Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda CR-V engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Honda CR-V have filed 364 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 14,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
364
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 CR-V | 57 |
| 2014 CR-V | 134 |
| 2015 CR-V | 124 |
| 2016 CR-V | 54 |
| 2017 CR-V (this page) | 364 |
| 2018 CR-V | 388 |
| 2019 CR-V | 71 |
| 2020 CR-V | 26 |
| 2021 CR-V | 20 |
3crashes
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 364 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Honda CR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 364 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 22 model years of Honda CR-V in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability issues, which may result in DTCs P0300 (random misfire detected), P0301 (No. 1 cylinder misfire detected), P0302 (No. 2 cylinder misfire detected), P0303 (No. 3 cylinder misfire detected), P0304 (No. 4 cylinder misfire detected), or P0172 (fuel system too rich) or a whirling noise coming from the engine compartment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability issues, which may result in DTCs P0300 (random misfire detected), P0301 (No. 1 cylinder misfire detected), P0302 (No. 2 cylinder misfire detected), P0303 (No. 3 cylinder misfire detected), P0304 (No. 4 cylinder misfire detected), or P0172 (fuel system too rich) or a whirling noise coming from the engine compartment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTCs P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) P04F1 (EVAP System Low Purge Flow Detected).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTCs P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) P04F1 (EVAP System Low Purge Flow Detected).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 CR-V with the 1.5L turbo engine displays a consistent pattern of fuel dilution in the engine oil, especially in cold weather and during short-distance driving. Owners detect gasoline odor in the cabin and on the dipstick, with oil levels rising a half-inch to a full inch above the fill mark within 500–1,500 miles of an oil change. The oil becomes thin and watery. Dealerships have told owners this is "normal operation" for the engine, yet multiple service bulletins (18-124, 19-037) address misfire codes tied to fuel system defects that dealers replace fuel injectors to correct—often without permanent resolution.
The real safety problem surfaces when misfires trigger sudden loss of power at highway speed. Owners describe blinking Check Engine Lights and cascading warning messages while the vehicle drops to 4–25 mph limp mode with no means to pull over safely. Several owners have narrowly avoided rear-end collisions. Beyond misfires, turbochargers and head gaskets fail prematurely—sometimes in sequence—at mileage well below warranty limits. One owner's mechanic found fuel-contaminated oil and a split vacuum hose; another found metal shavings and severely worn bearings from oil starvation caused by fuel dilution.
Honda acknowledged the defect in internal communications and issued a recall for 350,000 units in China, yet U.S. owners remain unprotected and face $5,000–$8,000+ engine replacement bills. Dealerships have been instructed to replace fuel injectors and perform software updates, but these measures have failed repeatedly on the same vehicles. No permanent factory fix has reached the U.S. market.
Same Honda CR-V engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Oil dilution with unburnt gasoline
Unburnt gasoline accumulates in engine oil, especially in cold weather or during short-distance driving. The 1.5L turbo engine does not warm sufficiently to evaporate residual fuel, causing gasoline to mix with oil. Oil level rises above the full mark and becomes thin, watery, and reeking of gasoline. Owners report needing oil changes every 500–1000 miles to manage the condition.
When: Present by ~1000–5000 miles in many cases; exacerbated in cold climates (10–30°F reported) and short-trip driving patterns
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in cabin and engine oil; Oil level visibly rising above full mark on dipstick; Oil becoming thin, watery, and dark; Gasoline smell when checking dipstick; Frequent need for oil changes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report repeated oil and filter changes (some every 500–700 miles); fuel injector replacement attempted on multiple vehicles with no permanent resolution; software updates (Product Update 2017–2018 CR-V) have not resolved the issue in many cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda has acknowledged the problem and stated it is reviewing the issue; Service Bulletins 18-124 and 19-037 address misfire codes (P0300–P0304, P0172) linked to fuel system defects; some owners report dealerships claiming gasoline in oil is 'normal operating condition' or a characteristic of the 1.5L engine; no permanent factory fix has been offered in the U.S. market; Honda issued a recall of 350,000 units in China for a similar issue but has not issued a mandatory recall in the U.S.
Engine misfire and loss of power / limp-mode activation
Owners report sudden misfires causing severe loss of power, engine downshift to limp mode, and inability to accelerate beyond 10–20 mph while driving at highway speeds. Check Engine Light blinks, multiple warning lights illuminate, and the vehicle becomes a traffic hazard. Some incidents occur on interstates with no opportunity to pull over safely.
