2014 Honda CR-V: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Engine · PA

This make and model Honda with a 2.4L engine have several known defects which brings potential harm and high operational and repair costs to its owners. Honda is well aware of the engine problems but refuses to issue recalls to correct the problem. Two of the major problems are: 1. due to a design error, the engine burns excessive amounts of oil, and 2. Honda installed a defective VTC Actuator in this engine. Either problem can cause the engine to suddenly sieze/fail which could lead to serious injury or loss of life. I purchased a used 2014 Honda CR-V from a Honda dealer in 2022 with about 50,000 mi. After a short time owning the vehicle I realized that the engine was burning excessive oil (about 2 quarts every 2 to 3 weeks). When I discussed this issue with my local Honda dealer, they told me that according to a Honda Service Bulliten, my car was not losing oil at a rate that warranted repair. I've owned around 10 Hondas in my life and I've never had a car burn oil where I had to add ANY oil between oil changes. So, burning multiple quarts of oil a month is EXTREMELY UNUSUAL and should have been repaired by Honda! The 2nd problem, defective VTC Actuators, actually may be related to the 1st problem due to a constant fluctuation of the oil level, and lack of oil. The defective VTC Actuators lead to a stretched/worn Timing Chain which can cause engine failure at any time and any place. After experiencing a loud rattling coming from my engine on start-up for some time, I just had several dashboard lights come on. Running a scan on the vehicle it showed a P0341 code. I took my car to my local Honda Dealer where they informed my that I had to replace the stretched Timing Chain and failed/defective VTC Actuator at a cost of over $2600. I believe that fraud was committed by Honda from the day I purchased the vehicle as Honda was aware of both significant engine problems and did not inform us a unexpecting Buyers.

Filed Aug 25, 2022 · IL

A Honda CR-V 4D 4WD has the following problems including a faulty VTC actuator (a loud, grinding engine noise for approximately 4 seconds during a cold start-up), timing chain, and excessive oil consumption. This car was bought on November 17, 2016 and the VTC actuator had to be replaced 26 days later (December 13, 2016) by the Honda dealership with a total of 31,063 miles on the car. At this time, the timing chain has to be replaced along with the (intermediate shaft with seals) and the serpentine belt. All oil changes have been on time and up to date and a synthetic oil is used. With an additional 1,000 miles left to the due date of the next oil change, there was no oil present on the dip stick.

Filed Aug 10, 2022 · Engine · IL · crash

The engine had been having an oil consumption issue. I was back and forth with Honda who kept pushing me around. Filed complaints there as well. The first I was ever notified there was a problem is when I brought my car in for service and was told the oil was barely present. Was notified by the mechanic this is a known issue that should be reported. I reported and nothing was really done. They would bring me in for an oil change, I would come back and they would somehow "forget" to document I returned. Was told not to add oil and my car stalled and I crashed into a parking lot with my child in the back seat on a busy street. Nothing was done to help me with the issue. I brought in every single oil change I had ever had on the vehicle and I was told I was not doing the routine maintenance even though I had proof. This is a huge concern for safety as me or my child could have been injured and Honda did nothing to help or even attempt to help with the concern.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Engine · IN

Between every oil change I have to add oil, there are no visible leaks but it always uses oil and the low oil light will come on.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Engine · NY

2014 Honda CRV rattling noise upon cold start at 20,000 miles into owning vehicle. Dealership could not locate the problem nor witness the problem each time we reported this whenever we brought the car in for oil changes...Problem became progressively worse over the years. Now that the rattling is essentially heard every time the car is started, we have taken it in. We are told we need a "new engine" because we need a new VTC actuator. We are also told that the car is burning oil. The new engine costs $4800 (NJ). Will this solve the problem that obviously is a Honda defect? Will the new engine have VTC actuators that will not fall apart in 1 year?... Honda has known about this problem for YEARS!

