3rd Generation Honda CR-V (2007-2011): Common problems, Reliability, Pros and Cons

Is the 3rd Generation Honda CR-V dependable? What are the typical issues? Let's find out!

Timecode:
00:00:00 - Short intro
00:00:49 - Door lock actuators
00:01:12 - Starter motor
00:01:29 - A/C Problems
00:02:14 - Oil consumption
00:02:33 - Other issues
00:03:19 - Overall
00:04:01 - Summary
00:05:41 - Pros and Cons

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[n.v]

I am still driving my 2007 Honda CRV EX-L . 285K miles. Purchased new and single owner. Had to replace engine after it got flooded when i got caught in heavy rain. Found a great engine for .... Wait for it ... $399 for an engine. The junk yard told that this engine would not start as the car had a rollover. He said if i buy it, it my risk, and no returns. I gotta pay and take it.
I rolled the dice on this, paid him $100 to pull the engine from the wreck and the junk yard lost that wager.
He told me later that if he had already pulled the engine out, he would have charged me $1600.

I had 250k On the odometer, The replaced engine was half that at 129K.
I also regularly change synthetic oil only, OIL transmission fluids, OEM differentials at private mechanic.

Recently had a Blinking D light & check engine light that was on for almost a year. So finally Took to dealership to get a diagnosis. However they only diagnosed as ECT sensor issue. Told me to come back 4 weeks later as parts were not available.
Charged me $200 for Nothing. I printed out things i wanted them to check. They did nothing. even after my complaing to GM at the dealership and second visit. Now I have come to question the practices of dealership and their so called expertise of knowledge. YouTube beats all combined company trained mechanics. So after much searching, I found Asian Mechanic, Blinking D light. He used a simple OBDii sensor to diagnose it as transmission clutch sensor 2 or 3 issue. I showed this to my mechanic who did not know until then how/where to change those parts. After watching the video, & changing both 2 and 3 clutch sensor, blinking D light stopped, Car now has more PED. MPG also noticeably improved. 37.9 MPG at 65 Miles per hour on flat highway. WOW !! That was today.

I ordered the ECT, my mechanic went under and found the plug had disconnected due to some previous work done elsewhere. He plugged it back and gave my part back to me. All lights from Dash vanished. This car is very cheap to maintain if you know how to research and do your own diagnostics. I suggest invest into a good OBD-II scanner which has bi-directional, programmable, with free updates and has TPMS built into it. It will save you tons of disappointments from unscrupulous mechanics & the ignorance/arrogance of dealer service managers.


My previous car was a Nissan Pathfinder, that I drove to 500K miles. Nissan bought it back for .... Wait for it ... $5000. Round figure.

So guys, some cars are reliable and now its my time to part with it to get something newer and flashier. Sometimes there are parts recall, dealer does not tell you, You have to ask if any recall on parts exist. When I was close to 99k on my Honda, AC stopped working. I took to dealership and asked him if any recall of malfunctioning AC, and only then he told, AC Clutch needs to be replaced and I got it just in time at 99, 895K miles. If I had hit 100k miles the cost to replace was $1800.
No wonder they did not tell me, since they had to wait me out to have it done at higher cost as compared to FREE under RECALL.

So educate yourself here, forums, search and search the YouTube until your solution video comes. It is out there. Good luch.
Whew.

[punkpanther]

I've had my 3rd gen crv for 4 years now, had to replace the ac compressor twice, it is NOT cheap

[wingman-]

Why in the hell would anyone want to put a V6 in a CR-V? That’s going to be a $1, 000 job replacing the timing belt & water pump (unless you know how to do it, then it would only cost you the cost of parts and time to do the job). Honda’s 2.4L 4 bangers are bulletproof.

[yigitmert]

2009 Honda crv 3. generation rear seat folding latch problem..HELP MEE

[MikeHunt-nu]

I wouldn't touch one of these things with a 10 ft. poles. One problem after another. I'm done with Honda. Lost all respect for the brand.