32 of the
204 complaints filed about the Honda Crosstour
are about the electrical system —
16% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2015.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to immediately start and made an abnormal grinding sound while starting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the starter. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11747127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
An aftermarket ignition interlock device (Intoxalock eLERT model) installed in my vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned and disabled the vehicle’s ignition system, preventing the vehicle from starting and operating normally. The device was installed on October 6, 2025 as part of a state ignition interlock program. The first malfunction occurred only four days later. The device has malfunctioned multiple times since installation. The most serious failure occurred in March 2026 when the device would not power on at all. Because the device controls the ignition relay, the vehicle could not start and became completely inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed to the service center that installed the device. The component involved appears to be the ignition interlock handheld breath testing unit and relay system that communicates with the vehicle ignition. When the device fails to power on or function properly, the vehicle cannot start even when the driver is sober and compliant. This malfunction created a safety concern because the vehicle could not be operated or moved when needed, leaving the driver stranded and unable to safely transport family members. The problem has occurred multiple times and appears to be related to the device itself rather than the vehicle. The equipment has been returned to an authorized service center for inspection, and the device should be available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lights from the vehicle itself prior to the failure. The primary symptom was that the ignition interlock device would not power on or would malfunction during operation, which prevented the vehicle from starting. Because the ignition interlock device directly controls whether the vehicle can start, repeated device failures create a situation where the vehicle becomes unexpectedly disabled.
NHTSA complaint #11724064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
An aftermarket ignition interlock device installed in my vehicle requires “rolling retests” while the vehicle is in motion. During these rolling retests, the device alerts the driver and requires a breath sample within a short time window. To complete the test, the driver must physically pick up and handle the handheld unit and blow into the device while driving. This requirement creates a driver distraction because the driver must remove at least one hand from the steering wheel and divert attention from the roadway in order to complete the breath test. This procedure appears to conflict with Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law, 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 (Paul Miller’s Law), which prohibits drivers from holding or manually using an interactive electronic device while operating a vehicle. Although the ignition interlock device is intended to promote road safety, the design of the rolling retest requires the driver to manually interact with a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. Drivers may feel pressured to complete the test immediately because failing to do so can be recorded as a violation or trigger lockout procedures. This creates a situation where drivers must choose between complying with the device requirements or maintaining full attention on safe vehicle operation. In my experience, the alert can occur while driving in traffic, which forces the driver to handle the device during active driving conditions. Because this equipment directly affects vehicle operation and driver behavior while the vehicle is moving, I am submitting this report to raise a potential safety concern regarding whether rolling retest procedures create unsafe driver distraction and whether they conflict with hands-free driving safety laws.
NHTSA complaint #11724067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the vehicle started. The failure had occurred 5 times. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The starter was replaced, and the vehicle operated as needed temporarily, before the failure reoccurred. The contact had discovered a TSB for the failure of 2013 and 2014 model vehicles. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11711131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 16-002. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11603817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11602327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The starter system is intermittent and grinds on occasion which keeps the car from starting. If I were in a situation where the car must start, ie: on a railroad track etc., this would be deadly! I read on line where there are thousands of people having the same issue and Honda knows of this issue and has not addressed it! The starter motor housing is engineered incorrectly and after a short time, the teeth grind and destroy the flywheel. This needs to be recalled and if they do not, it needs to be a forced recall.
NHTSA complaint #11529158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that on separate occasions after he depressed the brake pedal then push the start/ stop button to start the vehicle, he could hear grinding and spinning on start-up, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after approximately six attempts, the vehicle may start. The contact stated that the failure may occur randomly. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.
NHTSA complaint #11528506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2015 Honda Accord Crosstour, that was purchased in June 2022and since November 2022 , every few attempts, the car fails to start and, at times, grinds. This is a known problem under Honda Service Bulletin 16-002. I expect for the problem to be fixed and it has not. The starter was replaced, and it is still doing it. There is a second part to attempt to fix the problem, but Honda will not do it. Unfortunately, Honda has not been forced to address this problem and make customers whole fully. I have been stranded several times with two young children waiting for the car to start. Sometimes it starts, and sometimes it doesn't. As an owner of 3 Hondas, I will never buy another Honda again. I feel duped and defrauded.
NHTSA complaint #11509449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the starter was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that recently the vehicle failed to start as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11500824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle made grinding noises and hesitated to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to a faulty starter. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11474922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, he heard a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,210.
NHTSA complaint #11460638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle remotely, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated and flashing on and off. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact researched the failure and noted that the failure was found in similar vehicles. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic and an unknown dealer, who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000
NHTSA complaint #11443062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start intermittently, and the contact heard a grinding noise. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the dealer on two separate occasions prior, for the same failure and the starter was replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and to send the work order and repair bill to them. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11431030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,930.
NHTSA complaint #11389945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A PUSH TO START AND THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HAS ISSUES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT. TYPICAL A STARTER-RELATED GRINDING NOISE. IT IS NOT USER ERROR BECAUSE WHEN I GET IS SERVICED AT HONDA THEY WOULD FREQUENTLY QUEATION WHY THE ISSUE WAS HAPPENING. ITS AN ONGOING ISSUES SINCE I PURCAHSED IT FROM GREAT FALLS HONDA IN MT.
NHTSA complaint #11378114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PUSHING THE START BUTTON A GRINDING AND BUZZING NOISE WAS HEAD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11364268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"SYSTEM STARTER" LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH. CAR WILL NOT START. SOUNDS OF GRINDING AND ALMOST LIKE A HISSING SOUND COMING OUT. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START. SOMETHING IS WRONG. HONDA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT IT VIA ONLINE FOR A WHILE, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CASES OF THIS IN ALL MODELS HONDA MANUFACTURES. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR, ONE THAT HONDA SHOULD MAKE A RECALL OR PAY US CUSTOMERS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11325141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHEEHY HONDA (LOCATED AT 7434 RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22306, (703) 660-0100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11268011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.