Thoughts on Upgrading to a 2017-2022 CR-V?

Hey everyone, I’m thinking about upgrading from my Civic to a 2017-2022 CR-V. Now that it’s been out for a while, how’s the reliability of the engine? I’ve always been wary of turbos, but since it’s a Honda, I’m assuming it should be pretty reliable? Would love to hear your thoughts!

5 Likes

I’ve got a 2017 EX-L and had to replace the fuel injectors at 69K miles. I’ve also been dealing with oil dilution, so I make sure to change the motor oil more frequently because of that. Other than these issues, the car’s been pretty solid.

However, there are a few things to keep an eye on, like the turbo, CVT, AC compressor, carbon buildup, and head gasket.

No car is perfect, but if I could go back, I’d probably avoid direct-injected turbo engines. I really miss the old naturally aspirated Honda engines that didn’t come with these concerns. Give me a K20 any day!

4 Likes

I’ve been driving this engine for 2 years now, and it’s been reliable throughout. I really appreciate the turbo boost experience—it adds a fun element to the otherwise smooth, eco-friendly driving. I think using a Royal Purple fuel injector cleaner and sticking with top-tier fuel is a smart move.

I’ve heard some concerns about a high head gasket failure rate, and I’m curious about what might be causing this and if there are ways to prevent it with proper maintenance.

I’m confident in the turbo and transmission since they’re Japanese-made and Canadian-assembled, and I’m meticulous about trans oil changes. However, the head gasket issue has me worried, especially since it might fail soon after the drivetrain warranty expires.

3 Likes

I’ve got 140k miles on my 2017 model, and I’ve only done routine oil changes, followed the manufacturer’s recommended fluid flushes, and replaced the tires as needed. I don’t see a reason to buy a new car yet. The great fuel economy and ample cargo space make it a dependable and practical choice.

Also, I find the turbo engine to be superior to the Toyota equivalent, especially when you need to quickly accelerate on the highway. This was a real ‘wow’ moment for me, especially after spending 2 years driving a RAV4. It’s been a solid ride overall!

2 Likes

Overall, it’s been pretty good. You might come across concerns about oil dilution and fuel injectors, but in reality, most of us haven’t experienced those problems. The car offers great gas mileage, solid safety tech, and a roomy interior. I personally have 82k miles on mine and haven’t faced any mechanical issues.

1 Like

The turbo in my 2018 CR-V has been reliable overall, and I haven’t seen many issues reported with it. I’ve put 44k miles on mine, and while the fuel injectors occasionally need replacing, the car usually remains drivable. However, it can throw a lot of error codes unrelated to the injector problems. I once drove for two weeks with a bad injector before getting it fixed.

Some 1.5-liter engines with direct fuel injection might experience fuel dilution in the oil, but the engine can handle some dilution if you stick to the oil change schedule. For more details, you can find plenty of information on online forums. Honda even released a tech bulletin offering a fix to help warm up the engine faster. In summary, a well-maintained 1.5L turbo engine is generally reliable.

1 Like