When: Reported across a range of mileages: 4,600 miles, 59,000 miles, 90,000–130,000 miles; timing variable but often follows oil dilution or occurs intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate; Engine downshift to 4–25 mph limp mode; Blinking Check Engine Light; Multiple warning lights (Emissions System, Brake System, ABS, VSA, Adaptive Cruise, Collision Mitigation, Power Steering, TPMS, Tire Pressure, Road Departure Mitigation); Vehicle shaking and sputtering; Engine stalling; Rough idle
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire detected), P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire), P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire), P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), P0172 (system too rich), P2097 (post catalytic converter too rich)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced fuel injectors (quoted at ~$1,960–$2,000), spark plugs, and sensors; multiple owners report repeated fuel injector replacement without permanent resolution; one owner's independent mechanic found split vacuum hose and fuel-contaminated oil requiring cleaning; some dealers have performed software updates and HVAC control unit replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletins 18-124 and 19-037 acknowledge this defect code set; Honda has denied out-of-warranty repair assistance citing expiration of powertrain warranty despite acknowledgment of known defect; some owners report Honda Corporate refusing to provide written explanation of denial; dealerships have acknowledged the issue but offered only temporary fixes or blamed owners for driving patterns
Head gasket failure and catastrophic engine damage
Multiple owners report head gasket failure at relatively low mileage (100,000–153,000 miles), often preceded by fuel/oil dilution, misfire events, or cooling system issues. Some failures occur suddenly with complete loss of power while driving. Repairs require full head replacement or engine replacement at costs of $5,000–$8,000+. One owner reported coolant leaking into cylinders causing shaking and rattling; another reported cams destroyed from oil dilution and fuel mixing.
When: 100,000–153,000 miles reported; some cases follow previous turbo failure or recurring misfire events within the same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Engine shaking and rattling during acceleration; All warning lights flashing on dashboard; Blue smoke from tailpipes; No overheating or leaking detected by owner; Temperature gauge remained in neutral or below normal range; Engine stalling and inability to exceed 40 mph; Destroyed or damaged cams (found during inspection)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement: $5,000–$7,570; full engine replacement: $8,000+; one shop foreman acknowledged seeing multiple identical failure patterns (turbo failure followed by head gasket failure) on 2017–2019 CR-Vs with 1.5T engine, with increased volume in past 6–9 months; one owner's mechanic found significant metal shavings in oil pan and wore bearing worn to brass
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships have performed or recommended head gasket replacement; one service manager stated Honda Corporate is aware of the issue (described as regional due to climate) and is attempting a software fix but has no current resolution; Honda acknowledged in one case that there is a design defect in the 1.5T engine causing coolant leakage and head gasket failure (active federal class action litigation Bissell v. American Honda Motor Co.); owners report Honda refusing to cover repairs outside warranty or refusing to extend powertrain warranty despite documented manufacturer defect
Turbocharger failure and oil starvation
Turbochargers fail prematurely, often followed by catastrophic engine damage. One owner experienced turbo failure at ~90,000 miles, replacement, then suspicion of oil sludge and fuel dilution causing repeat turbo failure at 108,000 miles. Another owner's independent mechanic found split vacuum hose causing fuel-contaminated oil; another found bearing wear and metal shavings in the oil pan. Oil dilution is a known precursor.
When: ~90,000–100,000 miles in cases documented; sometimes repeated failure within months of turbo replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power at highway speed; Abnormal sound from engine compartment; Unable to accelerate above 40 mph; Multiple warning lights illuminate; Vehicle vibrating; Engine shaking and spewing blue smoke
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement cost not itemized in narratives; one owner's independent mechanic identified split/gummy vacuum hose and fuel-contaminated oil requiring servicing; bearing wear and metal shavings found in oil pan indicating inadequate lubrication from fuel dilution; full engine replacement recommended in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships have diagnosed turbo failure and recommended replacement; one owner reported dealer stating turbo failure at 90k miles was 'not completely out of the ordinary'; Honda has not addressed the underlying cause of oil starvation or fuel dilution in turbo repair authorizations
Fuel system failure (fuel injector and fuel joint pipe defects)
Fuel injectors fail with DTC P0172 (system too rich) and AF cylinder test failure. Multiple injector replacements are required on some vehicles with no permanent resolution. One owner reported Honda refusing to replace the mandatory one-time-use High-Pressure Fuel Joint Pipe despite DTC P0172 and TSB requirements, creating fire risk from high-pressure fuel leakage (20 MPa+).
