CarComplaints.com Notes: It's rare when a newer vehicle has defect trends, & the 2017 Honda CR-V has at least two — overfilled oil levels with a gas smell, & heat not working.

Both problems affecting the Honda CR-V's 1.5L "Earth Dreams" engine appear to be related to cold-climate regions.

CR-V owners report overfilled oil levels due to fuel in the oil, & sometimes a gas smell in the cabin. That problem appears to be related to fuel injection which Honda hopes to fix via a software update. Honda so far has only conducted a recall in China & a "product update" in Canada.

CR-V owners also report no heat even after warming up their CR-Vs for 30 minutes — not even enough to defrost the windshield. So far, there has been no fix from Honda for this issue.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$150
Average Mileage:
21,150 miles
Total Complaints:
43 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (22 reports)
  2. replace battery (11 reports)
  3. fixed for now - technician could not find the issue (3 reports)
  4. replace bcm (2 reports)
  5. tsb 17-032 software update (2 reports)
  6. brand new battery (prior fix was software update) (1 reports)
2017 Honda CR-V electrical problems

electrical problem

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2017 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Feb 112021

CR-V LX 1.5L 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 39,146 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We purchased a new 2017 CRV in Sept 2017. It barely has 63 000 km and the battery went dead and needed to be boosted 3 times in the past 3 weeks. I took it to the local garage for a load test and was told the battery was toast. The battery on the previous 2007 CRV that we owned lasted close to six years so it's a bit ridiculous that this one died after barely 3 1/2 years. Anyway, we can't get by with an unreliable battery so we went out and bought a new one from the dealer today.

Also worth noting that the factory original battery was rated for 550CCA and the new Honda replacement is 650CCA so it seems that they realized something wasn't right with the original battery size/charge capacity.

- Debi B., Bracebridge, ON, Canada

problem #22

Jan 212021

CR-V EX-L 1.5L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

Battery gone dead just after 3 years. Called road assistance - they recommend to change the battery - but don't do it at Honda.

- Ajit S., Devon, PA, US

problem #21

Dec 262020

CR-V LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,100 miles

Purchased our 2017 CRV on 5/12/17, everything was great until 3/11/20, dead battery. Battery was replaced then on 12/11/20, dead battery again after getting a jump and driving to Honda dealer who checked out battery stated battery was good and sent me on my way. Low and behold on 12/26/20, dead battery again.

This time I had vehicle towed to Honda dealer who charged the battery and today 12/28/20, received a call stating they can't find anything that is draining the battery. I told them to keep the vehicle there is a problem and they need to find the issue and suggested they check the VSA. I can NOT have a vehicle that I can not rely on. I have been a Honda owner since 1986 and I am thinking it might be time to make a switch.

- Carolyn B., Rio Linda, CA, US

problem #20

May 222021

CR-V LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,490 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fourth battery in four years. Last one was less than a year old when it died completely while we were on vacation. Couldn't open the doors; couldn't even jump the battery until the car we were jumping from had been running for 20 minutes, giving our battery enough of a charge to start it and drive to the dealer.

I get it -- we committed the sin of going on vacation and not hiring a babysitter for the car. We are getting really sick of this.

- Eric M., Bethesda, MD, US

problem #19

Mar 182020

CR-V EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,500 miles

Battery has gone dead several times over the years. I don't drive all the time so I've gone out to a dead battery probably about 7 times in the last year.

- mizbanks, Kennewick, US

problem #18

Oct 132019

CR-V EX 1.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 18,568 miles

Tried to start my car and all I got was clicking with lights flashing on the dash. I called the HondaLink Roadside Assistance. They sent AAA to jump my battery. The AAA guy says he's jumped a lot of 2017 CR-V's with the same problem. I am taking the car to the dealer to see what solution they have for me.

- tennisdoctor, Torrance, US

problem #17

Nov 272017

CR-V EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a lease. I have asked Honda service to check battery of two oil change occasions and they always say there's no problem with the charging system.

