Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure recurred, and the contact parked the vehicle and had not driven the vehicle due to the safety concern. The failure mileage was approximately 209,300.
The vehicle becomes a hazard due to faulty PCM/ECM software. The sudden loss of power and hesitation creates an unpredictable driving environment, leaving the driver and others vulnerable to T-bone collisions or rear-end accidents. This is a documented software glitch identified in Honda TSB 08-089 "MIL comes on with DTC P1009" yet the manufacturer refuses to provide the necessary software flash to rectify the safety hazard. The issue has been reproduced through live data logging. It is a persistent failure that occurs when the vehicle reaches operating temperature (188 degrees F) Timing advance will retard into the negatives, causing unpredictable hesitation, struggle with going up hills, and inappropriately retards when deaccelerating. …
Ac compressor / condenser originally went bad summer 2017 and was replaced. Worked for remainder of season into start of next season. Summer 2018 went bad again and mechanic replaced it again, stating possible defective part. Worked again for remainder of 2018 season. Beginning/mid 2019 car heat / defrost started to work improperly, not defrost, caused engine to make stressing noise but noise would stop if I turned off system (ac/heat/defrost). June 2019 engine started to make same stressing noise even when ac system wasn't on. Finally, Monday, 7/8/2019 while driving to a car rental place, my 2005 Honda CR-v shut down completely at least 5-6 times til it finally began smoking from the engine and I was forced to pull over and get it towed to my mechanic. I am told by my mechanic that it is yet again the ac system. …
While on a road trip driving home on a major interstate highway, the A/C compressor went out. After a few miles warning lights went off and the engine temperature shot up and it started overheating. We got off of the highway as fast as we could. When we pulled over, my husband opened the hood and intense steam blew out from the radiator area. Turned out that, unbeknownst to us, the compressor seized up and caused the serpentine belt to break, which disabled the water pump. It ruined the damaged the radiator and warped the head gasket. We were 2 1/2 hours from home! Once were able to get it repaired and home, we took it in to the mechanic so he could look at the A/C. Metal shards were in the condenser and it eventually got into the line and into the compressor. Another A/C issue has been the condenser fan. It has to be replaced every 3-4 years. It was replaced 3 years ago. …
Bought vehicle in August, used with 136,000 miles. The first week, the A/C compressor went out. The 2nd week, the condenser. 2 weeks later the car stalled out. Check engine light, vsa and warning light came on. Was able to get it restarted and it was throwing 4 codes. P1009 61-1 62-1 83-1. Took it in under dealer warranty. The changed the o2 sensors and gave it back. 2 weeks later, same thing only now it was burning oil and gas and running really rich. The oil smells like gas even. They did a whole engine swap and a new starter, among other things. And 2 weeks later it stalled out again. And the crank shaft and vtec solenoid needed replaced. As well as the starter. 9 times I've had it and now after the same burning through oil and gas issues it's started smoking and making a grinding sound while idling.
Takata recall. I took my Honda crv to the dealership last week to have the airbags replaced due to the recall. Now my air conditioning went out. I took it back to the dealership to have them fix the issue, but they told me the problem was unrelated. They said the compressor locked up. I have never had any issues with the air conditioning until after I took it in. Too coincidental. After doing some online research it apears many other people have had the same problem in which Honda does not cover the cost. People are paying roughly $1000 to replace their compressors. I am submitting a complaint because this is not right. I hope I am not dealing with a corrupt organization.
My 2006 Honda crv spontaneously combusted while sitting in front of my home. It had not been driven for at least 8 hours. The fire started in the engine compartment and consumed the entire front of the car before the fire department put it out. The car had no mechanical problems, had been serviced by a certified Honda dealer regularly (the lat time was in April 2009), and was turned off and locked when it ignited. The car is totaled. The firemen who put out the fire indicated that there was no sign of vandalism, as the car was parked and locked, no sign of accelerant was found, and the fire was in the engine compartment, which was locked.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while parked with the key out of the ignition, the engine continued to run. After the engine stopped running, there was a clicking sound. The contact noticed smoke coming from the driver's side door panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign number: 12V486000 (electrical system , visibility). The contact stated the recall May be related to the engine failure she experienced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-v. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,000.
Driving down the on ramp onto I-95 my 2005 srv se engine caught on fire. The last time I serviced the car was last week for an oil change. Since then I have driven over 300 miles with no problems or warning signs. The car is not totaled and I am dealing with the insurance.
NHTSA investigations
Underhood fires
In documents provided during ea04-027, Honda identified a mechanism which causes the rubber seal (gasket) of the original equipment (oe) oil filter to adhere to the engine block of the subject vehicles.if an adhered seal remains when the oe filter is removed and a new filter is installed, a double gasket condition results.a subsequent rupture of the extraneous seal can result in oil contacting nearby exhaust system…
Engine complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Honda CR-V, 8% of the model year's 479 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Honda CR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Honda CR-V, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Honda CR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.