USED Honda CR-V (2nd-gen) - The common problems and should you buy one? | ReDriven used car review

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Yes, we know it's one of the most boring cars in the most boring category, but there's plenty to love about the 2nd-gen Honda CR-V. Great practicality, great value for money, and excellent reliability, if it the one to get if you're after a budget SUV? Watch to find out.
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Skip ahead:
00:00​​​​​​​ - Intro
00:15 - What is it?
03:16 - How's the interior?
08:46 - What's it like to drive?
10:08 - Safety
10:47 - What goes wrong?
15:18 - Should you buy it?
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Used car buyer's guide here 👉 • ULTIMATE used car buye...
Cheat Sheet here 👉 redriven.com/cheat-sheets/use...
#honda #hondacrv #crv #suv #review #carreview #carexpert #suv review #australiancarreviews #4x4 #offroad #offroad4x4
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[@ReDriven]

Need finance for your next car? Get personalised deals and pre-approval in MINUTES! PLUS, get a $150 fuel voucher when you settle your loan bit.ly/3EX7yh7

[@jackmehoff1840]

My nan loves her CRV, she is Italian and therefore never wrong

[@markmcgrath9098]

This a universal truth, probably of all grandmothers.

[@NightmareDealer]

No interest in buying this car but I can’t stop watching these vids. You guys are going great, love it 🍻

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much mate!

[@ben7020]

I had this model, excellent car. I had the previous shape, also excellent.

[@heinschwartz7941]

My wife and I took one of these around Namibia and Botswana in 2023. Almost 15000km of mostly offroad and sand - no drama’s and really easy to live with. Came back to Oz and bought one 👍

[@andrewd7586]

Adam I bought my mates 2nd hand 2003 CRV Sport (at trade price!🤭). He & his wife had it from new. Serviced its entire life with Honda I bought it with almost 200,000km on it for my then teenage kids to learn in. I only sold it some two years ago to my daughters boyfriend. It’s now nudging around 300,000km & doesn’t leak a drop of oil. I had only two issues with it. A left hand rear wheel bearing & the indicator stalk which I got dirt cheap from a Honda wrecker & fitted myself. I still say to my kids & daughter’s boyfriend, it was one of the best cars I’ve owned. For practicality, yep loved that picnic table, the fold down console & ease to drive & live with, a bloody fantastic little runabout!👍🏼😎

[@justjoe8303]

My wife had one of these for 12 years, sports version with cruise, sunroof and colour coded exterior. It was the best car we have ever owned. The auto gearbox was replaced under warranty due to a torque converter fault, but apart from that, the only things that were replaced were tyres, brake pads and rear struts. We traded it in with 249000kms on it and it still never used a drop of oil between 10000km service intervals. We found it very comfortable and loved driving it. They don't make them like that anymore.

[@Carpysi-zz8ge]

At last, some gen 2 CRV love.

[@TomCramond]

An unbelievable car. My 2006 Sport model has a sunroof, leather seats, heated seats and a TON of space in the front and the back. People are always amazed that it's nearly 20 years when they get in. I bloody love it!

[@ChoccyThunder117]

I've been waiting for this video, finally! My '04 CRV is still going good at 313,000km. Very reliable.

[@brucenicolle4019]

Haha, no wonder you were throwing out the ash tray and pulling out the side light. Great video, we had a 1st Gen CRV, it also had the column auto, table and cup holders in the front and of course the picnic table. 🙂

[@kalemuncher9425]

Got a 3rd gen CRV myself and honestly these cars are utterly fantastic, cute trick they have too is that you can remove the headrests in the front seats and fold them down flat into the rear seats to make a psuedo flat chair/bed. Excellent little car

[@lachlannicholls827]

Just replaced the original clutch on mine after 340,000 k's. Never had a single mechanical fault & it's a great drive in a manual. Sooo much practicality (looks better with body coloured bumper). Way better imo than the bloated practicality compromising curves of todays designs.

[@mattdebyl8806]

Knew it had to be yours AK. You’d never treat another person’s car like that. What a little nugget. These things are great! Much contemplated that these are the perfect 5th or 10th car for car enthusiasts that just need a nugget that does everything with little care.

[@siddhantchitre6817]

Mine is going strong at 380K kms! @redriven, I started following your channel because you guys talked sense and told the truth about all cars without bias. Seeing that you personally own and drive the CRV, I now have more respect for you👍 You guys are doing a great job. Keep it up!

