2020 Honda CR-V: engine failure

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I am the owner of a 2020 Honda CR-V equipped with the 1.5L turbocharged engine. The vehicle is experiencing a severe and dangerous engine oil dilution manufacturing defect where unburnt gasoline enters the oil pan. This is an active driving hazard. After a fresh oil change meant to remediate the issue, the oil level rapidly rose back up past the top dipstick indicator within less than 200 miles of driving, and the oil smells strongly of raw gasoline. This severe dilution degrades the engine oil viscosity, creating an immediate risk of sudden engine stalling, loss of propulsion, or catastrophic internal engine failure while driving at speed. Honda is aware of this defect on 1.5L turbo engines but has failed to issue a recall or provide a permanent engineering solution for 2020 models. I currently have 44,443 miles on the vehicle.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Engine · CA

On the evening of [XXX], I started my vehicle while it was parked in my garage. Within approximately five minutes, the vehicle suddenly produced a violent and unusually loud mechanical noise, followed by visible smoke billowing from beneath the hood. Recognizing the immediate potential fire and safety hazard to both myself and my property, I immediately shut the vehicle down. The following morning, I took directly to Honda North, an authorized Honda dealership in Clovis, California, for a professional diagnostic inspection. The dealership's certified inspection determined that the A/C compressor had suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure and had completely seized. According to the dealership, the compressor's internal failure while the system was operating resulted in metallic debris being circulated throughout and contaminating the A/C system. This catastrophic seizure heavily strained the engine's drive belt system. The failure was a direct result of the factory compressor shaft seal leaking out all system refrigerant and lubricating oil, causing the unit to run dry and seize. As a result, the dealership determined that replacing only the failed compressor would not be sufficient to properly restore the system. The recommended repair requires a complete A/C system overhaul, including replacement of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and associated refrigerant lines/components. Honda has openly acknowledged this exact factory defect in Service Bulletin 23-040, extending the shaft seal warranty to 10 years. However, Honda Corporate Customer Service is refusing responsibility for the downstream consequential destruction caused by their own defective component, citing only general vehicle age and mileage, despite the vehicle having 55,782 miles and sitting well within the 10-year extended warranty window. They have refused to provide an engineering justification or written analysis for this safety-related coverage denial. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Engine · WA

For the last two years, our CR-V has had random engine failures where the car will lose power and the ability to accelerate. If you're going uphill it will stop entirely, otherwise you can usually limp along at about 20mph. We've taken the car in to the Honda dealer multiple times with no fix. We've had to abandon the car since Honda won't fix it and it's a complete safety hazard. The final incident happened while I was driving in a tunnel in a 60mph zone. The car died and I had nowhere to pull off so I was forced to slowly crawl through the tunnel as cars flew by me going 70mph. I was finally able to get out of the tunnel and pull over in a remotely safe place. Once you turn the car off, the system resets and you can drive again until the issue happens again. Honda diagnosed the issue, reproduced and confirmed the issue and, despite having an 8-year full warranty we bought when we bought the car new, they refused to fix it stating that they simply aren't able to. Their recommendation was to take the car and monitor the issue, despite confirming the extreme danger the car poses to us. We've asked them to replace the car with anything of similar value that won't be a safety threat, or buy the car back since we can't drive it. It's been sitting at the dealership for the last month and a half. We've now been forced to hire an attorney to help resolve this since Honda is refusing to take accountability for selling a completely unsafe vehicle.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Engine · MN

On April 13, 20026 while traveling on a divided highway at about 70 mph, the car suddenly experienced rapid de-acceleration, similar to if someone slammed on the brakes. At the same time all dashboard warning lights began flashing. The car had failed and couldn't be driven. The Honda dealer in Rochester Minnesota said the turbocharger had failed. This was a very dangerous situation as it posed a real risk of being hit from behind by others who were still travelling at high speed while the failed car was dramatically slowing and trying to get off the road. This an unreasonable risk of injury and death not only to the driver and occupants but also to the general public and other nearby drivers and occupants. The Honda dealer in Rochester inspected and repaired the failed turbocharger and flushed the system and oil as required. The charge was $5,042.41 to replace the turbocharger and $736.48 to flush and change with fresh oil. This is without tax. Full invoice is available upon request. The Honda dealer inspected the car. No police report was filed. The car was towed back into Rochester by AAA. There was no warning lamps prior to the incident. The cars maintenance was up-to-date and has only about 60,00 miles. For a [XXX] old car, an engine failure that creates a serious risk of injury or death to the driver and public would suggest a recall is necessary to maintain public safety and make owner's whole. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · Engine · 100,699 miles · MN

All warning lights began going off in car as driving. No overheating and search indicated it may be due to battery needing replacement. Drove to Honda dealer/service to have vehicle inspected and was informed Turbo charger failed. Between research done and a call to our local dealer and was told this is a common issue. Diagnostic report and quote for new engine and turbo attached. Please note they did not perform the search to confirm there is metal in the engine.

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Engine · 14,700 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated his wife noticed an unknown warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle's oil was changed by a mechanic. On another occasion, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the vehicle needed a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that they would contact him back. The failure mileage was 14,700.