Takata airbag recall check
at any mileage · Medium risk
Signs: Inflators can rupture — many 2000s models were recalled
Fix: Check at the dealer with the VIN (free)
free / recall
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Honda FR-V
2004–2009
2
engines covered
9
known faults
6,982
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Honda FR-V was built from 2004 to 2009.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 9 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is EGR / DPF (N22B): it usually appears at 120,000–220,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 200–250 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (29.9 %), suspension (21.0 %), brakes (12.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: steering.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 / 2.0 i-VTEC (Honda R18A / R20A) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 / 5W-30 · API SN · ~3.5–4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.2 i-CTDi / i-DTEC (Honda N22A / N22B) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA C2 / B4 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Faults by engine
1.8 / 2.0 i-VTEC (Honda R18A / R20A)
Engine / gearbox mounts
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Vibration at idle, clunk
Fix: Replace mounts
€150–400
Valve clearance (tightens on LPG)
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Ticking disappears = valves too tight
Fix: Adjust clearances
€150–300
A/C compressor clutch
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: A/C blows warm
Fix: Replace clutch or compressor
€250–900
2.2 i-CTDi / i-DTEC (Honda N22A / N22B)
Exhaust manifold / studs crack
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Ticking or blowing from the engine front
Fix: Replace manifold / studs
€400–1,000
EGR / DPF (N22B)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: N22B1, N22B2, N22B3, N22B4
Signs: DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Timing chain tensioner (N22A)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
engine codes: N22A1, N22A2
Signs: Rattle on start
Fix: Replace tensioner
€300–700
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.8 / 2.0 i-VTEC (Honda R18A / R20A) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 6,982 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 10.6 % | 11.0 % | 12.3 % | 13.8 % |
| Suspension | 13.8 % | 16.9 % | 21.0 % | 24.7 % |
| Steering | 1.2 % | 1.4 % | 2.0 % | 1.8 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 7.2 % | 8.5 % | 11.5 % | 13.0 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 17.9 % | 24.9 % | 29.9 % | 31.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 3.9 % | 6.4 % | 10.0 % | 11.5 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.3 % | 6.3 % | 7.7 % | 8.0 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,063 cars.
| age (years) | 15–19 | 20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 10.6 % | 9.6 % |
| Suspension | 11.4 % | 12.3 % |
| Steering | 6.7 % | 5.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 17.8 % | 16.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 37.0 % | 30.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.2 % | 3.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 2.7 % | 3.0 % |
Common questions
Does the Honda FR-V have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.8 / 2.0 i-VTEC (Honda R18A / R20A): chain; 2.2 i-CTDi / i-DTEC (Honda N22A / N22B): chain.
What are the known problems with the Honda FR-V?
The faults with the highest risk: EGR / DPF (N22B) (120,000–220,000 km, €300–1,500); exhaust manifold / studs crack (100,000–220,000 km, €400–1,000); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Honda FR-V most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 200–250 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (29.9 %), suspension (21.0 %), brakes (12.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: steering.
What should you check when buying a used Honda FR-V?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: DPF light; ticking or blowing from the engine front. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Honda Civic VIII 2006–2011Honda CR-V III 2007–2012Honda CR-V II 2002–2006Honda Accord VII 2003–2008Honda Accord VIII 2008–2015
Other Honda models
Honda Civic VII 2001–2005Honda Jazz I 2001–2008Honda Jazz II 2008–2015Honda HR-V I 1999–2006Honda Insight (ZE2) 2009–2014
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026