Honda CR-V Door Lock Recalls Worth Knowing About

Carrie H
Mar 6, 2021

Blue 2021 Honda CR-V From Front Side

Door locks are something most people don’t think about. However, when they malfunction, it can create major problems. It’s one of those issues that can seem insignificant until you experience the problem. If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car, you know how much trouble a faulty door lock can cause. In addition to a Honda CR-V door lock recall, there are is also a class-action lawsuit.

What are the most common Honda CR-V door lock recalls?

Problems with the CR-V door locks include:

  • Door not latching properly
  • Doors not unlocking
  • Doors locking and unlocking on their own

We’ll discuss the Honda CR-V door lock recall and the class action lawsuit. You’ll learn about the problems with the door locks, and what to do if your vehicle is involved.

Door Not Latching Properly

NHTSA Recall ID: 12V338000

This recall was issued for the 2012 Honda CR-V and the 2013 Acura ILX. 172,837 were affected. The recall was issued in August 2012. If the door handle is used and the door lock is engaged at the same time, the cable that connects the door handle to the locking mechanism can become loose. Once the cable is loose, the door may not latch properly.

If the cable connected to the latch moves out of position, it can keep the door from latching properly. This means the door can open at any time, including driving down the highway. This poses a danger because the passenger could fall out or the door opening could startle the driver into an accident. The door can also come open during an accident, increasing the risk of a person being ejected from the vehicle or exposed to debris.

If your Honda CR-V is impacted by this recall, your local Honda dealership can perform the needed repair. The door latch assembly will be replaced. In some models, the interior door handle should be replaced as well. Repairs are performed at no cost to the owner.

Honda CR-V Door Lock Class Action Lawsuit

Case ID:  2:13-cv-00381

Kevin Davitt, Scott Carter, and Mark Tudyk filed a class-action lawsuit against Honda. They claim that Honda knew about problems with their door locks, but avoided acknowledging the problem. They noted that the majority of the problems occurred after the limited 36,000-mile warranty. They allege that Honda avoided acknowledging the problem so they would not have to cover repairs for the affected vehicles.

The lawsuit claims that the door electronic door locks and key fob stop locking and unlocking the doors. In addition to the safety and security concerns created by the defective lock actuator, the lawsuit states that it affects the resale value of the vehicle.

The lawsuit applied to 2007-2011 Honda CR-Vs. The lawsuit was settled in 2014. Honda agreed to repair all affected vehicles free of charge. They also extended the warranty from three to six years, or six months from the date the settlement was reached. Honda also agreed to reimburse owners who had already paid to have the malfunction fixed prior to the lawsuit settlement.

How Can I Check My Honda CR-V for Recalls?

If you want to know if your Honda CR-V is subject to a recall, you can perform a search at NHTSA. You can search by VIN number for a detailed report for your vehicle. If you don’t have your VIN number, you can search for the make and model to see if any recalls have been issued. The class-action suit settlement expired in 2015. If you are having problems with your vehicle, you can file a complaint with NHTSA.

Honda states that your local dealership should be your first point of contact for any issues that you have. If you need to contact Honda, you can call (800) 999-1009 for general inquiries, and (888) 234-2138 for recall information. You can also visit the Honda Customer Support website for email and live chat features. You can also check Vehicle History to learn the history of your vehicle. This can be very helpful if you are purchasing a used vehicle!

