2019 Honda CR-V Problems Include Fuel Leaks Leading to Oil Dilution, Faulty Forward Collision Avoidance System, and Airbag Recalls

Felix Duppong
May 3, 2022

The 2019 Honda CR-V is an impressive SUV that won AutoWeb‘s Best Utility Vehicle of the Year Award. However, a malfunctioning collision avoidance system, various electrical issues, and oil dilution problems prevent it from being issue-free.

2019 Honda CR-V - Photo by Honda

Key Points

  • The 2019 Honda CR-V has five recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and 371 registered complaints. The SUV’s most severe problem involves the steering system damaging airbag wiring.
  • Owners report the automatic forward collision avoidance system deploying randomly, a variety of electrical issues, and infotainment system glitches.
  • The 2019 Honda CR-V may experience a fuel leak that leads to an oil diluting issue, which also plagued past CR-V models.
  • Problems aside, the 2019 Honda CR-V is a safe and dependable SUV that was named Best Small SUV of the Year and Best Utility Vehicle of the Year by AutoWeb.

2019 Honda CR-V’s Five Recalls Cover a Faulty Fuel Pump, Compromised Airbag Wiring, and Improper Welding

The 2019 Honda CR-V has five recalls on file with the NHTSA. Four out of the five are serious. The fifth is a relatively harmless recall for an error in the owner’s manual that incorrectly describes when an airbag indicator is supposed to illuminate.

The most severe recall involves the steering wheel damaging airbag wiring. Essentially, the metal core of the steering wheel has burrs that can cause internal damage to the airbag wiring and potentially disable the driver’s airbag.

Another recall for the 2019 Honda CR-V is over a faulty fuel pump that can cause the vehicle to stall at random.

While rare at only 492 total affected units, the 2019 Honda CR-V has two recalls for welding-related issues.

The first is for potentially poor welding between the fuel tank and the vapor return line. Affected vehicles could suffer from fuel leaks and subsequent risk of fire.

The second welding recall was a bit more severe. The rear subframe of the vehicle could separate due to the poor welding and cause a crash.

2019 Honda CR-V - Photo by Honda

2019 CR-V’s Owner Complaints Reveal Electrical Problems, Faulty Forward Collision Avoidance System, and Fuel Leaks Leading to Oil Dilution

The 2019 Honda CR-V has nearly 400 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA. Most concern the forward collision avoidance system. Approximately one-quarter of the total complaints mention this system randomly engaging the automatic brakes, often creating dangerous situations.

“Multiple times, while driving, the automatic braking system engaged when there were no cars or obstacles ahead of me,” shares one 2019 CR-V owner. “The car behind me almost rear-ended me.”

Drivers also report various electrical problems. Owners on Car Complaints and the NHTSA have reported issues like premature dead batteries, loss of electric power steering, and engine stalls.

Oil dilution is another problem that owners have reported. This happens when fuel leaks into the crankcase where it mixes with the oil. What results is the diluted mixture raising the oil level too high and causing engine damage.

Owners on the NHTSA and forums like CR-V Owners Club have attested to this issue. Specifically, they mention the problem occuring on 2019 CR-Vs with the 1.5L turbo engine.

2019 Honda CR-V - Photo by Honda

Additional Problems for the 2019 CR-V Include Infotainment System Problems and Exploding Moonroofs

Owners on Consumer Reports have mentioned their 2019 Honda CR-Vs having various infotainment system troubles.

Most of the complaints involve both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay not working.

“My iPhone repeatedly disconnects and reconnects. I have to restart [the] infotainment system and phone and power off and on the vehicle to get it to work again (which does not always fix the issue),” reported one owner on Consumer Reports.

On top of the device connectivity woes, 2019 CR-V owners have reported its power moonroof exploding. Some owners reported this happening at speed, causing glass to fly all over the cabin.

The good news is, this issue is quite rare, meaning the odds of it happening to you are very slim.

2019 Honda CR-V - Photo by Honda

Ranked Seventh Out of 22 Compact SUVs, the 2019 Honda CR-V is a Great Option for an SUV

The 2019 Honda CR-V includes a well-rounded selection of available engines, an elegant interior, and a reasonable price.

Problems like oil dilution, a wonky forward collision avoidance system, and various recalls should not be ignored. However, they should not keep you up at night either. The Honda CR-V is still one of the most reliable SUVs in its class.

The 2019 CR-V has a Vehicle History owner rating of 4.6 out of five stars. That ranks it seventh of 22 compact SUVs. Problems or not, that is more than a respectable score for an equally respectable SUV.

Photos: Honda

Frequently Asked Questions

By Stephanie Stephan | May 3, 2022

Do 2019 CR-Vs Have Engine Problems?