[@YuryYav]

These were the true “SUV”. Pity they don’t make them like that any longer.

[@rickylo880911]

I’ve been waiting for this video haha. Had a 2006 Sport in Cosmic Grey (best colour for the CR-V/CL9 imo) with a 5 speed manual transmission and full leather interior. It was clean. Learned how to drive manual in it, unfortunately got hit by a roo and totalled it after only a month of owning it. I didn’t have the funds to fix it :( I miss it so much so I did what any normal person would do. I went and got another one! This time a 2005 in Silver, also with a 5 speed manual transmission. It has been my daily for almost a year now. It has been reliable to say the least. With almost 300,000km on the odometer now and the K24 is still going strong. The only things that break for me are the light bulbs lol. Recently had to replace the A/C compressor tho.

[@HorsePerfect]

Fantastic review! I love my CRV for so many reasons mentioned in this video! Had a oil leak when we first got it and it was a $3 part that fixed it completely. Reliable and practical. The fact that you ended up buying it is legendary!

[@dedanmunyao9981]

I've been waiting for this review for a while. Glad to see it here. Congratulations on your purchase. It's a fantastic choice.

[@nagisaian]

Who ever decided to add a picnic table was a genius

[@ppppw2]

If anyone asks "What car should i get?!" the answer is always CRV

[@damilolaakanni]

In my side of the world, the answer is always "Corolla". They're everywhere here, and despite prices of used ones going up constantly, people are still buying them.

[@ppppw2]

Very true, but we would then say "RAV4" in Australia people want some more space in cars, hence why our car market is literally 70% SUVs@@damilolaakanni

[@hughgreen7826]

We want SUVs because our roads are crap😂

[@ppppw2]

​@@hughgreen7826 Thats exactly why i have a SUV here in Sydney​

[@RichieRouge206]

Great video guys, love the film ditty for the safety part! The CR-V is hugely popular here in the UK and having driven one I can easily see why!

[@davidarter9670]

Great Car! I’m delighted you are happy with it 1

[@Sable_Street_Studio]

I bought an 04 CR V sport model last year. Love the car, the 90s interior and all its quirks. Had the same experience as you with the interior, looks amazing for its age. So practical and cheap to service too. Took a lot of searching and waiting as they aren't as common here in South Africa. My only regret is not waiting for an 05 or 06 but the one I bought was in too good condition not to grab it! Great vid, makes me love my CR V even more now! haha

[@danmccarthy4700]

Man, I am so envious that you're in the middle of summer right now.

[@georgepappas4628]

Yep, 34 degrees tomorrow and off to the beach ⛱️

[@gadzmustbecrazy]

Love the video. I'm proud of my 2003 CRV. It still got less than 170,000km till now. My dad bought it in 2014.

[@ASCOMlodge]

Bloody awesome, Adam. I bought an 02 during COVID lockdown and it's been great, as you say, so practical. I've made mine a bit more fun with BC Racing coilovers,lowered about 3 inches and 19x8 wheels and 245/40 tyres. And it's a manual. Good little donkey!

[@partsbinaudi1335]

My partner drove one for a while, from roughly 200,000 to 260,000, I did all the maintenance. This thing was neglected, not serviced (it did 30,000km on an oil change before I picked up on it), and the motor was very strong, however all the shock absorbers, thermo fans, radiator, intake air hose, ball joints and tie rods were all screwed. It had a slow coolant leak after to add to that, very noisy a/c compressor, quite heavy on fuel and major oil leaks from engine. I would definitely recommend a good example, but a crap one will be mechanically totalled in parts and labour costs to get it up to scratch.

[@nicholasgenethliou6281]

I've been waiting for this one! Love mine, such a reliable and practical car.

[@paulie2476]

Massive respect to the lawnmower hovering in the background at the start !

[@Ageratos01]

Nice video, what's the fuel economy like? Keen to know I'm looking at one of these.

