Honda CR-V sunroof care

The CR-V's signature is a soaked footwell from a clogged sunroof drain, with one catch: the right-front drain empties into the same area as the cowl, so a sunroof-drain leak and a cowl leak look identical.

Honda CR-V, Gen 5 (2017-2022).

Clogged drains

Four corner drains; the tubes are a slip fit with no clamp, so they clog and can also slip off their fittings. Fronts run down the A-pillars and exit behind the front wheels; rears run down the C-pillars. The passenger-side front drain is awkward to reach (it sits behind the heater box). Clear gently with a soft brush and confirm with water. Honda opened an internal data-collection request, AER19020, on 2018-2019 CR-V roof-area water.

Sunroof Drain Cleaning Tool (10 ft)Soft and flexible, sized for the drain tubes.

View tool

When it is not the sunroof

• Cowl / plenum drain. Because the right-front drain dumps into the plenum, leaves there mimic a sunroof leak exactly. The passenger-side cowl drain is a small hole near the fender weld, often hidden by grime.
• A/C condensate drain. Wet floor with A/C use, not rain.
• Windshield bond / door vapor barrier. Both surface at the A-pillar or door sill.