2017-2022 (RW) · 1.5L L15B turbocharged 4-cylinder · 193 hp
Popular family SUV known for reliability and practicality, but the 1.5T turbo engine has documented issues. Oil dilution affects 2017-2018 models in cold climates and with short trips - Honda extended warranty to 6 years unlimited mileage on camshafts, rockers, and spark plugs. Head gasket failures reported on 2017-2022 models due to open-deck block design paired with turbo boost. AC compressor shaft seal leak common across all years, but Honda extended warranty to 10 years. CVT transmission generally reliable with proper fluid changes every 30,000 km. Post-2019 models have improved software calibration reducing oil dilution risk.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€800 - €1,350/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€450-750
Risk buffer
€350-600
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Oil dilution (fuel mixing with oil)€150 - €800
Unburned fuel dilutes engine oil in cold weather and short trips, worse on 2017-2018 models · more· less
Honda's 1.5T direct injection engine sprays excess fuel that can bypass piston rings and mix with crankcase oil, especially when the engine doesn't reach full operating temperature. Over 1 million CR-Vs and Civics affected. Honda extended warranty coverage and issued software updates for 2017-2018 models (143,000 Civics and 239,000 CR-Vs). The problem is most common in cold climates with short trips under 15 minutes. Owners report oil levels rising above the "FULL" mark and gasoline smell in oil. Acceptable dilution is under 2.4%, dangerous above 5%. Post-2019 models have improved software calibration. Prevention: longer trips to fully warm engine, more frequent oil changes (every 5,000-8,000 km instead of 10,000 km), avoid only short trips in winter. Cost includes extra oil changes and potential spark plug fouling repairs.
Head gasket failure€2,500 - €6,500
Open-deck block design with machined coolant slots creates weak gasket points under boost · more· less
Honda added turbo to the naturally aspirated 1.5L without reinforcing the open-deck block design. A machined coolant slot in the cylinder bore bridge (added to fix a hot spot during development) leaves only 2-3mm of gasket material between bore and coolant - the weakest point. Head bolts are also reportedly too thin, not applying enough clamping pressure. Symptoms include unexplained coolant loss, overheating, white smoke from exhaust. Typical failure mileage: 80,000-130,000 km. Affects 2017-2022 CR-V, 2016-2022 Civic, 2018-2022 Accord. Class action lawsuits filed claiming Honda knew of the defect. Conservative driving (avoiding aggressive acceleration and high boost) reduces risk. Dealer repair costs €5,400-6,500. Aftermarket fix using ARP head studs (stronger than OEM) costs €2,500-4,000 at independent shops and provides better long-term reliability than OEM parts.
AC compressor shaft seal leak€800 - €1,600
Compressor shaft seal swells and leaks refrigerant, affecting all 2017-2022 models · more· less
The AC compressor shaft seal can swell, deform, and leak due to new refrigerant/oil requirements introduced by North American regulations. Symptoms: weak cooling, AC blows warm air, refrigerant leak detected. This is a widespread issue affecting 2017-2022 CR-Vs - Honda quietly extended warranty to 10 years from original purchase date with unlimited mileage. Not an official recall but covered under extended warranty. If your CR-V has poor AC performance, check with Honda dealer using your VIN to verify warranty coverage. Some owners report recurring failures requiring discharge/suction hose replacement costing €1,400. Free repair if within extended warranty period.
CVT transmission juddering/failure€2,000 - €5,000
Start clutch wear causes shuddering, mostly on early 2017-2018 models · more· less
CVT juddering is a known issue in 2017-2018 CR-Vs - Honda extended warranty for some vehicles. The CVT was redesigned specifically for the 1.5T engine with wide torque band. Symptoms: jerky shifts, hesitation, shuddering during acceleration, clunking. Fix involves replacing start clutch or entire CVT unit (€3,000-5,000 at dealer). Prevention is critical: change CVT fluid every 30,000 km (Honda recommends 30k but many owners do 15k-20k intervals for 1.5T models due to oil dilution concerns). Use ONLY genuine Honda HCF-2 fluid - generic fluids will cause damage and void warranty. With proper maintenance, CR-V CVT can exceed 200,000 km. 2019+ models have fewer reported issues. Independent shop CVT service costs €130-200.