[@austinado16]

Great video, and always fun to see a model from another country! I just purchased a dead '05 EX with manual 5spd transmission 7 months ago. I paid $1,200 for it. 271,000mi on it at the time of purchase, 1 owner. It had been sitting for 3yrs due to a failed starter. It cost $16 for a starter rebuild kit on Amaz 0n. I can do my own wrench spinning, so I did all the service work to it, had the broken windshield replaced, then had the roof and bonnet/hood repainted. I love the silly thing, and I think it's the best car I've every owned. It's a good idea to adjust the valves on them, because the exhaust valves tend to loose their adjustment gap, and then you risk having a valve burning because it doesn't cool well. Mine were all tight. They're prone to the front bushing in the lower front control arms being torn away, and the bushings in the upper rear adjustable tie rods being compressed sideways. These 2 issues create tire alignment issues, and the front control arms will clunk and pop as you make a turn in and out of a driveway ramp. Both are easily replaced, and then have a 4 wheel alignment done. Having a quality set of shocks on them will return the ride to being very nice, so spend up on good shocks. It's worth the extra. They'll run better if you put a can of SeaFoam in the fuel tank, and let that clean the injectors and the backs of the intake valves. Not a bad idea to do this once a year. I purchased mine solely as a road trip tool, and it's been absolutely fantastic.

[@kiz5562]

Nice looking Blobeye Subie at 15:34 . You guys might have to do one of those next time, or a Bugeye one.

[@abcbcd1834]

Great review. Considering getting one of these for my parents to replace (or pair with) their 1st gen RAV4. I'd love to see you guys review one of those as well - 2L manual petrol if possible but maybe that's wishful thinking lol. Love your channel

[@mphosekhesa]

Finally, been looking forward to this one

[@QUIKCaspa]

Looking forward to this shit box? these cars look like a dogs breakfast, I see them on the road and just think they are broke people ☠☠

[@juanandresrojassarmiento7822]

Hey Adam, I love your videos I think that you make one of the best formats of videos. You Should do a Nissan Murano I don’t how good it is?

[@ardyaprilianta9732]

Please do a used car review on CX9 2016-2023 version

[@kataboscongo5064]

Just bought one 04 model two months ago with 29000 kms on in almost new condition drives really good very practical vehicle love it

[@carpediemvisuals]

damn, im so happy you guys did this! i asked for this several videos back!🔥🔥🔥

[@ReDriven]

You’re welcome!

[@daztography1]

Because of this video, I’m picking up an 05 model this week, such cool cars.

[@ayyvee5757]

Great review. How many L/100ks do you get ?

[@user-du2xi2ze8s]

Please do a review on the underrated Mitsubishi 380. I’ve had mine for 15 years and it’s still going strong. 💪🏾

[@MrBYG]

Great video ! I also personally own this gen CRV because they are gems ! Huge Fan.

[@muscle_car_guy2338]

These being a suv but having the K24 will definitely make the drive better if they have a ecu reflash by Ktune

[@douglasford4454]

One of the best reviews yet - will definitely look out for one, even if it looks a bit of a dog's dinner - THANKS MATE

[@mds2465]

I have an 05 with a stick shift! I love it! They were manufactured in Japan and the UK as well. Mine was manufactured in the UK. Difference is the UK cars had the same style wheels as this car does and they also had the beige interior among other things. The ones with the dark interior and the wider spoke rims were manufactured in Japan.

[@BoostinC36]

Bought a 2010 sport with the 2.4 3rd generation with just over 200k. Under $7k. It's fantastic. The only thing we miss vs a more modern car is the lack of infotainment and reversing camera but easy to sort after market.

[@chuckman000007]

I love my CRV, it can go a lot of places you think it couldn't go and it has everything i need including heated seats, sunroof and even automatic climate control with an automatic gearbox. I just passed 370000 km and still going strong 💪🏽

[@TwistedDonners]

Honestly a surprise pick for a review car but a definitely a good one none the less. Have you named your new bus mate and is she replacing Lola or Winston? For a car of this age I'd still rather one of these over a lot of the competition. Had to laugh at the safety features overview as it was more of a movie trailer than most movies lol. Great job guys and look forward to Sunday's video as per usual and keep up the good work 👍

[@rickstechrepairs]

iv owned a 2002 CRV Sports for about 3 years now, sold my 08 wrx due to raising insurance costs paid $2400 with a rwc, 300,000kms iv since replaced most the cooling side of it, the ac is dead, but for a cheap run about with 3 kids. I have no care of dints or scratches. gets me to a to b and was dirt cheap (third party only insurance) has been a great purchase! especially with its party trick of the table btw: changing the head unit gave those speakers so much more life!

[@paultam544]

Mine one is 170,000 miles last week. You may find under seats storage in some model. Also, there is a little box below the bottom on the right side. A hidden storage and I find out when someone break into my car 2 years ago (nothing being stolen as I never leave anything valuable in car).

