Honda's mid-size SUV with their first small-displacement diesel for the European market. The 1.6 i-DTEC was offered in 120 hp (2WD, six-speed manual) and 160 hp twin-turbo (4WD, six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic) configurations, both built at Swindon. Spacious, well-equipped, and generally well-assembled, but the diesel drivetrain introduces complexities that Honda's petrol models avoid.· more· less
Spacious interior and practical bootTiming chain, no belt changes needed
DPF problems with short-trip drivingCamshaft wear is a known defect
Buy if: You do regular motorway driving, can verify the camshaft TSB has been addressed, and want a reliable Japanese-brand SUV with diesel economy.
Avoid if: You primarily drive short urban trips (DPF will clog), or you want the carefree ownership Honda is known for with their petrol models.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€13,600
median asking price, typically 140,000 km
Typical range€11,000 – €15,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€900 – €1,650/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €950 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€350 – €700 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€13,600
Typically €11,000 – €15,000, at around 140,000 km.
Diesel particulate filter clogs when regeneration cycles cannot complete, common with urban driving patterns · more· less
The 1.6 i-DTEC relies on active DPF regeneration, injecting extra fuel to raise exhaust temperatures above 600 degrees. Short trips prevent the regen cycle from completing, causing soot accumulation. Symptoms include a DPF warning light, loss of power, and sometimes a strong fuel smell in the cabin (from oil dilution during failed regen). Honda dealer DPF replacement costs around 2,500 euros. Professional DPF cleaning runs 500-700 euros with a lifetime warranty on the cleaning. The issue is preventable with regular motorway runs of at least 20-30 minutes. Cars used primarily for school runs and urban commuting will inevitably develop DPF problems.
Camshaft and cylinder head wear
€2,500 - 5,0002 of 8
Manufacturing defect causes premature wear of number 1 cam holder, leading to engine rattle at operating temperature · more· less
Honda issued Technical Service Bulletin SR-02-001-06 addressing abnormal noise from the engine between 900-2000 rpm when warm. The root cause is excessive lateral thrust on the camshaft due to incorrect or poor-quality engine parts during initial assembly, causing premature wear of the number 1 cam holder. The noise appears when the engine reaches operating temperature, stops around 2000 rpm, then re-appears around 1300 rpm. The fix requires modified rocker arms to counteract the lateral thrust, but in severe cases the cylinder head or entire engine needs replacement. Honda dealers have performed hundreds of warranty repairs for this issue. Out of warranty, expect 2,500-5,000 euros depending on whether the head can be repaired or the engine needs replacement. Affected cars span multiple production years of the 1.6 i-DTEC engine.
Oil dilution from DPF regeneration
€100 - 8003 of 8
Unburned diesel enters the oil sump during regeneration cycles, diluting the engine oil and reducing lubrication · more· less
During DPF regeneration, extra fuel is injected to raise exhaust temperature. If regeneration is interrupted (engine switched off mid-cycle, or too many short trips), unburned fuel seeps past the piston rings into the oil. This triggers fault code P109A (oil dilution detected). Symptoms include the oil level rising above the maximum mark on the dipstick and a fuel smell from the oil filler cap. Honda released a software update to shorten warm-up times and optimize fuel injection during regen. The fix is typically an oil and filter change plus clearing the P109A code via Honda's HDS diagnostic tool. Cost is minimal if caught early (100-200 euros for oil change), but prolonged oil dilution can cause accelerated engine wear leading to much costlier repairs. Owners in cold climates or with short commutes should change oil every 8,000 km rather than the standard 15,000 km interval.
High pressure fuel pump failure
€1,200 - 2,5004 of 8
Bosch CP4 fuel pump disintegrates internally, sending metal swarf through the entire fuel system · more· less
The 1.6 i-DTEC uses a Bosch CP4 high-pressure diesel pump that can fail catastrophically. When the pump disintegrates, metal shavings contaminate the fuel rail and injectors. Symptoms are sudden stalling and inability to restart. A remanufactured pump costs around 600-700 euros, but if swarf has entered the injectors they must also be replaced (each injector costs 300-400 euros). In the worst case, the complete fuel system including pump, rail, and all four injectors needs replacement, pushing the total to 2,000-2,500 euros. This failure is not extremely common but tends to occur without warning, typically after 100,000 km.
Dual mass flywheel and clutch wear (manual)
€1,000 - 1,8005 of 8
DMF deteriorates causing clutch judder, especially noticeable on cold mornings during first-gear engagement · more· less
Manual transmission CR-Vs with the 1.6 diesel use a dual mass flywheel that absorbs the diesel's high torque pulses. The DMF develops play over time, causing judder when releasing the clutch in first gear, particularly when cold. Some owners have needed replacement as early as 30,000 km, though 60,000-100,000 km is more typical. Honda's flywheel alone costs approximately 800-1,000 euros, and it is standard practice to replace the clutch kit at the same time. Total cost including labor is 1,000-1,800 euros at an independent shop. Honda dealers have sometimes refused warranty coverage claiming the failure is due to driving style.
