Which Honda CR-V Years To Avoid and Why? (Reasons)

Honda first introduced its CR V compact car series in 1997, and since then, it has been launching upgraded and modified Honda CR V models every year.

Honda claims that CR V models have better interior & exterior structure, configuration, and sturdy construction to deliver energetic acceleration, efficient gas mileage, and comfortable rides.

However, not all released years models are built with the same quality and some are pretty hazardous.

Therefore, read the following article to learn which years models of the Honda CR V series are the most problematic, what are the most common troubleshooting issues and which years models are comparatively safe to choose.

Honda CR-V Years to Avoid (List of Years)

Honda is a well-known and trusted carmaker worldwide. People expect their cars to be reliable and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, just like Honda’s other vehicle series, its CR-V series also failed to maintain 100% reliability in all its five-generation models.

As a result, some CR-V models feature enough mistakes and defects, which made them the most problematic cars.

Remember to avoid the following Honda CR V Years models –

  • 2002 Honda CR V: A/C might stop working, faded paint, faulty or broken throttle body, engine, exterior accessories, and transmission system problems.
  • 2003 Honda CR V: A/C compressor tends to blow up, Air condition won’t work, transmission shot, engine problems, electrical system error, uncomfortable seatbelts or faulty airbags.
  • 2005 Honda CR V: A/C not working, transmission failure, defected window, lights problem, engine, and electrical faults.
  • 2006 Honda CR V: Vsa module failure, thudding, knocking or grinding noise coming from the transmission, A/C stops working properly, brakes, and drivetrain problem.
  • 2007 Honda CR V: Premature tire wear, A/C compressor not working or complete failure, electrical system and power door locks malfunction.
  • 2008 Honda CR V: Paint chipping, premature tire wear, power door locks not working accurately, several engine problems, brakes malfunctioning, and steering problem.
  • 2010 Honda CR V: Excess oil consumption, premature tire wear, and sudden unintended acceleration.
  • 2011 Honda CR V: unexpected acceleration while braking, excess oil consumption, premature tire wear, engine tending to rev when braking or complete failure, and steering problem
  • 2012 Honda CR V: battery drains quicker than usual, dead battery, grinding noise coming while starting the engine, heat not working or no heat, A/C malfunctioning, and steering problem.
  • 2013 Honda CR V: Excess oil consumption, grinding noise during cold start, uncomfortable seats, engine failure, electrical system malfunctioning, transmission, and brakes problem.
  • 2014 Honda CR V: Engine rattles during cold start, hesitation or delay in acceleration, grinding noise when starting, wheels or hubs defects, electrical error, and A/C or heater problem.
  • 2015 Honda CR V: Excess vibration, engine idles at low RPM, engine failure, Transmission failure, electrical and fuel system problem.
  • 2016 Honda CR V: Excess vibration at idle, uncomfortable seats, transmission failure, engine failure, and electrical malfunctioning.
  • 2017 Honda CR V: Heat not working properly, High oil level with gas in oil, the battery tends to die frequently, faulty brakes, Transmission failure, and engine problem.
  • 2018 Honda CR V: Fuel in oil with overloaded oil level, gas smell coming from the cabin, infotainment glitching, engine, electrical, and A/C or heater malfunctioning.
  • 2019 Honda CR V: Rodents chew the sensing harness, fuel dilution in oil, or dead battery problem.

According to the Honda CR-V Reliability Problems report, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018 are the Honda CR V’s most problematic years.

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What Makes These Honda CR-V Models Worth Avoiding?

Based on several consumer complaint reports, those earlier mentioned Honda CR V years models contain various technical and mechanical problems.

But if you see the list where I have highlighted the most significant issues of each year’s CR V models, you can see that some problems are common in most of them.

In this section, I am going to discuss the most common problems of Honda CR-V SUVs-

1. A/C or Heater Problem:

Based on the Honda CR-V overview report published on the CarComplaints.com website, A/C malfunction or air conditioning compressor failure is one of the most highlighted complaints against some particular Honda CR-V cars.

Reportedly, A/C or heater related problems are visibly present in Honda CR V 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 models, but the problem turns severe in CR V vehicle’s 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2017 models.

According to the detailed report of the carcomplaints.com/Honda/CR-V/ website, people have encountered issues such as A/C not working properly, A/C or compressor system failure, the air conditioning stopped blowing cold air or breaks frequently, no heat or slow warming up condition, broken Temp selector cable, loud unusual noise or buzzing sound coming from A/C panels.

According to most consumers reports, the main disturbance arises as soon the vehicle cross around 80000 up to 100000 miles of operation.

Some even claimed to encounter similar issues within or after 40000 miles of operation.

In worst cases, you have to replace the entire system, which is a costly service to deal with.

Read Also: Which Honda Odyssey Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

2. CR-V Engine Problems:

Another typical issue that most CR V consumers had to deal with and mentioned in the consumer forums is several engine-related problems.

Reports claim that minor to notable engine troubles occur in Honda CR V 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

But problems get serious with CR V 2007, 2012, 2014, and 2015-18 models.

The consumer complained of experiencing symptoms such as extreme vibration, the engine struggles to start or won’t start while turning over, the engine tends to die in reverse gear or hesitates at acceleration, unintended or unwanted acceleration when braking, and idles at low RPM. 

Some users have also noticed knocking or chirping noise coming from their vehicle engine, erratically dying while driving, gas leaks in oil, excess oil consumption, gas smell coming from the cabin, or complete engine failure.

Read Also: Which Honda Accord Years You Should Avoid and Why?

3. CR-V Transmission Problem:

Besides earlier discussed issues, another common problem is encountering several transmission-related troubles while owning some particular CR V model cars.

According to the detailed representation of the Honda CR V’s major problems on the CarComplaints.com website, transmission problems often occur in Honda CRV’s 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 released models.

But this problem turns slightly serious with CR V 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014, and especially with the 2015 models.

Most consumers reported symptoms like excess vibration or clunk noise, extreme over-rev & surge, stalls in reverse, hesitation, failure to downshift, shudders in even gentle acceleration, and clutch failure.

In worst cases, they had to replace the entire transmission, which is pretty costly.

Read Also: Which Honda Civic Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

Which Honda CR-V Years are Safe to Buy Used? 

According to the HONDA CR-V MODEL YEAR COMPARISON detailed report published on CarComplaints.com, these following years are the safest options if you are interested in purchasing a used Honda CR V-  

  • 1997 -2001 Honda CR V
  • 2004 Honda CR V
  • 2020 Honda CR V
  • 2021 Honda CR V

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, Honda CR V cars are decent choices, but no auto vehicle maker can ensure 100% perfection.

Even after giving utmost concentration to designing and creating the vehicle models, some unintentional flaws or mistakes will be there, and the same thing happened with Honda’s CR V vehicle models.

So, avoid the listed problematic model years of CR V from your future consideration.

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