Honda CR-V Engine Problem – Oil Mixes With Gas Leaving Drivers “Fumed.”

November 21, 2018
By: Robert Silverman


Another popular vehicle is dealing with an ongoing powertrain problem.  This time around, drivers are complaining of a Honda CR-V engine problem resulting in abnormal gasoline fumes in the cabin and gasoline leasing into the car’s oil system.

According to an article in Car & Driver, Honda says it will soon release a fix for the CR-V engine problem, which has been occurring in both 2017 and 2018 models. Honda executives have so far refused to issue a safety recall because the company has not identified any impact to the vehicle’s safety.  Ironically however, according to Consumer Reports, 380,000 CR-V’s and Civics were recalled in the China earlier this year for similar issues. The Honda CR-V engine problem mostly impacts vehicles driving in colder areas on shorter trips according to Honda representative Chris Martin.

The issue can cause the oil level to rise and as a result, the oil gets diluted with unused gas.  Martin says that when drivers take shorter trips, the fuel does not burn out of the oil as the oil recirculates through the combustion chamber.  There have been a number of complaints  filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration dating back to late 2017 pertaining to the Honda CR-V engine problem.  The company says the problem will be fixed in 2019 models and they hope to have a solution to the current problem shortly.

Despite the fact that there is no current fix to the Honda CR-V engine problem, consumers still have rights under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws. If you are dealing with gas fumes in your Honda CR-V and/or gas mixing with your oil, you need to get back to an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible to report the problem.  Make sure the repair visit is documented with a detailed repair invoice and if the dealer says  “no fix is available,” make sure that is noted on the invoice. If the problem keeps occurring, you need to keep bringing the vehicle back to report the matter. Once you have been back several times for the issue (3 times in certain state, 4 times in others) or the car has been out of service an extended period of time, you have rights to seek recourse, even if they cannot properly fix the problem or maintain they still do not have have a solution.

The bottom line is that it is not your responsibility to wait for Honda to come up with a fix. Unfortunately, in many states, you can lose your rights if you wait too long to file a claim. If you are dealing with a Honda CR-V engine problem and you want to use consumer laws to get back on the road to recovery, fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.  We will be glad to discuss your situation and determine if and how we can help.


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26 Responses to “Honda CR-V Engine Problem – Oil Mixes With Gas Leaving Drivers “Fumed.””


  1. #1 Samuel jimenez says:

    Bought a used 2017 Honda CRV EXL notice when I checked the oil the level is very high looks like oil dilution. I took a trip for Thanksgiving weekend to see my daughter in Boston so that’s a long drive to Oil level was very high Honda better come up with something or I plan to do a class action lawsuit God for bid something happens while I’m driving with my six-year-old daughter

    • State: New York
  2. #2 karen capadanno says:

    I told the serv. manager @ Atamian, he told me to contact Honda and gave me the number. The woman at Honda told me to get an oil change at the dealership(free). The dealership refused to admit they smelled gas in the oil then informed Honda the same. I only have 450 miles on his car and smell gas in the oil again. I will be contacting Honda again. How many more times do I have to do this?

    • State: massachysetts
  3. #3 Czeslawa Stasko says:

    I have been dealing with my high beams coming on and blinding other cars.they had it in the shop for a week this time the car has been brought 5 times for same thing and I took the car back cuz they told me to pick it up cuz they said they couldn’t find the problem.I got it back and the next day started again.They said it’s not a issue. Plus dash board lights came on 3 times already and car shskes,sometimes can’t shut car off and they already replaced the started the car is a 2018. Someone help

    • State: Ma
  4. #4 LemonLaw says:

    @Czeslawa: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out the information on your claim. We will be glad to discuss your situation and determine if and how we can help.

    • #5 LemonLaw says:

      @Karen: Give us a call at 800 536 6652 to discuss the situation and how we can help.

      • #6 Marie Doherty says:

        When driving my 2018 CRV it smelling like Corbin monoxide in the truck. I need the problem to be fixed, if an accident occur’s. I have reached out to Honda dealership and related my concerns. Considering all the great reviews on Honda vehicles, I’m surprised of the issue’s that are accruing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, to solve the issue.
        Thanks
        Marie Doherty

        • State: New York
      • #7 Karen Castillo says:

        I’ve notice my gas don’t last as much as it suppose to last. I have to put gas every 3 days. It’s ridiculous the amount of money I spend in gas.

        • State: NJ
      • #8 LemonLaw says:

        @Marie: Once you have four repair records, please contact us at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1 800 536 6652) to discuss your rights and how we can help.

        • #9 Camp Lo says:

          Ive personally rode with my family in a 2017 CRV and had minor issues the whole way, such as Head Lights not functioning properly, could smell the engine the whole way.

          • State: texas
        • #10 Dave says:

          The 2019 crv did they fix the gasoline oil problems.

          • #11 ELVIS GHAW says:

            Then what about the accord. Same engine and I smell gas too.

            • State: NY
          • #12 James Spencer says:

            Purchased a 2019 Honda CVR EX, After sitting 2 days battery is Dead, Dealership put in a new battery after 2 days battery dead, Dealership fails to acknowledge a problem with Honda CVR but there are numerous post on the internet having the same issue.