EGR valve clogging
€400 - 8006 of 8
Carbon deposits restrict the electronically controlled EGR valve, causing rough running and check engine light · more· less
The EGR valve on the 1.6 i-DTEC is electronically controlled via the ECU and recirculates exhaust gases to reduce NOx emissions. Carbon buildup is accelerated by short-trip urban driving and can restrict the valve or cause it to stick. Symptoms include rough idle, loss of power, and a check engine light. The valve can sometimes be cleaned rather than replaced, costing 100-200 euros. A new OEM valve costs 300-500 euros, and the Honda-specific synchronization procedure (using HDS diagnostic tool) adds to labor costs if fitted at an independent garage. Cleaning the EGR at every other service interval helps prevent failure.
Jerky low-speed shifts, hesitation on downshifts, and occasional momentary loss of drive · more· less
The 160 hp 4WD variant was available with the ZF 9HP nine-speed automatic transmission, which has documented shifting quirks across multiple manufacturers using this gearbox. Common complaints include harsh 2-1 downshift when coming to a stop, lag when pulling away from standstill, and the gearbox briefly disengaging drive during rapid multi-gear downshifts. Honda released multiple software updates to improve shift calibration. The gearbox requires fluid changes every 2 years (the fluid costs approximately 70 euros per liter and requires 3 liters). If the mechatronic unit fails, repair costs range from 1,500-4,000 euros. This issue only affects cars with the nine-speed automatic; manual-gearbox cars, including the 160 hp 4WD manual, are unaffected.
Injector failure
€800 - 1,8008 of 8
Diesel injectors can fail causing misfires, rough running, and contributing to oil dilution · more· less
Honda dealers reportedly see an average of 2 sets of failed injectors per month across i-DTEC models. Faulty injectors spray excess fuel, causing misfires and accelerating oil dilution. Honda recommends replacing all four injectors simultaneously when one fails. A complete set of four Bosch piezo injectors plus labor costs 800-1,800 euros depending on whether OEM or remanufactured parts are used. Injector failure can also damage the DPF by pushing excess soot, compounding repair costs. The issue appears more common on early production cars.
Reliable with highway use, problematic for urban drivers
The Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC is well-built and can reach high mileages when used as intended: regular motorway driving with timely servicing. However, the diesel drivetrain introduces DPF, EGR, and oil dilution concerns that Honda's petrol models simply do not have. The camshaft wear issue (covered by TSB) is the most serious defect and should be verified before purchase. Owners who do mostly short urban trips should strongly consider the petrol CR-V instead.
Service history
Complete Honda dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 12 months or 15,000 km. Check if more frequent changes were done (indicates oil dilution awareness).
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear. SUV tires in 225/65R17 are moderately expensive to replace.
Cold start
Start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual rattling or knocking. Glow plug light should extinguish within a few seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 30 minutes including motorway speeds to get the engine fully up to temperature and check for issues that only appear when warm.
Specific for this vehicle
Listen for camshaft rattle at operating temperature
Drive until fully warm, then listen for a metallic rattle between idle and 2000 rpm. This rattle disappears above 2000 rpm. It indicates the known camshaft wear defect. Walk away or negotiate heavily.
Check oil level and smell for diesel contamination
Pull the dipstick: oil level significantly above the maximum mark suggests oil dilution. Smell the oil - a strong diesel odor indicates fuel contamination from failed DPF regeneration.
Verify DPF warning history
Ask about DPF warning lights. Check the car's diagnostic history for P109A (oil dilution) or any DPF-related fault codes. A pattern of repeated DPF warnings suggests the car is unsuitable for the previous owner's driving pattern.
+ 4 more checksShow less
Test clutch engagement in first gear (manual)
From standstill, slowly release the clutch in first gear. Feel for judder or vibration, especially when the engine is cold. This indicates worn dual mass flywheel.
Check for fuel pump swarf contamination
If the car has had a fuel pump replacement, ask whether the injectors and fuel rail were also cleaned or replaced. Metal contamination from a failed pump can damage the entire fuel system.
Verify Takata airbag recall completion
2013-2015 models may be affected by the Takata airbag recall. Contact Honda with the VIN to confirm the inflator has been replaced.
Inspect 9-speed auto gearbox behavior (automatic cars)
If the car has the ZF 9-speed automatic, drive for 15+ minutes. Check for jerky low-speed shifts, hesitation when pulling away, and smoothness of the 2-1 downshift when stopping.
Contact Honda with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The Takata airbag recalls are safety-critical and must be confirmed before purchase. The emissions update may affect engine behavior if not performed. The CMBS braking campaign covers only cars built between 2 and 29 September 2014 and fitted with the collision mitigation system, so applicability is VIN-specific.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)Expired on all used examples
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)May still apply to 2014+ models
Camshaft TSB (SR-02-001-06)Not a recall - covered on goodwill basis, varies by dealer
All CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC models are now outside their original 3-year factory warranty. The camshaft wear issue was addressed via a Technical Service Bulletin, not a formal recall, meaning Honda may cover it on a goodwill basis for some cars but is not obligated to. Always check with a Honda dealer what coverage, if any, remains.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
