Used Honda CR-V AWD What to know?

[insanelupus]

Teenager needs a vehicle. After much consideration, looks like 2000-2012 Honda CR-V AWD with 150 - 180k ish miles is what we want/have budget to buy.

Longevity, ability to get around in some snow on roads, safety, prices, reasonable insurance, driver satisfaction ratings, etc., all played a decision on zeroing in on this model.

Yes, I know there are other options, I'm not currently interested in them at this time.

I'm specifically interested in the LX model, base model, with no sunroof/ moonroof to deal with (appears most of the EX & EX-L have the sunroof/ moonroof, not a fan of dealing with old seals, hence the LX model).

It appears the little K24 engines are solid and have a great track record for longevity if maintained well. Provided significant collisions are avoided, it should run well for several years, at least that's my expectation.

Usual used vehicle caveats apply, clear accident history, minimum number of owners, adult drivers, good maintenance records, no former rental vehicles, no salvage titles, etc. We've got that covered, I believe.

Most of my friend circle drives 4wd trucks. The few owners I know that have them love them. My mechanic/friend thought it a great vehicle. Trying to broaden my base on user experiences.

Curious if others have experiences with the Honda CR-V AWD, what should I be aware of, specific to this model, to watch out for or examine closer when buying used?

Thanks.

 

[Steve O]

The huge key with those Honda engines is not to go over one mile of replacing the timing belt at what every they say the miles are…I believe it is 100,000. That thing does break and your engine will never run again after. Happened to two people I know.

 

[PathFinder]

K24 engines have a timing chain, not a belt. B series engines in the 1st Gen CRV do have a timing belt.
A CRV from that era is probably the most reliable, easy to maintain crossover ever made. They're likely to have a couple small oil leaks (oil filter housing, valve covers) but those are cheap, easy fixes. Find a good clean one with service records and it should make 300k pretty easily.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

 

[RADunfee]

I had an '07 and loved that little thing. It would go anywhere! Snow, mud, etc. Got me through Snowmageddon in Atlanta. Only issues I had were O2 sensors. Keep the oil changed and it will go forever.

 

[Felix40]

VTC actuator rattle on cold starts is the most common issue I know about. It’s a fairly labor intensive replacement because the timing chain has to come off. We fixed it on my wife’s car at 90k miles. I’ve read where people have never fixed it and their cars are still running with 300k miles. I bet if you buy one with 180k miles, the actuator has already been replaced or it will have the cold start rattle.

The starter is kind of a struggle to get to and they seem to go out sometime before 200k.

Other than that they will run forever.

I put a small spacer lift on the back of my wife’s car because it used to squat a little. Went up to 235/65/17 tires. It does very well in the snow. Averages 28mpg with her driving like she stole it.

 

[HighUintas]

I've got an '02 CRV. No sunroof. 2002 is the earliest model with a timing chain, so that's a plus. It's got I think around 240k on it now. My kid drives it. It's not been super well maintained. He has ran it low on oil multiple times where it went into limp mode. But, it keeps on trucking! I'd say it is reliable as long as you take care of it.

The bad:
- the AC compressor is in a bad location. It's down at the bottom and exposed to road spray/salt etc. it's prone to having the clutch lock up and compressor go bad prematurely. Mine locked up and the vehicle died, I think because the belt wouldn't turn and prevented the alternator from charging the battery. Or something like that. I can't remember exactly.

- this gen has some odd electrical issues. The headlights need to be replaced more often than. They should need to be and they seem to "pulse" a bit with the engine rpms. Sometimes the dome lights will work and sometimes they won't. There's some other Internet reported electrical issues but can't remember what they are.

- the engine has a slow seep or consumes oil slowly, so a quart needs to be added about every 1500-2000 miles, otherwise it's possible to run low on oil by the time you get to the oil change interval. I think this is a regular issue, but it may not happen with all CRVs of this gen/age

 

[flyinsquirel]

Went through 2 AC pumps and associated driers,filters, etc. on an 07 in 180k. Also had the constant slow oil consumption from day 1. Dealer of course said it was normal, but it never escalated. If I was buying something in the mileage range you are looking at, I’d like to see that it’s had the trans fluid changed at least once.

