Honda CR-V RW
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The 5th-gen CR-V (2017–2022) was Honda's best-seller in the US for most of this run — 300,000+ units a year. If you're shopping one, the two words that define the generation are oil dilution (unburned fuel mixes into engine oil, thinning it). The 1.5T L15BE turbo engine — same family as the 10th-gen Civic — can dilute its own oil with unburned fuel in cold-climate short-trip driving. The dipstick reads above the full mark and smells like raw gasoline. Long-term, this destroys bearing surfaces.
The class-action settlement (*Fath v. Honda*, D. Minnesota, 2020) covered 2017–2018 CR-Vs with an extended powertrain warranty and $250 reimbursement cap. A second suit (*Wolf v. Honda*, N.D. Illinois, filed 2022) expands to 2019–2023. Honda's fix: ECU/TCU software reflash + oil change, free in 21 affected states. The fix works — what kills engines is the previous owner who drove 45,000 miles without knowing the oil was 30% gasoline.
The smart buy: 2020–2022 Hybrid (2.0L i-MMD, LFB2). No oil dilution risk, no CVT belt, 37–38 MPG combined. The eCVT is essentially unbreakable. NHTSA complaint ratio: 289 on the Hybrid engine vs. 5,105 on the 1.5T — that gap says everything. Pain points are peripheral: undersized 12V battery (dead battery at 3,207 miles reported), infotainment freezes/CarPlay disconnects, and no spare tire (hybrid battery occupies that space). The 2017–2018 2.4L K24W9 base (LX only) is the overlooked sleeper — naturally aspirated, no turbo, no oil dilution, proven K-series durability. Dramatically lower complaint rate.
The CVT shudder on 1.5T models (especially 2017–2018) is the second story — vibration at 30–45 MPH, hesitation on acceleration. Honda's fix was HCF-2 fluid flush + TCU update, but three fluid changes are actually needed to fully flush the system ($200–$400 each). Torque converter replacement in severe cases: $800–$1,500.
AC condenser and compressor warranty extended to 10 years / unlimited miles (both components, notifications 2019 and 2023). Factory rubber seal on the compressor shaft degrades, refrigerant escapes. If the AC blows lukewarm on a 2017–2019 and this hasn't been done — it's free. Denso fuel pump recall (2020) — impeller cracks, engine stalls, 2017–2020 affected. Spontaneously cracked windshields (2017–2019) — frame stress cracks with no impact point, class action settled.
Test-drive checklist: pull dipstick cold (oil above full + gasoline smell = active dilution — walk away unless TSB repair documented), CVT at 35–45 MPH light throttle for shudder, AC full blast for 3 minutes (should hit 38–42°F at vents), ask seller to start after 48+ hours sitting (parasitic drain test). Northern-state cars: inspect rocker panels and wheel arches on a lift — 5th-gen rust appears early in the salt belt.
2026 market: 2017 EX-L 1.5T AWD $13,500–$16,500. 2019–2020 EX-L $17,000–$21,000. 2020–2021 Hybrid EX AWD $20,000–$24,000. 2022 Hybrid Touring $25,000–$28,000. Insider pick: 2019 EX 1.5T FWD under 60,000 miles from a mild-climate state — 2019 got revised ECU software from the factory, skips the worst oil dilution, no hybrid premium. Or spend the extra $4,000–$6,000 for a 2020+ Hybrid and eliminate the risk entirely.
193 PS
CR-V · Benzin
Turbo in SUV clothing
DecentGenerations
Engine Overview
The Honda CR-V RW is available with 3 engine variants — from 120 to 193 hp.
1.6L i-DTEC Earth Dreams diesel — Honda's answer to VW's 1.6 TDI. Economical (under 4 L/100 km possible), but not risk-free: Honda published a service bulletin in 2018 for camshaft and cylinder head damage on certain build years. Affected engines show metallic noises from the valvetrain. DPF is considered relatively trouble-free compared to larger diesels. Timing chain maintenance-free. Mileages over 150,000 km problem-free are documented — the service bulletin affects a batch, not the entire series. Oil change every 12,000 km.
- !! Camshaft / cylinder head issues (service bulletin) from 130,000 km
Honda issued an internal service bulletin in 2018 for cylinder head issues. Affected vehicles received a complete cylinder head replacement under goodwill. Shorter oil change intervals reduce the risk.
Symptoms: Ticking or rattling from the engine area, power loss, elevated oil consumption - !! Injector failure (design weakness) from 100,000 km
The Bosch injectors of the 1.6 i-DTEC fail in clusters from around 100,000 km — dealers report several sets a month, pointing to a design flaw. Honda specifies replacing all four injectors; faulty nozzles also clog the EGR and DPF.
Symptoms: Hesitation, power loss, black smoke, limp mode, check engine light - !! DPF clogging in urban use from 120,000 km
Despite improved DPF management over the N22A, the filter can clog in predominantly urban use where exhaust temperatures are not high enough for regeneration. Automatic models reportedly show fewer DPF issues.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, forced regeneration, power loss
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.5L VTEC Turbo — Honda's most important downsizing engine, fitted across nearly all models from 2016. Known issue: fuel dilutes engine oil during frequent short trips in cold weather. Honda responded with extended warranty, revised software, and new piston rings (from 2019). Turbo spools from 1,500 rpm, peak torque at 1,700–5,500 rpm — a wide powerband with no turbo lag. Shorten oil change interval to 7,500 km for short trips. Timing chain maintenance-free. Despite the oil dilution issue, long-lived when properly maintained.