Honda extended the warranty on the 1.5L Earth Dreams engine of the CR-V and 47 NHTSA complaints exist for the 2019 Honda CR-V's engine. Many owners report a sudden loss of power while driving or complete engine shutdown. Spark plug and fuel injector failure may be caused by gas leaking into the oil.

Does the 2019 Honda CR-V Have an Oil Dilution Problem?

2017-2020 Honda CR-Vs suffer from oil dilution. Fuel sprayed on engine cylinders leaks into the crankcase and mixes with engine oil. The problem occurs at 6,950 miles on average and can cause stalling, engine damage, and spark plug and fuel injector failure.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Brent M. on February 4, 2024
Engine Failure/Unprofessional dealer and Corporation.
2019 CRV w/ 82K miles and the motor blew. Dealer said it was the responsibility of who last changed the oil; former Honda tech BTW. Claimed a small piece of plastic blocked the oil channel to the cams and caused an oil starvation issue that lead to failure. Denied it was a dilution issue or any other problem related to Honda. I have owned 7 Honda's and never had an issue. Charged $1800 to break the motor down, and wanted $9K to rebuild, $12K for a new crate motor. When I elected to let someone else repair the car, they did not put the motor back together as requested. Instead, wanted to charge $3K to assemble. Never put in writing of the emails obtained or verbally committed/mention. They then put ALL The Remaining Part Inside The CAR, On the seats in boxes. Not in the cargo space, but on the seats and floorboard. Corporate Honda hid behind a standard email response and never tried to call me personally. Even after I sent the pictures w/ my written complaint. Not the same company as before. DO NOT BUY A Honda!! Now I am seeing postings and told by local technicians that the new vehicles are having cylinder wall issues at about 38 to 40K miles. Right when you vehicle goes out of warranty!! How convenient. Most unprofessional business operations I have ever experienced. Oh, Honda Coporate thanked me for being a "valued" customer in their email, and would use the situation for "training" purposes to enhance the service at the local dealership. So basically, slap the dealership on the hand, return the issue back over to them, and wash their hands of me. This took place at Wolfchase Honda in Memphis, TN. If only I could upload the pictures for you to see.
accountCircle ptgram on June 7, 2023
2019 crv ex awd
I love my honda crv we bought it new in 2019 and this year it will be 4 years of owning it. The battery was replaced once in the 4 years and we have had no issues at all except for the oil has started getting black this last oil change so i am watching it. I have about 40000 miles on it. It gets great gas milage 25 to 26 around town and 30 to 33 on the freeway. I have read here many problems but i have had very little except i did have it start to stop 2 times when nothing was around but we were having bad wet weather when this happened. But are very satified and love the car and its abilities. The car just runs fantastic for us.
accountCircle J.Reese on January 14, 2023
Safety Hazard
I have had my 2019 Honda CR-V since 2019. I have noticed soo many issues with my Honda from day one, I figured it just my imagination. I noticed that every time I make a turn and another automobile is next to me, the brakes engage and the alert sounds. I have also noticed the my brakes engage when there is no car in front of me. Today (01-14-2023) is the last draw within my screen blacked out for no apparent reason andmy gas just disappeared froma full tank to low fuellight comingon after driving only 157 miles. I think that Honda should either come up with a repair solution or pay people back all the payments a lease refunds.
accountCircle M McCarthy on March 17, 2022
Honda is Disappointing Me
The alert goes on indicating the tire(s) are low. We check the tires and even have them checked and they are at the desired pressure. The car is a year and a half old and this has happened at least 10 times. I have taken it in to service and and they do not give an adequate explanation. Also, just had a new battery put in. The car sat for two weeks because I was out of town. It is in a heated dry secure space. It was dead when I can back. Also indicted that the parking brake was on which I never turned on. The parking brake appeared to be draining the battery. Honda Service put in a new battery and told me not to let it sit.
accountCircle Barb from Ohio on March 28, 2023
Loved the car BUT.....
Drove it off lot at 9 miles, 5500 miles needed new tires, put new tires on little under 10k. One year later, all 4 tires are cupped. I had regular alignments and rotations. Had another set put on Feb. 1, 2023 by Feb. 18, front end out of alignment again and now drivers side brake is locking up. I'm leasing with only 3 months left. Don't know if I should write it off or see a lawyer for a lemon? Can't drive very far, Saturday drove 50 miles, drivers front was 198°, rears were about 95°. I'vehad it back to Honda service about 5xs since January!
accountCircle Richard on October 18, 2022
Oil dilution and random braking
Got a 2019 CRV and its got oil dilution problem. Took it to the dealership and was told that "...that amount of gasoline in oil is normal for this generation of CRVs...". On top of that, adaptive cruise control will brake suddenly even though the road is clear. Found that random braking problem on a rented Civic as well. Do not buy any vehicle with a Honda's 1.5 turbo Earth Dream engine.
accountCircle Jeff Brown on July 19, 2021