[@JustMattyEntertainment]

Great video as always! I think a RAV4 is also a great alternative to a CR-V too

[@garymatten]

I had one of these and it was well over 300,000kms still running like a top. Miss it! Also, please do a review on a volvo XC70 if you get the chance!

[@michaelmendyka7387]

That was one of the best product placements ever :D

[@markoneillandfriends2058]

Miss our 06 model everyday... its still in the family with a neice and will come back home one day. Close to 400k on it by now.

[@coolstar2398]

mine is a 2006 and its been in the family since new. Towed the camper trailer on family getaways and has so much space for moving stuff into Uni rooms.

[@christiansegui5689]

That table is so cool lol

[@riaanmocke3364]

Great choice you made

[@steveorr]

I had a mint condition super low km 04 prefacelift before I got t-boned & written off… best everyday car, insanely reliable and practical, whack on a set of accord sport 17’s and it looks great The rear differential shudder is 99.9% of the time caused by people using cheap aftermarket oil… grab genuine honda diff oil, flush it twice & fill and the problems gone. You can take the headrests off the front seats, move them forward and lay them down flat and they’ll line up with the rear seat perfectly for a makeshift bed (bit uncomfortable for us taller guys but will do for an overnight camp) That cavernous pocket in the console, in Japan/UK it’s a cooler box that the aircon vents into to keep cans cold, I snagged one off eBay and it was awesome Grab some side steps from a wrecker to make it look a bit beefier (and match the nudge bar) That drivers arm rest with the pocket is a genuine accessory, normally they just have the small one like the passenger seat The centre tray drops down with a lever so you can walk through to the back seats (your arm rest pocket blocks the normal access), the cup holders on the centre tray are too shallow for 600ml coke bottles and slurpee cups from 7-11 so there’s a guy on Etsy called CustomCupHolders who makes 3D inserts for them, they work amazingly If you happen to plan on installing eBay special fog light kits for these, the dash switch is the wrong size, so I grabbed a brand new oem switch & connector (never got around to installing before the crash so if you want it come grab it from pyrmont haha) Now I really miss my old crv and carsales searching for another one… thanks a lot AK 😅

[@bestestusername]

We have a 2014 CRV and compared to our territory, well no comparison the Honda quality is stand out. 200 000kms now and it still feels brand new no quibbles or anything. Ours is a 2.0lt fwd so on a diet of 98ron fuel its fine as it drinks only around 7.5lt per 100km even less on long trip.

[@distilledbytime]

That fold out picnic table caught me by surpirse!

[@slugmuffin6935]

Just bought a 2004 last week with 111,000 miles on it, runs really nice paid 4000 for it. watching this makes me feel good about the purchase.

[@Shomanchik]

Canadian here, found a JDM ‘04 with no Canadian rust ❤ the only issue is with drive through coffee shops.

[@Themitch343]

Was wondering what your daily was Adam!

[@jim_jam_dseries]

When I was getting my Civic serviced, I was given one of these as a loan car. It had 492,000 km on it. Obviously, I don't know if the drive line was original but it drove very well and the interior was still in great shape. I need to add one of these to my collection me thinks 😂

[@P_FamilyJAR]

Hahaha the safety voice over 😂😂

[@ben7020]

This hits the target better than any anything else out there. I had one, top top top car

[@ilik258]

I had a white CRV with black leather and it was a nice car. The one thing I didn’t like was the part time AWD which always seemed to spin the front wheels easily. I can’t say I felt the AWD ever engage. Maybe I expected too much as my previous car was a Subaru.

[@Aussiedavid71]

Putting the front seat forward, taking off the headrest, reclining it so its level with the back seat, then reclining the back seat. Apparently its an acceptable sleeping position. Lots of KZbin content on these models.

[@khmediacreation]

love this video can you do one about 3rd gen rav

[@ReDriven]

We whipped this up for you just now kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6C5lY2ueKyYhpY

[@khmediacreation]

Awesome thanks mate, but which one do you think its better tho rav4 or the Honda CR-V as a budget suv@@ReDriven

[@ReDriven]

From a reliability standpoint, you can’t go wrong with either (provided their histories check out). If you’re interested in driving, maybe the CR-V, if you’re going to venture a little further off-road, perhaps the RAV4

[@khmediacreation]

@@ReDriven thanks a lot mate how about as a beginner looking for a first car.

[@daispy101]

That AC issue happens with later models, too. No idea why Honda got rid of the picnic table because that was genius.

