Launched in 1997, the Honda CR-V is a compact crossover vehicle. It sports an SUV body style on a Civic platform, giving people both the fuel efficiency of a sedan and the room of an SUV. Since it is still one of the most popular mid-size crossover vehicles on the market today, it is very possible that a CR-V will end up on your considerations list, and since reliability is one of the most important things that people look for in a vehicle, it is highly likely you will find yourself asking, “how long will a Honda CR-V last”?
The average lifespan of a properly maintained Honda CR-V is between 200,000 and 300,000 miles, and when driven an average of 15,000 miles a year, the CR-V should give drivers 13 to 20 years of reliable service.
If you are in the market for a new car and have found yourself considering a Honda CR-V, continue reading to learn more about the vehicle and any problems you might face as a CR-V owner.
The Honda CR-V
Although there are several great vehicles that fall under the compact crossover SUV category, the Honda CR-V is one of the most popular vehicles in its class. Launched in 1997, the roomy SUV has upheld its reputation as one of the most reliable crossovers on the road for nearly 25 years.
The CR-V hit the streets before crossovers were popular, and in a lot of ways, it set the standard for future crossover vehicles. Finally, people who wanted the roominess of an SUV without the gas mileage that came with it had an option.
Throughout the last 25 years, the CR-V has seen a couple of redesigns—including a more controversial redesign to the front of the vehicle in 2007. Today, in addition to many of the features it became popular for, the much-loved crossover sports a slightly larger and more aggressive body style, LED lights, dual exhaust, a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, and a larger wheelbase. Additionally, users can opt to add features such as Apple Play or Android Auto and heather leather steering wheels.
Are CRVs Reliable?
There are several places that score vehicles in terms of reliability and each platform uses different methods and sources to make their determinations. However, in terms of reliability, the Honda CR-V consistently ranks as one of the top three vehicles in its class.
US News Cars, which ranks vehicles based on information from reviews and data sources, has given the Honda CR-V a reliability rating of 8.9 out of 10, which places the vehicle at #2 in its class. Additionally, RepairPal, which measures the reliability of a vehicle based on the cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs, has given the CR-V an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, which also ranks it 2nd in its class. Finally, J.D. Power, which bases its reliability scores on the unbiased reviews of real drivers, has given the 2022 Honda CR-V a reliability rating of 84/100, ranking it 3rd in its class.
| Organization | Reliability Rating | Rank |
| US Car News | 8.9 out of 10 | #2 in Compact SUV |
| RepairPal | 4.5 out of 5.0 | 2nd out of 26 in Compact SUVs |
| J.D. Power | 84/100 | #3 in Compact SUV |
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Honda CRV?
Maintenance is the single most important factor in a vehicle’s lifespan, but since maintenance costs can vary dramatically between vehicles, it is a good idea to research those costs to ensure you can afford to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
According to CAREDGE, owners can expect to spend about $7,155 for maintenance and repairs during the first ten years of their CR-V’s lifespan. This is $1,725 less than other popular SUVs. Additionally, there is a 21.05% chance that the vehicle will require any major repairs during this time, which is 0.45% better than other popular SUVs in its class. However, according to RepairPal, drivers can expect to spend an average of $407 on normal maintenance each year.
Check out the table below to find out how much a Honda CR-V will cost you each year for maintenance (based on the vehicle’s age).
| Year | Average Annual Cost |
| 1 | $254 |
| 2 | $295 |
| 3 | $360 |
| 4 | $465 |
| 5 | $551 |
| 6 | $688 |
| 7 | $964 |
| 8 | $1,074 |
| 9 | $1,176 |
| 10 | $1,328 |
Source: CAREDGE
What Are the Most Common Problems with a Honda CR-V?
Normal wear and tear make breakdowns and repair an unavoidable downside to owning a car, and every vehicle has its own unique set of problems. Knowing these common issues will help you inspect a used vehicle before buying it and could allow you to prevent the issue from ever occurring in the first place.
Below you will find a list of the most common problems to plague CR-V owners throughout the years.
| Common Problem | Average Mileage Issue Occurs | Average Price to Repair the Problem |
| Premature Battery Problems | 39,800 | $260 |
| Unwanted Acceleration When Braking | 16,900 | $5,000 |
| Excessive Oil Consumption | 81,700 | $2,500 |
| A/C Problems | 113,000 | $1,700 |
| Gas Mixing with Oil | 11,400 | $300 |
| Vibration Problems at Certain Speeds | 4,350 – 9,350 | May be covered under warranty when it occurs early on. |
| Air Bags Not Deploying in a Crash | Any | N/A |
Source: CarComplaints
How Long Will the Body of a CR-V Last?
Out of the many reported issues on Carcomplaint.com, only a handful of them mention rust regarding the CR-V, with one driver reporting premature rust at 15,000 miles. However, many people who did report premature rust did so due to a paint chipping problem that Honda issued a recall for and has since fixed.
That being said, other sites have mentioned rust as an issue, with several drivers having had problems with rust on the rear frame, the front doors, and under the vehicle. moc.sotuaytsur. Additionally, Honda has issued certain recalls due to problems with corrosion and rust resulting in certain body parts becoming defective. For example, Honda Canada issued a recall a few years back on the 2007—2011 CR-V models because of rust problems that could cause the rear control arm to separate from the vehicle.
Ultimately, the lifespan of a vehicle’s body and frame depends a lot on the location where the vehicle is being driven. For example, vehicles that see cold winters and salted roads tend to rust more quickly than vehicles that are never driven on salted roads. Additionally, vehicles driven in coastal areas tend to rust more quickly due to the salt in the air. Finally, vehicles driven on dirt roads are more prone to rust spots due to the rocks flying up and chipping the paint. However, there are many ways drivers can prevent these problems, such as undercoating their vehicle and repairing surface rust as soon as possible.
How Many Miles Will a Honda CR-V Actually Last?
Although manufacturers put their vehicles through many tests to gain a better sense of their overall reliability and quality, the best way to gauge how long a vehicle will last is to look at how long they have lasted in real-world conditions. We checked out two of the more popular online marketplaces to see just how long a Honda CR-V can actually last drivers, and this is what we found.
- 2007 – Honda CR-V EX FWD – 359,423
- 2003 – Honda CR-V EX AWD – 356,115
- 2008 – Honda CR-V EX-L FWD – 352,000
- 2006 – Honda CR-V LX – 323,077
- 2006 – Honda CR-V SE AWD – 319,250
- 2007 – Honda CR-V EX-L AWD – 301,814
- 1998 – Honda CR-V LX – 337,884
- 2003 – Honda CR-V EX – 320,000
- 2003 – Honda CR-V EX – 289,753
- 2000 – Honda CR-V EX – 289,089
- 2001 – Honda CR-V SE – 288,163
- 2008 – Honda CR-V EX – 286,125
Many of these vehicles are being sold for a few thousand dollars, which means, not only are they high mileage cars, but they are still in good condition, and it is likely they will eventually see 400,000 miles. However, this does not mean that every single CR-V in the world will live to see 350,000 miles, and the fate of your vehicle depends largely on how well you maintain it.
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.