The Honda CR-V has been among the star performers of the brand due to the complete package-style offering the crossover has. In its rather long production run spanning over two decades, the CR-V has gained the trust of millions of owners but it seems it is running out of breath, at least when it comes to the reliability part. The 2019 Honda CR-V has seen plenty of problems which amounted to 367 accompanied by 5 recalls. A lot of owners complained about the powertrain, battery, safety system, and steering of their CR-Vs. The numbers have improved slightly over the previous model year which has about 900 complaints against it. The CR-V rivals some prominent crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5, the Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Chevrolet Equinox. Should you consider the CR-V over its peers? Or is it better to go for an alternative option? Let’s dive in for a better understanding.
Honda CR-V user complaints and problems
Electrical problems
- Complete battery drainage: A lot of complaints regarding this problem were recorded from the affected customers. The owners complained that the battery of their vehicles drained completely all of a sudden in several instances. Even jump-starting the vehicles and running the engine for several miles did not alleviate the issue. In a few cases, even after a battery replacement, the issues persisted.
Safety problems
- Airbag failure: Several owners complained about airbag failures in their 2019 Honda CR-Vs. The reports regarding the airbags mentioned that despite being involved in serious crashes, the airbags failed to deploy. The failure caused several serious injuries to several owners involved in the crashes.
- Automatic emergency braking system failure: A lot of owners complained about the AEB system malfunctioning in the Honda CR-V. They mentioned that while driving, the system would engage suddenly and slam the brakes. The sudden braking caused a loss of control of the vehicle in a few cases, jeopardizing the safety of the owners.
Engine problems
- Excessive engine oil burning with gasoline smell: A plethora of owners brought forward their reports regarding this issue. The affected owners said in their reports that the engine faced a severe oil dilution issue where the gasoline would mix with the engine oil and the engine would burn the diluted oil too. In some cases, the oil dilution resulted in damage to the spark plugs which required replacement.
- Engine stall with loss of electronics: Some owners faced the engine stalling problem. They reported that while driving at low speeds, the engine would stall randomly and the electronically operated systems such as the brakes and the power steering also stopped working as well.
2019 Honda CR-V recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
May 21, 2019 |
19V383000 |
Steering Wheel may Damage Air Bag Wiring |
In the event of a crash, a disabled airbag would increase the risk of injury. An uncommanded deployment of the driver's airbag also increases the risk of injury and a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the steering wheel core and replace the clockspring and the harnesses within, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2019. |
|
2 |
August 1, 2019 |
19V569000 |
Fuel Tank Joint Weld May Fail |
The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2019. |
|
3 |
September 26, 2019 |
19V694000 |
Incorrect Airbag Information In Guide/FMVSS 208 |
If the front passenger does not correctly understand how the airbag functions, they may be at an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners and provide a sticker with the correct information to be added to the owner's guide, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 201 |
|
4 |
December 5, 2019 |
19V865000 |
Rear Subframe Separation |
A separated rear subframe reduces vehicle handling and can suddenly disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts and retorque them or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2020. |
|
5 |
March 25, 2021 |
21V215000 |
Fuel Pump May Fail |
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on May 18, 202 |
Should you buy a used Honda CR-V?
The Honda CR-V might offer a lot for the price as compared to its competitors. But its troublesome reliability aspect has made the common folks skeptical about the trustworthiness of Honda. Going for a used CR-V might be a risky affair but if you manage to find a trouble-free model, nothing would be better. However, you can consider a few rivals from the segment where the Mazda CX-5 makes a strong statement with its catchy styling and an impressive scorecard of reliability.
