Honda CR-V Common Faults in Ireland
Fourth (2012–2018), fifth (2018–2023) and sixth (2023 on) — family SUV. Updated 2026-10-14.
The RSA names the Honda CR-V in four Irish recall entries on its 2024 and 2025 pages: a fuel pump impeller that can stop the engine (16 July 2024), a battery cable without a fuse (16 April 2024; 519 cars built 1 May 2018–1 July 2022), cracks in the high-pressure fuel pump (9 January 2025) and steering gearbox grease (12 February 2025). The CCPC archive adds earlier airbag, diesel emissions-software and fuel-pump notices from 2016 to 2020. Check the car's VIN with a Honda dealer or on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. Honda Ireland's current warranty is 5 years with no mileage limit for private use and can be transferred to later owners. This guide does not rank model years or engines by reliability; it relies on regulator and manufacturer documents.
Buying a Honda CR-V? Check these next
Figures for this model, not averages.
CO₂ and VRT
- Hybrid: 151–168 g/km (typically 156)
- Petrol: 166–201 g/km (typically 167)
WLTP, measured across 1,075 Irish-registered cars (EEA data). CO₂ sets the VRT band when you import one.
Estimate the VRT on an import →Monthly cost
See what a Honda CR-V would cost a month on PCP, including the final balloon payment.
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Set by CO₂ and by the date of first registration — NEDC table for July 2008–2020 registrations, WLTP table from January 2021. The two tables use the same band letters for different amounts, so an import is keyed to its first registration abroad. Check your exact rate →
Quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall portals, and reliability surveys. For Autoza-derived median asking prices per cohort with sample size and confidence tier, see the open dataset at huggingface.co/datasets/Autoza/irish-used-car-price-index.
Which Honda CR-V years should you avoid?
No single model year stands out in the sources checked, so none is named worst. The documents that do exist are recalls, and they are tied to build dates, not to a model year (see the entries below). The RSA pages read for this guide cover 2023–2026, and the CCPC archive (read from a web-archive copy of its listing dated 5 February 2023) covers 2011–2022; neither is guaranteed complete. No CR-V entry appears on the RSA's 2023 or 2026 pages. Recalls announced in other countries are not necessarily Irish recalls, so UK and US notices were not counted. Avoid any CR-V whose recall work has not been completed, and be cautious with any car that has no documented service history.
Best and worst years to buy
No single model year stands out in the sources checked, so none is named best: Honda and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year, and the What Car? Reliability Survey (UK readers) reports the 2018–2023 CR-V as a whole, not by year. What the documents do show about the cars sold in Ireland: the fourth generation reached Irish dealerships on 26 October 2012 with a 2.2 diesel and all-wheel drive, in manual and automatic form (CompleteCar.ie, 24 October 2012); CompleteCar.ie reported a front-wheel-drive 1.6 i-DTEC 120 hp as launched in Ireland on 22 October 2013; and the updated car reported on sale on 27 February 2015 had a 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp in front- or all-wheel drive, with a manual or a nine-speed automatic, the automatics arriving from June 2015 (CompleteCar.ie). TheJournal.ie reported the fifth generation on sale in Ireland on 1 October 2018 with a 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol (six-speed manual, or CVT with all-wheel drive) and a five- or seven-seat choice; the 2.0 i-MMD CR-V Hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive and with no conventional gearbox, was confirmed for early 2019 (CompleteCar.ie, 31 October 2018). Honda's European launch release of 6 March 2018 lists the petrol and hybrid engines and no diesel, and the Irish launch report says there was one engine at launch, so in the sources read the 1.6 i-DTEC belongs to the fourth generation. The sixth generation was announced for Europe on 12 May 2023 with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power (CompleteCar.ie), and Changing Lanes described it as on sale in Ireland on 2 August 2024, as a five-seater. These describe what changed; they are not evidence that any year is more reliable.
