2013 Honda CR-V: check engine light

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Engine, Steering · OR

My 2013 Honda CRV completely broke down in late August 2025, as I was backing out of my driveway. Our lives were at risk. This could have happened in traffic, causing a terrible collision. My local Honda dealership found the chain guides broken and the timing off, and recommended replacement of several parts (timing chain, guides, tensioner, exhaust cam, rockers, and ... VTC actuator). Initially, they thought the cause was a lack of proper maintenance, specifically, infrequent or improper oil changes. I knew we had taken proper care of our car, so I began investigating. The check engine light was on for at least 2 years (as well as the rattling at start-up), and I had not gotten clarity on it until recently, after consulting with multiple professionals. Finally, a Jiffy Lube tech said it was due to the VTC actuator. I then brought my car to the Honda dealership in July 2025 for an oil change and to discuss the check engine light and VTC actuator issue. At that time, they did not alert me to the VTC actuator defect or the potential for complete engine failure. As I continued my investigation, I found a Honda Service Bulletin starting in 2016 (when my car was still under its three-year warranty) and updated in 2017 (when my car was still under its five-year Power Train warranty) describing the VTC actuator as defective. Had American Honda issued a recall at that time, instead of an SB, and had notified me of this defective part, my warranties in those years would have covered the replacement costs of my VTC actuator and related engine parts. And also been significantly less expensive. Flash forward to this fall 2025: as I continued my investigation, I discovered multiple class-action lawsuits against American Honda for this exact issue—a known defective VTC actuator. It turns out they conducted an internal study in 2011 that found the VTC actuator was defective. Now the dealership believes my car's failure was caused by a defective VTC actuator.

Filed Mar 15, 2021 · Engine, Steering · IL

One cold winter morning, my engine light, power train and steering wheel warning signs all turned on. I had checked my oil and it was still 40% full. I started noticing that the car was moving slow not more than 20mph. Also the gas gallon indicator went from 36mpg to 20mpg. It is burning way more gas than it was. I started researching and found out that other consumers had the same problem. I'm writing this because I want other people to know that there is something wrong with their honda cr-v model. I know it is not safe for me to be driving the car around especially in the highway. The car moves slower than it usually does. It wouldn't be safe for me to be driving it at all till we get the problem resolved.

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Transmission · 50,988 miles · WI

I started my crv on 10/23/19 and started on my way to work. When I got about 200 yards I noticed that the check engine light, ABS light, and the transmission fluid lights were. I called schlossmann honda city milwaukee, wi, asked for service department said I wanted to make an appointment. I explained what lights were on the dash and indicated they just came on this morning. They said that I could drop off the car that afternoon. Dropped off car on 10/23/19 at 3:45pm. Left jessica lange called me back at 5:00pm and told me the timing belt had to be changed because it was stretched. This happens. Cost to have this done was $1988.34. I only have 50988 miles on my crv. The cost was outrageous. I am 58 and have owned many vehicles. I have never had to replace a timing chain with this few miles. I think this is ridiculous. Especially because honda new about this problem in previous models and never fixed it. I do love my honda but I will never buy another one and will get rid of this one before I reach 100,000 miles. Hopefully the replacement timing chain will last that long.

Filed Mar 2, 2019 · Engine · 65,425 miles · OH

I have a 2013 honda crv at about 65,000 miles. The vsa, eps, and check engine light came on all at the same time. I noticed that the car was running rough while idle and would not pick up after stopping. I researched this problem and notated that it seems to be a common issue for the timing chain to stretch. I have been meticulous about maintenance on my vehicle. Notably timing chains should last the entire life of the engine. I have taken my car to the honda dealership and been advised that indeed the timing chain needs to be replaced along with the vtc actuator (notably another common issue with these models). The price to fix this is outrageous considering the low miles and meticulous maintance by the honda dealership. I believe an investigation needs to completed as this issue can cause serious damage to your engine with little to no warning that something is wrong.

