Honda CR-V 2.0 e:HEV RS

The sixth-generation CR-V is at the centre of a well-documented 'sticky steering' issue: the electric power steering gearbox can develop excess internal friction in the worm gear and worm wheel, making the wheel feel notchy or momentarily stick as it returns to centre at motorway speeds. In North America this triggered a large safety recall (NHTSA 24V-744) plus service bulletin 23-037, with dealers re-greasing or replacing the gearbox. European cars are built in China and imported, and at the time of writing there is no EU-wide steering recall, so it is unclear how many European e:HEV cars are affected. Treat it as a key test-drive check: on a quiet, faster road, feel whether the wheel returns smoothly to centre. If a gearbox replacement is ever needed outside warranty, budget roughly €600-1,500 including labour. Ask Honda to check the VIN for any steering campaign.

Like the previous CR-V hybrid, the sixth generation relies on a 12V auxiliary battery to wake the hybrid system. Owners report sudden 12V failures (sometimes from an internal short on the original battery) and flat batteries after the car has sat for a week or two, leaving it dead even when the high-voltage battery is full. In some cases a faulty body control module (BCM) kept electronics awake and drained the battery, and several owners have replaced two 12V batteries under warranty. A replacement AGM/EFB 12V battery is €150-300; if a BCM or parasitic-draw fault is involved, diagnosis and repair can reach €500-900. Keep the car on a trickle charger if it will sit unused, and check the 12V battery's age and resting voltage before buying.

The 9-inch infotainment system is widely criticised for being slow and occasionally freezing or rebooting, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto can drop its connection. The wireless phone charging pad is a common failure point, with several owners reporting it simply stops working and dealers having no permanent fix. Most software glitches are cleared by a free dealer reflash while the car is under warranty, and a soft reset (holding the power button) clears many freezes. A failed head unit or charging module out of warranty runs up to around €500. None of this is mechanical, but it is the most frequent day-to-day complaint, so test every function on the test drive.

Because regenerative braking does most of the slowing, the friction brakes are used lightly and the discs can develop surface corrosion, leading to moaning, grabbing or pulsation, particularly in damp climates or on cars used mainly for short trips. Some owners have needed brake hardware or discs replaced earlier than expected, a few reporting this around 30,000-40,000 km. Occasional firmer braking helps keep the discs clean. Replacing front discs and pads runs roughly €200-600 at an independent garage. Check for vibration under braking and inspect the discs for heavy rust pitting during the inspection.

Reviewers and owners note that the CR-V transmits more road and tyre noise than some rivals at motorway speed. Several owners report the original-equipment Hankook tyres developing cupping (scalloped wear) and increased noise relatively early, some around 15,000-25,000 km, occasionally needing replacement before the tread is legally worn out, which is not covered by warranty. A quality replacement set of 235/60 R18 or 235/55 R19 tyres costs roughly €600-900 fitted. Listen for drone on a test drive and check the tyres for uneven wear; budget for an earlier-than-usual tyre change if they are still the original Hankooks.