2017-2022 Honda CR-V Cylinder Head Gasket Warranty Extension

Honda has issued Service Bulletin 26-016, Version 3, dated September 25, 2026, to inform owners and technicians about a warranty extension for the cylinder head gasket on 2017-2022 CR-V vehicles. This bulletin supersedes Version 2 and revises previous information regarding background, warranty details, required materials, tools, and repair procedures. The Honda CR-V cylinder head gasket issue is a significant concern for owners.

Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket in these vehicles may become less effective, leading to various engine problems. To ensure customer satisfaction and confidence, American Honda is extending the warranty for the cylinder head gasket, related to this condition, to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Symptoms of a Failing Cylinder Head Gasket

Owners of affected 2017-2022 Honda CR-V models might experience several noticeable symptoms due to a compromised cylinder head gasket. These include engine overheating, unexplained coolant loss, and engine misfire. In some cases, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected), P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected), and P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected) may be stored in the vehicle's computer system. It's important to note that these DTCs are not strictly required for a repair under this warranty extension.

Extended Warranty Coverage Details

This warranty extension for the Honda CR-V cylinder head gasket is a significant benefit for owners. It covers the cylinder head gasket for 10 years from the original purchase date or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Crucially, this extension applies to any vehicle, regardless of whether it has been declared a total loss, sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded or similar title under any state's law. This ensures broad coverage for eligible vehicles. Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign, but it is recommended to do an iN VIN status inquiry to confirm eligibility.

Diagnosis and Repair Decision Process

When a 2017-2022 Honda CR-V exhibits symptoms related to the cylinder head gasket, technicians follow a specific diagnostic procedure. This involves checking for coolant leaks, running an ALL DTC check with i-HDS (though an ALL DTC check result with or without DTCs P0300 through P0304 are acceptable), and inspecting the cylinder head and engine block for warpage using a borescope. The inspection process determines the necessary repair:

• Repair Procedure #1 (Head Gasket Only): If no warpage is found on either the cylinder head or engine block, only the cylinder head gasket is replaced. This operation is identified as 1105E2 with a flat rate time of 13.2 hours, defect code 6H200, symptom code XPB00, and template ID A26016A.
• Repair Procedure #2 (Head Gasket and Cylinder Head Replacement): If the cylinder head is warped but the engine block is not, both the cylinder head gasket and the cylinder head are replaced. This operation is identified as 1105E3 with a flat rate time of 13.7 hours, defect code 6H200, symptom code XPB00, and template ID A26016B.
• Repair Procedure #3 (Head Gasket and Short Block Replacement): If the engine block is warped but the cylinder head is not, the cylinder head gasket and the engine short block are replaced. For FWD models, this is 1105E4 with 15.1 hours (A26016C); for AWD models, it's 1105E4 with 15.5 hours (A26016D).
• Repair Procedures #3 then #2 (Short Block and Cylinder Head Replacement): If both the cylinder head and engine block are warped, the short block is replaced first, followed by the cylinder head. For FWD models, this is 1105E5 with 15.2 hours (A26016E); for AWD models, it's 1105E5 with 15.6 hours (A26016F).

Warranty Claim Documentation

To ensure a valid warranty claim for the Honda CR-V cylinder head gasket repair, specific documentation must be submitted in PDF format:

• An ALL DTC Check printout from step 2 of the inspection procedure. Note that an ALL DTC check result with or without DTCs P0300 through P0304 is acceptable.
• A borescope image from Step 9.3 (Page 8) that clearly shows the VIN, Repair Order Number, Date, and Engine Number, along with coolant on the cylinder wall. Claims submitted without this image will be denied.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair process for the Honda CR-V cylinder head gasket involves several detailed steps, depending on the extent of the damage. Here's a high-level overview:

1. Initial Inspection: Begin with a cold engine. Perform an ALL DTC Check using i-HDS. Remove the radiator cap, top off coolant if low, and install a cooling system pressure tester. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature (cooling fan cycling on or ECT1 at 194°F [90°C]). Check cooling system pressure; if below 18 psi, bring it to 18 psi. Remove spark plugs and use a borescope (such as the Snap-on BK5600Dual55 or equivalent with a 90° camera) to inspect all cylinders for coolant leaks at the head gasket.
2. Cylinder Head Removal: Relieve fuel pressure and disconnect the 12-volt battery. Remove the cylinder head by following specific steps outlined in the