Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

Honda carsCode RD

Honda CR-V II problems (2001–2006)

All 2 engines of the Honda CR-V II that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 2.2 i-CTDi and the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC. The safest option is the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC, with a «Buy» verdict.[1]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Honda CR-V II has no widespread faults documented in the sources we were able to open. What is on record are recall campaigns: the master window switch (fire risk, in 2012 and 2020-2021), the dipped headlights, a batch of 2003 tyres and the passenger airbag inflators.[2][3][4]

Honda CR-V II (2001–2006)
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.0out of 10

Honda CR-V II rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 11 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine6.2From 4.8 to 7.7 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension6.60 faults
  • Brakes8.00 faults
  • Tyres and wheels7.91 fault
  • Steering6.50 faults
  • Electrical system7.91 fault
  • Headlights and lights7.81 fault
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.10 faults
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

Ranked 43 of 68 among the Compact SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Honda CR-V II

  1. 1High severity: Turbocharger failure2.2 i-CTDi engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Passenger airbag inflator failure across several recallsAirbags and safety
  3. 3Medium severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear2.2 i-CTDi engine
  4. 4High severity: Diesel injector failure or wear2.2 i-CTDi engine
  5. 5High severity: Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

9 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Master window switch replacement (Honda code 6WW). See the campaigns for the Honda CR-V II

10 sourcesHow we work

2.2 i-CTDi

Honda 2.2 i-CTDi (N22A1/N22A2) · Diesel

In the CR-V II
2005–2006[5][6]
Name
2.2 i-CTDi
Faults that affect it
5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
52
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.2 i-CTDi 140 (N22A1/N22A2, 2003-2011)2003–2011 · 140 hp · N22A1, N22A2

    With caution

    Owner accounts collected by Fiches-auto.fr and Gebrauchtwagenberater.de repeatedly document wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch and, to a lesser extent, cracks in the exhaust manifold, on the Civic, Accord and CR-V. No fault is usually catastrophic for the engine, but it is worth checking the history of these systems before buying.[7][8][9][10]

Faults that affect the CR-V II

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonTurboTurbocharger failureThe 2.2 i-CTDi's variable-geometry turbo fails fairly often from 110,000 km, with cases documented up to 290,000 km on the Honda CR-V and Civic; we have not found equivalent accounts for the Accord or FR-V.Appears at around 110,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentClutchDual-mass flywheel and clutch wearYes: the 2.2 i-CTDi's dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear out fairly often, with cases documented from 30,000 km and replacements already common between 100,000 and 160,000 km. It is well documented on the Civic, Accord and CR-V.Appears at around 30,000 km
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionDiesel injector failure or wearThe 2.2 i-CTDi's common-rail injectors can fail or lose their seal with wear, with cases documented between 86,000 and 190,000 km on the Civic and Accord; the documentation is sparser than for the dual-mass flywheel or the turbo.Appears at around 86,000 km
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonCylinder head and blockCracked exhaust manifoldYes: the 2.2 i-CTDi's exhaust manifold can crack with mileage, especially on the Civic and Accord, with cases documented between 100,000 and 200,000 km; Honda covered at least one case under its manufacturer's warranty.Appears at around 100,000 km
  5. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlClogged or faulty EGR valveThe 2.2 i-CTDi's EGR valve can clog with soot or fail with use, with emissions warnings on the dashboard; the available documentation is more limited than for the dual-mass flywheel or the turbo, with isolated cases from 137,000 km.

CR-V II 2.2 i-CTDi pageAll versions and faults of the 2.2 i-CTDi

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Safest option

Honda 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC (familia K20/K24 and R20) · Petrol

In the CR-V II
2002–2006[6]
Name
2.0 i-VTEC
Faults that affect it
2 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
23
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.0 i-VTEC 156 and 2.4 i-VTEC 200 (K family, Accord VII)2003–2008 · 156–200 hp · K20A, K24A

    Buy

    We have not found a pattern of serious faults specific to the engine block in the sources consulted: owner reports for the Accord of this era mainly mention occasional oil consumption, one case of cold-start noises and minor problems at 80,000-150,000 km, with no timing failures. The sample of reports is small.[1]

Faults that affect the CR-V II

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationCamshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)Early K20s (especially the 2003-2004 batch, K20A6) can pit the camshaft lobes, with knocking and loss of power, usually between 100,000 and 150,000 km. Honda strengthened the camshafts in the 2006 update (K20Z2) and many cases were resolved under warranty.
  2. Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationExcessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engineIt is an occasional complaint, not a widespread fault: Fiches-auto.fr lists one case of 1 litre every 10,000 km on the CR-V IV 2.0 and several cases of consumption on the Accord 2.0/2.4. Honda has not published a campaign for it in the sources consulted.

CR-V II 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC pageAll versions and faults of the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Faults of the Honda CR-V II outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Honda CR-V II

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,998 inspections of 710 cars registered between 2001 and 2005, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 14.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 10.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.8%.

    More defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 33.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.2%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.8%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 6.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 15%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 7.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.6%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 14.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.2%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Honda CR-V II

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 2.2 i-CTDi (2005–2006)

Turbocharger failure

High severity

Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear

Medium severity

Diesel injector failure or wear

High severity

Cracked exhaust manifold

Medium severity

Clogged or faulty EGR valve

Medium severity

If it has the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC (2002–2006)

Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)

High severity

Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine

Low severity

Buying a Honda CR-V II?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Honda CR-V II? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda CR-V II reliable?

All 2 engines of the Honda CR-V II that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 2.2 i-CTDi and the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC. The safest option is the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, the Honda CR-V II has no widespread faults documented in the sources we were able to open. What is on record are recall campaigns: the master window switch (fire risk, in 2012 and 2020-2021), the dipped headlights, a batch of 2003 tyres and the passenger airbag inflators.

Which Honda CR-V II engine is the most reliable?

Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC, with a «Buy» verdict. We have not found a pattern of serious faults specific to the engine block in the sources consulted: owner reports for the Accord of this era mainly mention occasional oil consumption, one case of cold-start noises and minor problems at 80,000-150,000 km, with no timing failures. The sample of reports is small.[1]

What problems does the Honda CR-V II have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Honda CR-V II has no widespread faults documented in the sources we were able to open. What is on record are recall campaigns: the master window switch (fire risk, in 2012 and 2020-2021), the dipped headlights, a batch of 2003 tyres and the passenger airbag inflators. The most important documented faults are: passenger airbag inflator failure across several recalls (airbags and safety, critical severity), master window switch with fire risk from liquid ingress (electrical system, high severity), original tyres with damaged inner sidewall during wheel balancing (tyres and wheels, high severity) and dipped headlight failure from wear on the light switch wiring harness (headlights and lights, medium severity).[2][3][4]

What faults does the Honda CR-V II have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: turbocharger failure (2.2 i-CTDi, high severity), dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear (2.2 i-CTDi, medium severity), diesel injector failure or wear (2.2 i-CTDi, high severity), camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic) (2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC, high severity) and cracked exhaust manifold (2.2 i-CTDi, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Honda CR-V II?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2004 and 2002 (6.9/10); the worst rated is 2001 (6.1/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Honda CR-V II have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 9 campaigns for the Honda CR-V II, such as master window switch replacement (Honda code 6WW) (2020). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2][3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2003-2008): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  2. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. Recall: Honda CR-V (2001 – 2006) electronic, fire (alerta Safety Gate/RAPEX 52/2020)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Recall: Honda CR-V (2001 – 2015) airbag, injury (alerta Safety Gate/RAPEX 32/2019)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 10 August 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Honda CR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2003-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Honda Civic 8 – Alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German