Is the 2017 Honda CR-V a bad year?
1,778 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 540, 19× a quiet CR-V year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 8k–30k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 16 of 540 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 CR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 15,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 539 (30%) | 8k–30k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 400 (22%) | 8k–38k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 379 (21%) | 7k–38k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 176 (10%) | 9k–34k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 54 (3%) | 10k–36k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 283 (16%) | 36k–60k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 144 (8%) | 12k–37k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 52 (3%) | 11k–33k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 37 (2%) | 3k–20k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 36 (2%) | 11k–36k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 32 (2%) | 7k–39k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 32 (2%) | 2k–34k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (0%) | 10k–25k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Steering | 66 (4%) | 17k–58k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 15,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,778 complaints: 42 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 28 report an injury · 47 say the car was towed.
130 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Our 2017 Honda crv keeps showing over full even though no oil was added and has a very strong fuel smell to it.
We purchased our Honda crv ex-l in october of 2017, within 5 months we noticed a strong gasoline small in our cabin.
While driving my 2017 Honda CR-V ex-l on highway (The trip was about 10 hours), about half way of my trip, I could not reach the speed to 55MPH with speed limit of 70MPH.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 15,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Honda CR-V: 7
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching. An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction. The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles have a fuel supply pipe that may have been improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the pipe disconnecting and leaking while driving. If the pipe disconnects, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the disconnected pipe may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. If the label information can be wiped away, the operator may not be able to refer to the information, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 237
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire
Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored
Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability issues, which may result in DTCs P0300 (random misfire detected)…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Neighbouring years
2016 CR-V: 395 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 CR-V: 2,166 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda CR-V year
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Questions
Is the 2017 Honda CR-V a bad year?
1,778 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 540, 19× a quiet CR-V year. At 15,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 8k–30k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 16 of 540 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (539), electrical system (400), fuel system (379), brakes (176), stability control (54). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 8k–30k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Honda CR-V have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Equipment (NHTSA 23V-524), Seat belts (NHTSA 23V-158) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.