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Honda owners rave about reliability, but for Kelly, that reputation came to a screeching, unexpected, and terrifying halt. Before I break down this frustrating story and share my advice, let’s hear from a Honda CR-V owner and her experience.
Kelly Krzyzak-Hethcoat on the Honda CR-V Community Facebook page says,
“I’m so disappointed with Honda roadside!!! Called for a tow for my 2020 Honda CR-V EX and was told I was out of my warranty. That was not true! I still have 40k or 4 years left on the warranty. Regardless, I still needed a tow. My car would not move.”
“I was told it would take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to get to me. They were told I was blocking traffic. The police came and said I couldn’t be there that long; I had to have it moved now. And I agreed it was not safe. I had the car towed 5 miles by the police tow company and got charged $244.00.”
“Honda roadside will only reimburse $100. How is that when I paid to have it done, because they didn’t seem to care if I was hit or not, blocking traffic. I’m so mad.”
“So, I was coming to a stop light and all of a sudden the brakes slammed on and all the lights came on. I had a car in front of me, but it was probably about 7 to 8 cars up. I was going about 15 to 20 mph. No brake flashing. It just slammed the brakes, and all the warning lights came on. My CR-V would not move. I put it in park and then in drive; nothing. Reverse nothing. I turned it off and back on, but nothing. It would not move.”
“Honda told me I had the e-brake on. I said nope, I didn’t touch the e-brake at all when it happened. It just did it on its own. They cleared some code for the e-brake and said it was fine. Now I have to pay $180.00 for the Honda dealer to look at it. I said no! The car wouldn’t move; it slammed on the brakes, and you want me to drive it? What if I were rear-ended because of this? I didn’t touch the e-brake. And when I have used the e-brake, all the warning lights didn’t come on.”
“So why now, if that even did happen. I was told they didn’t know. So I’m also dealing with Honda Care on that. And this whole thing is a nightmare. I called them, and they called me back once. Because I wasn’t able to answer, they closed the claim. Now I’m playing the game of doing it on a day when I can have my phone with me at all times. And even then, they don’t call back the same day.”
“I’m really disappointed with Honda. Everyone told me to get a Honda because they are great cars, and the customer service is great. I totally disagree.”
“I have it going into my regular mechanic next week to be looked at because I don’t trust the dealership. The dealer said they did a multi-point inspection, and everything was marked fine, except my front brakes. Well, those were just done 5k miles ago, and I guess they missed my headlight, which was out before this hazard. I also knew about the need for new air and engine filters, which I also knew about before they had my car. It’s really a joke.”
“It makes no sense. And I’ve told my 18-year-old not to drive the car. I don’t trust it, and I don’t want you to be in an accident because they have no idea what’s going on. So, we have been driving my husband’s 2004 Tahoe, which works like a champ. Now the CR-V sits in the driveway because I’m scared to drive it.”
A Breakdown of Kelly’s 2020 CR-V Nightmare
First off, I’ve heard many frustrating tales from car owners, but Kelly’s experience with her 2020 Honda CR-V stands out as a genuine nightmare. It’s an eye-opening account that reveals serious issues, not just with a specific vehicle but with the entire customer support system that is supposed to back it up.
Let’s talk about what’s going on, why it’s happening, and what you need to do about it.
The most concerning part of Kelly’s story is the core mechanical failure: “The brakes slammed on and all the warning lights came on.” She wasn’t touching the e-brake and had plenty of distance from the car in front of her.
This wasn’t an intentional collision mitigation system kicking in—it sounds like a significant fault in the vehicle’s electronic systems. If you’ve been searching for answers to a similar issue, you’re likely looking for information on a Honda CR-V sudden braking and warning lights problem.
This type of uncommanded intervention is not only dangerous but also indicative of a deeper-seated electronic issue. While the dealership suggested the e-brake was engaged, that explanation doesn’t account for the warning lights or why the car wouldn’t move afterward. This indicates an internal system conflict, possibly involving the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) or a failed sensor.
The roadside assistance and warranty issue
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The first discussion concerns the roadside assistance and warranty issue. Being told you’re out of warranty when you’re clearly still covered is a massive failure. While the $100 reimbursement offer might seem like a token of goodwill, it’s a far cry from the full $244 Kelly was charged for the police tow. For anyone else in this situation, this is a clear-cut example of Honda Roadside Assistance warranty reimbursement issues.
My advice in this spot is to document everything.
- Take photos of your car where it is
- Save all tow truck receipts
- Record the exact mileage
- Don’t let them tell you your warranty has expired; you have your original paperwork to prove it.
This leads to the question of who to trust with your vehicle’s safety.
Kelly says she’s taking her car to her “regular mechanic” because she doesn’t trust the dealership, and I can’t blame her. Her experience with the “multi-point inspection” was a joke—they missed an obviously burnt-out headlight and other basic needs. This is a classic Honda dealership inspection vs an independent mechanic dilemma.
While dealerships have brand-specific knowledge, they are often more focused on upselling routine maintenance rather than investigating a complex, intermittent safety issue.
What she needs is a thorough Honda CR-V safety systems fault diagnosis, which requires a mechanic who is willing to take the time to run diagnostics and check for specific service bulletins related to this kind of brake system failure. An independent shop that specializes in Honda or Japanese cars might be a better choice.
Beyond the technical failure, the most frustrating part of Kelly’s story is her endless struggle to get a response from Honda Care. Her description of “I called to make a claim, and they call you back once, and if you don’t answer, they close the claim” is frankly unacceptable.
This is a perfect example of dealing with a Honda Care customer service nightmare. To combat this, owners have to become a relentless advocate for themselves.
- Use a notebook or a notes app on your phone and jot down the date, time, and name of every single person you speak with.
- Keep a log of every call you make and every email you send.
- Create a paper trail and reference it every time you call.
The Most Concerning Issue
Kelly’s biggest fear is real and justified: she believes her car is unsafe to drive. Her decision to tell her 18-year-old not to drive it is the right one. She knows her Honda is a hazard, and she doesn’t want her daughter to be in an accident. If you’re asking yourself, ‘Why is my Honda CR-V not safe to drive?’ you need to get it to someone you trust.
The sudden, uncommanded braking event is a major safety concern. It is likely related to the vehicle’s electrical system, possibly a component of the Honda CR-V’s electronic parking brake malfunction. These systems are designed to improve safety, but when they fail in this manner, they create a new and more immediate danger.
In The End
Kelly’s experience is a powerful reminder that even the most trusted brands can fall short in both product and service quality. It’s a sad state of affairs when a customer has to choose between a potentially dangerous vehicle and a customer service system that feels like a game.
The most important takeaway from this is to be your own advocate. Don’t trust a single source; seek second opinions and document everything. The peace of mind you gain is worth far more than the initial hassle.
How About You?
What have been your own experiences with Honda car recalls or mechanical failures? How have you successfully navigated the complex and often frustrating world of manufacturer support? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Honda CR-V story: I’m Selling My Unreliable Honda CR-V and Buying A Toyota, My CR-V With Only 68K Miles Already Needs New Injectors at a Cost of $2,000
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
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Source: torquenews.com