[@IBadlyNamed]

Could you guys do a video on a used audi s1? I cant find much on them but theg loom fun!

[@TF23DayRespawn]

2:08 post facelift 2nd gen crv is easily the best looking suv out there and there has not been a single car in existence that has changed my mind on that

[@davidharrison6572]

This was the first car I ever drove. And I still love it

[@tomnewham1269]

Hi Adam. So how long have you owned this car? Also this car looks like it has had an accident on the left side going by the colour difference between the front and rear door.

[@user-jd9bu1oe8g]

I like the size and simplicity.

[@wyatthurts1729]

Wow that’s different and cool you’re own car on here ! I tell everyone that buys a car to the brink of their income, you can get a fantastic car for 10 grand! This is one of them

[@user-qz8ev3jt1x]

I love my 2019 CR-V VTI-S at 74,000kms now what a trooper - Heath my Honda is awesome 👌❤️😎

[@soumithmeka6231]

Hi mate, love your videos, can please make a video on toyota fortuner. Thank you

[@EuroYXX]

Not only the front seats are uncomfortable, they made the passenger seat rail so short, that it manages to be both big and cramped up front at the same time (yes, after moving the front seat all the way backwards). but on the plus side, it's so slow drag racing a city bus becomes a fun, unpredictable and challenging activity...

[@cyklofil7652]

Hi, great video. Im currently torn between crv and a forester both 2nd gen, having experience in both which one would you pick considering my priorities are mostly carrying mountain bikes and skis (which involves driving through mountains, often on snow). I like the subaru for its drivetrain but honda seems to win with touring comfort and reliability. Will be grateful for any input :D

[@dinizec]

my wife asked me why I was watching redriven videos non stop and I ended up having to buy a 20-year-old yaris because I couldnt tell her I just wanted to watch Adam

[@alvinprasad2051]

Love the G SHOCK square ❤

[@JTAN10ABLE]

Nice DW5600 Adam!

[@user-jn2gb2kd2o]

Im looking for my first car. do you guys think these nearly 20 yr old cars are good for a car newbie? or should I just look for a newer crv since I'm not familiar with repairs or knowing whats wrong with a car

[@joelcarterramadge183]

I’d probably buy a V6 Suzuki Grand Vitara for a bit more off road cred, need to see a review of one of them one day!

[@blautens]

I miss my 2003 CR-V so much.

[@ynots0625]

Can I make a suggestion with the ashtrays? Fill them with washing powder so the car always smells fresh like I do? Free air freshener containers.

[@ChatMotorsport]

RUST!! it killed mine, I live in the UK though, I loved mine, thinking of getting another one very soon

[@buster_1972]

We looked at these for my daughter a few year's ago but covid price hurt. Do like them.

[@QUIKCaspa]

I feel sorry for your daughter lmao, get her a 2013 Corolla at least or an older BMW/Mercedes, she will prefer that lmao

[@J_0_3_Y]

That armrest compartment is rare mate - in RHD, specially in the AUDM models👌🏾

[@WebDeveloper-xs4uf]

I see they've weather engineered your skies with sulphates, same grey apperaing all over.

[@oldsparky14]

I bought manual one new in 2005 , my mum owns it now , only probs we have had , where the rear trans oil noise as mentioned and two clutch master cylinders and a starter motor.... Shame Honda don't make them like this , any more

[@bbayrocker]

I miss my CRV, what a gem of a car

[@johnnymartin3846]

Does the rear diff make a noise when it’s needs that new oil?

[@williamstewart3469]

It's so sad that Honda has recently passed away. RIP Honda motor cars.

[@turgs1]

I kid you not I saw the same colour with the same mags on a tow truck within 10 minutes after watching this video I even have a photo of it

[@jeremytai8998]

Can you do a show on second hand hybrid cars?

[@marksweet8740]

I am not a SUV person at all but we owned a 2005 Kia Sportage V6 petrol when we bought it, it had 180 thousand on it we had it for about five years put about 50 thousand on it and apart from usual service costs and a few light bulbs it was rock solid and great build quality and so versitile there was one small problem it had a drinking problem. I think around 2004 to about 20010 maybe was peak SUV when you could use them for what they were designed for. Now they are over priced boring generic rubbish in my opinion.

[@ProductofNZ]

I'd get a Honda Crossroad (2nd gen) over this. It's currently going through a renaissance in Japan with many people modifying them.

[@parko2469]

Can we get a review of the 2018- current Juke?