When: Failures reported at 50,000 miles, 100,000+ miles, and occurring twice on same vehicle within 8 years; some misfires begin as cold-start hesitation and worsen over months
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine Light (DTC P0172); Emissions System Problem warning; Engine hesitation and power loss; Strong gasoline odor; Engine stalling; Rough cold start and idle; Poor acceleration
Codes mentioned: P0172 (fuel system too rich), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), AF cylinder test failure
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement: $1,500–$2,000; one owner reported Honda refusing to replace mandatory High-Pressure Fuel Joint Pipe (one-time-use component per Honda Service Manual and TSBs) during injector service, creating fire hazard from fuel leakage under high pressure onto hot engine components; multiple injector replacements on same vehicle without permanent fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Manual and TSBs (e.g., for Earth Dreams 1.5T engine) require replacement of High-Pressure Fuel Joint Pipe whenever fuel injectors are serviced; one owner reported dealer violation of this safety protocol; no factory-level solution published for fuel injector failure; some owners report Honda denying recall coverage based on VIN mismatch despite recall notice describing identical symptoms
Inadequate heater output and cabin heating failure in cold weather
The 1.5L turbo engine fails to generate sufficient heat in cold weather, leaving owners unable to defrost windows or warm the cabin adequately. This is correlated with the engine's inability to warm up sufficiently, which exacerbates fuel/oil dilution issues.
When: Reported in cold weather operation; one owner noted the issue at vehicle purchase and throughout winter months
Symptoms owners cite: Heater not working at all in cold weather; Defroster takes excessive time to activate; Cabin remains cold despite heater on; No adequate heat output
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; heater/defroster malfunction noted as persistent design issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer acknowledgment or fix documented in provided narratives
Intermittent electrical/dashboard warning light cascade
All dashboard warning lights (Check Engine, Oil Pressure, Battery, TPMS, Brake, ABS, Fuel Level, Engine Temperature, Emissions, Power Steering EPS, VSA, Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Cruise, Collision Mitigation, Road Departure Mitigation, Electric Parking Brake) activate intermittently, sometimes flashing in sequence. Symptoms can persist for days to weeks, resolve temporarily, then recur. Battery replacement provided temporary relief but warnings return.
When: Intermittent; reported occurring repeatedly over months to years; one hybrid owner noted the issue warranted recall for 2023–2025 models but not yet for 2017 CR-V Hybrid
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights flashing simultaneously; Check Engine Light illumination; Oil Pressure Warning Light; Battery Warning Light; TPMS Light; Brake System Warning; ABS Light; Fuel Level Warning Light; Engine Temperature Warning Light; Emissions System Problem message; Power Steering (EPS) Problem; VSA Problem; Hill Start Assist Problem; Adaptive Cruise Control Problem; Collision Mitigation System Problem; Road Departure Mitigation System Problem; Electric Parking Brake Problem; Keyless Remote Not Detected
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced twice within one year with temporary relief; fuel injector and spark plug replacement (cost ~$2,000) recommended as permanent fix; software update initially provided but warnings recurred; issue later diagnosed as fuel injector failure requiring replacement at independent shop for ~$1,500
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda covers this issue under recall for 2023–2025 Honda Pilot and 2023–2025 Honda Accord Hybrid (which share the same fuel injection system), but has not extended recall to 2017 CR-V Hybrid despite identical symptoms reported by owners; Honda CR-V Hybrid owners incurring out-of-pocket repair costs
Fuel leakage and fire risk from reused fuel joint pipe
High-pressure fuel joint pipe, designated as a one-time-use component per Honda Service Manual and TSBs for the Earth Dreams 1.5T engine, is being reused by dealerships instead of replaced during fuel injector service. This violates Honda's own safety protocol and creates severe fire risk from pressurized fuel (20 MPa+) potentially spraying onto hot engine components.
When: During fuel injector replacement (April 2026 documented)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor before and after repair; Engine stalling (prior to repair)
Codes mentioned: P0172 (system too rich)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to replace mandatory High-Pressure Fuel Joint Pipe despite DTC P0172 and TSB requirement; reusing this component violates Honda's safety protocols and poses high probability of fuel spraying onto hot engine components, leading to under-hood fire while driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda's own Service Manual and TSBs mandate one-time replacement of High-Pressure Fuel Joint Pipe whenever fuel injectors are serviced; dealership and manufacturer refused replacement on documented case, creating safety violation
Synthesized from 364 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Honda cr-v. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. Dch Honda of nanuet (10 ny-304, nanuet, ny 10954, (845) 367-4380) stated that the noise was normal. The contact also notified the dealer of a strong odor of fuel and oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. NHTSA campaign number:…
Gasoline enters engine oil causing it overfills and far exceeding the max mark. Engine oil also has a strong smell of gasoline. It may cause long term damage to the engine with engine oil diluted.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Upon seeing all of the complaints about the 1.5 liter turbo engine in the cr-v's and civics, I inspected the oil in my 2017 Honda cr-v only 100 miles after it was changed by the local Honda dealer. I pulled out the dipstick and noticed that the oil level was over the recommended limit and it was very dark in color. I leaned into the engine and noticed a strong presence of a gasoline smell. I have…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Honda CR-V?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 364 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 241 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 8,000 and 25,500 miles, with the median around 14,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 25,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.