Turbo wastegate rattle€200 - €2,500
Wastegate actuator develops play causing rattle/buzzing at 3,300-4,000 rpm · more· less
The turbocharger wastegate can develop play over time, creating rattling or buzzing noise when letting off throttle or at light throttle 3,300-4,000 rpm. Turbo manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Honda dealers say this is "normal" design characteristic and noise alone doesn't impact performance. Wastegate is integrated into turbo - cannot be replaced separately. If boost control is affected (limp mode, loss of power), full turbo replacement needed at €1,800-2,500. Some vehicles with 200,000+ km still function with the rattle. Wastegate actuator adjustment/replacement costs €500-800 if caught early. Gentle driving and avoiding only short trips (which causes carbon buildup) helps prevent actuator sticking. Use premium fuel and occasional spirited driving to keep turbo clean.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€450 - €650
Direct injection means no fuel washing valves, carbon deposits form over time · more· less
All direct injection engines accumulate carbon on intake valves because fuel doesn't wash over them. Oil vapor from PCV system bakes onto valves. Honda's chief engineer claims the valves slowly rotate and small fuel amounts wash onto them for self-cleaning, but real-world experiences vary. Symptoms appear around 60,000-100,000 km: rough idle, reduced performance, poor fuel economy, misfires. Fix is walnut blasting (€450-600) or chemical cleaning. Some owners report Honda engines are less prone to aggressive buildup than older VW/Audi GDI engines. Prevention: use top-tier fuel with detergent additives, avoid only short trips, consider catch can installation, oil changes every 5,000 km maximum. Some owners report no issues even at high mileage with proper maintenance.
Fuel injector failure€600 - €1,400
Direct injectors clog or fail, recall issued for some years, recent 2023-2024 failures reported · more· less
Fuel injector problems affect 1.5T engines across multiple years. Symptoms: rough idle, poor acceleration, decreased fuel economy, fuel smell, check engine light, misfires. Honda issued recall for clogged injectors on some models. Most frequent in 2013-2017 CR-Vs (note: CR-V got 1.5T in 2017). Recent forum reports show 2023-2024 CR-Vs with injector failures at low mileage (3,700 km reported), suggesting possible quality control issue. Failed injectors show visible damage at tips (burned, cracked). Electrical problems affecting injectors common on 2014-2018 1.5T models. If high-pressure fuel pump leaks, it can put fuel into oil (related to oil dilution issue). Dealer repair costs €1,000-1,400. Independent shop €600-900.
Infotainment system freezing/crashing€0 - €1,200
Touchscreen freezes, goes dark, or cycles brightness randomly - software and hardware defects · more· less
2017-2019 CR-V infotainment systems suffer from freezing, going dark, full-bright mode, random cycling between screens. Class action lawsuit filed alleging defects in both software and hardware. Malfunctions interfere with navigation, sound controls, rearview camera. Honda issued TSB 19-066 (July and December updates) with software fix taking about 20 minutes. Reset procedure: hold volume knob for 10-15 seconds to reboot. Hard reset: disconnect battery 15 minutes. Pull audio fuses (under hood) for 30 seconds. Some dealers rectified problem with software update, others couldn't fix despite multiple attempts. Issues reported at as low as 580 miles. Free software update at dealer if under warranty, otherwise potential hardware replacement costs €800-1,200.
Electronic parking brake problems€100 - €1,400
Low battery triggers cascade of system warnings, brake won't release, console switch failure · more· less
Electronic parking brake issues often stem from low battery voltage. Symptoms: car won't start, displays 10 cycling warnings (EPB problem, VSA problem, auto high-beam, road departure mitigation, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise, hill descent control, hill start assist, electric power steering). Causes: broken/dirty console switch, broken cable, dead battery, faulty servo motor. Most common fix: replace battery (€100-200, battery lasts 3-5 years) and warnings clear. Console switch failure costs €400 at dealer. Manual release procedure if brake won't release: foot on brake pedal, car running, shift to Reverse or Drive, carefully apply slight throttle. NHTSA investigating Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) for false activation - upgraded to engineering analysis in 2024, affects nearly 3 million vehicles (2017-2022 CR-V, 2018-2022 Accord). Investigation could lead to recall.
