TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

CR-V years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published 5th generation guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2017
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2017 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2017; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2017 authority →
2018
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2018; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2018 authority →
2019
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2019 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2019 authority →
2020
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2020 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2020; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2020 authority →
2021
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2021 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2021 authority →
2022
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilutionclm_honda-cr-v-phantom-brakingclm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding intersects the ownership horizon; verify the condition and mitigation before purchase. clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering

Applicable issues

  • Fuel/oil dilution pattern (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the oil level on a level surface and smell the dipstick for fuel odor
  • Sticky EPS steering / gearbox binding (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Road-test for notchiness, sticking, clicking, or uneven steering effort
  • Unexpected collision-mitigation braking (critical; mitigation only) · Inspect: During the test drive, verify there are no recurring false activations and inspect the camera/radar system for stored faults

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2022 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2022; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2022 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_honda-cr-v-fuel-oil-dilution2022 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Fuel-diluted oil may reduce lubrication and contribute to engine damage; reports also describe fuel odor in the cabin.

“IN LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP AND LESS THAN 1,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY CR-V'S OIL RESERVOIR WAS 0.5 QUARTS OVER FULL DUE TO DILUTION FROM UNCOMBUSTED GASOLINE.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2018
clm_honda-cr-v-sticky-steering2022 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Unexpected steering effort or release can cause over-correction and loss of lane control.

“The mileage on this vehicle is 62,973. I am afraid to drive this vehicle because the steering is unreliable.”
NHTSAcomplaint_detailJun 2026
clm_honda-cr-v-phantom-braking2022 Honda CR-VEvidence: Medium confidence

Unexpected braking can create a rear-end collision risk for following traffic.

“The vehicle has experienced recurring phantom braking events and false activations of the emergency braking system.”
NHTSAcomplaint_detailJun 2026

Publication contract

Evidence: Medium confidence

Release rel_pilot_crv_01 · methodology m1-v1b-pilot. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.