No single model year stands out in the sources checked, so none is named worst. The documents that do exist are recalls, and they are tied to build dates, not to a model year (see the entries below). The RSA pages read for this guide cover 2023–2026, and the CCPC archive (read from a web-archive copy of its listing dated 5 February 2023) covers 2011–2022; neither is guaranteed complete. No CR-V entry appears on the RSA's 2023 or 2026 pages. Recalls announced in other countries are not necessarily Irish recalls, so UK and US notices were not counted. Avoid any CR-V whose recall work has not been completed, and be cautious with any car that has no documented service history.
Known faults — Honda CR-V Fourth (2012–2018), fifth (2018–2023) and sixth (2023 on)
Fault patterns are cross-checked against manufacturer technical bulletins, the RSA Ireland recall portal and Autoza dealer feedback. Repair costs are Irish ranges built from verified 2026 Irish labour rates, never converted from another market. Severity is colour-coded.
Recall status: ask Honda to check the VIN
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- An unfinished recall may show no symptoms at all. The RSA names the CR-V in four recall entries on its 2024 and 2025 pages, and the CCPC archive names it in earlier notices; they are listed in the entries below.
- Years affected
- All years. Builds from February 2015 to August 2024 appear in the recalls below; the RSA lists nothing for the CR-V in 2023 or 2026, and its 2011–2022 archive is held by the CCPC.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Honda dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and give you written confirmation that all recall work is done. Honda Ireland's website has a VIN Checker page for recalls and product updates. The RSA recall pages have no VIN lookup: its FAQ says to check with an authorised dealer quoting the VIN, and recall queries can go to vehiclerecalls@rsa.ie. The RSA also says the NCT cannot identify recall campaigns for a vehicle, so a valid NCT certificate does not show that recall work is done.
RSA recall (16 July 2024) and CCPC notice (24 June 2020): fuel pump impeller can stop the engine
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: the fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded, giving low-density impellers whose surface can crack after production solvent drying, so the impeller absorbs fuel, deforms, interferes with the pump body and may leave the pump inoperable; the RSA says the engine stops during driving or would not start. The 2020 CCPC notice describes the same impeller fault: the fuel pump does not feed fuel and the engine stops or cannot start while driving.
- Years affected
- RSA, 16 Jul 2024: 2,128 vehicles in Ireland across the CRV, CRV Hybrid, Civic, HRV, Jazz and NSX, with CRV built 18 Sep 2017–25 May 2020 and CRV Hybrid built 9 May 2017–27 Dec 2019 as the RSA prints them. CCPC, 24 Jun 2020: Civic, HR-V and CR-V built 30 Jan 2018–5 Mar 2019, 337 vehicles in Ireland (one figure for all three models). Neither notice says which CR-V generation it covers.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly; the 2020 CCPC notice says Honda would contact owners to arrange the work at a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that the fuel pump work was done on any CR-V built between 2017 and 2020, and check the VIN on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. On the test drive, check that the engine starts at once, runs smoothly and does not hesitate or cut out; if it does, have it diagnosed before you buy. Sources: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2024); CCPC product recall notice, 24 June 2020.
RSA recall (16 April 2024): battery cable without a fuse (short-circuit and fire risk)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: the battery cable connecting the battery to the fusebox is not fitted with a fuse; in a collision in that area the cable could be damaged if trapped against the body, which could cause a short circuit and possible overheating of the cable, creating a risk of fire and increasing the risk of injury.
- Years affected
- CR-V built 1 May 2018–1 Jul 2022: the RSA lists 519 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 16 Apr 2024)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that this recall was done on any CR-V built between May 2018 and July 2022, and check the VIN on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. Source: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2024).
RSA recall (9 January 2025): cracks in the high-pressure fuel pump (fuel leak, fire risk)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: cracks inside the high-pressure fuel pump may lead to a fuel leak, which increases the risk of fire.
- Years affected
- Civic, Civic Type R, ZR-V and CR-V built 1 Oct 2021–31 Aug 2024: the RSA lists 244 vehicles in Ireland across the four models, with no figure per model and no engine given
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- On any CR-V built from October 2021, ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that this recall was done, and smell for fuel around the engine bay and under the car at the viewing. Source: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2025).
RSA recall (12 February 2025): steering gearbox grease (fluctuating steering torque)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: a reduction in the amount of grease in the steering gearbox during use results in dangerously fluctuating torque during steering, which increases the risk of an accident.
