DON'T BUY THIS CAR - 2012-2014 Honda CRV

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[Tacoexplorer]

I have to disagree with you. I have a 2012 CRV. Yes I had a bad VTC actuator as well but I replaced it myself (not that difficult) for under $200 using Honda parts. Been over a year and the startup noise is still gone. Saying the entire car is bad for a $200 fix (if you do it yourself) is crazy. 160k miles I have had no other issues with my 2012 CRV, I’m the original owner as well.

[andrewmcwatt]

Best car I have ever had. Had it since new, now 10 years old, 150000 miles on the clock without any issues.

[jonathanwilliamson]

I have the '14 CRV and it's been one of the best cars I've ever owned. Honestly, I mean if someone had one like mine and it ran the exact same way they'd be crazy to complain about it. Mine has 325, 684 mi and going strong. It's made "The Noise" a little bit before 200k mi. I'd be happy with it for a daily driver car to beat up on.

[fordgalaxie]

The 2014 CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC Diesel (built in UK) was the best car I ever had. Solid, economical, reliable, brilliantly engineered. I put 232, 000 km on it without any issues other than wear and tear. This car turned me into a HONDA fanboy (now in a European HR-V Hybrid). I have owned many cars from Toyota, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Opel, Citroen, Peugeot, Buick... Nothing comes close to the quality of a HONDA, that is my experience.

[kentaotsuki]

I have a 2014 Crv Ex with the VTC actuator defect as well. I had it replaced at Honda, but it came back. I stopped caring about it. 185, 000 miles later it still runs great. I regularly drive it 500 miles to school from my parents house. It starts every time, and none of my passengers comment on it.

[universaltrust]

We replaced the complete transmission at 134, 000 miles in November 2019. Not sure if that included the VCT Actuator. Now at 265, 000 it Definitely Still Makes That Noise and Definitely Burns Oil. We bought it from CarMax in November 2016 with 40, 000.

Any class action suit we’re in!

[tipahtertipulagi]

Been using CRV 2013, 1st owner, no issues at all. It's a little underpowered if compared to my other cars, but it's not a big issue.

[reneaguilar]

As a honda mechanic I have found out that the timing chain tensioner goes bad because they changed the position of the sprocket (vvt sprocket is on left side causing a lots of wear on the tensioner), but is an easy replacement.

[MrTerrorMG]

As of January 2022, "A Honda VTC actuator class action lawsuit has been certified in two states (California and Illinois) after owners complained their vehicles rattled a few seconds on cold starts." "According to the plaintiffs, Honda injured them by failing to tell them about defective variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator 14310-R44-A01 in these models."

[AmritBanks]

The rattle occurs because the locking pin is not held in place due to weak spring tension on startup. Noise can be fixed by replacing the spring only if your issue is truly the VTC. I believe that the rattle returns even when the part is replaced due to the spring tension getting weaker. YMMV.

[geraldfinley]

I have a 2014 Honda CRV and the VTC actuator needed to be replaced at 41k. I did it myself using a Non OEM part looking for a more quality part. The procedure isn’t easy and you have to be careful not to slip the timing. I currently have 62 k on my Honda with no VTC actuator problems. Buy the way, some Toyotas and Fords have the same problems.

[williamspear]

240, 000 miles on my 2013 Honda CRV notice this noise at 178, 000 never replaced it and it still running strong besides little noise wen cold start...hit you guys up at 500, 000 mile the 2013 crv model is bullet proof trust me I haven't had any problem with this car but minor stuff but it jus a Lil early morning rattle snake.

[hobbyholly]

have owned our 2013 CRV for about 5 years. bought used with around 70K. It has always made this noise on cold starts and I had researched it and came to learn it was a known issue on this model with no fix. So, we pretty much ignore it. It does sound concerning though. Like you I've seen arguments both ways, it can cause damage, or it won't cause damage. Appreciated your video explaining the new part didn't solve the issue as I've been on the fence because it's a costly repair for non mechanically inclined people.

[wcg]

Our CR-V has had this noise since we bought it used. I never thought much of it since I originally thought that t was the direct injection system or similar. We’ve had the vehicle since 2018 with absolutely no issues other than noise on startup. I’m not dismissing the issue but the vehicle has been excellent in the four years we’ve had it. Even in your case, the only symptom you have is noise. It’s hardly left you stranded.

[stevenyammine]

i have a 2012 crv with 140k miles and never getting mechanical problems it seems good to me

[lafferty]

Just upgraded to a 2014 crv ex from my 2004 crv which has been great up to 175k miles with no issues. The 2014 doesn't have the vct rattle... yet... but so far I really like it. I'm a mechanic and have seen a few stretched chains/ vct actuator problems on these gen 4s but still didn't deter me from buying one. Mine has 67k on it now so hopefully I have some time before I see this issue. Great informative video btw

[susans]

2012 crv....had the actuator replaced late fall 2021 at Saratoga Honda ...my cost of course....driven around 3k miles and it just started doing it again mid March 2022...erh! Thanks for the video and glad to know it is not just my hunk of junk that has the problem

[EscravaAnastacia]

Wow... i had to argue my dealership for days to get them to even acknowledge the issue then finally fix it under warranty. Thank you for making this video!!

[masonowen]

My wife purchased this car before we met with 90, xxx miles. 6 months into us dating I learned it was using 1 pint of oil every 1, 000 miles and the entire time it had that horrible rattle. Thank goodness she bought it before we met and she just happened to purchase a bumper to bumper warranty so they replaced this vct actuator, timing chain tensioners, timing chain, “new updated pistons and rings, ” front half shaft, and some other suspension part. I have always been a ford guy and have never had issues like this so not the best first impression of Honda. Especially with their reputation they are supposed to have. Now at 140, 000 miles we need to replaced shocks and struts. Normal stuff but next car we buy I believe we are going to go back and find the lowest mile 2005 or 2006 crv.

[hankrobb]

At 45000 miles, our driver's side heater on our 2013 CRV stopped putting out heat while driving to Minnesota in February several years ago. Our son was able to get us in to a Honda dealer when we arrived that evening in St. Paul. The tech writer told us that there was a service bulletin on this. Evidently slag from the heater core casting process causes this. We had to rent a car from the Honda dealer so we could attend our grandson's music performance that evening. The next morning, we picked up our Honda after a $800 "flush"..I agree, Honda is no more the reliable manufacturer. We still have it, but only drive as a back up to our Mazda CX5..Honda lost a previous loyal customer after owning 11 Hondas...no more.