Safety
I own a 2019 honda crv been driving pretty good had have the electrical problem but so far twice this winter in snow fall i have had acc system go out come and and go out while driving. The car instantly veered to the left if there was a car beside me in both cases there would of been an accident 100% the car actually did the veer on its own.
accountCircle Steve P on April 8, 2022
Electrical problem they couldn't fix
Liked the car the way it drove, and gas milage, but a serious radio, nav system/ your climate control electrical problem was not fixed by dealers. It would totally blank out, start blinking on/off, make a beeping warning sound, radio would go out for 1-5 min. 15,000 miles I dumped it and lost $15,000. Bought for $36,000 sold for $20,000
accountCircle Hillary G on February 23, 2022
I love the size and gas mileage in my car but I would not buy the same model.
The Bluetooth system does not work well, glitches. The a/c unit does not work well, people in the back row often complain. All SUV's big or small should have a/c vents in the back for added comfort. It also does not have very great drive, I have to basically put my pedal to the metal to get any acceleration going.
accountCircle Michelle C on August 9, 2021
The review of a Honda CR-V, driven by two sisters.
The car tends to shake a lot when it is idling at a stop light. It is very loud when it is shaking and can be felt by all passengers. As it is a 4 cylinder car, it takes a bit of force to accelerate and break. There is also no air conditioning in the back so it sometimes gets too hot in the back.
accountCircle Natalie G on August 15, 2021
Comfortable, roomy, family friendly. Bad attributes- a/c has constant issues.
Lots of issues with ac and the engine is sluggish. The car is comfortable and holds my family very comfortably and I have plenty of room for anything I need to haul around. The car has seat heat and you can basically have GPS using apple car play or android auto which is really convenient.
accountCircle Les B on March 30, 2022
Overpriced and under performs.
The Honda is a noisy tin box that makes conversation on the highway all but impossible. Accessories are sub standard and computer controlled sensors seem to trip at random, requiring hi-tech resets. Environmental controls do not maintain a proper comfort level. Not worth the MSRP.
accountCircle Ram Ram on August 26, 2021
Heating System
No, if you live in a cold area. The car is always cold inside. The remote starter is not good so I added a new one that runs for 20 minutes. Sometimes I restart it for another 20 minutes and when I get into the car, it still is cold. I do not recommend this car for northern area
accountCircle Christine S on November 23, 2021
Switched to CR-V but would not do it again. Would shop another brand for an SUV.
This car is solidly built, is high off the ground, and is easy to drive. It gets terrible gas mileage and has many blind spots. It is very hard to see cars that are close in the mirrors and windows. Changing lanes feels very unsafe in heavy traffic or quick merge situations.
accountCircle Sharon H on November 4, 2021
Great vehicle for two people rides.
However the gas runs out very quickly and sometimes error pops up. The backseats are also very uncomfortable; the seats do not move and are very straightened, making long car rides uncomfortable. The key is not a smart key, so the trunk does not open on its own.
accountCircle Shelley B on September 19, 2021
The best detail is the comfort of the backseat. I fit my car seat and two adults.
The car also gives me lane departure signage and wobbles when I am nowhere near the line. It has some great features, like self driving modes, but I never use them. I would rather have features that I actually use in a car.
accountCircle Kayla B on May 5, 2022
2019 CR-V a good, reliable and affordable car.
The car makes a weird noise that is slightly annoying but you do get used to it after a bit. Other than that, I haven't had any issues. The car is great as far as performance and reliability.
accountCircle Jenn Guglielmi on November 17, 2021
Noises
If I take vehicle for a car wash, I have extremely loud noises from brake pads that gathers attention from those individuals near by. Secondly, my radio screen intermittently goes black.
accountCircle Sher T on April 1, 2022
This car is not a good buy.
The apple connect does not work well. The tires do not last long. The audio is not reliable. The screen goes black. Not as fuel efficient as advertised. Would not purchase again.
accountCircle Mary Gilmore on February 9, 2022
Computer Issues
I really loved my 2019 CRV until the radio and digital display suddenly stopped working. Only 8,000.00 miles.
accountCircle Ed Handy on March 13, 2022
Check engine light is on ...car is less than a month old
Awful. That the car will need to be serviced with less 900 miles of use
avatar Felix Duppong
Felix Duppong has specialized experience in the world of motorsports journalism and recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communications from Northwest University. He is a staff writer producing high-quality Formula 1 editorial content for the print publication Missed Apex F1 Podcast. Felix has also covered the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indy 500, Daytona 500, and the Rolex 24. When he’s not busy contributing to Drive Tribe, in his spare time, Felix is an avid Sim Racing enthusiast. He has competed in multiple seasons of F1-league racing and is currently racing in the iRacing VRS GT Endurance series.
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