- Years affected
- Civic 4D, Civic Type R, Civic E:HEV, ZR-V E:HEV, CR-V E:HEV and CR-V P:HEV built 1 Aug 2021–1 Aug 2024: the RSA lists 311 vehicles in Ireland across these models, with no figure per model
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- On a hybrid or plug-in hybrid CR-V built from August 2021, ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that this recall was done, and on the test drive check that the steering feels smooth and even through its whole range, including at parking speeds. Source: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2025).
CCPC recall (29 January 2020): diesel engine-control software and NOx emissions
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Notice wording: during repeated acceleration and deceleration, the emissions control system in the diesel engine control unit is unable to prevent sulphur accumulating on the catalyst surface because of a lack of robustness in the engine control software; this reduces nitrogen-oxide purification, so the vehicle does not meet the regulatory emissions requirement.
- Years affected
- HR-V, CR-V and Civic built Feb 2015–May 2018: the CCPC notice lists 2,266 vehicles in Ireland across the three models. The notice says "diesel" and does not name the engine.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: the CCPC notice says Universal Honda Limited (Honda's Irish representative) would contact affected customers to arrange for the software update to be carried out at a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- On a diesel CR-V built between 2015 and 2018, ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that the engine-control software update was done. Source: CCPC product recall notice, 29 January 2020 (the RSA's 2011–2022 archive is held by the CCPC).
CCPC recalls: airbag inflators (notices of 18 February 2016, 5 February 2018 and 27 September 2019)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- Notice wording (all three): the inflator could produce excessive internal pressure and rupture, propelling metal fragments into the cabin and potentially injuring occupants. The 2018 notice names the supplier Takata and says the ammonium-nitrate propellant in non-desiccated inflators may degrade through heat cycles and moisture.
- Years affected
- 18 Feb 2016: Civic, CRV, Jazz, Insight, FR-V and Legend produced 2005–2014, approximately 5,300 vehicles in Ireland (driver's front airbag). 5 Feb 2018: Accord, Jazz, Civic, CR-V, Insight and Legend, 435 vehicles, no build dates given (passenger airbag module). 27 Sep 2019: Accord, Civic, CR-V, FR-V, Element, Jazz, Insight, Legend, Odyssey and Stream built January 2001–December 2015, 5,954 vehicles. Each count covers every model named in the notice, and none says which CR-V generation is meant, so fourth-generation cars built up to 2015 may be included.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Free recall repair: the 2016 and 2018 notices say the inflator replacement is carried out at no cost to the owner, and the 2019 notice says a Honda dealer will arrange the repair free of charge
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Honda dealer to check the VIN and give written confirmation that any airbag work has been done on a car built up to 2015. Source: CCPC product recall notices (the RSA's 2011–2022 archive is held by the CCPC); read from web-archive copies.
CCPC recalls naming the CR-V for earlier builds, and an owner's manual notice
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Older notices that name the CR-V cover cars built before the fourth generation: a power window switch that can overheat (CR-V built 2002–2006: 13 Nov 2012, 2,136 vehicles, and 23 Dec 2020, 2,153 vehicles); airbag inflators (Civic, CR-V and Legend built 2003–2008: 14 Jun 2016; models built 2009: 25 Jan 2017; Takata driver inflators on cars built 1996–2000: 2 Sep 2020; further notices in 2015). A 23 Nov 2018 notice covers 60 Civic 5-door, Civic Type R and CR-V cars supplied without, or with an incorrect or unsuitable, owner's manual.
- Years affected
- Builds before 2012 (except the 2018 manual notice, which gives no build dates)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work: the 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 notices say the work or replacement manual is free of charge or at no cost to the owner; the two 2020 notices say Universal Honda Limited would contact affected customers to arrange the work at a Honda dealer or authorised repairer
- What to check before buying
- Relevant if you are looking at a CR-V built before 2012 rather than one of the three generations in this guide. For a 2018-or-later car, check that the owner's manual and service book are in the car and in the right language. Source: CCPC product recall notices, 2012–2020.
