8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $430
- Average Mileage:
- 87,800 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 48 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (21 reports)
- replace door look actuator (13 reports)
- replace door lock assembliies (8 reports)
- honda replaced (2 reports)
- replace door lock assemblies (2 reports)
- paid for new actuator even though pending class action suit (1 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
This is my second Honda, the locks keep unlocking by themselves. I notcied the recall today via internet so hopefully I can get this fixed soon.
Update from Dec 24, 2014: I had to take to local Honda dealer, because my door locks would not lock, they replaced the entire locking assembly per my ext. warranty.
- Michael A., Sapulpa, OK, US
This problem has been reported by so many people (and unreported by so many more) that I cannot believe Honda hasn't done anything about it !
ALL, not some, ALL the CR-V owners I personally know (at least 15) have had the same exact problem, and message boards are filled with people reporting this.
Other than that the CR-V is a great vehicle, such a shame Honda's willing to soil it's reputation over an easy fix.
- rchavez, Juarez, Chihuahua, mexico
The day after I drove the vehicle off the dealer's lot, I noticed I would hear at least one lock actuator activate every time I accelerated above 5 MPH. This would happen even when the doors were already locked. I didn't look to see if any doors weren't locking at the time. I changed the lock setting, and thought that was the only problem. I then noticed a few weeks later that the driver rear door couldn't be locked. I asked the dealer, and they told me they had no notes indicating the results of testing the locks. I tried every method to lock the door (remote, power lock switch, key, manually), and the manual lock switch would move to the locked position, then move back to unlocked. I ended up using a wire tie to keep the lock switch in the locked position until I could get this fixed. This kept the door locked, but it wasn't possible to open the door. I replaced the actuator, and the door has locked and unlocked as expected ever since.
Needless to say, the power locks shouldn't be a wear item. Looking at the manual, the default setting for the locks on the CR-V is to have them lock when the vehicle accelerates over 5 MPH. This setting may well be the reason that the power lock actuators wear out so quickly.
- Chris S., Colorado Springs, CO, US
This is the first of many problems with my door actuators.
- hooversareok, Oklahoma City, OK, US
This is the second door actuator that has gone on my CR-V.
- hooversareok, Oklahoma City, OK, US
So my front driver's door was replaced. I've needed my front passenger door actuator replaced for about 5 months now. NOW my back driver's side is doing the loud machine gun sounds as well. THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING. There's a lawsuit but what a joke! My car is way over the warranty period. I WILL NOT BUY A HONDA AGAIN
- hooversareok, Oklahoma City, OK, US
Since Nov of 2008, on the day I brought it, my doors start acting up; unlocking on its own, would not stay locked or unlocked while driving. All four went out one after the other and I was told that it was wear and tear. Honda Headquarters gave me the worst problem and then Leesburg, Va Honda where I brought did as well. They stated to me that if I give them $400.00 a piece, they would fix it because the door actuator is not under warranty.
I had a Honda 1997 CRV and NEVER had a problem with it not along the doors locks.
When I saw a recall on the doors on the 2012 CRVs, I called them again and I told them that I was going to put in or find a class action suit or put in a complaint.
All of my door locks were replaced two that were under warranty and two after warranty ran out.
UPDATE: I can hear them now getting ready to go again. How you can tell, the double click when you unlock it or put the car in drive and when the door locks when the shift gear moves in drive or park.
Here I go again.
- gosabgo, Alexandria, VA, US
I just replaced one rear passenger side this weekend, not too hard, took about 30 minutes. I had to order another lock because the other back door is locking us out. I called Honda America also and they gave me a 888 number that was suppose to be the settlement line for this issue but was for something else... They are no help and the settlement is a joke. Most affected vehicles won't even qualify.
- Stephen B., Upland, CA, US
My 2008 Honda CRV doors lock but will not open. This happened yesterday to the passenger doors and the trunk. In case of a emergency I'm afraid my kids won't be able to open the doors. Honda is aware of this defect in thousands of these cars. One day it will cost lives and I hope they lose all the money they make for not addressing the issue becasue they are so cheap. Honda would rather save one dollar then to do the right thing and protect your life .
Update from Oct 10, 2014: Sorry I meant to type the passenger doors will not unlock. They cannot be opened from the inside or outside...