- georgehill, Painesville, US

problem #16

Jul 282019

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,715 miles

After a few weeks of not using and after 2 years of lease, the battery has died out. Dealer says vehicle must be used regularly or this will happen again. However, after 2 years I had never had an issue with it as I travel out of town frequently and the car goes unused after days or even weeks at a time.

- Danilo C., Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #15

May 132019

CR-V Touring Awd 1.5L I4

  • CVT transmission
  • 18,600 miles

Battery is dead after 2 days sitting, sometimes overnight.

Center Screens keep adjusting brightness while driving since we got the car in March 2017, no fix.

- Benny N., San Francisco, CA, US

problem #14

Jan 282019

CR-V EX AWD 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,500 miles

Battery just died. Charged it for hours, started, died again later that day. Had AAA test, electrical system fine, battery at 140 CCA. Bought their 3/6 year battery, as it’s my wife’s car, so she’s now got security of their warranty. $127. Major pain in the ass getting all the trouble codes and messages to disappear from dashboard, although there’s no help in the manual. Internet had the answer, just go for a drive, but in the interim driving with multiple systems reporting problems! Pretty cheap damn battery, maybe 20 months since car new.

- Frank D., Highland, US

problem #13

Jan 172018

CR-V EXL 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,835 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

New vehicle and battery has gone dead four times this past winter after vehicle went unused for two days. Talked to Honda canada about the problem not being the battery but a parasitic draw from the electrical system. They tried to tell me that we had a colder than usual winter in canada this year. I could not help but laugh at that statement when no diagnostic was even performed to make any type of assessment of the issue and I asked if that were true, why are people who live in warm climates also experiencing the same problem after their vehicles are sitting unused for 2-3 days? We still have no fix for this issue or the oil dilution with gas problem.

- chillier91, Fort Smith, NT, Canada

problem #12

Sep 222018

CR-V LX 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,000 miles

I got my car in Feb 2017 and after 8 months we start seeing this issue when we went to a few days trip and we found we could not start up the car without jumping. Will service bulletin 17-032 apply to LX? thanks

Second time happened after 2 days without driving, we took the car to the service, they check battery, alternator and ODBII (I don't know why they need to check ODBII) and told me everything is good, nothing they can help.

Third time happened again after 2 days without driving. The manager told me Honda has small battery so she asked to change a bigger battery for myself, she said small batter won't hold the power that long! I cannot believe Honda makes a car with only two days of power! My phone can hold more than 2 days without using it! They asked me to leave the car there and let it dies by itself. I don't understand this! How can you test circuit without power?! which makes no sense to me at all or for anyone who has little knowledge about electricity. Moreover, they cannot provide me a car. They asked me to contact American Honda. However, American Honda said nothing they can help!

Fourth time happened again after 15 hours without driving. We took the car in, and they could not start it either. so they check the battery, parasitic test and everything come back good. Therefore, they said nothing they can help and there is no recall on my car. However the problem is still there. I asked them how to prevent it. Again, they said I need to leave the car there for 3 days till it die. It dies in front of them already, I don't understand why they need to wait for 3 days again! They said this is required by American Honda and they cannot give me a car to drive either!

- Family Y., San Diego, CA, US

problem #11

Aug 232018

CR-V LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,600 miles

This vehicle is under 10 months old!!! Why is it having issues. I tried having it jumped and nothing. Completely black screens. When the Honda Service tow arrived, they were able to get the car started. I have had different lights flash such as brake problem and cruise control issues. But they were gone quickly.

I now learn that 2017 CRV's are known for this issue and nothing has been done to correct this? If my brakes stop working when I am on the highway that would be VERY BAD!

- Cheryl C., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #10

Mar 072017

CR-V ES 1.5L 4 cyl Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 3,000 miles

After replacing the battery three times and getting only "We don't know" from dealer and "Sorry you are having battery problems" from Honda, I decided to get rid of it. This was necessary because my wife (it was her car) refused to drive it due to being stranded three times. The electrical system seemed to drain the battery over a 3-to 5 week time period. Making the problem more annoying the door locks were set on Auto after leaving the car. So you could not open the doors until battery was boosted. Honda refused to recognize the problem and only when I started "Lemon Law" activities did I get an offer to replace the vehicle. I hope the dealer sent the car out of state to sell, and I hope whoever got it has dumped it already.