Honda Ireland warranty: check the registration date, the service record and any write-off history
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Not a fault: this is the cover that decides who pays if something fails. Honda Ireland's current terms give a 5-year Standard Warranty with no mileage restriction for private use, a 5-year Hybrid Warranty, and corrosion cover of 3 years on painted surfaces, 5 years on the exhaust, 10 years on the chassis and 12 years on structure; counting starts from the Warranty Start Date on the certificate.
- Years affected
- All years. Honda Ireland's page (read 14 October 2026) does not say which registration dates its terms apply to, and older cars may have been sold with different terms, so ask for the service book and warranty certificate that came with the car.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- The terms say the warranty may be transferred to any subsequent owner for the remaining period. When deciding a claim, Honda says it considers whether the prescribed maintenance schedule was followed, defects attributable to a repair or service by an independent facility, the use of non-genuine parts and neglect; the structural corrosion warranty needs a 12-monthly inspection at an authorised Honda outlet; and a car written off in an insurance total-loss claim (any category) has the warranty invalidated. Wear items, servicing parts and window glass are excluded unless there is a manufacturing defect. Work out the expiry from the certificate, not the year in the advert. Source: Honda Ireland, Honda Warranty page, read 14 October 2026.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems (CR-V Hybrid, e:HEV and e:PHEV)
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- A hybrid-system warning light, an unexpected loss of power, a plug-in that will not charge, or an electric range far below the stated figure. In the What Car? Reliability Survey (UK readers; 2018–2023 CR-V) some owners reported hybrid-system problems, including warning lights appearing unexpectedly and an occasional loss of power, and long waits for parts on hybrid repairs; the survey does not split results by model year.
- Years affected
- The 2.0 i-MMD CR-V Hybrid (two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and no conventional gearbox) was confirmed by Honda Ireland for early 2019 (CompleteCar.ie, 31 October 2018; battery and drive details: CompleteCar.ie, 21 September 2018); the sixth generation is sold as the e:HEV full hybrid and the e:PHEV plug-in hybrid, with an electric range of up to 82 km on the WLTP test (Honda Ireland).
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Check that no hybrid or warning lights show at start-up or on the test drive and that the car moves off smoothly and the engine starts and stops without fuss. Charge a plug-in with its own cable during the viewing. Honda Ireland's terms list a 5-year Hybrid Warranty covering battery control, the motor and controller, the DC-DC converter, the generator, high-voltage cables and the power inverter, and an 8-year or 160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty that the terms mark as applicable to Honda e (EV), so ask a Honda dealer how the high-voltage battery of a plug-in is covered and how the warranty applies to the car's registration date. This is a general check, not a Honda-identified fault.
Engine oil level and fuel smell (1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol)
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- An oil level above the maximum mark, oil that smells of petrol, or an oil-pressure or engine warning light. No RSA or CCPC notice and no Honda Ireland document reviewed names oil dilution on the 1.5 VTEC Turbo, so this is a general check, not a documented fault.
- Years affected
- Fifth-generation 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol (on sale in Ireland from 1 October 2018 per TheJournal.ie)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €600–€2,500 · Main dealer €850–€4,500A reconditioned unit typically saves €300–€700 against a new one and is usually the sensible choice on a high-mileage car.
- What to check before buying
- Check the oil level at the viewing using Honda Ireland's method: run the engine to normal operating temperature, park on level ground, switch off and wait about 3 minutes, then read the dipstick, which should sit between the minimum and maximum marks (about 1 litre apart). Honda Ireland says all engines consume oil and the level must be checked regularly. Ask for evidence of regular oil changes: Honda's service reminder system lists engine oil and filter replacement as code A. If the level is above the maximum or the oil smells of petrol, ask a Honda dealer to inspect the car before you buy.
Automatic gearbox test drive (CVT, nine-speed automatic or hybrid drive)
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Look for hesitation, judder from a standstill, harsh or jerky shifts, or a transmission or hybrid warning light on the test drive
- Years affected
- Automatic CR-Vs sold in Ireland: fourth generation 2.2 diesel automatic (from October 2012) and 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp nine-speed automatic (from June 2015); fifth-generation 1.5 VTEC Turbo CVT with all-wheel drive (from October 2018); the CR-V Hybrid, which has no conventional gearbox. No recall or Honda document reviewed identifies a gearbox fault pattern on the CR-V.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €900–€1,800 · Main dealer €1,400–€2,800This is the clearest case for going independent: a specialist rebuild of the existing unit typically costs well under a dealer’s replacement unit. Diagnosis alone is usually €80–€180 — pay for that first and decide afterwards.