- !! THE Honda 1.5T issue: unburnt fuel bypasses piston rings into the oil circuit on short trips and cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extended 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes. from 30,000 km
THE Honda 1.5T problem: unburned fuel passes piston rings into oil on short trips/cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extension 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes.
Symptoms: Oil level above maximum, gas smell on dipstick/in cabin, engine stumble, power loss - !! Head gasket failure (between cyl. 2 and 3) from 150,000 km
The turbo 1.5 was derived from the naturally aspirated engine without strengthening the head for the higher firing pressure. Between cylinders 2 and 3 there is only a narrow gasket land over a coolant passage — the stretch bolts lose clamping force and the gasket blows. Coolant enters the combustion chamber or oil.
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leak, overheating, milky foam on the oil cap, sweet white exhaust vapour - !! Recall: Fuel pump (2018-2020) — NHTSA 23V-858
NHTSA 23V-858: a low-density impeller can deform and seize the pump → engine stall while driving. Part of the 2.5M-vehicle recall (Honda + Acura). Free replacement at dealer.
Symptoms: Check engine light, intermittent power loss, hard starting, sudden engine stall while driving
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.0L i-MMD e:HEV — Honda's dual-motor hybrid system in the mid-power class. Engine operates in efficient Atkinson cycle, mostly drives the generator while the electric motor drives the wheels. No conventional transmission — power delivery is stepless without CVT-typical rubber-band feel. Predominantly electric in city traffic, engine couples directly on the motorway. No turbo complexity, no high-pressure direct injection. Lithium-ion battery maintenance-free. Limited long-term data in Europe, proven in Japan since 2018.
- !! Recall: stiff steering gear (worm wheel)
Major recall (NHTSA 24V-744 / EU code 6JP, up to MY2024): an incorrectly made worm wheel swells, the lubricant film thins and spring preload rises — steering becomes sticky and heavy, with a risk of loss of control in extreme cases. Honda replaces the spring and grease, or the whole steering gear.
Symptoms: Sticky, heavy steering feel, fluctuating steering effort, noise from the steering
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: Fuel Pump Models from January 2018 to December 2019 may have a faulty fuel pump that causes starting problems or the engine cutting out while driving. A recall was carried out. Symptoms: Error message in the instrument cluster, engine fails to start or cuts out suddenly while driving — no prior warning. | Low | |
| 1.5 VTEC Turbo oil dilution from fuel contamination Fuel enters engine oil during short trips and cold weather — oil level rises above maximum. Honda recalled in China and issued software update in Canada; Europe got TSB only. Improved piston rings from 2019. At purchase: check warm oil level — above max = problem. Symptoms: Oil level above maximum, fuel smell on dipstick, up to 50% oil dilution, engine warning in extreme cases from 30,000 km | Low |
Test Reports
AUTO BILD Used Car Test Honda CR-V V
The fifth-generation CR-V maintains traditionally strong MOT results. Known weaknesses are limited to occasionally misaligned headlights and flat batteries. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is known for a fuel dilution issue.
2023-02Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Buick Encore GX GEM
Compact SUV (2020–2025)
Cupra Formentor I
Compact SUV (2020–2024)
Cupra Ateca I-FL
Compact SUV (2020–2026)
Ford Mustang Mach-E I
Compact SUV (2020–2024)
Ford Escape IV
Compact SUV (2020–2024)
Hyundai Tucson NX4
Compact SUV (2020–2026)
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 19 weaknesses have been documented for the Honda CR-V RW (2017–2022) — 12 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, HVAC, Electronics, Gearbox.
CR-V (N16A, 2017–2019) — Be Careful: Camshaft / cylinder head issues (service bulletin), Injector failure (design weakness), DPF clogging in urban use. Power: 120 PS.
CR-V (N16A, 2017–2019) — Be Careful: Camshaft / cylinder head issues (service bulletin), Injector failure (design weakness), DPF clogging in urban use. Power: 160 PS.
CR-V (L15B, 2018–2022) — Be Careful: THE Honda 1.5T issue: unburnt fuel bypasses piston rings into the oil circuit on short trips and cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extended 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes., Head gasket failure (between cyl. 2 and 3), Recall: Fuel pump (2018-2020) — NHTSA 23V-858. Power: 173 PS.
CR-V (L15B, 2018–2022) — Be Careful: THE Honda 1.5T issue: unburnt fuel bypasses piston rings into the oil circuit on short trips and cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extended 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes., Head gasket failure (between cyl. 2 and 3), Recall: Fuel pump (2018-2020) — NHTSA 23V-858. Power: 193 PS.
CR-V (LFC1, 2018–2022) — Be Careful: Recall: stiff steering gear (worm wheel). Power: 145 PS.
What to watch out for with the Honda CR-V? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Honda CR-V RW have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Honda CR-V RW? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Honda CR-V RW engine is the most fun? +
Is the Honda CR-V RW worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Honda CR-V RW? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee