Does Honda CR-V lock on its own?

Yes — the Honda CR-V can lock automatically under certain conditions, using a feature commonly referred to as Walk Away Auto Lock. It is available on many newer CR-V models with keyless entry and can be turned on or off in the vehicle’s settings.

How auto-lock works in the CR-V

Auto-lock functions rely on the proximity of the key fob and the car’s security settings. When enabled, the doors will lock automatically after you move a certain distance away from the vehicle with the fob, and the vehicle’s doors typically lock once you are outside the effective range. The exact behavior can vary by model year and trim, but the goal is to prevent you from leaving the doors unlocked if you forget to lock them manually.

Walk Away Auto Lock (WAAL)

Walk Away Auto Lock is the primary auto-lock feature offered for CR-Vs with keyless entry. When enabled, the doors lock automatically after you take a few steps away from the car with the key fob still within range. Some years allow you to adjust the distance or to require you to close the doors before locking.

To enable WAAL on most current CR-V models, follow these steps:

1. Turn on the ignition and keep the vehicle in Park, or start the vehicle depending on your model year.


2. Access the Settings menu on the touchscreen (Display Audio or i-MID, depending on year).


3. Navigate to Vehicle or Door/Lock Unlock settings.


4. Find the option labeled “Walk Away Auto Lock” or “Auto Lock on Exit” and toggle it to ON.


5. If available, adjust the distance setting according to your preference and proximity of the fob.

After enabling WAAL, test the feature by carrying the key fob and walking away from the vehicle with all doors closed. The system should lock automatically when you are out of range. If you don’t see the option or the feature doesn’t seem to work, check the owner’s manual for your specific model year or contact a Honda dealer for guidance.

What to know about operation and limitations

While WAAL is convenient, the feature has limitations to be aware of. It may not engage reliably if the fob is inside the vehicle, if the fob battery is very weak, or if the vehicle is in a location where the system’s sensor range is impaired. Some drivers prefer to disable WAAL in crowded parking areas or when children or pets are inside the car to avoid accidental lockouts.

Other related features and considerations

In addition to Walk Away Auto Lock, the CR-V’s keyless entry system typically supports related behaviors that affect locking and unlocking:

• Auto-unlock on approach: The doors may unlock automatically when the smart key fob comes near the vehicle or when you touch a door handle if configured.


• Manual lock override: You can always lock the doors manually using the door lock switches or the key fob.


• Door lock delay: Some models offer a brief delay before locking to accommodate passengers or to avoid locking while a door is open.

Because features and menus vary by model year and trim, consult your owner’s manual or your dealer for exact steps and availability for your specific CR-V configuration.

Safety considerations

Auto-locking features are designed to enhance security, but they aren’t foolproof. Always ensure all doors are closed before walking away, and be mindful of the key fob’s location to avoid accidental lockouts. If you frequently forget to unlock or find yourself locked out, you can disable WAAL or use a different unlocking method temporarily.

Summary

The Honda CR-V can lock itself automatically through the Walk Away Auto Lock feature on most models with keyless entry. This setting can usually be found and toggled in the vehicle’s Settings menu, with optional distance adjustments on some years. While convenient for security, WAAL has limitations and can be disabled if desired. For model-specific instructions, refer to your owner’s manual or contact a Honda dealer.

Does the Honda CRV lock itself?

Yes, the Honda CR-V can automatically lock under certain conditions, and you can customize these settings. By default, the doors will automatically lock when the vehicle speed reaches about 9-10 mph, but this can be changed or disabled in the vehicle's settings menu. You can also enable a "Walk Away Auto Lock" feature on many models, which automatically locks the doors when you walk away from the car with the key fob.
 
Automatic door locking

• By vehicle speed: By default, all doors and the tailgate lock once the vehicle reaches approximately 9-10 mph. You can change or turn off this feature in the "Door/Window Setup" or "Vehicle Settings" menu. 
• By shift lever: You can set the doors to lock whenever the shift lever is moved out of the Park position. 
• By walking away: Newer models may have a "Walk Away Auto Lock" feature, which is often off by default. When enabled, it will lock the doors as you walk away from the vehicle with the key fob. You'll typically hear a confirmation beep and see the lights flash. 

This video demonstrates how to enable Walk Away Auto Lock on a Honda CR-V: 1mWalkaround with NarimanYouTube · Sep 3, 2023
How to change settings

1. Press the home button or use the steering wheel controls to navigate to the vehicle's settings menu. 
2. Find and select "Door/Window Setup" or "Vehicle Settings". 
3. Choose the "Auto Door Lock" option to adjust the speed-related locking, or look for the "Walk Away Auto Lock" setting to enable or disable it. 

Do Toyota auto lock when you walk away?

No, most Toyota models do not have "walk-away" auto-lock, which automatically locks the doors when you walk away from the vehicle. Instead, Toyota relies on other locking methods like the proximity key's touch sensor on the door handle or the "Auto Re-Lock" feature, which locks the car if it was unlocked but no doors were opened. Some specific models might have this feature as an option, but it's not a standard across the board. 
This video explains the difference between walk-away locking and auto re-lock: 34sNexologyYouTube · Aug 7, 2025
Standard Toyota locking methods

• Touch sensor: With the proximity key fob in your pocket, you can lock the doors by touching the sensor on the front of the door handle as you exit and close the door.
• Auto Re-Lock: If you accidentally unlock the car with the fob but don't open any doors within a set period (like 30 seconds), it will automatically relock itself. 

What to do if you want walk-away lock

• Check your specific model: Some newer or higher-end models might have this feature, so check your owner's manual or infotainment system settings. Some users report that it can be enabled through the vehicle's settings menu. 
• Use your phone: Some models allow you to use a connected app to lock your doors remotely, although this requires a subscription or a phone signal. 
• Consider a third-party add-on: There are third-party systems available that can provide this feature by connecting to the car's system. 

Does Honda automatically lock when you walk away?

Yes, many newer Honda models have a "Walk Away Auto Lock" feature that will automatically lock the doors when you walk away, but it must be enabled in the vehicle's settings first. To use it, you typically need to have the key fob with you and ensure all doors are closed. Some models, like the 2025 CR-V, will also relock if you unlock the doors but don't open one within 30 seconds.
 
How it works

• Availability: The feature is standard on many Honda models from 2016 and newer, particularly on EX trim levels and above, but check your owner's manual for specific availability. 
• Enabling the feature: You can enable the feature through the vehicle's infotainment system. The exact path varies by model, but it generally involves going to "Vehicle Settings" or "Door Setup" on the touchscreen or through the driver information interface. 
• Conditions for locking: When you walk away, the vehicle will automatically lock if all doors and the hood are closed, and the key fob is within a certain range (about 5 feet). 
• Locking confirmation: After the feature activates, you'll typically hear a beep and see the exterior lights flash to confirm the doors are locked. 
• Automatic relocking: If you unlock the vehicle with the key fob but then don't open a door, the doors will automatically relock after a set period, often 30 seconds. 

Why is my car automatically locking itself?

Your car is automatically locking itself due to either a normal feature, like "passive lock," a faulty component, or a key fob issue. Normal reasons include the car automatically locking after a certain time or when the key fob is out of range, but a malfunction can cause this if it happens without explanation or when the key is inside. Common causes for a malfunction include a defective door latch, a problem with a door lock actuator, or a failing key fob battery. 
Normal automatic locking 

• Passive lock: Some cars are designed to automatically lock after a set time or when the key fob is too far away from the vehicle. If you walk away from the car, it might lock itself. 
• Speed-based lock: Many cars have a feature that automatically locks the doors when a certain speed is reached to prevent theft. 
• After unlocking: If you unlock the car but don't open a door within a certain time (usually 30 seconds), the car will re-lock for security. 

Potential malfunctions

• Faulty door latch or switch: A problem with a door's latch, such as a bad switch, can trick the car into thinking the door is open when it's not, causing it to constantly try to re-lock. 
• Defective door lock actuator: The actuator can fail and cause the doors to cycle through locking and unlocking randomly, which can also lead to a battery drain. 
• Key fob issues:
  • A failing battery can cause the fob to send an intermittent signal, triggering the car to lock or unlock at random. 
  • Damage to the fob itself or interference with its signal can also be the culprit. 
• Wiring or electrical problems: Damaged or corroded wiring, particularly in the door's wiring harness, can cause erratic behavior. 
• Faulty body control module (BCM): This is the computer that controls the locks. A malfunctioning BCM can cause many electrical issues, including automatic locking. 

What to do

1. Check your user manual: See if your car has an automatic locking feature you can disable. 
2. Inspect the key fob: Try a new battery in the fob. If the problem continues, the fob itself might be faulty. 
3. Reset the BCM: A temporary fix for electrical glitches is to disconnect the car's battery for about 10 minutes. 
4. Get a diagnostic scan: Take your car to a mechanic who can scan for error codes. This will help pinpoint the exact cause, especially if it's related to a faulty door latch, actuator, or wiring.