- Stephen B., Upland, CA, US
The door locks on our Honda CRV are not responding as they should. If I try to unlock the car with the key fob, the doors will unlock for a split second and then lock again. Gotta be quick to get it open. Or at other times, the doors won't lock unless I do it manually. It seems like some kind of electrical glitch. I'm not even sure the extent of the problem. It's just started. I'm concerned that it may get worse. This would certainly be a safety issue. Everything I've come across online, with regards to this problem, seems to indicate that this is a recurring defect with the CRV. I've also gathered that it's not a cheap fix. I can't understand why Honda has not issued a recall. I've always been a loyal Honda customer, but if Honda knows that there is a problem and they choose not to do the right thing, they will certainly lose my business in the future.
- Susan V., Verdun, QC, canada
Back in 2013, the passenger side lock started to fail. It would make clicking noises while the car is in Drive and it would fail to lock completely. I would have to manually lock it. Since my car already turned 5, I didn't think the vendor would still cover this under warranty so I took it to my local auto mechanic and paid out of pocket to fix the problem. A year later in 2014, the rear passenger side door started to act up. Same problem. It would fail to lock and the clicking noise when I drive is even louder. Whenever the doors locked, it would go "clickkkkkk clickkkkkk." And whenever my car would accelerate from stop, it would "clickkkkkkk clickkkkkkk", for a few times then it would mysteriously stop. It makes the same noise when I unlock. Aside from being very annoying, I'm concerned that although the door looks locked it may not be properly locked. I don't see anyone report similar problem so not sure if I'm just unlucky with a bad break or if any other CRV owners have encounter the same problem.
- Heather M., San Gabriel, CA, US
When I unlock my doors all of them immediately lock again. I have to open the doors really fast. Today I forgot to leave the door open after I started the car and I couldn't get back in. I tried my spare and it took a while for it to open but eventually it did. What if I had a baby or my puppy in the car on a hot day. That could actually be a life threatening situation. I have googled this and found numerous complaints about this and even a lawsuit pending because Honda has yet to issue a recall. It is a safety issue! Evidently it's not a cheap fix either. I have never had this problem with any other electric lock car. Recall this problem Honda! Sorry I don't have the VIN number but I didn't feel like walking out to my car to get it.
- terrim1216, Eatontown, NJ, US
Took the Honda in to the dealer where it was purchased and reported that every time I locked my cars, automatically or manually, there was a long whining sound. They reported they would look at it, and of course they found nothing wrong. This was when the car was two years old. I had heard complaints from other Honda owners about the same problems: issues with the door locks and the dealership pays no attention to you if you are female.
Four years later, I had the whining noise really complain, and it turns out the door behind the drivers seat is now permanently locked. I have tried all keys, manual, electric. I have followed instructions in the manual, in case the child proof lock is on, and run it through the steps for that door release. Still no go.
I hate to go to this dealership, and I have complained to them many times about how they operate. I will take it to my independent car mechanic. I do believe that this is a dangerous situation and Honda should pay for it to be fixed. Especially after I already asked them to look at it and they did nothing.
- Robin B., Denison, IA, US
For months all doors would lock and unlock while driving. Could not lock car at least 60% of the time and I teach in a high crime area with little or no safe parking. Annoying as hell to hear doors lock and unlock every couple of minutes. Dealer said it could cost $400 per door, finally could not take it anymore. They said it was a common problem but not yet acknowledged nor covered by Honda.
- Michelle K., Stevenson Ranch, CA, US
Wow, this is my 5th Honda; four cars and now this 2008 CR-V. Back driver side door would make an annoying clicking sound and would not lock 100% of the time. Did not have the money to get it fixed. Now, all my doors are doing wako things like not locking and locking when I dont lock them. I must always take my keys with me and to make matters worse my doors are making a machine gun noise. Irritating as hell!!!!! Reading so many complaints on-line. Why doesn't HONDA recall these CR-V's. I am the only one using my car so there is not a lot of opening and closing of my doors. No excuses andy more! HONDA's reputation is going down the toilet!!
- Vivian M., San Bernardino, CA, US
As a new mother, I was very excited to buy my first car and I was determined to do it right. So, when I went to the dealerships the one and only car i looked for was a Honda. I was debating between the Honda Fit and the Honda CR-V, because they were rated high in safety and best family cars.
While is was test driving a 08 Honda CR-V i noticed that the locks on the door would switch on and off at will while i was driving. the noise was crazy- almost like gun shots. Because of this glitch I did not purchase that particular Honda CR-V because something was obviously wrong with the door locks.
