The Honda CR-V
Honda's timeline puts the 2005–2026 CR-V across five generations: 2005–06 (the end of the second), 2007–11, 2012–16, 2017–22 and 2023 on. Honda Canada announced the all-new 2023 model on September 21, 2022.[1][27]
The key went from a transponder key with a separate remote (2005–06), to a remote built into the key head (2007–13), to a smart key with a hidden metal key and push-button start: standard on every Canadian trim for 2017, and on every trim in the 2023 and 2025 Canadian spec sheets.[3][4][7][8][24][25][26]
The CR-V is also on every Équité Association Ontario top-10 theft list from 2019 to 2024, at #1 in 2022 and 2024.[37][38][39][40][41][42]
Which key does your Honda CR-V use?
| Model years | Key | Start | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 (2nd gen) | Transponder keys; separate remote (CR1616) | Turned key | Side-hinged tailgate with its own key cylinder; the valet key opens it.[1][2][3] |
| 2007–2011 (3rd gen) | Remote-head master key (CR1616); valet key | Turned key | Top-hinged tailgate. Valet key: ignition and driver's door only.[1][4][5] |
| 2012–2016 (4th gen) | 2012–13: remote-head key (CR1616). 2015–16: remote-head key (CR1620) or smart key (CR2032) | Turned key; push button with the smart key | Canada 2015: the new SE trim, just above the LX, got Smart Entry with push-button start.[1][6][7][8][9][23] |
| 2017–2022 (5th gen) | Smart key with built-in key (CR2032). U.S. models without smart entry: remote key (CR1620) | Push button on every 2017 Canadian trim | Canada 2017: remote engine start on all trims; power tailgate on EX-L and up.[1][10][11][24] |
| 2023–2026 (6th gen) | Proximity smart key with built-in key (CR2032) | Push button on every Canadian trim (2023, 2025) | Keyhole hidden behind the driver's door handle. The fuel door locks with the doors.[1][12][13][14][19][21][25][26] |
Not sure which generation you have? The model year is on your ownership (vehicle permit).
Dead fob, locked out or trunk stuck: what the owner's manual says
Key inside the smart key (2015–2026)
Slide the release knob (2015 and 2017 manuals) or press the release button (2023 manual) and pull the metal key out. The 2017 manual says to use it when the fob battery or the vehicle battery is dead.[8][10][12]
Hidden driver's keyhole (2023–2026)
"The keyhole is on the back of the door handle" (2023 manual). Insert the key from below the handle; the 2026 manual says to pull and hold the outer handle first. The 2023 manual says opening a door with the key does not trigger the alarm unless the transmission leaves Park or the hood is opened before the power mode is ON.[13][20][18]
Tailgate key and emergency lever (2005–2026)
On 2005–06 models the tailgate has its own key cylinder. The 2007 manual describes none: turn the key in the driver's door clockwise twice, or press UNLOCK twice on the remote. The 2007, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2023 manuals describe a release lever behind a cover on the back of the tailgate: remove the cover and move the lever with a screwdriver (to the right on 2017 and 2023 models). The 2012, 2015 and 2017 manuals also say to push the tailgate while moving the lever.[3][4][6][8][10][16]
Weak-fob start (2015 and 2017 manuals)
While ENGINE START/STOP flashes, touch it with the H logo on the fob. After the beep, when the indicator changes from flashing to on, press the brake and the button within 10 seconds.[8][10]
Weak-fob and emergency start (2023 manual)
The order changed: press ENGINE START/STOP first (it flashes for about 30 seconds), touch it with the H logo, then press the brake and the button while it stays lit. If the engine does not start using the normal procedure, the emergency start is parking brake on, P, ACCESSORY mode, then hold the brake and the button for at least 15 seconds. Honda says needing it "should be considered a system malfunction."[15][17]
Fob batteries and lockout protection
CR1616 in the 2005–06 remote and the 2007–13 remote-head keys; CR1620 in 2015–16 remote-head keys; CR2032 in the smart key (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2026 manuals). In the 2012 manual, the doors cannot be locked while the key is in the ignition and a door or the tailgate is open. In the 2023 manual, lockout protection with keyless access is meant to let a door open if the fob is still inside. Canadian models (2017 and 2026 manuals): hold the brake on the first start after the 12-volt battery was disconnected.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][13][14][21][22]
Recalls involving locks, latches or keys
| Recall | Model years | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-220 (Transport Canada) | 2012 | Using the door lock while pulling an inside front handle can loosen the handle-to-latch cable; the door may not latch, or may open when the locks are used. Fix: new front door latches. 21,729 vehicles in Canada, CR-V and Acura ILX combined.[28][29] |
| 12V338000 (NHTSA, U.S.) | 2012 | The same front door latch defect in the U.S.[31] |
| None listed | 2005–2011, 2013–2026 | As of September 29, 2026, the Transport Canada and NHTSA databases list no lock, key, latch or ignition recall for these years.[30][31] |
To check whether your own vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN on the manufacturer's recall page — Transport Canada lists them here. To browse recalls by make, model and year, use the Transport Canada recalls database.
