Honda CR-V Reliability Problems

CR-V owners have made 3,047 complaints over 24 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 21st in overall reliability out of 24 Honda models, with real engine and interior concerns.

14 Common Honda CR-V Problems

A list of some of the most common issues CR-V owners have to deal with.

  1. Dead Battery in Accord and CR-V

    Certain generations of Accord and CR-V vehicles chew through batteries. Leave one of these sitting a couple days and there's a good chance it won't start due to an underpowered battery, parasitic drains, and an ineffective battery charging …

    Continue reading article "Dead Battery in Accord and CR-V" An overhead view of a car's fuse box with various colored fuses

  2. Spontaneously Cracked CR-V Windshields

    Honda says the strong fuel vapors are caused by excess fuel building up in the oil pan. The issue appears to be particularly bad in cold-weather climates. In a letter to consumers, Honda impressively skirted blame by placing it on the drive…

    Continue reading article "Spontaneously Cracked CR-V Windshields" A windshield with cracks in the lower left corner covered in tape

  3. CR-V Door Locks Malfunctioning

    The actuators in the door locks of the 3rd generation CR-V (2007-2011) are failing at an alarming rate. While Honda did extend the warranty on the door locks back in 2015, that extension has since expired. That means owners are left picking…

    Continue reading article "CR-V Door Locks Malfunctioning" An isolated view of a door lock actuator

  4. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Honda …

    Continue reading article "Denso Fuel Pump Failure"

  5. Honda Sensing Problems

    Honda sensing is a group of safety systems to help drivers monitor changing road conditions. However there are growing concerns about malfunctions in the system that cause the auto-brakes to engage randomly, the radar to get confused on sun…

    Continue reading article "Honda Sensing Problems" An illustrated CR-V with blue triangles beaming out from various parts of the car where there are sensors

  6. Oil Dilution in Honda's 1.5L Engine

    Excess fuel vapors in Honda’s 1.5-liter engine aren’t burning off and diluting the engine’s oil. This raises the oil level, triggers warning lights, creates a terrible smell, and brings into question the prospect of long-term damage caused …

    Continue reading article "Oil Dilution in Honda's 1.5L Engine"

  9. CR-V Vibration Defect

    There are so many vibrations in the 2015-2016 CR-V, particularly at low speed or idle, that owners are starting to get sick. Honda has released a series of videos explaining the issue and a technical service bulletin outlining potential sol…

    Continue reading article "CR-V Vibration Defect"

  10. Gas Smell in CR-V Cabin

    Honda says the strong fuel vapors are caused by excess fuel building up in the oil pan. The issue appears to be particularly bad in cold-weather climates. In a letter to consumers, Honda impressively skirted blame by placing it on the drive…

    Continue reading article "Gas Smell in CR-V Cabin"

  11. Heater Doesn't Work

    This popular SUV is terrible at producing heat while idling. In fact, many owners say it won’t produce any at all until they start driving. If you’ve ever had to scrape ice off your windshield you understand how powerful of an ally the defr…

    Continue reading article "Heater Doesn't Work"

  12. TPMS Warning Light

    TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, are a mildly controversial feature of some modern cars. While it's nice to have quick access to the current PSI readings of your tires from the comfort of your driver's seat, some manufacturers (he…

    Continue reading article "TPMS Warning Light"

  13. Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

    An alarming number of people have complained that their late-model Honda has the most uncomfortable seats of any car they've ever owned. The problem seems to affect the 2008-2014 model years with a particular, back-crippling emphasis on the…

    Continue reading article "Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats"

  14. Rodents Chew Soy Wiring

    Honda switched to a soy-based coating for their wiring that is more biodegradable. It sounds like a pro-Earth move by the automaker, but the real reason is probably a little less triumphant: the coating costs less than plastic. Still, less …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy Wiring"

What CR-V Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

CR-V Generations

The CR-V has 5 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2007–2011).

CR-V Key Numbers

  1. 3,047 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 909 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 52 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

CR-V Class-Action Lawsuits

The CR-V has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Recent CR-V News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  3. A CR-V cracked windshield lawsuit has been dismissed after the plaintiff and Honda agreed to an unknown settlement outside of court.

    The lawsuit claims that windshields in the 5th generation CR-V are subject to stress cracks from excessive pressure from the frame. Honda's warranty is supposed to cover any broken glass that is the result of a defect but continually denies a defect exists.

    While dismissing the lawsuit is a blow to other owners experiencing the same problem, the action was dismissed without prejudice as to the claims of the members of the putative class other than Plaintiff which leaves future lawsuits in play.

    keep reading article "A CR-V Cracked Windshield Lawsuit Has Been Settled Outside of Court"

  7. A 2018 CR-V owner has sued Honda for denying his cracked windshield warranty claim

    even though both the dealership warranty administrator and a 3rd party company agree that the crack was due to stress from a defect. It wasn't until the claim made it up to a local parts and service manager that the claim was denied.

    Honda's warranty program is supposed to repair broken or chipped window glass if it's the result of defects in materials or workmanship. But somehow they just keep insisting a defect doesn't exist. How odd.…

    keep reading article "Honda Sued For Routinely Denying Windshield Warranty Claims"

  8. Honda will extend the powertrain warranty on more than 1 million vehicles in the US that continue to have oil dilution problems.

    The 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine is notorious for gasoline diluting the oil, which triggers warning lights, hurts performance, and creates an awful smell inside the cabin. The extended warranty is available to owners in all 50 states despite Honda’s insistence that the issue only happens in extreme cold weather.…

    keep reading article "Honda Extends Powertrain Warranty for 1 Million Vehicles With Oil Dilution Problems"

See All CR-V News

What Owners Say About Their CR-V

Honda's Underpowered Battery is Subject to Parasitic Drains

Problem first occurred after 4 months of ownership. Tried to start car, battery was dead, towed to dealer, they replaced battery. Six months later same problem, towed to dealer, they did a "hard reset of ecm". Six months later, same problem, towed to dealer, they still have the car. This car has about 8500 miles on it.

2019 CR-V Owner

Honda's Underpowered Battery is Subject to Parasitic Drains

Inconvenient to say the least! Worried about this happening in case of an emergency and car won't start! Looking to trade in after reading other owners having same problem with the same outcome from dealer....can't find anything wrong!

2014 CR-V Owner

Right rear door lock started making a loud snapping sound when locked. Replaced actuator for about $400. Then right front and rear doors started to malfunction. Fixed the worst one, right front for about $300. The other two doors are in need for repairs, according to my mechanic.

2007 CR-V Owner

Other Honda Models