 

[JoeDirt]

Pilots are popular, one of my buddies is happy with his.

 

[PNW bow hunter]

Rattle noise on cold start is about the most common issue as stated above, and bad ac compressors.

Someone can start it, and let it run for a minute or two. Then it can sit and won’t rattle in start up for an hour or two.


So if you look at one, attempt to hear it start cold. Also check the ac.

The cold start rattle isn’t a catastrophic repair, $900-$1500

 

[Mt Al]

Our experience, knock on wood, has been excellent with a 2012. Reliable, great AWD system, drives nice, great mileage, plenty of room in the back. Ours has 180,000 and runs like new.

 

[hp3]

Just like everyone else said, AC compressor. Also had some extra noise from the door lock actuator. All in all great ride, I miss the one I sold.

 

[ODB]

we had an 01. With studs it was unstoppable in the snow - super traction and control. Even without studs it was superb - must have been the balance. you aint getting anywhere fast, but you'll get there. Great little cars

 

[handwerk]

we bought a new one in 2008, after giving it to our daughter with over 200,000 miles then she sold it with nearly 300,000 and it's still going. We just bought another 2008 with only 47,000 and plan to drive it for a long time.
great rigs for kids and wives alike.

 

[86indy]

No real help here just came to say solid choice. I still want an 05-06 when my current beater craps out. They’re do a lot of things pretty well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[loganwayne]

My wife has an 18' thing is bullet proof, she got it new. Ive Done all the services since 20k and we are at 125k now.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything honda

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Vtc actuators...don't ignore it too long...have seen a few break chains and trash engines. Not sure if the vtc rattle issue stresses the chain more or not...but the 3 i can think of that broke chains all owners had stated it had rattle on startup for quite a while.
Various oil leaks like any older vehicle.
Starters are common failure over 100k
coolant pipe that runs across front of engine common for rusting out also known for radiator leaks. Have seen a few
Have seen a fair number of driveshaft replacements needed due to bad joints getting close to 200k miles usually. Non serviceable joints. There maybe some hits to try replacing just the joints floating around on the internet somewhere.
It's a honda, expect cv axle replacement at sone point.
lower ball joints, outer tie rods are fair Game anywhere north of 100k...goes for about anything.
Have seen some ECM/PCM driver issues from 2005-2008 Hondas in general causing weird cooling fan and ac compressor issues last few years. Not much out there for replacement options. Not a plague, but I've seen enough of them so say it's a thing.
Overall, solid little suv if you find one Not abused or neglected.
Dont see much for transmission issues, but always good to drain and fill them every 30-50k and do the rear diff fluid every 50-70k or so.

 

[LongWayAround]

We currently have a 2014 CRV and I previously had one from the generation prior to what you're looking at. Neither have ever given me any real issues and I can't think of a time when I tried to go somewhere and regretted it.

 

[kylem]

Our 2008 CRV has been great for us. With good winter tires it’s the best driving vehicle I’ve owned by a long shot on snowy slick roads. The AC compressor has gone out twice on it. Once around 180,000 miles then again at 260,000. The second time I simply bypassed the pulley with a shorter serpentine belt because I didn’t want to spend the money to fix it on a vehicle with that many miles. It now has almost 330,000 miles. Guess I should spent the money lol.

 

[hikenhunt]

My in-laws have an early 2000's with over 300k miles and they are tough on their cars!

 

[HighUintas]

Has anyone heard or done themselves work on a gen 2 CRV to turn it into a more capable rough road vehicle? Like, skid plates, lift, bigger tires, beefier suspension.

When my kid goes to college, I think we'll probably get him a different car and I was sort of thinking of having the old 2002 CRV rebuilt and turned into my FS road vehicle