2006 Honda CR-V Sport 2.2 CDTi turbo diesel

Summary:

An expensive mistake, from a manufacturer I'd expected more of!

Faults:

Discs pitted and corroded at 2600 miles.

Replacement discs lasted only 6000 miles of careful use before warping, requiring replacement. Warped again at 30,000 - in 20 years of driving I've never warped a disc!

DMF showing signs of catastrophic failure, clutch started slipping at 26,000 of mainly motorway miles at peak torque. Nursed to 33,000 miles before total replacement required. DMF and clutch, including labour without any contribution from Honda 2 weeks after warranty expired (full and comprehensive dealer history) cost a total of £1675.

EGR valve failed, replaced under warranty.

Seat belt mechanism recoil faulty, dealer uninterested.

Interior trim marks easily.

Car pulled to left under acceleration from new, dealer investigated and advised it's a quirk of the model.

Rust spots developing on bonnet and roof above windscreen.

General Comments:

I bought the car as the first newer car I’ve ever owned, and feel utterly let down by a car from a brand normally associated with impeccable reliability. It has cost a small fortune beyond expected wear and tear items, given the care and attention lavished on it!

Honda should acknowledge publicly there is an issue with the clutch and dual mass flywheel of 2.2 CDTI engines (Civic, CRV, Accord etc.), which seem to have a habit of failing immediately after the warranty has expired. I’ve never had an issue with a clutch failing, the car has been used lightly (no towing) and principally for longer distance motorway cruising. I simply could not afford to throw any more money at the car, and sold it at a loss long before I’d planned to part with it.

Other than the mechanical issues with the car, it has performed well, delivering excellent fuel economy and was always enjoyable to drive.

Spacious, light and ergonomically well set out cabin, with plenty of head and legroom save for the passenger seat where the heater blower encroaches into the footwell.

I loved some of the quirky details like the dash mounted handbrake, chiller box, side hinged tail gate and the boot floor that doubles as a picnic table. None of these have made their way into the revised model, and even had I not had the reliability issues I have experienced, the new model has lost any appeal over the outgoing car.

Having changed the car for a similar car in the same class, I hadn’t realised quite how agricultural the Honda was by comparison.

Perhaps I got unlucky, but forums are increasingly suggesting this may not be the case.

An expensive mistake in hindsight.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th March, 2009

16th Sep 2013, 09:29

I believe it's pretty much impossible to warp brake discs, and what really happens it that people sit on the brakes after braking heavily, such as coming off the motorway to a give way/roundabout. Because the pads are so hot, bits of them stick to the brake discs, then cool and embed into the disc. This is what causes the "warped disc" feeling.

It is also possible that the discs may not have been machined properly in the first place; a possibility if using cheap 3rd party discs.

Regarding the EGR valve, these need to be cleaned regularly on diesel cars. Perhaps whoever is servicing the car isn't doing it properly.

Couldn't comment on the clutch, may have just been unlucky. I would have expected Honda to have offered more assistance, but it's becoming quite obvious now that Honda UK is letting the Honda Group down.

8th Feb 2018, 19:33

Quote:- "clutch started slipping at 26,000 of mainly motorway miles at peak torque. Nursed to 33,000 miles before total replacement required. DMF and clutch, including labour without any contribution from Honda 2 weeks after warranty expired (full and comprehensive dealer history) cost a total of £1675."

So you expected the dealer to pay after the warranty had expired when you'd happily driven with the clutch slipping for 7,000 miles (about 6 months looking at your mileage) during which time the warranty was still valid.

Dual Mass Flywheels are not the most durable of parts, but your inaction when the clutch first started slipping didn't help one bit.

2006 Honda CR-V SE Sport 2.0

Summary:

Another brilliant car from Honda

Faults:

Nothing major.

Drivers door wouldn't close easily.

Car pulled left slightly.

All sorted without fuss under warranty and a free laser wheel alignment to boot.

General Comments:

The interior is a little bland, but all the switchgear is easy to use and the climate controlled air/con a dream.

The car although an auto is rapid enough, but if you drive it like an S2000 expect it to drink the gas.

I get between 27 mpg around town to 32 mpg on a run driving steadily.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th August, 2006

12th Jan 2007, 11:34

It's not designed to be driven like an S2000!!!

I have a 2004 example of the same car and haven't had one problem in 3 years - I am sure it won't give you an problems.

Come May I will be getting my hands on a all new 2007 CR-v

ES auto - can hardly wait.

18th Jan 2007, 21:19

You may want to re-check your mileage figures old chap. You opine that you've achieved 27/32 mpg. Is it mpg or kpg (kilometers per gallon). Just wondering because your figures sound a bit optimistic. I own a 2006 CR-V with the 2.4 litre 4 cyl. I drive quite conservatively and couldn't get your mileage driving down hill with a tailwind. What's your secret? Are you having your kids get out and push to get you going? Inquiring minds what to know!!

My CR-V is broken-in with over 7k on the odometer. I consistently see 20 mpg city/28 highway. That's it, nothing to get excited about.

22nd Jan 2007, 10:59

The review is based on UK spec vehicle not a US Spec.

The UK does not get the 2.4l engine instead we have the

2.0l petrol or 2.2 diesel.

I get approx 30 - 32 MPG from my 2.0 auto.

22nd Jan 2007, 14:34

Also keep in mind the difference between Imperial gallons and U.S. gallons. It always appears as though you get more miles per gallon when quoting Imperial gallons, because Imperial gallons are a little larger.

29th Jan 2007, 13:40

I have a 2 year old SE sport and get identical MPG to that of the reviewer 27 MPG around town (London suburbs - so quite stop/start) and around 32MPG on motorway or fast A roads. Best I've ever achieved is approx 35mpg, but it was really boring, and involved very slow progress!

I find my CRV is a great practical workhorse, and has proven totally reliable.

8th Feb 2018, 19:39

28 MPG US is 33 MPG UK. So the reviewer is getting the same as you are.