Known problems and what owners report
Door lock actuators, 2007–2009 (U.S. data)
S/B 14-083 covers driver's doors that "will not lock or cycles up and down"; S/B 14-084 extended the warranty on all four door lock actuators to 6 years from purchase or November 7, 2015, whichever was later. NHTSA lists 232 lock and latch complaints for the 2007 CR-V and 200 for 2008, against at most 17 for any other model year from 2005 to 2025; some owners describe passenger doors relocking right after unlocking.[32][33][36]
2015 remote-start fob (U.S. data)
S/B 15-038 covers a symptom where the remote engine starter fob's panic button does not work and one press of unlock unlocks all four doors instead of only the driver's door. The cause given is that the fob "is not programmed correctly"; the fix is a new remote engine starter control unit.[34]
Fob not recognized, 2017–18; power tailgate, 2023–25 (U.S. data)
Some 2017–18 NHTSA complaints describe body control module failure or battery drain, with the fob not recognized and the built-in key needed to get in. In 2025, American Honda asked dealers for 2023–25 CR-Vs whose power tailgate will not open or close under its own power, or sags when opened by hand; it collects parts and is not a published fix.[36][35]
Theft and key security
On Équité Association's Ontario lists by number of thefts, the CR-V was #2 in 2020 and on the "2021" list, #1 in 2022 (2,684 thefts, most often 2020 models), #4 in 2023 and #1 in 2024 (1,309 thefts, most often 2024 models). Across Canada it was #1 on the "2021" and 2022 lists, #4 in 2023 and #3 in 2024.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]
In Peel police's Project High 5 (2022), which named CR-Vs among the most targeted vehicles, police said suspects "forced open the driver's door" and used the OBD port to program a new aftermarket key fob, and that these thefts "were not the result of relay thefts." That described the project's thefts overall, not CR-Vs alone. In 2023, Hamilton police reported a rise in Waterdown thefts "particularly targeting 2018-2022 Honda CR-Vs."[47][48]
Honda CR-V keys — questions
Where is the keyhole on a 2023 or newer CR-V?
Behind the driver's door handle. Press the release button on the fob, pull out the built-in key and insert it from below the handle; the 2026 manual says to pull and hold the outer handle first.
How do you start a CR-V when the smart key battery is weak?
Touch the flashing ENGINE START/STOP button with the H logo on the fob, then press the brake and the button (2015 and 2017 manuals). The 2023 manual says to press the button first. The smart key takes a CR2032.
Which CR-V years have a lock or latch recall?
2012 only: Transport Canada recall 2012-220 (NHTSA 12V338000 in the U.S.) replaces the front door latches. As of September 29, 2026, the Transport Canada and NHTSA databases list no other lock, key, latch or ignition recall for the 2005–2026 CR-V.
Falcon Locksmith is an independent locksmith, not affiliated with or authorised by Honda. Vehicle and product names belong to their respective owners and are used only to identify the vehicle.
Related help
Other Honda models
Sources
- American Honda — Honda CR-V Timeline and Milestones (2023)
- Honda — 2005 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2006 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2007 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2011 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2012 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2013 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2015 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2016 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2017 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2020 CR-V Owner's Manual
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Key"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Replacing the Remote Battery"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "If the Keyless Remote Battery is Weak"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "If You Cannot Open the Tailgate"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Emergency Engine Start"
- Honda — 2023 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Security System Alarm"
- Honda — 2026 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Key"
- Honda — 2026 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside"
- Honda — 2026 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Replacing the Remote Battery"
- Honda — 2026 CR-V Owner's Manual (online), "Immobilizer System"
- Honda Canada — 2015 CR-V release, new SE trim (2014)
- Honda Canada — 2017 CR-V Canadian Press Kit
- Honda Canada — 2023 CR-V Specifications
- Honda Canada — 2025 CR-V Specifications
- Honda Canada — All-new 2023 CR-V and CR-V Hybrid release (2022)
- Transport Canada — Recall 2012-220 (queried 2026)
- Transport Canada — Vehicle recall database, recall 2012-220 summary (queried 2026)
- Transport Canada — Vehicle recall database, Honda CR-V recalls (queried 2026)
- NHTSA (U.S.) — Recalls for the Honda CR-V by model year, incl. 12V338000 (queried 2026)
- American Honda — S/B 14-083, Product Update: Driver's Door Lock Actuator
- American Honda — S/B 14-084, Warranty Extension: Door Lock Actuator Does Not Work
- American Honda — S/B 15-038, 2015 CR-V remote engine starter
- American Honda — Dealer request, 2023–2025 CR-V power tailgate (2025)
- NHTSA (U.S.) — Complaints for the Honda CR-V by model year (queried 2026)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles of 2019, Ontario (2019 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles of 2020, Ontario (2020 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Stolen Vehicles, Ontario ("2021" list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Ontario (2022 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Ontario, by number of thefts (2023 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Ontario, by number of thefts (2024 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Stolen Vehicles, Canada ("2021" list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Canada (2022 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Canada, by number of thefts (2023 list)
- Équité Association — Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles, Canada, by number of thefts (2024 list)
- Global News — Project High 5, Peel Regional Police (2022)
- CBC Hamilton — The vehicles thieves target most in Hamilton (2023)
