2013 Honda CR-V: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI

While our 2013 Honda CR‑V was still drivable, we began experiencing a brief but loud rattle or grinding noise at cold start, especially after the vehicle had been sitting. Several years ago the dealer replaced the Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator because of this cold‑start rattle. After a period without noise, the cold‑start rattle returned and became frequent, along with concerns about abnormal oil consumption. We reported these symptoms repeatedly during routine service visits. In March 2026, the CR‑V was brought to the Honda dealer for a routine oil change. The vehicle arrived running normally. After the service, the dealer advised that the vehicle would no longer start and was undriveable. Their diagnosis was a failed VTC actuator, a stretched/jumped timing chain, and internal engine damage requiring timing‑system repair, cylinder head/valve work, and possibly pistons and rings due to oil‑consumption‑related wear. The failure occurred without any warning lights or messages immediately prior to the event. The only prior symptom was the recurring cold‑start rattle that had been present for years and was previously addressed once by replacing the VTC actuator. The dealer has confirmed the failure and provided written estimates; the vehicle remains disabled. This pattern—cold‑start rattle, VTC actuator failure, timing‑chain stretch/jump, and internal engine damage—appears consistent with a known defect in the VTC actuator/timing system on this generation of Honda CR‑V. If the timing‑chain failure had occurred at highway speed rather than while the vehicle was at the dealer, it could have caused sudden loss of power and increased the risk of a crash.

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 Sep 14, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 18,223 miles · OR

We purchased a 2013 honda crv and wound up returning the vehicle that day with only 20 minutes of driving the car. We were on the freeway, my husband was behind us in our other car. I was driving about 55 miles per hour when the gas pedal basically lost power. It felt as if the resistance behind the pedal just disappeared (accelerator hesitancy also happened at a left turn going 5 MPH). At that moment the car lost power...several seconds later, the pedal resumed its normal feel and power resumed...it did this 3 times. Right at the first time it did this, I heard a triple click (sounded like the clicks you get when the car does not turn on after battery drain). So, click, click, click, loss of power, power, loss of power, power, loss of power, power. I immediately got into the right lane thinking the car was going to die on me and expecting to have to pull to the side of the freeway. My husband watched the whole thing in our truck so he had a good view. He saw 3 expulsions of bluish exhaust come out of the exhaust pipe and saw the car slow down at each of the power loss events. This is a safety issue and it is happening no only to this car, but the forester and rav4 and others. Service was so reliant on their computer read out, which said nothing was wrong, that we did not have faith they would investigate the problem and find a solution. So we cancelled the sale. It is ashame that the nhts has only required mat changes as recalls. This is obviously a computer programming error in which the car computer (which now controls the gas pedal rather than an actual line going to it) is telling the car to slow down. And the fact that the computer does not record a problem likely is further evidence of a computer malfunction. The auto industry and our own government watchdog is making our roads less safe. This issue is rampant. Car mats, really people?

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 31,003 miles · FL

On 9/23/14 30000 mile check up performed at dealership where I bought the car. On 10/14/14 in heavy rush hour traffic I accelerated to pass a car on interstate 4; vehicle hiccuped and lost power; able to go to shoulder of the road across 3 lanes of traffic; turned vehicle off then on again; vehicle started without hesitation. Drove car to dealership where I bought it; they checked it out; said they could not find anything wrong; however, they ran a computer update for the alternating system stating that they "think" problem is solved. Contacted honda regional; they authorized an inspection at a different honda dealership on 11/12/14. I was again told that they could find no reason that the vehicle lost power; at that point, honda regional told me there is nothing more they can do. I am not satisfied with this answer. Do I have any recourse?

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.