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 £3,250 off RRP*Used from £12,538
Honda Zr-V

Honda Zr-V

RRP £35,995Avg. savings £4,000 off RRP*
Honda Hr-V

Honda Hr-V

RRP £30,935Avg. savings £2,074 off RRP*Used from £17,200
Mazda Cx-60

Mazda Cx-60

RRP £46,940Avg. savings £3,003 off RRP*Used from £25,699
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Dacia’s baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag
Dacia £15k EV design render

Dacia’s baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag

Dacia's new model will be developed in double-quick time, and it'll be built in Europe to avoid China tariffs
News
24 Jul 2025
MG4 and MGS5 EV prices slashed in reply to Government Electric Car Grant
MG4 - rear

MG4 and MGS5 EV prices slashed in reply to Government Electric Car Grant

In order to boost sales, MG is announcing its own a £1,500 grant for some of its EVs
News
21 Jul 2025
Renault will “stick to the plan” as it hits number 2 in Europe
Renault 5 - front static

Renault will “stick to the plan” as it hits number 2 in Europe

Renault has no plans to fight Volkswagen for sales supremacy, despite huge growth in EV sales due to new Renault 5
News
23 Jul 2025