2013 Honda CR-V: engine and transmission complaints
HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
55%
176 of 321 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
55% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2013 Honda CR-V are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 72% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 60 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 46%).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
POWER TRAIN12/15/20132 INJURED
WE RETURNED FROM SHOPPING AND PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY (APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREE INCLINE). WENT BEHIND TO UNLOAD BACK AND THE CAR ROLLED BACK ON US ABOUT 4-5 FEET AT LEAST. WE HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS TWICE. THE CAR IS FULLY IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY INJURY (THANK GOD!) WAS …
WHILE TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I WAS FULLY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE. SUDDENLY I HEARD & FELT THE ENGINE OF MY CAR REVVING UP. MY CAR CATAPULTED FORWARD ABOUT 20 FEET HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE FORWARD MOMENTUM OF MY CAR. BO…
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE06/24/2026
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, th…
Three of 176 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (2)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocki…
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acu…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2013 Honda CR-V
Ask the seller whether the engine has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many engine faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the engine.
2 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle.