- What to check before buying
- Long test drive including pulling away from a standstill, low-speed manoeuvring, a hill and motorway acceleration. Honda Ireland's service reminder system lists replacing manual, automatic or CVT transmission fluid as code 3 but its page gives no interval, so ask for the record of any transmission fluid service. If anything feels wrong, have a Honda dealer or an independent specialist inspect the car before you buy, and get two written quotes for any repair. This is a general automatic-gearbox check, not a fault identified by Honda or a regulator.
All-wheel-drive models: rear axle fluid service record
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- A shudder, groan or binding noise in tight low-speed turns, or an all-wheel-drive warning light
- Years affected
- All-wheel-drive CR-Vs (fourth generation 2.2 diesel and 1.6 i-DTEC AWD, fifth-generation AWD, sixth-generation e:HEV AWD)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Turn the wheel to full lock in a car park, both ways, and listen for noises or shuddering. Honda Ireland's service reminder system lists "Replace Rear Axle Fluid" as code 6 but its page gives no interval or model list, so ask a Honda dealer whether it applies to this car and ask for the record of any rear axle fluid service. This is a general check, not a fault identified by Honda or a regulator.
Diesel emissions system (fourth-generation 2.2 and 1.6 i-DTEC)
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Look for an engine or emissions warning light, rough running or reduced power on the test drive
- Years affected
- Diesel CR-Vs, all of which are fourth generation in the sources read. The one documented emissions item is the January 2020 CCPC recall of diesel engine-control software (see above).
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Ask for the full service history and how the car was used (regular longer runs or mostly short trips), check for warning lights at start-up, and consider a diagnostic scan before buying. If work is needed, get two written quotes. Apart from the recalled software, this is a general used-diesel check, not a fault identified by Honda or a regulator.
Infotainment and phone connection
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- A frozen or unresponsive touchscreen, or a phone that will not connect by Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In the What Car? Reliability Survey (UK readers; 2018–2023 CR-V) some owners reported freezing screens and Bluetooth faults, which were often resolved with software updates; the survey does not split results by model year.
- Years affected
- Fifth-generation cars (What Car? survey of 2018–2023 CR-Vs). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were part of the fifth-generation Irish launch (TheJournal.ie, 1 October 2018); fourth-generation cars had the Honda Connect touchscreen from the ES grade (CompleteCar.ie, 27 February 2015).
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Use the touchscreen, Bluetooth, phone connection and navigation for 15 minutes during the test drive, with your own phone, and ask a Honda dealer whether any software update is outstanding.
Air conditioning
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- Air that is slow to turn cold, warm air from one side, or noises from the compressor when the air conditioning is switched on
- Years affected
- All years (general check)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €80–€150 · Main dealer €150–€250R134a (broadly pre-2017 cars) €80–€150; R1234yf, fitted to EU cars from 2017, €150–€250 — the gas type, not the garage, drives that difference.
- What to check before buying
- Run the air conditioning at the coldest setting on the test drive, on both sides if the car has dual-zone control, and check the air turns cold within a couple of minutes. This is a general check, not a fault identified by Honda or a regulator.
Suspension and steering noises
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- Knocking or clunking over rough roads and speed bumps, vague steering, or uneven tyre wear
- Years affected
- All years (general check)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €130–€600 · Main dealer €180–€1,100Priced per corner. Irish road surfaces make this one of the most common jobs on the list, and independents are usually far cheaper than a dealer for it.
- What to check before buying
- Drive over rough roads and speed bumps with the radio off, listening for knocks, and look for uneven tyre wear on the inner and outer edges. If a noise is found, have a garage inspect it and get two written quotes; an independent mechanic is often substantially cheaper than a franchised dealer and frequently just as skilled. This is a general check, not a fault identified by Honda or a regulator.
