8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$0
Average Mileage:
5,400 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
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problem #13

Dec 042017

CR-V Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124 miles

I own a 2018 CRV. From the day I purchased the vehicle, I noticed an issue with the heat. I live in Alberta, it gets extremely cold in the winter. I've owned enough vehicles to know when there's an issue.

I brought the issue to the attention of both the Sales Person and the Service Department immediately after the purchase. I FROZE last year! I had to turn on the seat and steering wheel warmer to stay warm on my drive to work.

The Service Manager indicated last winter there was an issue with the heat in the CR-V's and Honda Canada was addressing it. I said I need a resolution before this winter. I refuse to go through another winter freezing in my vehicle.

I received a recall and was told it would fix the heat issue. It made it worse! I had to take my vehicle into the shop recently because the dash had a mind of its own. I have video of the dash scrolling on its on and freezing up. When I picked up my vehicle, I was told everything was fine.

It was at that time that I asked to speak to the Service Manager about BOTH the dash issue and the heat in my car. I was told there was nothing wrong with either issue. The Assistant Service Manager indicated the dash issue was probably from my iPhone and there wasn't an issue with the heating system in the CR-V's. I've actually had passengers make comments about the lack of heat in my car! My daughter's beater heats up better than my new vehicle.

I want a resolution with this issue but Honda Canada will NOT acknowledge there's a problem.

- Diane B., Edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #12

Dec 152018

CR-V CRV EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

This is affecting me, especially during winter season. It takes lot of time to warm up my CRV, even blowing up to the maximum. Mist on windshield is not fading away. Though I hear a huge blow noise, there's little or nothing like feeling warm, unless you drive around 50km to get into a warmer area around you. I hate going to dealer because they are very professional about skipping answers and getting rid of me.

- Dinesh J.,

problem #11

Mar 052021

CR-V EX-L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,003 miles

I just purchased this vehicle and after having it a few days the heat isn't working properly. It has an automatic start but not sure what the use of having that for when the vehicle doesn't heat up. Took it to the dearlership where it was purchased and was told that was normal and it takes this vehicle at least 20min to warm up. I've never heard of such a thing in my life.

- Sandra R., Throop, US

problem #10

Dec 012018

CR-V NAV 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,500 miles

Adding to what others have said, this vehicle is Unsafe to drive in cold weather. At highway speeds, temp gets up to full temp (~1/2 on gauge), as soon as you leave the highway or get into a traffic jam, temp drops fast. I videotaped the gauge after leaving freeway and pulling into a parking lot. At 0 degrees, temp went from 1/2, down until no lights lit/below the C in 3.5 minutes. Can't keep windshield clear w/precip or snow at this vehicle temp.

Problem is not intermittent - always happens when below ~15 degrees. Took to dealer but it was ~35 degrees. Dealer says nothing is wrong. Obviously not OK. Sent message to dealer asking for the service manager to call me. No call ever came. My first Honda, very disappointed. BTW, they supposedly fixed the oil overfill problem on this visit w/a software update.

I have received a letter from a law firm stating this vehicle is a lemon due to heat problem and gas in the oil so there must be a lot of them with this problem.

Here is my theory - would love to hear if this makes sense. I assume this vehicle has a standard thermostat. I.E water temp opens/closes it and not computer controlled. If so, I think the problem is a thermostat that is set too low (looks like it might be a 172 degree thermo) for cold climate use. My car is 180, my Expedition was 185 degrees. Does this make sense? How do we escalate this to get something done?

- Gary E., Blaine, US

problem #9

Feb 022019

CR-V EXL 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,600 miles

click to see larger images

heat not working properly heat not working properly

Wife normally drives the CR-V, but on this day I was driving. After about 30 mins of driving doing errands, it was 18* F outside, I noticed insufficient heat inside cabin, so I cranked up the temp to max. I noticed every time I came to a stop, the temp dropped on temperature gauge and the heat temperature coming out got cooler, to the point where no heat was coming in the cabin. I’ve noticed it’s worst on colder days, just doesn’t maintain heat to a comfortable level. This is a hazardous issue as it is nearly impossible to keep windshield clear from ice and fog on cold days when driving. Very concerned as wife normally drives this vehicle and is now very worried driving kids to school with restricted vision on windshield and insufficient heat.

- Jose R., Stratford, US

problem #8

Feb 082019

CR-V EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,728 miles

First...I confess I am a huge brand loyal Honda person...which makes me even more disappointed in Honda. I purchased a 2018 CR-V this summer. I thought I thoroughly researched and have always checked Consumer reports prior to buying anything so this was a huge shock and disappointment.

