2017–2022 5th generation (RW)

2017–2022 Honda CR-V Common Problems and Years to Avoid

5 documented problems with the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 4 carry a recall or TSB number.

Last verifiedAugust 20, 2026

Quick answer

We have 5 documented problems on record for the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, of which 2 are serious and 4 carry a recall or service bulletin. Every one below lists symptoms, the years most affected, and what the repair typically costs.

2017–2022 Honda CR-V recalls and service bulletins

Recall / TSB	Issue	Severity
Honda TSB 18-114 (product update); 6-yr/unlimited-mile engine warranty extension; no NHTSA recall was issued	1.5T oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (THE known CR-V issue)	major
No recall; class action Sarkisian et al. v. American Honda (2021); multiple software TSBs	Parasitic battery drain / repeated dead batteries (class action)	moderate
Honda TSB A23-040 (warranty extension)	A/C compressor shaft seal leak, warranty extended to 10 years	moderate
NHTSA 20V-314 (Honda), expanded May 2021 (21V-215)	Denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)	major

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.

1.5T oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (THE known CR-V issue)

major

In cold climates and on short trips, unburned fuel washes past the rings of the 1.5L turbo and accumulates in the crankcase: the oil level RISES above the fill mark, the dipstick smells of gasoline, and owners reported poor cabin heat, misfires (P0300-series), and fouled plugs. Honda's fix is product update TSB 18-114 (revised ECU warm-up logic, transmission software, and in some cases an A/C control unit update, plus an oil change) and a warranty extension on the engine to 6 years with UNLIMITED mileage (originally for ~239,000 cars in 21 cold-weather states, later applied more broadly by goodwill; a class-action settlement followed). 2019+ got the updated software from the factory. If your level reads high: get the update done free, change the oil, and document everything for the extended warranty. Some fuel smell and slight level rise can persist even after the update.

Most affected: 2017–2018 (formally); similar complaints reported on 2019–2021 in cold climatesTypical cost: Free (TSB software + oil change; engine repairs covered under the 6-yr/unlimited-mi extension)Recall/TSB: Honda TSB 18-114 (product update); 6-yr/unlimited-mile engine warranty extension; no NHTSA recall was issued

Parasitic battery drain / repeated dead batteries (class action)

moderate

Thousands of 5th-gen owners reported batteries dying overnight or after a few days parked, blamed on parasitic draw from modules (VSA, fuel pump control, infotainment) that fail to sleep, compounded by the small 410 CCA factory 51R. A class action (filed 2021) covers 2017–2019 CR-V (and 2016–2019 Accord). Honda issued software updates for several modules and dealers replaced batteries under warranty; out of warranty, the practical fix is the updated software plus a 500 CCA battery, and a parasitic-draw test if it recurs.

Most affected: 2017–2019 (complaints continue into 2020–2022 at lower rates)Typical cost: $130–$220 (battery); $150–$200 diagnostic if a draw must be tracedRecall/TSB: No recall; class action Sarkisian et al. v. American Honda (2021); multiple software TSBs

A/C compressor shaft seal leak, warranty extended to 10 years

moderate

The A/C gradually blows warm because refrigerant escapes past a leaking compressor shaft seal; UV dye shows the leak at the compressor nose. Honda acknowledged the defect with TSB A23-040 and extended the compressor shaft seal warranty on 2017–2022 CR-Vs to 10 years from original purchase with no mileage limit, dealers replace the compressor assembly free. If you paid out of pocket, Honda offered reimbursement through the extension.

Most affected: 2017–2022Typical cost: Free under the warranty extension; $1,100–$1,600 if paid out of pocketRecall/TSB: Honda TSB A23-040 (warranty extension)

Denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)

major

Part of the industry-wide Denso recall: the in-tank fuel pump impeller can swell and seize, causing hard starts, stumble, or engine stall at speed. Honda recalled 2018–2020 CR-Vs (NHTSA 20V-314, expanded in 2021) and replaces the pump assembly free. Run your VIN. Many cars were added in the expansion and some remain unfixed.

Most affected: 2018–2020Typical cost: Free under recallRecall/TSB: NHTSA 20V-314 (Honda), expanded May 2021 (21V-215)

Infotainment freezes, backup-camera dropouts, and phantom warnings

minor

The 7-inch head unit freezes, reboots, or loses the rearview camera image intermittently; low 12V voltage (see battery drain above) also triggers cascades of spurious warning lights (VSA, TPMS, collision mitigation) at start-up. Software updates fixed most infotainment complaints; a healthy battery clears most phantom-warning cascades. Persistent camera loss can be the camera harness in the tailgate flex point.

Most affected: 2017–2020Typical cost: Free (software) – $150–$400 (camera or harness repair)

Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.

Which Honda CR-V model years does this cover?

These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Honda CR-V built from 2017 through 2022 — the 5th generation (RW), compact crossover suv (fwd or real time awd; hybrid awd-only). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.

2017 CR-V 2018 CR-V 2019 CR-V 2020 CR-V 2021 CR-V 2022 CR-V

What changed during the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V

2017Generation launch: 1.5T on EX and above, 2.4L on LX; Honda Sensing standard from EX (all trims 2020)
2018Carries over with minimal changes after the 2017 redesign
2019Largely unchanged; adds the Platinum White Pearl exterior color as the only notable update ahead of 2020's facelift and hybrid launch
2020Facelift: 1.5T standard on every gas trim (2.4L dropped), CR-V Hybrid (AWD-only) added, Touring moves to 19-in wheels, Honda Sensing standard
2022Carryover final year; Special Edition (SE) trim on 17-in wheels

2017–2022 Honda CR-V problems and recalls: common questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V?: The recurring ones are: 1.5t oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (the known cr-v issue); parasitic battery drain / repeated dead batteries (class action); a/c compressor shaft seal leak, warranty extended to 10 years; denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall); infotainment freezes, backup-camera dropouts, and phantom warnings. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2017–2022 Honda CR-V years should you avoid?: The years to be most careful with are those affected by 1.5t oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (the known cr-v issue) (2017–2018 (formally); similar complaints reported on 2019–2021 in cold climates) and denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall) (2018–2020). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V?: 4 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Honda TSB 18-114 (product update); 6-yr/unlimited-mile engine warranty extension; no NHTSA recall was issued (1.5t oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (the known cr-v issue)), No recall; class action Sarkisian et al. v. American Honda (2021); multiple software TSBs (parasitic battery drain / repeated dead batteries (class action)), Honda TSB A23-040 (warranty extension) (a/c compressor shaft seal leak, warranty extended to 10 years), NHTSA 20V-314 (Honda), expanded May 2021 (21V-215) (denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2017–2022 Honda CR-V repairs typically cost?: Typical figures for the issues above: 1.5t oil dilution, gasoline mixing into the engine oil (the known cr-v issue), Free (TSB software + oil change; engine repairs covered under the 6-yr/unlimited-mi extension); parasitic battery drain / repeated dead batteries (class action), $130–$220 (battery); $150–$200 diagnostic if a draw must be traced; a/c compressor shaft seal leak, warranty extended to 10 years, Free under the warranty extension; $1,100–$1,600 if paid out of pocket; denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall), Free under recall.

Sources

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