With the drivetrain and solid manufacturing to go the distance, many drivers will be disappointed by the discomfort experienced in the cab of the CR-V—from faulty air conditioning to bad seats and a glitchy infotainment system.
Key Points
- Early 2010s CR-Vs are riddled with life-threatening, airbag-related recalls that total in the dozens.
- Fourth-generation CR-Vs, introduced in 2012, have remarkably few recalls in the NHTSA database—a testament to Honda’s manufacturing capabilities, but the issues it does have are alarming and include installation of improper pistons.
- Recently-enacted recalls involve the emergency brake detection systems of nearly two-million Honda vehicles made from 2018 to 2019.
- CR-V interiors are reportedly incredibly uncomfortable, with issues ranging from faulty AC condensers to poorly-made seats that leave legs numb.
- Electrical systems on the CR-V are victim to underpowered alternators that drain batteries to nothing.
The CR-V is a Standard Bearer for the Longevity of Honda, and Recalls are Expectedly Few
The Honda CR-V has proven itself as one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road thanks in no small part to the superb manufacturing of the SUV at Honda. Since 2012, the CR-V model averages less than two recalls per year.
The early end of the 2010s was a low-point for Honda’s CR-V, with 2010 and 2011 models each having over a dozen recalls apiece according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
These recalls center around well-known Takata airbag issues, each model year having deadly incidents with the airbags installed by the manufacturer that solicited twelve recalls.
But for 2012, Honda completely redesigned the CR-V, debuting the revamped fourth-generation CR-V to much success, with the number of recalls dropping dramatically, all the way down to zero for the 2014 year model, though there were still problem areas, like the brake latch not properly engaging when putting the vehicle into park.
Mid-2010s CR-Vs Hit a Rough Patch Before Honda Managed to Catch Its Stride with the Fifth Generation
Bizarrely, in 2015 and 2016, Honda installed the wrong pistons on many of its replacement engines in the CR-V. The error could lead to catastrophic failure of the engine and casts a shadow of doubt over Honda’s ability to manufacture a finished product.
With the introduction of the fifth-generation CR-V in 2017, Honda was hit with a series of minor recalls involving fuel pump issues and a magnet that was prone to dislodging in the steering wheel. These are problems surely, but not as life-threatening as the airbag issues earlier in the decade.
The 2019 model, despite being part of the fifth generation of CR-V, was actually a low point for Honda in terms of number of recalls, with five issued for the model year.
The 2019 CR-V’s frontal collision avoidance system is prone to misreading the road and slamming on the brakes. In a recent recall issued in late February of 2022, the NHTSA recalled 1.7 million Accord and CR-V vehicles in relation to reports of six accidents due to the faulty feature.
CR-Vs from the 2020s are relatively new and have few manufacturing problems, aside from the alarming subframe separation on the 2020 model and a seatbelt issue for 2021, though it often takes several years for issues to crop up, as seen with recent recalls on the 2019 model.
In Contrast with its Relatively Reliable Drivetrain, the CR-V’s Interior Has a Host of Problematic Issues Regarding Comfort
A complete deal-breaker in many warm-weather locales, the most numerous among all complaints for the CR-V are issues with the AC not blowing cold air.
This “black death” is usually due to a failure of the AC’s compressor, and it has become so commonplace with the CR-V and other Honda models that Honda extended its warranty to ten years to cover the problem if it arises in your vehicle.
If the heat wasn’t enough, many drivers complain about the incredibly uncomfortable seats in the CR-V that often make drivers’ and passengers’ legs go numb, and an infotainment center that is often glitchy and unresponsive.
Despite the roominess of the CR-V, these problems could leave many owners frustrated with the overall experience in the SUV.
Honda CR-V’s Electrical Problems are Commonplace and Include Dying Batteries and Soy Wiring that Attracts Rodents
Likely due to an unreliable alternator, the Honda CR-V’s battery goes dead quite frequently, with many owners reporting that their car won’t start or that it dies on the roadway. The alternators are known to be underpowered, yet have received very little attention from Honda in regard to rectifying the issue.
Further electrical issues involve the uptick in soy-based wiring harnesses across all manufacturers of motor vehicles. Rats love the stuff, and they often make a home for themselves, chewing through the wiring harnesses of many eco-friendly vehicles that have planet-friendly soy-based wires powering their electrical systems.
The solutions are myriad, ranging from Honda’s rodent-deterring tape, laced with chili-pepper, other solutions include commercially available sprays and parking the vehicle away from food stores and in an enclosed garage.
The Honda CR-V is a Reliable, Affordable SUV, but Comfort has Become a Major Issue that Mars its Overall Likability
Nobody wants to pay thousands of dollars for an uncomfortable chair. That’s what makes the CR-V so disappointing, because while Honda made sure they were making a product that would last on the road, they forgot to make a product people enjoyed being in.
Most people would agree that the glory days of the CR-V came with the first and second generations. As things stand now, the CR-V could rise to those heights again, but it would take a serious reconcentration of effort by Honda to switch from a product that lasts to a product that people love.
Whether it is getting groceries or a cross-country trip, the issues that come along with sitting in the interior of the CR-V are difficult to ignore, no matter how few the recalls or issues may be with the drivability of the SUV.
Photos: Honda