Service history and pre-purchase inspection
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Gaps in the service record, missing invoices, or a mileage that does not match the wear
- Years affected
- All years
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Ask for the full service history and receipts, have a Honda dealer check the VIN for open recalls, and book an independent pre-purchase inspection before you pay.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Buyers wanting a family SUV who will check the car's recall record, service history and Honda warranty position before buying. Buyers who need a third row can look at fifth-generation petrol cars, which had a seven-seat option at the Irish launch.
Buyers who cannot confirm a car's recall status and service history before paying, and buyers who need seven seats from a hybrid or a sixth-generation car: Honda's 2018 launch release offered the seven-seat option on petrol models, and Changing Lanes (2 August 2024) says the sixth-generation CR-V is strictly a five-seater.
Frequently asked questions about the Honda CR-V
What are the most common faults on a used Honda CR-V in Ireland?+
The RSA names the Honda CR-V in four Irish recall entries on its 2024 and 2025 pages: a fuel pump impeller that can stop the engine (16 July 2024), a battery cable without a fuse (16 April 2024; 519 cars built 1 May 2018–1 July 2022), cracks in the high-pressure fuel pump (9 January 2025) and steering gearbox grease (12 February 2025). The CCPC archive adds earlier airbag, diesel emissions-software and fuel-pump notices from 2016 to 2020. Check the car's VIN with a Honda dealer or on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. Honda Ireland's current warranty is 5 years with no mileage limit for private use and can be transferred to later owners. This guide does not rank model years or engines by reliability; it relies on regulator and manufacturer documents.
What is the best year to buy a used Honda CR-V in Ireland?+
No single model year stands out in the sources checked, so none is named best: Honda and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year, and the What Car? Reliability Survey (UK readers) reports the 2018–2023 CR-V as a whole, not by year. What the documents do show about the cars sold in Ireland: the fourth generation reached Irish dealerships on 26 October 2012 with a 2.2 diesel and all-wheel drive, in manual and automatic form (CompleteCar.ie, 24 October 2012); CompleteCar.ie reported a front-wheel-drive 1.6 i-DTEC 120 hp as launched in Ireland on 22 October 2013; and the updated car reported on sale on 27 February 2015 had a 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp in front- or all-wheel drive, with a manual or a nine-speed automatic, the automatics arriving from June 2015 (CompleteCar.ie). TheJournal.ie reported the fifth generation on sale in Ireland on 1 October 2018 with a 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol (six-speed manual, or CVT with all-wheel drive) and a five- or seven-seat choice; the 2.0 i-MMD CR-V Hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive and with no conventional gearbox, was confirmed for early 2019 (CompleteCar.ie, 31 October 2018). Honda's European launch release of 6 March 2018 lists the petrol and hybrid engines and no diesel, and the Irish launch report says there was one engine at launch, so in the sources read the 1.6 i-DTEC belongs to the fourth generation. The sixth generation was announced for Europe on 12 May 2023 with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power (CompleteCar.ie), and Changing Lanes described it as on sale in Ireland on 2 August 2024, as a five-seater. These describe what changed; they are not evidence that any year is more reliable.
Which Honda CR-V years should you avoid?+
We have not found a published source that singles out a model year of the Fourth (2012–2018), fifth (2018–2023) and sixth (2023 on) Honda CR-V to avoid, so none is named. Check the VIN for open recalls and the service history of any car before you buy.
