What are the most common Honda CR-V problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 17,918+ owner reports, the 2021-2021 Honda CR-V has 14 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution, Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111, 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda CR-V reliable?
The 2021-2021 Honda CR-V has 14 known issues documented across 17,918+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution and Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111 and 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure and Phantom Braking — Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Activates With No Obstacle and Low-Density Fuel Pump Impeller — Stalling / No-Start (NHTSA Recalls 21V-215 & 23V-858). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda CR-V problems?
Repair costs for known Honda CR-V issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution, typically costs $0-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2017-2023 Honda CR-V 1.5L Turbo Engine Oil Dilution?
Gasoline mixes with engine oil in the 1.5L turbocharged engine, causing the oil level to rise above the full mark. The issue is most prevalent in cold climates where short trips don't allow the engine to reach full operating temperature. Unburned fuel bypasses the piston rings an… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2022 Honda CR-V Denso Fuel Pump Recall - NHTSA 20V-374 and 23V-111?
The 5th generation CR-V (2018-2022) is included in Honda's largest fuel pump recall affecting over 5.7 million vehicles. Denso-manufactured fuel pump impellers were made with improperly molded low-density material that swells and deforms under fuel exposure, interfering with the… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V 1.5T CVT Transmission Judder and Valve Body Failure?
The 5th generation CR-V (2017-2022) with 1.5T engine uses a Honda-designed CVT (Earth Dreams CVT) that exhibits shuddering/juddering during acceleration between 10-45 mph, especially on grades and in hot weather. Unlike the 2015-2016 HR-V/Fit CVT issues which were purely belt-rel… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V Phantom Braking — Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Activates With No Obstacle?
The CR-V's Honda Sensing automatic emergency braking (CMBS) is the subject of a major NHTSA defect probe for 'phantom braking' — sudden, hard, unrequested braking when no obstacle is present. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened the case on 2017-2019 CR-V and 2018-2019… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2022 Honda CR-V Low-Density Fuel Pump Impeller — Stalling / No-Start (NHTSA Recalls 21V-215 & 23V-858)?
Certain CR-Vs were built with a Denso fuel pump module containing a low-density impeller that can absorb fuel, swell, and deform. A deformed impeller binds the pump and makes it inoperative, which can prevent the engine from starting or, worse, stall the engine while driving — a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V A/C Compressor Shaft Seal Leak?
The A/C compressor shaft seal can swell and leak due to interaction with the new R-1234yf refrigerant and PAG oil. This causes refrigerant to leak from the compressor, resulting in reduced or no cooling from the air conditioning system. Honda extended the warranty on this compone… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V 1.5T Engine Shake/Vibration and Rough Idle When Cold (5th Gen)?
The 5th generation CR-V with the 1.5T Earth Dreams engine (L15B7) produces excessive engine shake and rough idle during cold start and warm-up that is distinctly abnormal compared to competitive vehicles. The vibration is felt through the steering wheel, floorboard, and seats. Ho… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V Active Engine Mount Failure Causing Excessive Vibration (5th Gen)?
The 5th generation CR-V uses electronically controlled Active Engine Mounts (ACM) that use an electromechanical actuator to cancel engine vibration in real time. These mounts fail prematurely at 40,000-80,000 miles, causing a dramatic increase in cabin vibration, especially at id… Repairs typically run $550-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2015-2023 Honda CR-V CVT Shudder/Judder During Acceleration?
The CVT transmission can develop a shudder or judder, particularly during light acceleration at low speeds. This vibration is often felt between 15-40 mph and may feel like driving over rumble strips. The issue is related to the torque converter or CVT fluid degradation. Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2023 Honda CR-V Adaptive Cruise Control Erratic Behavior?
The Honda Sensing adaptive cruise control can behave erratically, including phantom braking on the highway when no obstacle is present, or failing to detect vehicles ahead. Weather conditions, sun glare, and road conditions can affect system performance. Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V A/C Compressor Shaft Seal Leak — A/C Stops Blowing Cold (Warranty Extended to 10 Years)?
Fifth-gen CR-Vs commonly lose A/C cooling because of a leak at the A/C compressor main shaft seal. Honda traces the root cause to the North American switch to a new refrigerant (R-1234yf) and PAG oil, which causes the compressor shaft seal to swell and wear abnormally, opening ga… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2021 Honda CR-V Infotainment Display Freezing/Black Screen?
The infotainment display can freeze, go black, or become unresponsive. This affects the audio system, backup camera, and climate control display. The system may reboot randomly while driving. Issues are often caused by software bugs. Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.
What is the 2020-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Model Brake Rotor Corrosion and Premature Wear?
The CR-V Hybrid (2020+) uses regenerative braking as the primary retardation method, meaning the conventional friction brakes are used less frequently than on non-hybrid models. This reduced usage causes brake rotors to develop surface rust and corrosion significantly faster, cre… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: low.
What is the 2017-2023 Honda CR-V Parasitic Battery Drain?
Some CR-V owners experience unexplained battery drain that can result in a dead battery after sitting for a few days. This can be caused by various electronic modules not going to sleep properly, Bluetooth module issues, or aftermarket accessories. Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
