How Many Miles Can A Honda CR-V Last?

The Honda CR-V is one of the most reliable crossover SUVs on the market. It has excellent fuel efficiency, high performance, and a long lifespan.

You can expect a Honda CR-V to clock 250,000 to 300,000 miles (400,000-480,000 km) with routine maintenance and quick repairs. It’s way ahead of similar vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 and lasts 16 to 20 years.

While the CR-V is an efficient and practical choice, it’s not the best at towing and doesn’t handle high speeds as well as its competitors. However, it’s one of the most comfortable SUVs available and has excellent features like Honda Sensing, making up for its limitations.

Is the Honda CR-V Reliable?

The Honda CR-V is a very reliable vehicle, boasting a Reliability score of 8.5/10 on iseecars.com.

Drivers have reported keeping their cars for as long as fifteen years, a testament to the vehicle’s durability. Considering its MSRP of $26,800, that’s not bad at all. 

That’s not to say the SUV doesn’t have its flaws, though. For example, the 2011 Honda CR-V had many problems during its release. 

Customers complained about fluid leaks, horrible fuel economy, and defective door locks/actuators, which pose a significant safety threat.

What’s more, the issues took four years to resolve. However, since 2012, the models have had much fewer problems.

The Honda CR-V with the least number of complaints is the 2009 model, and it’s still on the road today.

Whichever model you choose, be sure that Honda has released sufficient parts and resources to deal with issues that might pop up.

Does the Honda CR-V Rust Quickly?

No vehicle is rust-proof, including the Honda CR-V. How quickly or easily a vehicle rusts depends on atmospheric conditions and maintenance. 

If you live in areas with long winters, your car can rust more quickly from the road salt used on roads and highways.

Rust can also develop faster if you live close to the sea as the wind can carry salt from the water.

On average, you can expect signs of rust within the first seven years of owning your vehicle.

The first places to look are on the doors, tailgate, sunroof, exhaust pipe, and side panels.

You can prevent these parts from prematurely rusting by:

• Regularly rinsing your car in the winter.
• Taking the vehicle for a paint job when the paint peels.
• Practicing routine waxing (at least twice a year).
• Cleaning the vehicle’s interior.

If you catch rust early, take your vehicle to the garage. Minor repairs can cost as little as $20.

You can also take matters into your own hands, but you’ll need several pieces of equipment, like an angle grinder, coat paint, body filler, and sandpaper.

If the damage is severe, you’re better off taking the car to a professional. Extensive rust jobs can cost as much as $2000.

How To Ensure Your Honda CR-V Lasts Longer

There are three main ways to ensure your Honda CR-V comes close to its projected lifespan:

1. Drive Smoothly

Unlike trucks, SUVs aren’t made to be hard-driven. If you regularly drive your CR-V in rough conditions or use too much pressure on the brakes or gas pedal, you increase your chances of premature wear and tear. 

Certain road practices can help limit damage to your CR-V, including:

• Using the emergency brake when parking on a hill
• Shifting to the correct gear before pressing the accelerator
• Obeying road signs and traffic rules to reduce your chances of getting into an accident
• Driving slowly over bumps or potholes 
• Planning your stops.

2. Take the Car For Regular Maintenance

Always adhere to your CR-V’s maintenance schedule.

Regular servicing helps to find potential issues and deal with them before they escalate. 

You can also get advice on how to take care of your car so the problems don’t resurface.

Maintenance involves several activities, including:

• Oil changes
• Fluid checks
• Hinge lubricating
• Battery checks
• Brake pad replacements
• Belt and hose inspections.

It’s recommended to take your Honda CR-V for maintenance at least once a year or every 12,000 miles/19,000 km (whichever comes first), and maintenance costs for a CR-V can be as low as $400 yearly.

3. Get Repairs When Needed

If you think specific parts aren’t working well or might cause problems, take the vehicle to a mechanic.

Problems might become more severe with time, requiring more costly repairs. You and your vehicle are also at risk of accidents if things aren’t working as they should.

Signs your Honda CR-V needs repairs include:

• Fluid leaks
• Strange odors
• Weird sounds
• Smoke from the hood
• Flashing check engine light.

Conclusion

The Honda CR-V has one of the longest life spans for a compact crossover SUV. Like any vehicle, you’ll need to keep it in good shape to keep it running for as long as possible.

You can help your CR-V last longer by:

• Driving smoothly
• Taking the car for regular maintenance
• Getting repairs whenever needed.

You can keep your vehicle’s body in decent condition by keeping it rust-free. Get rust repaired often so it doesn’t spread and cause larger issues.

If you live in cold climates, regularly rinsing off road salt in the winter helps prevent rusting. The same goes for areas with other environmental factors that increase oxidation.

It just takes a few basic steps to maintain your CR-V and maximize its impressive lifespan.