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Honda CR-V: common problems & condition

97
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
58/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
55%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%



Across 97 used Honda CR-Vs we inspected, this model scores a little below average — average condition 58/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Fuel trim out of range · Engine
60%
Oil leaks · Engine
57%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
31%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
31%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
29%

Share of inspected Honda CR-Vs where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 18% Good 37% Mediocre 21% Poor 25%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.

66%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
7%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
28%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a CR-V stay good?
Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 20–40k mi: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 40–60k mi: 75% in good shape (12 cars) 60–80k mi: 75% in good shape (12 cars) 80–100k mi: 100% in good shape (10 cars) 100–120k mi: 50% in good shape (12 cars) 120–140k mi: 42% in good shape (12 cars) 140–160k mi: 36% in good shape (11 cars) 160–180k mi: 33% in good shape (6 cars) 180–200k mi: 13% in good shape (8 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 3 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 7 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 8 years old: 63% in good shape (8 cars) 10 years old: 20% in good shape (5 cars) 11 years old: 75% in good shape (8 cars) 12 years old: 71% in good shape (7 cars) 13 years old: 50% in good shape (10 cars) 14 years old: 33% in good shape (6 cars) 15 years old: 17% in good shape (6 cars) 16 years old: 17% in good shape (6 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Honda CR-Vs in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.

More on Honda

Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.

Straight from recent Honda CR-V reports

2019 Honda CR-V · 103k mi — flagged: oil sludge, fuel trim out of range, worn brake rotors. Inspected Sep 30.
2016 Honda CR-V · 127k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Sep 25.
The bottom line

The CR-V's weak spot is the engine, not the body. Fuel trim sits out of range on 60 percent of them and oil leaks are nearly as frequent, with cooling problems close behind, so start under the hood and on a scan before you talk money. Structural repairs are a live risk, so any frame work is a walk-away. Torn bushings and worn tires are the other regulars; use those to negotiate only if the engine is dry and honest. Don't let tidy panels distract you—if it leaks, fuel trim is off, or the structure has been repaired, keep walking.

FAQ
?
Is the Honda CR-V reliable?
55% of the 97 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 58/100 — it scores a little below average.
?
What are the most common problems on a used Honda CR-V?
The items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (60%), oil leaks (57%), tires condition & wear (31%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 28% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Honda CR-V? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 97 inspections · updated Oct 2, 2026