Which CR-V do you have?
| Arrived | Engines | |
|---|---|---|
| First generation | 1995 | 2.0-litre B20B petrol |
| Second generation | November 2001 | 2.0-litre K20 and 2.4-litre K24 petrols, a 2.2-litre diesel in some markets |
| Third generation | Late 2006 | 2.4-litre K-series petrol in most markets |
| Fourth generation | 2011 | 2.0-litre R20 and 2.4-litre K24 petrols |
| Fifth and sixth generations | 2016 and 2022 | The sixth adds e:HEV and plug-in e:PHEV hybrids |
Honda CR-V battery replacement
The checks that matter are a load test, the alternator's charging output and a look at the terminals. White or green crust on the terminals and a battery nobody knows the age of are both reasons to test, according to the MTA.
On a hybrid CR-V, the 12-volt battery runs things like the lights, radio and door locks, while the big battery drives the motors. Make sure everyone's talking about the same one before a part is ordered. Leave the high-voltage side to someone trained for it. See hybrid and EV servicing.
A CR-V that sits for long spells, or only does short runs, is hard on any battery. AA New Zealand says keeping the battery fully charged is the biggest single factor in how long it lasts.
Honda CR-V problems: what we will and won't say
We only list faults we can point to a reliable source for, and we haven't found one for a CR-V fault pattern here that we'd stand behind. What we can do is tell you what's worth a mechanic's look on a CR-V of any age.
Signs your CR-V needs a mechanic
- Brown, black or amber drips under the engine: usually oil, and AA New Zealand says a modern car shouldn't leak any.
- Bright green, orange or pink drips with a sweet smell: usually coolant, which needs fixing before the engine overheats.
- Red or brownish-red fluid: often automatic transmission fluid, which darkens with age.
- Clear or yellowish fluid near a wheel: possibly brake fluid. Don't drive it until it's checked.
- A warning light that stays on, or a hybrid system message: photograph it, then have the codes read.
- A slow crank on cold mornings from a battery more than three years old.
Imported CR-Vs and airbag recalls
Japanese-market CR-Vs used the 2.0-litre K20A early on and the 2.4-litre K24A from 2005, so an import's engine may not match the NZ-new car of the same year. Give the mechanic the model code from the registration papers.
Recall checks work differently for imports. For Takata airbags, NZTA tells NZ-new owners to check the Recalls website and the maker's New Zealand representative. Japanese used imports are matched against a list from the Japanese government, and the maker contacts owners once parts arrive, unless the work was already done in Japan.
Our take on a CR-V
Run the recall check first, since an airbag notice outranks anything else on this list. Next, get a written result for the battery and the charging system. If something's dripping, slide a sheet of white cardboard under the car overnight and bring it along: the colour tells the mechanic a lot. Send the job with the year and engine. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.