Filed Jun 4, 2020 · Transmission · NY

Rattling sound at start up and oil consumption,. 2 quarts between oil changes and have checked the level weekly.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 54,000 miles · FL

On cold start-ups there is a loud rattle coming from the engine. My cr-v only has 54,000 miles on it and this is ridiculous. I am told it could be the vtc actuator and can only hope that my extended warranty will cover it. Not the quality I expect from honda at all. Researching this can lead to oil consumption and a stretched timing chain and premature engine failure.

Filed Dec 13, 2019 · Engine · 87,000 miles · MI

My 2014 honda crv just crossed 87,000 miles, started with engine rattling noise during cold start, and now got the check engine, steering and traction lights turned on on the dashboard. I took it mechanic and after performing diagnosis they told me that the vtc actuator and timing chain needs replacements. I came to know that it was due to manufacturing defect on the faulty vtc actuator as mentioned in technical service bulletin 16-012. This vtc actuator problem contribute to high oil consumption as mentioned in this link: https://www.julieannacline.com/engine- rattles-on-cold-startup-tsb-09-010/ in the recent oil service I was informed that was low engine oil.

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Engine · 100,000 miles · WA

When I start my 2014 honda crv in the morning in idle and until I hit over 15 MPH it makes a rattle noise, but more of a knocking under the valve cover area. We have done the oil changes every time the on-board oil life reminder tells me. During the winter, I take it to honda during the summer my husband and I choose to change it. The noise has become considerably worse so we went online to review. All associations with the problem point to the vtc actuator and timing change. After calling to make an appt at the dealer and explain my problem I hear the cost to fix it referring to the service bulletin 16-102. It was well over $2000. The issue before I pay that to fix it is that all of the people I read in the online community state it is a temporary fix and the problem comes right back. Some have had the vtc changed four times. That would cost me $8000, a beautiful chunk of change to put down on a new car. Not a honda. Just like the airbag issue with my 2004 honda crv, they had to replace the replacement until they got it right. I urge you to please notify honda of all our complaints (I uploaded a community forum) I can not afford to keep chasing down this defective part. My 2007 honda prelude has over 300k and is a daily driver with a niece. My 2014 and 2016 honda crv are happy every driver. Snow beats if you may. I wanted a newer car with newer features, but what I got was an expensive defective honda. I paid $15000 two years ago, and it is now just under 100,000 miles. There used to be a saying, you could drive a honda to the point of the body falling off, but the engine would keep going. Not only is my vtc a sore spot to fix. It is now using oil between oil changes due to a defective vtc. So I will change it once and if it continues. I will be back with another urge for justice.

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 58,000 miles · NY

In august 2018 I brought vehicle to privately owned shop that I trust to research a noise coming from the engine bay when starting the vehicle. Mechanic found through inspection/research that timing chain likely needed to be replaced ($1000 job) on 2014 cr-v's. At that time my vehicle was less than 5 years old with less than 60,000 miles, so it was within the power train warrantee period (5yrs/60kmi). The mechanic also found that the engine was leaking quite a bit of oil for such a new car and he said it had a consumption issue. I called honda in august 2018, and started a case regarding oil consumption and noise related to timing chain. They told me to bring vehicle to honda dealership to begin oil consumption test and to have noise looked at. I immediately brought the vehicle to lia honda who told me to wait until oil needed to be changed to start consumption test b/c the oil was recently changed and it would be a waste of new oil. I brought the car into keeler honda in november of 2018 to complete the oil consumption test when the oil needed to be changed and to have the noise checked out. They changed the oil and couldn't figure out the noise, stating the car was fine. As I drove the car over the next few months the noise got worse. I brought the car to the dealership where I bought the car and they stated I should bring the car back to honda because it should've been under warrantee and something was definitely wrong. I called honda manufacturer and referenced my case from aug of 2018- they agreed to document that my car was covered b/c these issues stem from when it was under warrantee (now has 62kmi). Keeler honda found a service bulletin to replace vtc actuator related to noise. This was replaced and covered by honda. The car still has oil consumption issue! 2015 cr-v's were recalled due to oil consumption to replace the engine, but not 2014's? Same issue!!!!!

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Engine · 60,000 miles · NY

Fuel consumption. Losing 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. No oil leak..