2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid with approximately 91,000 miles. Vehicle is less than two years old, has received all required maintenance and mileage is predominantly highway driving. I experienced intermittent chugging/rough engine operation, particularly when the gasoline engine engaged at light throttle. There was no check-engine light. The vehicle subsequently displayed: “POWER REDUCED - Shutter grille system problem. Power may be reduced. See your dealer.” I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. According to the technician's written diagnostic notes, no diagnostic trouble codes were present. During inspection, however, the technician found the engine coolant level low. The spark plugs were removed and the cylinders inspected. The technician found coolant leaking into cylinder #4, which was documented by borescope photograph. Honda authorized replacement of the cylinder-head gasket. My safety concern is that an internal coolant leak/head-gasket failure was present without a check-engine light or stored diagnostic trouble code, and the vehicle ultimately displayed a warning that power could be reduced. I am concerned that this condition could potentially result in unexpected reduced propulsion or overheating while driving. American Honda has also issued Service Bulletin 26-088, Product Update: 2023-26 CR-V Hybrid PGM-FI Software Update, dated August 7, 2026. Honda states that the update was developed “to better manage engine temperatures” by optimizing electric water pump operation. My Honda dealer has advised that the applicable campaign update will be performed on my vehicle. I am not alleging that the software condition caused my head-gasket failure, but I believe NHTSA should evaluate whether internal coolant leakage/head-gasket failures in these vehicles can occur without an appropriate engine warning or stored DTC and whether the condition could result in reduced power, overheating, or loss of propulsion while driving.

On 1/21/25 I had multiple warning lights appear while driving along the highway @ 60 mph. The error messaging included “transmission failure, loss of power, emissions control…”. I had not seen alerts prior to this incident, and was not aware of changes in performance other than a recent, minor, decrease in fuel efficiency. Fortunately, I was able to safely exit the freeway & park in a nearby shopping center. My vehicle was towed to the local dealer, Marin Honda. After a week of evaluation, and consulting with Honda America tech support, the dealer reports difficulty isolating the problem and determining appropriate repair. At this time a cracked piston has been identified, and the plan is for a technician to use a barescope to evaluate the cylinder for damage, and the potential need to replace the engine. I am concerned that multiple owners of this model & year have reported the same problem, including loss of power while traveling at high speed (see CRV Owners Club) Their vehicles were also determined to have cracked pistons, with and without cylinder damage. It has also been noted that when the fuel injector remains open it may be a contributing factor to a cracked piston. Could this be relevant to the current recall issued for the fuel pump on the 2024 CRV? Whatever the cause, the potential for catastrophic engine failure places drivers and their passengers, as well as other drivers, at great risk of a serious accident.

When starting the vehicle engine shakes and rattles, when motor is idling and charging the EV battery and also when going from EV to Gas and Gas to EV engine shakes and rattles. When accelerating the engine shakes and rattles. Engine feels sluggish and a loud ticking noise can be heard. Seems the engine is struggling and accelerating it feels the engine rocks back and forth. When transmission is changing gears I also feel the engine rock back and forth.

Fuel Injectors failed on all 4 cylinders. They replaced them, still having issue. Blown head gasket was what they diagnosed next and repaired. Picked up vehicle, when driving it down the interstate (70 mph speed limit) the check engine light started flashing. An error came up indicating a Critical Failure. Vehicle stopped accelerating and would not move, luckily I was able to coast to the emergency lane. American Honda states they want to replace the cylinder head now.

Car was parked on flat ground, and I turned on the car and put it into reverse. The reverse sound started and the reverse camera displayed on the screen as normal, but when I pressed the accelerator, the car drove forward instead of back. I put the car in park then back to Reverse, but the same thing happened. I turned the car off, then started again, and after that it reversed normally again.