How much does a used Honda CR-V cost in Ireland in 2026?+
Typical asking prices on Autoza.ie: Not stated: too few priced listings on Autoza.ie on 14 October 2026 to give a reliable range for any CR-V generation. Check current asking prices for the generation, mileage and specification you want; prices vary widely with age, mileage and spec.. Prices vary by mileage, county, and trim. Compare at least five listings of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the motor tax on a Honda CR-V in Ireland?+
Annual motor tax: Set by the car's CO2 figure, not the model name (Department of Transport rates of duty, edition effective 1 January 2021, matched to the live tables at motortax.ie on 14 October 2026). Cars registered up to 31 December 2020 are taxed on NEDC bands. From Irish launch coverage of Honda's figures: the 2012 fourth-generation 2.2 diesel manual (149–154 g/km) is in NEDC Band C (141–155 g/km, €400 a year) and the automatic (174–180 g/km) in NEDC Band E (171–190 g/km, €790 a year); the 2013 1.6 i-DTEC 120 hp (119 g/km) is in NEDC Band A4 (111–120 g/km, €200 a year) and its ES Sport version (124 g/km) in NEDC Band B1 (121–130 g/km, €270 a year); the 2015 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp (129 g/km) is in NEDC Band B1 (€270 a year). The fifth-generation 1.5 VTEC Turbo (143 g/km for the front-wheel-drive manual and 162 g/km for the all-wheel-drive CVT, October 2018) is in NEDC Band C (141–155 g/km, €400 a year) and NEDC Band D (156–170 g/km, €600 a year), and the 2019 CR-V Hybrid (120 g/km front-wheel drive, 126 g/km all-wheel drive) in NEDC Band A4 (€200 a year) and NEDC Band B1 (€270 a year). Cars registered from 1 January 2021 are taxed on WLTP bands: Honda Ireland's July 2026 price list shows the sixth-generation 2.0 e:HEV AWD at 151–152 g/km, in WLTP Band C2 (151–160 g/km, €280 a year), and the 2.0 e:PHEV at 19 g/km, in WLTP Band A1 (1–50 g/km, €140 a year). Optional equipment can raise a car's CO2 figure and band, and the figure on a car's own registration decides its band, so check the specific car at motortax.ie.. Irish motor tax is set by CO2 and by the date the car was FIRST REGISTERED, not by model generation: cars first registered between July 2008 and December 2020 are taxed on the NEDC CO2 table, and cars first registered from 1 January 2021 on the WLTP table. The two tables use the same band letters for different amounts, so the same car can pay a different rate depending on its registration date. An import is keyed to its first registration in its country of origin. Check the CO2 figure on your VRC against the tables on https://autoza.ie/motor-tax-calculator-ireland for the exact rate.
What real-world fuel economy does a Honda CR-V achieve on Irish roads?+
Fuel economy: Official test figures only; real-world consumption varies with driving style, load and weather, and no named independent test was used for this guide. From Irish launch coverage of Honda's figures: fourth generation 1.6 i-DTEC 120 hp 4.5 l/100 km (CompleteCar.ie, 22 October 2013) and 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp 4.9 l/100 km (27 February 2015); fifth generation 1.5 VTEC Turbo 6.3 l/100 km (manual, front-wheel drive) and 7.1 l/100 km (CVT, all-wheel drive) on the NEDC combined cycle (TheJournal.ie, 1 October 2018); CR-V Hybrid 5.3 l/100 km (front-wheel drive) and 5.5 l/100 km (all-wheel drive) on the tests CompleteCar.ie called the new, stricter NEDC-2 (31 October 2018). For the sixth generation Honda Ireland's price list gives CO2 figures (WLTP) but no fuel consumption, and its plug-in hybrid page gives an electric range of up to 82 km on the WLTP test.. Official WLTP figures are lab figures; real-world consumption varies with driving style, load, weather and how the car is used.
How does a Honda CR-V compare to its rivals?+
Strong alternatives in Ireland: Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan. Choose based on dealer network in your county, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Honda CR-V most suitable for?+
Buyers wanting a family SUV who will check the car's recall record, service history and Honda warranty position before buying. Buyers who need a third row can look at fifth-generation petrol cars, which had a seven-seat option at the Irish launch.
Who should NOT buy a Honda CR-V?+
Buyers who cannot confirm a car's recall status and service history before paying, and buyers who need seven seats from a hybrid or a sixth-generation car: Honda's 2018 launch release offered the seven-seat option on petrol models, and Changing Lanes (2 August 2024) says the sixth-generation CR-V is strictly a five-seater.
