Complaints About Engine Problem Stack Up for SUV

Bad news for Honda CR-V owners: Gas may be leaking into your vehicle's oil supply, which can cause engine performance issues and stalling, according to Consumer Reports. The magazine started looking into the issue after nine of its members reported problems—which affects 2017 and 2018 CRVs with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine—discovering that dozens of more complaints about the SUV had been made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and hundreds more on online forums. A Honda rep says the company is "investigating the situation and developing a remedy," which it "hopes" will be available by mid-November. Once the repair is ready, it will be covered by the warranty.

The engine issue is most prevalent in cold-weather areas and during short trips and low-speed driving. Honda, which doesn't consider it to be a safety issue so won't issue a recall, hasn't said how many vehicles may be affected. The company’s spokesman told CR that the "condition is not as widespread as some Internet chatter may imply." Nonetheless, says the magazine's Jake Fisher, "it does happen, and when it happens, it should be addressed." This year, Honda has recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles, including CR-Vs, in China due to a similar issue, Reuters reports. The CR-V is one of the best-selling SUVs, per Forbes, with some 30,000 per month being sold in the US. If you're experiencing engine problems with your CR-V, contact the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 or safecar.gov, and contact Honda at 800-999-1009. (More Honda CR-V stories.)