Mixed reliability - excellent when maintained, expensive when things fail
The CR-V has Honda's traditional reputation for reliability, and many 1.5T engines exceed 200,000 km with proper care. However, the turbocharged engine introduced several documented issues not present in naturally aspirated predecessors. Oil dilution and head gasket problems are design-related and affect a significant percentage of vehicles. Post-2019 models show improvement. Conservative driving, frequent oil changes, longer trips to fully warm engine, and strict CVT fluid maintenance significantly reduce risk. Buy from warmer climates if possible and verify all Honda extended warranties have been applied.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Honda dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil change intervals - should be every 5,000-10,000 km maximum for 1.5T engines.
Tires
Check tread depth (minimum 3mm), age (date codes), uneven wear. OEM size typically 235/60R18 or 235/65R17.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual rattles, ticking, or rough idle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. CR-V has aluminum hood but steel body.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including highway speeds. Test CVT operation, AC performance, infotainment system.
Specific for this vehicle
Check oil level and condition on dipstick
CRITICAL: Oil should be between MIN and MAX marks. If above MAX, suspect oil dilution. Smell oil on dipstick - gasoline odor indicates fuel contamination. Oil should be amber/dark, not thin or smell of fuel.
Verify Honda extended warranties applied
2017-2018 models: 6-year unlimited mileage warranty on camshafts, rocker arms, spark plugs. All 2017-2022: 10-year unlimited mileage AC compressor warranty. Contact Honda with VIN before purchase.
Cold start oil dilution test
Start engine completely cold, let idle for 5 minutes, drive gently for 10 minutes without highway speeds. Check oil level again - should not rise. This simulates short-trip conditions.
Coolant level and condition check
Coolant should be at proper level, clean pink/red color. Low coolant or brown/milky appearance suggests head gasket leak. Check for white residue around coolant cap.
Test AC performance thoroughly
AC should blow very cold within 2-3 minutes. Weak cooling indicates compressor seal leak. Listen for unusual compressor noises (grinding, clunking).
CVT transmission operation test
Drive for 15+ minutes until transmission is warm. Feel for smooth acceleration with no jerking, shuddering, hesitation, or clunking. CVT should be seamless. Ask for CVT fluid change records.
Listen for turbo wastegate rattle
At 3,300-4,000 rpm under light throttle and when decelerating, listen for rattling/buzzing from engine bay. Some rattle is "normal" per Honda but excessive noise could indicate worn turbo.
Test infotainment system extensively
Touch every button, test screen responsiveness, try radio/navigation/settings. Watch for freezing, random brightness changes, or blank screen. Test backup camera.
Electronic parking brake function
Apply and release parking brake multiple times. Should operate smoothly. Check for warning lights on dashboard. Low battery voltage triggers false warnings.
Check for recalls completed
Verify fuel feed pipe recall (2017), steering gearbox recall (2017-2018 - only 29 units), Takata airbag recall, TSBs for MIL light/engine codes, EPS issues.
Contact Honda dealer with VIN to verify all recalls and TSBs completed. Check owners.honda.com/service-maintenance/recalls for your specific vehicle. The oil dilution software update is critical for 2017-2018 models.
Warranty Status
Factory bumper-to-bumper (3 years/60,000 km)Expired on all 2017-2022
Factory powertrain (5 years/100,000 km)Check based on purchase date
Extended: Camshafts/rockers/plugs (2017-2018)6 years unlimited mileage
Extended: AC compressor (all 2017-2022)10 years unlimited mileage
Honda Care extended warranty (if eligible)€1,200-2,000/year
All 2017-2022 CR-Vs are outside original 3-year warranty. 2017-2019 models likely outside 5-year powertrain warranty. Extended warranties for oil dilution components (2017-2018) and AC compressor (all years) still apply - verify with Honda using VIN. Honda Care extended warranty only available for vehicles under 60,000 km with clean title.
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.