Skip advert
Advertisement

Used Honda CR-V (Mk4, 2012-2017) review - What should you look out for?

Excellent build quality and confidence-inspiring reliability means the Honda is a hassle-free SUV to own

Honda is famed for its reliability, with the result the brand’s cars always star in our Driver Power satisfaction surveys. They’re also robustly built and more than up to the task of performing hard-working family car duties.

Common used Honda CR-V Mk4 problems 

Towing

The 2.0-litre petrol can haul 1,700kg and the 2.2-litre diesel 2,000kg, but in auto form both can only pull 1,500kg. All 1.6-litre diesels are rated at 1,700kg.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Motors

CR-V diesel engines can be somewhat rough on start-up, but an engine control unit (ECU) update can fix things by increasing the revs at idle.

Headlamps

The halogen headlights aren’t that great due to the reflector design; the xenon lights are much better, so seek these out.

Electrics

The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can behave erratically. This is usually caused by a fault with one of the sensors.

Recalls 

Most of the problems centred on the Takata airbag scandal that has affected hundreds of thousands of Hondas (along with other manufacturers’ cars) globally, going back to 2000.

The Takata recall accounted for four of the five airbag recalls, but there was also another one, this time in October 2020, because some CR-Vs suffered from slow airbag deployment resulting from faulty inflators. 

As well as this there was an action in July 2015, because the Automatic Emergency Braking could activate incorrectly; a software update fixed this.

Excessive exhaust emissions prompted a seventh recall in January 2020, then in August 2020 Honda launched its eighth CR-V campaign because of faulty fuel pumps, which needed to be replaced.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Honda Cr-V

Honda Cr-V

RRP £45,925Avg. savings £3,282 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Honda Zr-V

Honda Zr-V

RRP £40,780Avg. savings £2,052 off RRP*
Mazda Cx-60

Mazda Cx-60

RRP £46,640Avg. savings £2,517 off RRP*Used from £22,720
Honda Hr-V

Honda Hr-V

RRP £30,935Avg. savings £1,754 off RRP*Used from £17,420
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025