Has the 2021 Toyota Oil Dilution Issue Been Resolved?
3 Answers
The 2021 Toyota oil dilution issue has been resolved. Honda Dimensions Introduction: The CR-V is a compact SUV under Honda. The dimensions of this vehicle are 4621mm in length, 1855mm in width, 1679mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2661mm. Honda Powertrain Introduction: The CR-V is equipped with two types of engines: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. The model with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine is the hybrid version. The hybrid version's 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine delivers 146 horsepower and a maximum torque of 175 N·m. This engine features Honda's i-VTEC technology and multi-point fuel injection, and it uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine in the CR-V has a maximum power output of 142 kW, with the maximum power achieved at 5600 rpm, and a maximum torque of 243 N·m, available between 2000 to 5000 rpm.
As a Toyota hybrid owner for several years, I believe the 2021 oil dilution issue has been largely resolved. At that time, certain Toyota models like the Camry and RAV4 Hybrid experienced increased oil dilution due to fuel mixing into the engine oil during short-distance driving, which could lead to engine component wear or failure. Toyota responded promptly by issuing a recall program by year-end, primarily offering free software updates to optimize the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Now, the ECU better manages the combustion process to minimize fuel entering the oil. Since my update last year, regular oil checks have shown no recurrence of the issue. I recommend other owners contact dealerships to confirm pending updates and develop a habit of checking the dipstick every three months to ensure oil cleanliness, avoiding long-term short-trip impacts. While some older vehicles might still have residual issues, Toyota's overall handling has been reliable, ensuring safe operation. After all, modern maintenance relying on software upgrades is quite convenient.
I know the engine oil dilution issue was a big deal in 2021. Toyota hybrid engines often had gasoline seeping into the oil due to low temperatures or short trips, thinning it out and causing abnormalities. Toyota rolled out a recall solution at the time, using software to recalibrate the computer program and optimize the hybrid system's operation. Now, the problem is mostly fixed. I usually help friends with car maintenance and don’t see many similar cases—just a quick half-hour system update at the dealership does the trick. Some owners reported stable oil levels with no further dilution after the update. I recommend sticking to regular maintenance and not slacking off, like keeping oil change intervals under 5,000 km to prevent potential risks. Overall, the situation has settled, and Toyota’s follow-up has been solid, making driving much more reassuring.
