# Honda CR-V battery warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 15 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (4) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about the battery warning light on the Honda CR-V (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (4). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. ## Honda CR-V battery warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the battery light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 4 | 395 | 1% | | 2017 | 4 | 1779 | 0% | | 2018 | 2 | 2165 | 0% | | 2019 | 1 | 1107 | 0% | | 2021 | 2 | 446 | 0% | | 2025 | 2 | 293 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Honda CR-V recalls related to the battery warning light **[24V745000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V745000)** (2023 models, reported 2024-10-04): An electrical spark increases the risk of an injury or fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the battery module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 27, 2024. **[23V844000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V844000)** (2020-2022 models, reported 2023-12-13): An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the battery cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2024. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Honda CR-V owners report - "All safety systems are disabled, battery light, check engine light. The car states "See Dealer", but the dealer refuses to work on my car. I need to report this as a safety concern so that this will turn into a recall as Honda says they are aware of the issue and can read the error codes." -- owner of a 2025 Honda CR-V, complaint filed 2025 - "The battery had 2 bars and a warning light came on next to the battery indicator. My car began having trouble accelerating and could not keep up with 55mph traffic. The diagnosis is that one of the cylinders misfired and I needed to replace the ignition coil. The car is in the dealer's shop awaiting parts for..." -- owner of a 2021 Honda CR-V, complaint filed 2023 - "On 9/16/26 at 52,113 miles, East Coast Honda finally documented that the electric parking brake warning was going on/off while driving along with the brake-system and battery lights. They found DTC U3003-16, Brake Booster Control Unit Power Circuit Low Voltage, and replaced the electric brake booster. During the..." -- owner of a 2019 Honda CR-V, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the battery warning light means The battery light means the charging system is not keeping the battery charged, and most often the alternator or the belt that drives it has failed. The car is running on stored battery power and may only go another 30 minutes or less before it stalls. If the temperature gauge also rises or steering gets heavy, the drive belt has likely broken and you should stop right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failing alternator** (most common) 2. **Broken or slipping serpentine belt** (common) 3. **Loose or corroded battery cables** (common) 4. **Failing battery** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Battery (charging system) warning light](/warning-lights/battery). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda CR-V battery light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (24V745000, 23V844000) covering 2020-2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Honda CR-V years have the most battery light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2018 CR-V model years have the most complaints mentioning the battery warning light, with 4 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda CR-V with the battery light on? Drive to a shop this week. You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. Stop driving right away if the temperature gauge rises, the steering gets heavy, or you smell burning rubber. ### How do I check if my Honda CR-V has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Honda CR-V warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-cr-v): 27 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-cr-v): 58 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-cr-v): 392 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-cr-v): 91 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/honda-cr-v): 15 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/honda-cr-v): 146 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-cr-v): 25 complaints ## Battery (charging system) warning light on other models - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-cherokee): 144 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-odyssey): 45 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-wrangler): 33 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/chrysler-pacifica): 32 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-pilot): 32 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-sonata): 31 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints ## Honda CR-V - [Honda CR-V specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-cr-v) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-cr-v Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.