Finally, after test driving and comparing Hondas at many different dealerships, I finalized my choice and purchased a 2008 Honda CR-V... but within months of my purchase, the doors did the exact same thing as the Honda CR-V that i rejected during my search.
Now, the doors lock at will while I drive, when I switch from Drive to Reverse and vice versa. And I fear that my toddler daughter is going to locked into the car all the time. I investigated this issue on the internet and it seems that a lot of Honda CR-V owners have the same issue and complaint.
It was brought to my attention that this is a saftry issue on many different levels, including being trapped in the car if in an accident.
I am totally disappointed with Honda becasue of this. I encourage all those experiencing this issue to DEMAND that Honda be accountable and recall these vehicles to install proper working locks.
- hondaaztlan, El Paso, TX, US
Based on internet search there appears to be hundreds of door lock actuator failures for Honda CRV's
- hotsalsa, Fullerton, CA, US
Dealership can fix for four-hundred dollars,but they can't guarantee other doors may not need to be fixed as well. Have heard of this issue from at least 3 people in my area. All say dealership can fix it if they do recall: then they will refund. It is unsafe because doors do not lock at all, what if others have small children who could open door at any time.
- jrodtx, El Paso, TX, US
I have a 2008 Honda CR-V. I could not get into the car on evening. Tried Honda remote, tried actual key, still cannot get in. Called tow truck #1 that late night while in the freezing rain. He could not do it. Recommendation to call another with other equipment. After work the next evening I called tow truck #2 (not raining but still cold). He could not get locks unlocked to open the door. He recommended to call the next day, since it was 8pm, when he can get his wheel lift tow-truck (not his bed truck) so not to drag it (It's in park). He could not do anything since the car was parked forward in the driveway and up near the garage. He said he needed to drag it. I didn't allow it. I don't want to mess up my transmission. Soon after he left that evening, to get my car down the driveway, i had to get my car jack with wheels. I slowly raised the front car (front wheel drive and park) where gravity would pull the car down the drive way (i'm on an incline). Finally got it to the bottom of my driveway. Called tow truck #3 to tow the Honda 4 miles to the dealer. Tow truck #3 could not unlock it and had to drag it a couple of feet (remember, i'm in Park and cannot open the door to get it off park) to get it on his truck. Its currently at the honda dealership where they are going to charge me $119 to diagnose it. I told him from my search on the internet, this is a common problem with CR-V's. Its a locking actuator that has to be repaired. And honda has admitted to having this problem. He still charged me. I don't understand. If honda understands it's CR-Vs have this problem, why don't they recall it, if you stand by your Reliability and Quality. This is my first Honda. I just bought it Certified 2.5 months ago in Thousand Oaks, Ca from a Honda dealership. I have all the paperwork but I don't have a warranty. I've never had anyproblems like this with any of my other vehicles. Already so much work for this simple problem. I missed 1/2 day of work (3rd day) and 2 evenings spent helping the tow truck personnel open my car or at least move it so they can tow it. Please tell me what you plan to do to with a known documented problem with your CR-Vs? The problem is not going to go away. People will have this same problem. Why don't you just avoid this with other owners and recall it?
- Tony A., Palmdale, CA, US
My car is a 2008 CRV without all the bells and whistles. First when it stared my back left door would not unlock right away then my trunk would not unlock. I didn't think it was any big deal since there was no recall. I just thought it was me pushing the fob wrong. It would take 2 to 3 pushes on the fob to get it to unlock. Then later on I would always have to hit the fob 3 to 4 times just to open my front door then other 2 to 3 for my back left door.
Now all my doors locks are locking and unlocking all the time they don't unlock right away an some times they unlock then, when I go to open the door it locks on me. My key lock does not even work anymore. . And now the locks are making the loudest horrendous grinding noise as they lock and unlock. I can't get it to stop and my son screams and then laughs every time we get in the car and everyone can hear the noise it is so loud some people have jump back or fallen down. It sounds like an Machine Gun is going off. I'm terrified my son is going to get lock in or before we even get in the car we can get rob or some one might think I'm shooting off an machine gun. GREAT!!!..
Did some research its going to cost about $400 for each door. Taking my car in to get fix this week.. There goes our Christmas money.. Thanks Honda for not fixing it for us.. Please let me know how I can get on this class action law suit...
- hallee, San Diego, CA, US