Filed Nov 23, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 45,460 miles · NC

Driver on highway when check engine, malfunction indicator and eps lights came on. The car lost power and driver pulled off to side. Checked car, restarted car but would not go over 20mph. Car towed and mechanic reported #4 spark plug oil fouled, but no psi in #4 cylinder. Towed to dealer but problem not fixed and engine not running. Dealer did not offer any help.

Filed May 17, 2018 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · IL

This is a problem with several things in the car at different intervals.the stability control warning light came "vsr indicator", the check engine light, the electric steering indicator "eps" lights came on at the same time while driving. I did not notice any problems with steering. When I got to my destination and restarted the car all the indicator lights were off. The cruise control would not work when I first started the car. After I pull over and stop and restart the car the cruise would start working. When first start the car in the morning the radio would be on but no sound. It works when I restart the car. When I first start the car all the radio station presets get reset to "0" sometimes. I have never seen the radio presets at "0" on any car. Today the stability light and steering wheel light is on and the cruise control will work for about 5 minutes. When I restart the cruise control will work again.

Filed Mar 10, 2017 · Engine · 77,806 miles · MN

Check engine light and several other warning lights came on dash. Car has 77,806 miles. Dealer said timing chain is stretched. I have had all recommended maintenance performed on the vehicle and am the only owner. Service department said I should get oil changes more often than recommended. This should not be considered a normal 'wear' item at this age/mileage.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 21,000 miles · TN

Bran new honda crv purchase maybe 13miles21k miles later and after a scheduled oil change,the vehicle was idling rougher than normal(I know the difference in the vehicle, from bran new till 21k miles) then we started loosing power on the takeoff.1 day later after reaching 25mph the vehicle felt as though we lost all power and the check engine light came on and went off as quick.called the dealership and told them exactly what happened and all they said(is the light still on, we need a light to pull a code to diagnose it)took it in the next business day for a lookthey could not find anything due to no light and no malfunction at that time.days later the wife taking the daughter to school proceeded to merge onto interstate driving about 55mph.not even a mile onto the interstate the vehicle slowed down like loss of power and shut off, in the middle of 2lane 70mpha diesels swerved just in time to miss smashing the crv from behindwife was so scared and my daughter was shakingthe wife let it roll off the interstate onto the shoulder as much as the vehicle would allow possible.towed the vehicle into dealership with light onthey pulled a code that told them (3rd cylinder misfire) the dealership changed the sparkplug for the 3rd cylinder and we picked it upa few weeks later the vehicle did the same exact thing to at only feet further than last time traffic nearly piling up and colliding with one another to miss the crv. Wife and daughter scared out of their minds and shaking up bad.towed it into dealership and they pulled the exact code the dealership changed the 3rd coil and flashed the computer and called honda to ask if the results needed any further fix. The manager of the dealership told me honda said" it is within the running limits" and we picked up the crvtill this day the new21k mile honda crv continues to shutter,lose AC fan power and dive power with no code to date.

Filed May 17, 2014 · Transmission · 200 miles · PA

On 4 different occasions, from being stopped and making a turn or proceeding through a stop sign, the car hesitated long enough to realize that "I should be moving by now and what is going on", then the car would jerk forward. (different degrees of jerking). Felt like the transmission was slipping. Bought the car in 9-13. It happened 3 times before the first oil change 1-14. Thought it was me because I was replacing a 13 year old odyssey that had a bad transmission. Informed dealership at first oil change and inspection... Was told that it was normal when driving with the econ system. Which tells me they are completely aware of the problem. And that there would be nothing for them to find unless the engine light had come on. 4th time was in 5-14. Econ button was off and I was turning left into my driveway. Called the dealership and honda corp. Was told they "understood my frustration" and would do what could to find out the problem. Dealership drove the car and couldn't duplicate the problem and said the car is running"as was designed". That's right...until it doesn't. There are countless complaints on the internet over many years. Was told by honda they don't check the internet. Even if that were true, what about their dealerships service centers? It is not safe! My oldest is a new driver. I thought I was buying a safe car.