Older CR-Vs: check the airbag recalls now
The 2007 to 2012 CR-V has a run of Takata airbag recalls. Moisture can make the inflator rupture in a crash and spray metal fragments into the cabin. In January 2020 CarsGuide reported Honda offering to buy back 33,289 older Accords and Legends plus CR-Vs, and telling owners to stop driving immediately. Run your VIN through vehiclerecalls.gov.au or ask Honda, and follow the notice.
Which CR-V have you got?
| Years | Petrol, diesel or hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| RD1 | 1997 to 2001 | Petrol, with a timing belt |
| RE4 | 2007 to 2012 | 2.4-litre petrol |
| RM, RE6 | 2012 to 2017 | 2.0-litre petrol and others, with a 1.6 turbo-diesel from late 2015 |
| RW | 2017 to 2023 | 1.5-litre turbo, plus a 2.0-litre in the Vi from 2019 |
| RS, ZC8 | 2023 on | 1.5-litre petrol, 2.0-litre hybrid |
Honda CR-V battery replacement
A local mechanic should test the battery and the charging system, and check the terminals, before fitting anything. If the battery's fine, a new one won't help.
The size and type depend on the car in that table. A hybrid CR-V has a 12-volt battery as well as its high-voltage battery, and the mechanic should confirm which is which before work starts. High-voltage parts are for a mechanic trained on them, never a home job.
If you're doing the job at the next service, ask them to note the battery's age on the invoice. See how long a car battery lasts for what's normal.
It might not be the battery
Some CR-V electrical problems look like battery trouble and aren't.
Windows that stop working. On the 2007 to 2012 car, a faulty switch in the right door can blow a fuse.
A tailgate that opens when locked. CarsGuide suspected a failing body computer on one car, and suggested disconnecting the battery overnight as a first try. A mechanic can do that for you and check for codes.
A tyre pressure light. On the same generation it can come from a faulty wheel sensor.
Common Honda CR-V problems
Fuel pump recall. A part inside the pump can swell, which can stall the engine while driving. It covers 2017 CR-Vs and 2018 to 2020 cars, and Honda sent the notice out again in April 2025, so don't assume it's been done.
2023 to 2024 cars. One recall covers electronic power steering, with noise and heavier steering. Another covers the hybrid's high-pressure fuel pump, which can crack and leak fuel.
Braking system on 2014 to 2015 cars. The DTi-LT and VTi-LT were recalled because the collision braking system could brake for roadside objects.
Tint. Honda accessory tint on 2021 to 2022 front windows was recalled for being too dark.
Servicing a CR-V
carsales lists the 2020 CR-V at 10,000 km or 12 months, with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Older cars may be on a different schedule, so go by your book.
CarsGuide says the CR-V's engines from 2001 on use timing chains designed to last the engine's life. The first-generation car has a belt, changed every 150,000 km.
If a qualified independent mechanic services your CR-V to Honda's schedule and specifications, that does not by itself void the new car warranty. Keep the invoices with the book.
Tell us the year, the engine and what it's doing. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What we'd do with a CR-V
Clear the recalls first, as an airbag or fuel pump notice matters more than a battery. Then ask for a written battery and charging test. A slow crank on a cold morning is a reason to test, not to buy straight away. A mobile mechanic can often test and fit one at home if the car won't start.