Honda Stream RN1-5: common faults & what to check
The RN1-5 is the Honda Stream built 2000–2006. It was sold here with the 1.7 petrol and 2.0 petrol. Of the 22 faults documented for the Stream, 12 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.
Check this exact Honda Stream
- Odometer history
- Money owing
- Reported stolen
- Ownership history
22
Critical
$300–$950
21
You're looking at the RN1-5
Now narrow it to the engine
A 2000 Honda Stream is the RN1-5 generation (2000 to 2006).
Start your free check on this Honda Stream
Pick the engine above first: the Stream came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine
Can't confirm for this car
Honda Stream · 2000
Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.
Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.
- No engine is recorded for this vehicle.
matched on year only
What to look out for
Costly issue
Inspect the boot for splitting.
Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear
Front lower arm ball joints wear causing clunking over bumps.
What you would notice
Costly issue
Check for pulling under braking.
Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure
Front brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.
What you would notice
Costly issue
Scan for EPS fault codes.
Electric Power Steering Column Motor Failure
The Honda Stream RN1/RN6 electric power steering column motor can develop a fault causing a sudden or gradual loss of power assistance accompanied by an EPS warning light on the instrument cluster. The failure is most common on high-mileage examples and typically requires replacement of the EPS column unit, which involves removal of the steering column assembly.
What you would notice
Common issue
Inspect rear trailing arm bushes for cracking.
Rear Trailing Arm Bush Collapse
Rear trailing arm bushes harden and collapse causing rear knocking and imprecision.
What you would notice
Honda Stream service schedule
Honda Stream First Generation · 2000–2003 · 1.7L D17A VTEC (FWD)
Due by distance
- 150,000 km
Suspension bushings may show signs of perishing here; expect a slightly firmer ride if they haven't been refreshed.
- 200,000 km
The original radiator may start showing brittle plastic end-tanks, suggesting a proactive cooling system check.
- 250,000 km
The VTEC solenoid gaskets may develop minor weeping in this range; keep an eye on oil levels.
Honda Stream First Generation · 2000–2006 · 2.0L K20A i-VTEC (FWD)
Due by distance
- 150,000 km
Refresh the spark plugs to maintain that characteristic i-VTEC efficiency.
- 200,000 km
Review the engine mounts' health to keep the K20A running vibration-free.
- 250,000 km
Radiator health should be monitored here to prevent cooling system surprises during summer road trips.
See all 12 issues for this one
Electrical
01Electric Power Steering Column Motor Failure
The Honda Stream RN1/RN6 electric power steering column motor can develop a fault causing a sudden or gradual loss of power assistance accompanied by an EPS warning light on the instrument cluster. The failure is most common on high-mileage examples and typically requires replacement of the EPS column unit, which involves removal of the steering column assembly.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior
02Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear
Front lower arm ball joints wear causing clunking over bumps.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure
Front brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
04Rear Trailing Arm Bush Collapse
Rear trailing arm bushes harden and collapse causing rear knocking and imprecision.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Depends on the exact engine — 8 more
Engine, transmission & cooling
01Head gasket failure and overheating (1.7 D17)
Can't confirm for this car02Automatic transmission slipping and harsh shifts (K20A 5AT / D17 4AT)
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
First-generation Streams use Honda's early-2000s automatic transmissions (5-speed behind the 2.0 K20A, 4-speed behind the 1.7), from the same family that gave Honda a poor automatic reputation in this era. Worn clutch packs and blocked internal filters cause flaring between 2nd and 3rd, harsh downshifts, judder at light throttle and eventually total failure. Fluid condition is everything: burnt, dark ATF or use of non-Honda fluid means the box is living on borrowed time. A rebuild or good used JDM transmission is the usual fix — often uneconomic on a cheap Stream.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03Oil consumption and throttle body / EGR contamination (D17)
Can't confirm for this car04K20A Hydraulic Timing Chain Tensioner Wear
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
The K20A uses a hydraulic timing chain tensioner that depends on oil pressure to maintain chain tension. When engine oil is degraded or intervals are extended, the tensioner bleeds down overnight and takes several seconds to repressurize at startup. Prolonged operation in this state causes accelerated chain and guide wear, and in severe cases the chain can jump a tooth and alter valve timing, causing a no-start or bent valves.
