The engine issue involves 2017 and 2018 CR-V SUVs with Honda’s latest 1.5-liter turbo engine, according to Consumer Reports. It is not clear how many vehicles in the U.S. might be affected.
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“Honda has received some reports in the United States of irregularly high oil levels in certain 2017-2018 Honda CR-V vehicles equipped with 1.5-liter engines, primarily from the northern areas of the country during extreme cold weather conditions combined with short, intermittent driving,” Martin said in a statement to the News-Sun. “Honda has been investigating the situation and developing a remedy, which we hope to make available through authorized Honda dealers by mid-November 2018, before extreme cold weather returns to many areas of the United States. The enhancement will also be applied to the 2019 CR-V at the factory, prior to the next model year going on sale.”
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The CR-V is assembled in Ohio at Honda’s facilities in East Liberty and Marysville. The company also manufactures the CR-V at sites in Indiana and Canada. The latest sales figures from the company show Honda sold about 281,000 units of the SUV through September, down just about one percent compared to 2017.
“At this time, Honda has no reason to believe that this issue affects the safe operation of a vehicle or results in any U.S. regulatory non-compliance,” Martin said. “We encourage customers with concerns about their individual vehicle to visit their nearest Honda dealer to have their vehicle inspected. The vehicle’s warranty will apply to any related service or repairs.”
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The company may recommend an oil change in some cases if the vehicle’s engine oil remains irregularly high after driving for an extended distance, Martin aid. The company is not changing its recommended vehicle maintenance schedule in relation to the issue.
Area Honda dealerships in Springfield and Beavercreek did not return calls seeking comment on whether local customers have sought repairs for the issue.
Martin said although the company recalled vehicles in China, there are differences between vehicles and engines sold in markets across the world and it takes time for the company to investigate how to identify the best strategy to address issues in each market.
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“We continue to encourage any customer with concerns about their individual vehicle to visit their nearest Honda dealer to have their vehicle inspected,” Martin said. “The vehicle’s warranty will apply for any service or repairs that may be necessary now, and their Honda dealer can assist them further when the remedy is finalized later this fall. Please note that the irregular high oil level condition is not as widespread as some internet chatter may imply, and we want to reassure any concerned customers that we have no reason to believe that it affects the safe operation of a vehicle.”
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