What should I know about the Recall status: ask Honda to check the VIN on the Honda CR-V?+
Recall status: ask Honda to check the VIN: an Irish recall notice, not a general fault pattern. Symptoms: An unfinished recall may show no symptoms at all. The RSA names the CR-V in four recall entries on its 2024 and 2025 pages, and the CCPC archive names it in earlier notices; they are listed in the entries below.. Years affected: All years. Builds from February 2015 to August 2024 appear in the recalls below; the RSA lists nothing for the CR-V in 2023 or 2026, and its 2011–2022 archive is held by the CCPC.. Repair cost in Ireland: Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer What to check before buying: Ask a Honda dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and give you written confirmation that all recall work is done. Honda Ireland's website has a VIN Checker page for recalls and product updates. The RSA recall pages have no VIN lookup: its FAQ says to check with an authorised dealer quoting the VIN, and recall queries can go to vehiclerecalls@rsa.ie. The RSA also says the NCT cannot identify recall campaigns for a vehicle, so a valid NCT certificate does not show that recall work is done.
What should I know about the RSA recall (16 July 2024) and CCPC notice (24 June 2020): fuel pump impeller can stop the engine on the Honda CR-V?+
RSA recall (16 July 2024) and CCPC notice (24 June 2020): fuel pump impeller can stop the engine: an Irish recall notice, not a general fault pattern. Symptoms: RSA wording: the fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded, giving low-density impellers whose surface can crack after production solvent drying, so the impeller absorbs fuel, deforms, interferes with the pump body and may leave the pump inoperable; the RSA says the engine stops during driving or would not start. The 2020 CCPC notice describes the same impeller fault: the fuel pump does not feed fuel and the engine stops or cannot start while driving.. Years affected: RSA, 16 Jul 2024: 2,128 vehicles in Ireland across the CRV, CRV Hybrid, Civic, HRV, Jazz and NSX, with CRV built 18 Sep 2017–25 May 2020 and CRV Hybrid built 9 May 2017–27 Dec 2019 as the RSA prints them. CCPC, 24 Jun 2020: Civic, HR-V and CR-V built 30 Jan 2018–5 Mar 2019, 337 vehicles in Ireland (one figure for all three models). Neither notice says which CR-V generation it covers.. Repair cost in Ireland: Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly; the 2020 CCPC notice says Honda would contact owners to arrange the work at a Honda dealer or authorised repairer What to check before buying: Ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that the fuel pump work was done on any CR-V built between 2017 and 2020, and check the VIN on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. On the test drive, check that the engine starts at once, runs smoothly and does not hesitate or cut out; if it does, have it diagnosed before you buy. Sources: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2024); CCPC product recall notice, 24 June 2020.
What should I know about the RSA recall (16 April 2024): battery cable without a fuse (short-circuit and fire risk) on the Honda CR-V?+
RSA recall (16 April 2024): battery cable without a fuse (short-circuit and fire risk): an Irish recall notice, not a general fault pattern. Symptoms: RSA wording: the battery cable connecting the battery to the fusebox is not fitted with a fuse; in a collision in that area the cable could be damaged if trapped against the body, which could cause a short circuit and possible overheating of the cable, creating a risk of fire and increasing the risk of injury.. Years affected: CR-V built 1 May 2018–1 Jul 2022: the RSA lists 519 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 16 Apr 2024). Repair cost in Ireland: Recall work: arranged through Honda Ireland, which the RSA says will contact all affected customers directly to advise them to make an appointment with a Honda dealer or authorised repairer What to check before buying: Ask a Honda dealer to confirm in writing that this recall was done on any CR-V built between May 2018 and July 2022, and check the VIN on Honda Ireland's VIN Checker. Source: RSA recalls by manufacturer (2024).
Alternatives to consider
If the Honda CR-V doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the Irish market:
Still deciding? Compare by budget
- Best used automatic cars under €20,000 — the automatics that cost least to buy and run in Ireland.
Before you buy or sell a Honda CR-V
Two quick checks pay for themselves on any used CR-V. First, check the car's NCT history before you buy — a missed or repeat-fail NCT often signals a chronic fault the seller is hoping you'll miss. Second, if you're weighing the CR-V against rival models, you can compare the CR-V against its rivals side-by-side on price, running costs and spec.
Selling instead? See what your Honda CR-V is worth with our free Irish valuation — it reads live comparable listings and returns a resale and trade-in figure in seconds, no signup.
Looking to buy a Honda CR-V in Ireland?
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