            • State: New York
          • #13 Teresa Allen says:

            I sure honda fixes there problems I honda person plan get crv but don’t want the oil problems I work so needcar run think maybe wait unroll 2020

            • State: Pa
          • #14 michael faone says:

            I Own A 2017 Honda CRV Touring With The 1.5 Turbo And I Have Oil Mixing In My Gas And Honda Will NOT Do Anything About It So It’s Like Saying Goodbye To $34,000 Thousand Dollars So It’s Time For HONDA To Pay Up NOW…

            • State: NJ
          • #15 Tina says:

            AVOID ALL 5th generation Honda CRV. The oil dilution is a direct injection engine problem NOT a turbo problem. Which means even the LX non turbo model can and does get dilution. Honda will NOT help you if you get dilution. They will deny its a problem, they will lie to you, they will mistreat you, they will bully you. They will drive you crazy and not help you. They did the software update to my CRV in January 2019 and that day I lost the heat in my CRV. I took it back they told me that the vehicle was operating as designed and gave me this crap saying its a small engine not designed to produce much heat. Funny it had heat for SIX MONTHS prior to their update. 6 weeks later the engine started rapping and the engine had severe oil dilution. Rancid gasoline fumes coming into the cabin of the vehicle causing me to become sick. If you value your life and your sanity DO NOT GET THIS VEHICLE!!!!!!!!

            • State: Massachusetts
          • #16 James O’Connor says:

            Have a new 2019 Honda CRV ESL for about two weeks. Approximately 800 miles. Yesterday the car was parked for about two and one half hours and it wouldn’t start. Battery was dead. Brought it to TARRYTOWN HONDA where we purchased it. They said that They couldn’t replace the battery until it stops working at least one more time. They will replace it next time. We Also informed them that we noticed a strong fuel type odor in the passenger cabin. We asked if that was because it’s a new car. They looked at each other and said they didn’t notice anything but they would check. Now i realize that this is an ongoing. Problem but they never admitted it, in fact they denied any prior complaints. And they said there were no recalls or problems with this car I am very concerned that I just purchased a lemon of a car and a very expensive nightmare. Help!

            • State: N.Y
          • #17 Mackie says:

            Does anyone know if there is an issue with the wheel bearings in a 2017 Honda CRV

            • State: Massachusetts
          • #18 Maria Calderin says:

            I have taken my car in a couple of times for the same issue with oil and mixing they said they fixed but it’s still happening . They also said it was normal for the oil and gas to mix I’m not stupid i know it’s not .I have the Honda 2018 crv EXL. I’m tired of the run around. I’m disabled and use a scooter lift on my truck in order to get around. The dealer would deny that was anything wrong. Telling me it’s the gas i use or I’m taking to many short trips. When I took it in for one of those smells of gas they said they didn’t find anything they put sone kind of perfume like product that was coming out of my ac vents it was horrible . I’m tired of this I need this taken care of.

            • State: Florida
          • #19 Tom Lovelace says:

            We are looking to purchase a New 2019 CRV-EX this week. After reading some of these reviews does anyone know if the “Oil in the gas” problem has been fixed?
            Thank You.

            • State: NY
          • #20 Fasil says:

            I buy 2017 Honda CR-V 1.5l turbo engine the car has oil and fuel mix, I try to change two three times but still the same fainally I park the car I can’t do nothing, if any body got a solution pls let me know, and I recomand the person don’t buy this car. Thanks

            • State: Pa
          • #21 Jianfeng says:

            I buy 2019 Honda CR-V 1.5l turbo engine the car has oil and fuel mix too

            • State: Ny
          • #22 LemonLaw says:

            @Jianfeng: if you are back four times for this issue in New York, please contact us at 800 536 6652.

            • #23 Debbie Paladino says:

              I had a strong odor in my car so bad I had to open the windows then it went away so I thought it might have been the other cars near me then I read about the oil delusion problem when I contacted my service manager he told me my vin # was not involved in this problem however I contacted Honda and they told me my vin # was a problem and gave me a case # I need to take my car back to to have it checked out I have a 2017 cry with 45000 miles

              • State: Pennsylvania
            • #24 Shailesh Mittal says:

              Hi all:
              Yes I am also researching for the same problem which I faced in my Honda CR-V touring model 4×4. I smell a gas odor yesterday and it was so strong that me and my dad who was sitting in the car had to open the window. I have scheduled my car for this problem to Honda dealer.
              One more thing I noticed as today after parking the car in rainy weather I noticed the rainbow color water near my front wheels . I think this shows that some oil is definitely leaking and coming out with the rain water.

              • State: Maryland
            • #25 LemonLaw says:

              @Shaiesh: Once you are back 4 or more times for this issue, please give us a call at 800 536 6652 to discuss your rights.

              • #26 Dave says:

                Do not buy a 2016 or later model honda. The vehicle is not produced well and Honda is having many defects that they are not addressing. The oil/fuel mixing is causing damage to the engine and the fumes caused are not only dangerous they are carcinogenic. Yes, the fuel/oil seepage in the engine compartment is causing fumes in the passenger cabin. Fuel and oil fumes are known carcinogens. Honda also uses a cvt transmissions which has additional issues. The Hondas are dangerous. If you have purchased one and are having issues make sure you document and record your conversations with the dealership and maintainers at the dealership. Then get legal representation. Each new Honda makes at least $15,000.00 profit per vehicle produced and sold.

                • State: DE

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