2001 Honda CR-V: check engine light

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Engine · WA

I bought this car from a private seller and he claimed the vehicle was in good condition. A day later the car has been dying on me while driving. Nothing shows on the check engine that something is wrong with it. The car will start and able to drive but then will die on me again. How do I find if it's covered under a recall?

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda cr-v. After coming to a complete stop and while accelerating, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and a transmission flush was performed. The contact was notified there were no service bulletins or recalls regarding the failure. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and another transmission flush was performed. The failure continued to occur and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact also mentioned that the engine light would intermittently illuminate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was instructed to take the vehicle back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was notified of a service bulletin; however, the number was not available. The dealer informed the contact that the service bulletin expired in 2005 and could not be performed. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000. Updated 8/21/15*cn updated 9/22/2017

Filed Sep 16, 2009 · Engine · 55,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda cr-v. He stated that intermittently while driving the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel then the engine misfired. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The mechanic concluded that the engine valves burned and the engine needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified, and a representative concluded that they were aware of the problem; however, since the warranty expired they would not provide any assistance. No repairs have been made. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure mileage was 55000. The current mileage was 135000.

Filed Dec 13, 2008 · Engine · 106,000 miles · OH

Check engine light came on to my 2001 honda cr-v. Identified as a misfire in cyl #1, and low compression in that cylinder. The head was removed, and one of the exhaust valves in the #1 cylinder was burned. The valve clearance on that cylinder was zero. A "valve job" was done and the engine was reassembled. Cost was $1450.

Filed Nov 9, 2008 · Engine · 110,300 miles · HI

2001 honda crv started to have a rough idle followed by the check engine light turning on approximately one year ago. Took the vehicle in for a tune up at a local dealer and problem temporarily went away. Recently the problem got worse and the check engine light came back on. The honda dealer evaluated the check engine light reported that there was a problem with the valves. I had the dealer conduct a valve adjustment and they reported that compression on the #3 cylinder only reported 45 psi and recommended replacing the cylinder head at a cost of $4500 dollars. The service representative the honda dealership was aware of problems with the honda crv and honda has not taken any responsibility for the problem nor offered to repair the problem. I believe honda has been aware of problems with the 2001 honda crv. Request the nhtsb conduct an investigation.

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Engine · 82,976 miles · IL

2001 honda cr-v se check engine light went on, idle became extremely rough and stalling while driving. Nothing unusual preceded this incident. Took the car into to be diagnosed and was told the 4th cylinder was only holding 15-20% of required pressure, it had gone soft. Researched issue and found honda has issued a technical service bulletin #03038 regarding this problem. It is a known defect in the honda cr-v as the honda maintenance guide does not recommend any valve maintenance until 105,000 miles. However, it has been found that the engine's high compression rate causes the valves to warp and become soft unless they are adjusted every 30,000-35,000 miles. Have been in contact with honda and all they are willing to do is split the cost 50/50 of this major repair, over $3,000. They are many documented cases of this occurring with the 1999-2001 honda cr-vs that use the b210z engine.

Filed Jan 14, 2007 · Engine · 76,344 miles · CO

Check engine came on at 76,000 miles. According to dealer the exhaust vales burnt into cylinder head, #4 cylinder was at 25 psi. According to dealer this happen before to this vehicle.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Engine · 63,400 miles · NJ

Rough idle, engine would stumble but recover several times when idling before fully warmed up, poor fuel mileage. No mil (check engine light), and no codes or pending codes detected. Dealer tested and strongly recommended valve adjustment. Only 63k miles on it and valves were not noisy. Owner's manual states, "adjust valves at 105, 000 miles or if noisy". Neither were true. I researched cr-v message boards and found lots of "1st gen." cr-v's (mainly from '99 to '01) were having problem whereby some valve seats were receding into cylinder head causing need for premature valve adjustments, burnt exhaust valves, or some even needing to replace cylinder head. Most people who had the more severe problems also experienced mil lighting up & code indicating engine misfire. I called american honda corp several times. The 1st time was like pulling teeth to get them to admit they knew about this issue, and the corresponding tsb (service bulletin) sent to dealers. They finally admitted it. But after reviewing my case twice, both times they refused to reimburse me for the valve adjustment. They claimed: 1) dealers are franchised & have nothing to do with them, 2) it's a machine, and machines need adjusting from time to time, 3) I didn't purchase extended warranty so they can't help me, 4) maintenance schedule in the owner's manual is just a general guideline, valves should be adjusted sooner, and 5) should I require cylinder head replacement in the future, they might offer me some kind of restitution, but no guarantees. Engine runs fine now after valve adjustment, but who's to say in another 10 to 30k it won't need it again, perhaps only to find out it's too far out of spec & will need new cyl. Head! It's printed clearly, in black & white in owner's manual: "adjust valves at 105,000 miles or if noisy". Perhaps we should start class action suit against honda. They need to stand behind their product, redesign the cyl. Heads and do a recall! Buyers beware!

Filed May 26, 2006 · Engine · 134,000 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated the engine idled erratically intermittently while slowing down at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where the valve was replaced at 99,000 miles. At 134,000 miles the check engine light illuminated upon initial acceleration. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic, who determined there was a problem with the engine head. The valve melted into the number 3 cylinder. The engine head needs to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency action number 10008524 for the engine.

Filed Jan 12, 2006 · Engine · 82,000 miles · ME

My 2001 honda crv had to have the cylinder head replaced after a flashing engine light came on. A honda dealer stated there was low compression in the #3 cylinder. The repair was to replace the cylinder head (at >3200$). I found that this is a common problem with 1999-2001 honda crvs. I now have at least 5 substantiated cases (my own, a colleague who owns a 1999 crv and, the complaint numbers on your site 10062616, 10124224, 10143720). There are also many unsubstantiated but identical claims on multiple websites that imply a fairly widespread manufacturers defect leading to this problem. The symptoms are the same. Honda appears to know of this defect as evidenced by their own tsb #03-038 that states the problem and repair. I asked honda for a goodwill warranty (there is some precedence for this by honda). I was told I would need complete service records ....these were provided. These records include a 60,000 mi service including a timing belt replacement that was done just the summer before (my vehicle had 82000 mi at the time of the engine failure). I was then told to contact honda customer service to file a complaint where eventually I was told by honda that they would not provide any assistance. The reason was that I did not get valve adjustments at the time of my 60000 mi service. These are hydraulic valves and according to my own mechanic and verified by another mechanic, this is not standard practice. This 'valve adjustment' recommendation is also not part of the mitchell oem recommendations also that were followed by my mechanic (tsb 03-038 is also not included). The outcome was to take my vehicle from honda where they did not support their product despite what appears to be a known and widespread defect and bring it to my own mechanic. I have retained the part that appears to have caused much of the problem (damaged exhaust valve). I strongly suggest there be an inquiry into this problem and reimbursement for all costs associated with this repair.