Honda CR-V Engine Problems

Owners have filed 2,771 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Honda CR-V — 17% of all CR-V complaints. The worst model years are 2018 (544), 2017 (539) and 2015 (254). Problems typically start around 31,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

2,771complaints
2018worst year
31ktypical miles
2related recalls
61crashes
76fires

Engine complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26915211733659215336232942156143919919325410353954411640372021242610
Engine complaints per model year, Honda CR-V.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2026106%0 miles
20252610%6,000 miles
2024246%77,000 miles
2023214%5,000 miles
2022207%95,000 miles
20213711%56,000 miles
20204011%50,000 miles
201911610%8,000 miles
201854425%6,000 miles
201753930%15,000 miles
201610326%23,000 miles
201525438%1,000 miles
201419333%30,000 miles
20139926%29,000 miles
20129123%36,000 miles
2011438%75,000 miles
20106113%69,000 miles
2009154%65,000 miles
2008424%65,000 miles
2007293%77,000 miles
2006236%73,000 miles
2005368%80,000 miles
200415331%58,000 miles
20039220%65,000 miles
20026513%76,000 miles
20013323%95,000 miles
20001713%88,000 miles
19992117%102,000 miles
19981512%124,000 miles
199798%198,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Cooling system
    116
  • Engine
    98
  • Engine › Gasoline
    20
  • Exhaust system
    16
  • Exhaust system › Emission control
    7
  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
    5
  • Cooling system › Radiator assembly
    4
  • Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
    3

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    99354%
  • 25k–50k
    25614%
  • 50k–75k
    22712%
  • 75k–100k
    1709%
  • 100k–150k
    1458%
  • 150k+
    463%

What owners report

Vehicle Information: 2026 Honda CR-V Sport HybridComponent: Power Train / Hydraulic Brakes / Electronic Stability ControlDescription of Incident:On [Date], my 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid was parked facing uphill on a steep incline. I started the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal, released the electronic parking brake, and shifted into Drive. Upon transitioning to the accelerator, the vehicle failed to hold its position. It immediately and rapidly rolled backward down the incline, completely overriding the Hill Start Assist (HSA) mechanism. Despite accelerator input, the hybrid powertrain failed to deliver the instantaneous forward torque required to counter gravity. The vehicle gained rearward momentum and collided with a closed gate.Safety Justification:This un-commanded rollback presents a severe, systemic safety hazard. …

2026 CR-V · Jul 2026 · crash

10/05/2026 I was pulling into a parking spot when the car accelerated suddenly like i floored it. I did brake, but not until i hit a chain fence. Fortunately i was not injured and only my car was involved. The car had been taken to a repair shop. I am worried that this could happen again. I have reported this to Honda. I see that others have reported this as well, but no recall has been listed.

2026 CR-V · Oct 2026 · crash

The contact's son owned a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her son was driving on the parkway at approximately 40 MPH, a loud, booming sound emit from the vehicle. After the booming sound emitting from the vehicle, several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle caught fire. Due to the sudden failure, the vehicle caught fire and the authorities were called to the scene. Once the fire department arrived at the scene the fire was extinguished. No injuries or property damage were reported. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where it was deemed a total loss as the vehicle was incinerated as a result of the fire. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number by the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the failure. …

2025 CR-V · 11,000 miles · Apr 2026 · fire

The contact was driving , experienced tire pressure and check engine light illuminated. white Smoke was seen underneath the vehicle and then it turned black. Then fire was seen coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the vehicle , and smoke and fire was seen underneath the vehicle. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow and recovery lot. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was notified of the failure. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was

2025 CR-V · 6,000 miles · May 2026 · fire

The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the warning lights were reset prior to a diagnostic test and the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 60 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the spark plugs and an ignition coil in cylinder #1 was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the valve springs were inspected and adjusted as per the manufacturer's specs; however, there was a misfire during a test drive. The dealer determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with a TSB for fuel injector failures on previous model years. …

2024 CR-V · 77,000 miles · Aug 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the message "Engine System Problem - Power May Be Reduced" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,980.

2024 CR-V · 24,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to make a lane change, the vehicle revved up and hesitated before gaining forward momentum. The contact stated he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that it sounded as if the electric hybrid propulsion system had shut off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure to accelerate was intermittent and occurred when he was on the highway and was depressing the accelerator pedal to gain speed. Additionally, the contact stated that he observed that the vehicle would start independently and that the power door locks would fail to operate as needed. …

2023 CR-V · 5,000 miles · Sep 2023

Woke up at [redacted] to neighbor banging on door and yelling your car is on fire. Vehicle is parked in front driveway, front part of the car where engine is ablazed. Neighbor said he heard "pops" like firecrackers/gunshot when he went to look out his window the fire was reflected on the fence across the car. I did google search for possible fire causes and search returned with Recall notice for fuel pump, battery and battery cladding on model. Contacted Honda but Aileen just promised to send inspector for joint inspection with USAA inspector but hasn't been responsive to call or emails for follow up. Fortuntaely, didn't park in the garage or we would have been burned down with the house also quite fortunate that car was driving on the road. …

2023 CR-V · Apr 2026 · fire

Related recalls (2)

Engine

NHTSA recall 17V-305 · May 4, 2017 · 16 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 15V-121 · Mar 2, 2015 · 137 vehicles

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

NHTSA investigations

Oil filter fires

NHTSA investigation PE04018 · opened Feb 19, 2004 · closed Jul 1, 2004

This investigation identified 32 incidents of oil filter leakage in the subject vehicle population, with 22 resulting in vehicle fires.all of the incidents occurred following oil changes.Honda's investigation of 14 of the fire incidents determined that five oil filters had stacked seals (double-gasketing), and nine oil filters had distorted or pinched seals.according to Honda, both conditions result from failure to…

Underhood fires

NHTSA investigation EA04027 · opened Sep 9, 2004 · closed Jan 19, 2005

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…

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda CR-V years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (544), 2017 (539), 2015 (254), 2014 (193) and 2004 (153) model years. Engine complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2018.

Is there a recall for Honda CR-V engine problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-305 (engine, May 4, 2017); 15V-121 (engine, Mar 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Honda CR-V engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles; 68% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the cooling system (116 mentions), followed by the engine (98).

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.