independently accompanied by beeping sound from instrument panel. Passenger struck dashboard. Later, when depressing brake pedal to stop, 'BRAKE' message displayed on instrument panel. Warning light illuminated.
When: At 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed independently at 35 mph; Beeping sound from instrument panel; 'BRAKE' message displayed on panel when owner tried to stop; Warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer for diagnosis or repair.
Brake delay with vehicle rollforward
Brakes exhibit delay in engaging when pedal is applied. Vehicle rolled forward 5 feet when brakes disengaged. Brake pedal makes clunking sound after foot is removed from pedal. Slight delay occurs between brake release and clunking sound. Brakes stick and car slides forward.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Delay between brake pedal application and brake engagement; Vehicle rolls forward 5 feet when brakes disengage; Clunking sound from brake pedal after foot is removed; Delay between brake release and clunking sound; Brakes stick and car slides forward
Intermittent brake lockup when starting vehicle
Brakes lock up intermittently when trying to start vehicle. One instance occurred while sitting in traffic.
When: Intermittent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up intermittently during engine start; Occurred once while sitting in traffic
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was driving this vehicle (2020 Honda CRV hybrid touring) and the brakes became very hard to stop. It was like standard braking without power assist and required great effort to stop the vehicle. Many warnings appeared on the dash including: 1. Brake system problem 2. Electric parking brake problem 3. Brake hold system problem 4. Hill start assist problem 5. Collision mitigation system problem…
The break pedal felt stiff and I had hard time coming to a stop. That was going on for a few days until the car was dropped off for service. The reason was a break booster failure. We were told that it never happens. Even though the car only had about 15K miles we were out of warranty so had to pay $2400 to get it fixed. We filed a claim with Honda but were denied in reimbursement. Honda…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2020 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 21 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 25,981 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.