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Donna shick on July 30, 2023
Problems and horrid service that refused to fix probs
I go thru brakes more than usual because of caliper sticking and was told that my car was produced slightly out of alignment but The Honda Dealership refused to fix. They fix the front driver actuator for locking mech. After that was fixed my back door on passenger side makes loud buzzing noise but they refuse to fix without charging me several hundreds of $$ even though the sound was not there before. AfterI had a repair on passenger front door done, my inside lights no longer work correctly and again they refuse to fix without charging extras...Honda lacks much And I Stopped going to the Allentown PA location after their mechanic tried forcing my oil dipstick in backwards. Luckily I saw in time before he broke something else.besides all this they would always insist something needed to be fixed when I went In for just an oil change and after 2nd Opinions I Found out their "repairs" were unwarranted And i stopped going there!
accountCircle Elizabeth F on September 12, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V be proactive with technical issues.
The reason I have downgraded it is mainly due to the inconvenience of the recalls I have experienced that began the year after its purchase. The first affected the door locks which would randomly buzz and unlock, and the volume of the buzz became loud enough to cause passengers to inquire what on earth the sound was. It turned out that it was an inherent flaw for which a recall was issued. The dealership remedied it, but a year later, the same problem resurfaced with the back door locks. They didn't spontaneously unlock, but when locking it was accompanied by a very loud buzzing sound. When I returned to the dealer to inquire, they said they were caused by a separate electrical issue, and would cost about $400 to repair. I did not see how they couldn’t be part of the same recall and declined service.
accountCircle Morgan A on May 22, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V LX broken door lock
The backseat door on the drivers' side has a broken lock. Luckily it still locks the door, but it makes a terribly loud and annoying buzzing sound every time. This problem occurred within the first year after purchasing it and was covered by dealership warranty but Honda dealerships apparently only honor warranty at the dealership you bought it at.
accountCircle Betty M on July 3, 2023
Doors locking and unlocking
I have a 2011 Honda and my doors are locking and unlocking by themselves. Even when I’m driving this is happening, took it to dealer ship and was told the part is very expensive, so I had it unhooked and now can’t unlock with key fob, back gate will not open at all. I love my car and just hate that part of it not working.
accountCircle Tyler S on March 20, 2021
2010 Honda CR-V LX: Reliable, comfortable, inexpensive and a great bang for your buck.
A minor problems is as follows: a defect in the electrical, where the automatic door lock as you start moving activates at random points during the drive, even if the door is already locked.
accountCircle Cecilia T on August 29, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V has been a great value for us.
The electric is becoming a bit of a problem with the door locks and air conditioning but we chose to fix the issues instead of getting a new car because this one has been so great.
accountCircle Timothy L on June 30, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V Long Term Reliability
It has just had its first non-routine maintenance, an electrical short in the door locks, that required dealer servicing. So, I would rate this vehicle reliability as excellent.
accountCircle Jamie P on June 12, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V at 175, 000+ miles it still gets good gas mileage.
There was a recall for the driver and passenger airbags which Honda replaced in a very timely manner at no cost to us. They also did the same for the door lock actuators.
accountCircle Tracy C on April 19, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V door lock issues that caused a recall.
There are known issues with the door locks. We had a lot of trouble getting that fixed, and it took several repairs, even outside of the recall/extended warranty period.
accountCircle Laura G on July 5, 2021
2009 Honda CR-V has the right amount of space
I dislike how many recalls there have been (airlocks, door locks) because I feel like they aren't making quality vehicles because the issues are taking so long to find.
accountCircle Mary thrift on October 25, 2021
2008 Honda crv
I have had door locks click every time you start and stop driving and alarm go off when no one is in the car.They car itself has been reliable I have owned for 8 years.
accountCircle Katie P on May 7, 2021
I love my 2008 Honda CR-V
The only problem I have had is with the power locks. Recently, the trunk and rear door locks have not been working -- still pretty great for a 10 year old car!
accountCircle Cheryl Y on April 28, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V is comfortable and I sit up high enough that I don't feel intimidated by semis, etc.
Currently I am having some problems with the door locks and need to get them repaired. It's an electronic issue where they lock and unlock while I am driving.
accountCircle Debra S on July 16, 2021
2009 Honda CR-V EX would purchase again.
Did have recall on airbags however but dealership fixed with no problem. Only other issue is auto door lock on front passenger side. It will have to be fixed.
accountCircle Mark Morrell on March 29, 2022
Door lock triggers like a machine gun
My Honda crv Vin no JHLRE28307C200213 has started giving me door problems like a machine gun on automatic fire whilst driving otherwise a lovely car.
accountCircle Monica V on March 24, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V EX performance has been good.
My problems have been with the door locks. Currently working but have had problems locking. Sometimes going down the road they lock and unlock.
accountCircle Ashley H on May 29, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V has been a reliable car for over ten years.
I have been the sole owner since it was brand new and there have been some interesting quirks, including noisy door locks and several recalls.
accountCircle Rebecca F on June 26, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V is a good family car.
Door lock issues - it will not unlock. Recalled a few times. We've had to replace the door locks and seatbelt in the last two years.
accountCircle KD Kanwar on August 28, 2022
Still has door lock problem
I have 2011 CRV, now I am getting doors lock problem, not opening with fob, back and trunk one, even lever in not functioning.
accountCircle Matt I on June 27, 2021
Overall I would recommend the 2008 Honda CR-V LX
We had to replace the master window and door lock switch. That was part of a recall. Other than that it is a solid vehicle.
accountCircle Paula W on September 2, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V - Door locking issues, but reliable and roomy
Many CR-Vs have issues with door locks. Some vehicles have been recalled and fixed other have not. No other issues noted.
accountCircle Kim G on May 15, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V - a great choice for a car.
I love my CR-V. It is very dependable. The only problem I had was with door locks, which were covered in a warranty.
accountCircle Carla S on March 28, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V - door lock actuator and back hatch issues.
The door lock actuator is malfunctioning, so the doors constantly lock and unlock at certain speeds.
accountCircle Hannah P on April 27, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V LX more room than a car but not as big as a suburban
I have problems with the passenger side door locks occasionally, but other than that I love my car.
accountCircle Robert Robinson on July 13, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V EX-L a lot of small issues!
Lots of little annoying issues! Starters, Door Locks, Noisy while driving at Highway Speeds.
accountCircle Beth B on March 29, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V is an excellent car.
The passenger door lock makes a grinding noise when locking.
accountCircle Arnel P on September 10, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V reliable so far 150000 miles on it.
The door lock actuator starts acting up after a few years.
accountCircle Pinkie P on July 21, 2021
2008 Honda CR-V gets good gas mileage and it's a comfortable ride.
It had some recalls for the airbags and door locks.
accountCircle Donna T on September 11, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V is a good vehicle but there are problems.
The door locks had to be fixed several times.
accountCircle HYESEON Y on April 10, 2021
2007 Honda CR-V
Door locks are broken.
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