Example of the part — not this vehicleThe front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
05D17A Radiator Plastic End-Tank Cracking
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
The D17A-equipped Stream uses an aluminium-core radiator with injection-moulded plastic side tanks crimped onto the core. Repeated thermal cycling causes the plastic to embrittle and crack at the seam, resulting in sudden coolant loss. The failure can be gradual (weeping white deposits) or catastrophic, leading to rapid overheating if not caught early.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
065-Speed Automatic Torque Converter Shudder
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
The Honda SKGA/MPXA 5-speed automatic fitted to Stream models is sensitive to ATF condition. As the fluid degrades, the torque converter lock-up clutch shudders on light throttle at highway cruising speeds (typically 60–100 km/h), producing a vibration mistaken for a rough road surface. In neglected transmissions, the friction material debris circulates and causes solenoid sticking and harsh gear hunting.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA torque converter, sectioned. The lock-up clutch inside is what shudders.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Electrical
01K20A Oil Pressure Sensor Failure and Low Oil Pressure Warning
Can't confirm for this car
Can't confirm for this car
The K20A 2.0 VTEC oil pressure sensor on the RN1/RN3 Stream develops a fault or leaks causing a false low oil pressure warning on the instrument cluster. However, the warning must always be treated as genuine until the sensor is confirmed faulty by a technician, as real oil pressure loss causes rapid engine damage.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Other Honda Stream engines and years
Engine, transmission & cooling
01R18A Timing Chain Guide Wear & Rattle
Does not apply02R18A High-Mileage Piston Ring Oil Consumption
Does not apply03R18A VTC Actuator Cold Start Rattle
Does not apply04Neglected valve clearance adjustment — ticking and burnt exhaust valves (R18A/R20A)
Does not apply
Does not apply
The R18A 1.8 and R20A 2.0 use solid (screw-adjust) valve lash with no hydraulic lifters, so clearances must be checked and adjusted periodically — a service most JDM imports have never had. Loose clearances cause a distinct top-end ticking; tight exhaust clearances are silent but burn the valves, causing misfires, low compression and an expensive head job. The R-series is otherwise reliable, so this cheap maintenance item is the main thing separating good engines from problem ones at high mileage.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
05Worn engine mounts causing vibration in Drive (RN6-RN9)
Does not apply
Does not apply
Second-generation Streams commonly wear out their hydraulic engine mounts — particularly the right-hand lower and front torque mounts — by 120,000-180,000 km. The symptom is a coarse vibration through the cabin at idle in Drive that smooths out in Neutral, plus clunks on take-off and when shifting between R and D. It won't strand you, but worn mounts accelerate wear on exhaust joints and other mounts. Parts are aftermarket-available in NZ and it's a straightforward workshop job.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
06R18A Throttle Body Carbon Fouling
Does not apply
Does not apply
Throttle body butterfly and bore accumulate carbon from crankcase vapours causing rough idle and hesitation on RN6/RN8 examples.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Electrical
01ECM/PCM internal faults — stalling and 2,000 rpm limp mode (P2610, P0606)
Does not apply
Does not apply
RN6-generation Streams are known for ECU-related faults logging P0606 (ECM/PCM processor) and P2610 (engine-off timer) codes. The engine may stall, refuse to rev past about 2,000 rpm, or throw the check-engine light intermittently. Sometimes the cause is corroded ECM connectors or wiring rather than the unit itself, so diagnosis matters before buying parts. A used JDM ECU plus coding is the usual economic fix in NZ. The car can become undriveable when it acts up, so treat an active check-engine light seriously.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
02Power Sliding Door Cable Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
Stream power sliding door cables fray at guide pulleys causing slow or stuck door operation. Common on RN6/RN8 examples.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03Power Mirror Control Module Fold Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The power door mirror control module on RN6 Stream models is prone to internal relay contact corrosion and printed circuit board degradation, causing intermittent or complete loss of the electric mirror folding function. Affected vehicles present with mirrors that refuse to fold or unfold on command, fold only partially, fold asymmetrically with one side responding and one not, or fold spontaneously without any command input while driving. Moisture ingress into the module housing accelerates relay contact pitting. In most cases the fold motors within the mirror housings and the wiring harness remain intact; the control module itself is the failed component and requires replacement, typically sourced second-hand from JDM dismantlers.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior
Honda Stream faults in detail
What these repairs cost on other cars
Some of the Honda Stream’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.
Other Honda models
Honda Stream buyer questions
Is the Honda Stream reliable?
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 22 documented faults for the Honda Stream, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and electrical. A Honda Stream with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Honda Stream?
We've catalogued 22 known faults for the Honda Stream, covering engine, transmission, and electrical. All 22 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.
How much do repairs cost on a Honda Stream?
Most single repairs on the Honda Stream fall between $300–$950 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 22 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Honda Stream?
Yes. A Honda Stream inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.