- Bobby B., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #9

Feb 172018

CR-V Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

New 2017 delivered 8/1/17. Dead battery 12/2017, jump start was fine. 2/17/2017 dead battery, would take a charge, jump started and brought to dealer. Dealership ran diagnostic and found no issues, was dismissed as owner/ driver error. Was told car must be driven every day to recharge. Not my first car, that is ridiculous. Isn't that a Tesla issue? Again after not driving the car from Friday to a Monday, 3/18/2017, had to jump start after car was parked 48 hrs earlier in the garage. Went to work and drove to dealership after end of work day, left with dealership to investigate. FINALLY, tech reportedly found there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) informing there is a parasitic voltage draw and a software update was needed. Picked up car from dealership 3/20/18 after work with the news. Lets see if this fixes the issue of power draining.

- C M., Douglas, MA, US

problem #8

Dec 302017

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,524 miles

car won't start and all locks up. tow driver jumped

My wife returned from the store and unloaded groceries. When she got into the car, it would not start and the information center said there was a brake problem. There was not. Called Honda Tow. After waiting 3 hours, the tow driver showed up and jump the battery. Worse tow service I have ever had. My vehicle insurance would have been much better. The tow driver said not a problem, all is well. The new battery was dead. He jumped it and we charged the battery. Four hours later tried to use the car. Would not start. Call Honda Tow. They said tough. Since it is the New Years Week End, the only option was another jump or tow to the dealer. We are without a vehicle. Paid $31,000 for the car, drove it 5 months and now with 3500 miles, I cannot drive our new car. Fortunately, we also have a 2017 Chrysler. We paid $63,000 for it. Hope it works while we wait for Honda. This is not a battery problem. It has to be a computer or software problem, but who knows what Honda will say or do. It is not on the recall list for this kind of problem, but is for gas tank problems. Wonderful. Why buy a new car?????

- Charles C., Phoenix, US

problem #7

Jan 042018

CR-V Touring 1.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 9,000 miles

have 9000 mileage, yesterday was the 6th time that my battery has gone dead.

I will visit the dealership today, I will see what they say.

- Uilliam 용진 L., Hackensack, NJ, US

problem #6

Nov 052017

CR-V EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 657 miles

Wife’s car is driven infrequently, so when battery is dead, we thought it was from non-use. Our fault. However the battery is dead after sitting in garage for 3 days. I am taking car to selling dealer tomorrow and asking them about Service Bulletin 17-032 —� whatever that is. This will be my second visit about this problem. The battery is dead almost every time we use the car now. We purchased this CRV on February 23, 2017. We have bought Hondas since 1973 and never had this problem with any other cars. Anybody know for certain what is going on? Dealer previously said the battery checked out good.

Update from Nov 20, 2017: Dealer seems to have fixed the problem using Service Bulletin 17-032 and my VIN. Stopped at dealer service entrance and explained my problem. When dealer tried to move the vehicle for service, they had to jump it again. Dealer replaced battery and "updated" software per the SB. No problems since. Took approximately 2+ hours but we are very pleased to get this fixed. Service writer said he was not aware of this "known" issue with 2017 CR-Vs but his techs were fully aware and made repairs per warranty.

- anse5265, Winter Haven, US

problem #5

Oct 072017

CR-V Touring 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 1,776 miles

First occurrence at 828 miles, dead battery. Battery replaced, as it failed test. Second occurrence at 1776 miles with new battery installed. . Car towed. Dealer cannot identify problem. Car goes dead after it lays idle for over 3 days. Campaign TSB 17-032 identified this issue. No accessories were on. Dealer states that all software up to date. No solution at this time.

- northjersey, Branchville, US

problem #4

Sep 012017

CR-V Touring 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 800 miles

New car should not have this problem and Honda should have a fix. Definitely afraid to get struck somewhere. Honda helpline is a waste of time.

- Joseph S., Branchville, NJ, US

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