Winter arrived and I noticed that my new CRV was not getting warm. Thought maybe I just wasn't doing something right, new vehicle etc. Unfortunately the problem was not me, the controls are not much different than my accord so I was using them correctly. This CRV is damn dangerous!!! Driving out to my farm, freezing rain and my windshield is fogging up, heat gauge drops constantly and blows cold air.

To make matters worse...I asked my daughter who I talked into buying a Honda CRV rather than the vehicle she wanted and hers is also freezing cold. We both owned Hondas previously and they were toasty warm and heated up quickly. I turn my command start on and i get in and it is still freezing cold.

This vehicle is UNSAFE until it is recalled to fix the heating issues. BEWARE!! Do not buy a new CRV until you can be sure Honda has acknowledged the problem and does a recall to fix. They are not safe when you can't trust the heating system to keep the windshield clear. Shame on Honda.

I've been driving Hondas for 40 years, my parents drove them, my kids drive Hondas and we are all thinking these New CRV's will be our last Hondas if the company doesn't fix the CRV Issues. Today I was driving a few friends in my new SUV and the entire drive was about what the hell is wrong with your vehicle questions and everyone telling me what a horrible heating system and how dangerous it is for a 2018 vehicle.

How many people have crashed in winter with these CRV's? I would be interested in the STATS on the windshields freezing up. This is crazy to have a new vehicle that isn't safe!

- Carol G., Medicine Hat, AB, Canada

problem #7

Feb 032019

CR-V LX 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Warmed up the car and then scraped off the ice from the windshield. We were having freezing rain. Outside temperature -9. Drove into town, about 30 minutes and was unable to keep the ice from forming on windshield. Had to keep using windshield washer fluid. Heater stayed at 0 bars, then slowly went up to 4 bars and as I started driving on the highway it dropped to 0 bars and heat could not keep windows clear.

The exact same thing happened on the way home that evening!!!! An EXTREMELY DANGEROUS situation when you are driving and windshield freezes almost instantly.

Update from Feb 17, 2019: Went to dealer who finally contacted Honda and they now have a fix. They had to re-program the computer so problem would not occur again. They also had to change the oil as the problem also allowed fuel to leak into the oil. All is good now.

- Steve L., Dorval, QC, Canada

problem #6

Oct 192018

CR-V EX-L 1.5t

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,101 miles

Temp does not get to operating after 28km drive in city. Absolutely unacceptable. First time its been -20, but drive to work, barely comfortable after 14km. Tech says its ok, I say BS. Mediator is supposed to call in a week or so. Will keep you posted.

- Daniel N., edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #5

Jan 012019

CR-V EXL 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 350 miles

Coldest car I've ever owned. Does/will not heat up to defrost windshield. Gets a little warmer the further you drive, about 30-40 miles or so. But it will cool down at idle. Very cold interior. Glad I've got heated seats.

Update from Jan 19, 2020: Ive now got 7800 miles and 2 winters on this car.No changes noted.Takes forever to warm up and almost instantly cools back down at idle.Seems Im driving a 3 season car here.

- fredbear92, Saint Joseph, mo, US

problem #4

Oct 142018

CR-V LX AWD 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 391 miles

Cabin heater efficiency drops drastically & suddenly. This seems to be tied to oil dilution/ overfill issue. Real nice, especially living in Canada!!!

- buzzinhornet, Nunavut, NWT, Canada

problem #3

Jun 012018

CR-V LX Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Heater does NOT work, Honda seems clueless to fix it! Lawsuit coming!

- Chris M., Angeles City, Philippines

problem #2

Nov 262018

CR-V LX 1.5L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124 miles

Drive 4 miles city and HWY and still no heat. On bad days you use a small scraper to keep windshield clear enough to drive..VERY UNSAFE CR-V.

- Rick S., Coldhere Ont, ON, Canada

problem #1

Nov 302017

CR-V EX 1.9L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 2,100 miles

I just bought a 2018 Honda CR-V. My first brand new car in 30 years. The heat is awful. Even using the remote start the car is still cold after 10 minutes. My drive to work is 30 minutes and I rarely get up to 50mph. The temp gauge goes up to almost half if I am using the gas hard like going up a hill but at a red light the temp gauge goes back down to 1 or 2 bars. The only time the car heats up properly is while driving at high speeds on the highway for along period of time an hour or more. Otherwise I get little or no heat out of it. I need to add that It has been sub zero here in Maine for about a week but the heat was not much better before the cold snap. I have an Odyssey that the heat is amazing a mile down the road in any weather. The service writer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car. If that is the case I may have to buy a Toyota. :( I live in New England. If the car won't keep me warm then it needs a new owner. Any Florida takers?? I love it otherwise.

- Michele D., Gray, US