2020 was the second time I had the VTC actuator cap fixed, and it was no longer in warranty so I had to pay out of pocket. Now in 2023 it is rattling again.. the first time I had it fixed was at the dealership in San Fernando Honda under warranty, I don’t remember what year, circa 2016-17.

Now it’s going to cost me another $1000 to fix..until it breaks again. I’m a single mom who is disabled with chronic pain & illness & this makes it stressful for me and causes me to have pain flares.

Update from May 23, 2023 The vtc actuator is grinding for the third time since purchased in 2013, it was fixed under warranty circa 2017 at dealer San Fernando Honda.. then after the warranty expired it started to grind upon starting November 2020 I had to pay out of pocket in 2020 and now currently May 2023 it is in the shop (A-Z automotive in West Hills) for the same problem.

This person sums up the Honda problem completely

https://www.julieannacline.com/2008-honda-accord-vtc-actuator-problem/

Vehicles affected:

HONDA VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE “ENGINE RATTLES AT COLD START-UP” VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM 2008-2012 Honda Accords (ALL) 2007-2014 CR-V’s (Check year and VIN number. Initial TSB 09-010 listed all 2007-2012 CR-V’s as affected. TSB 06-012 lists 2013-2014 CR-V’s as being affected. 2012-2015 Crosstours (See this post for more information)

Although there are hundreds of complaints and law suites, Honda is continuing to ignore this issue.

These links shows the Honda Service Bulletin for cars 2008–12 ACCORD L4 – ALL and 2007–12 CR-V – ALL https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10056875-8211.pdf

Has anyone been able to fix this issue??? Thanks Marci

Update from Mar 28, 2022: Part number replaced 3/28/2022 15811-R40-A1 Mat found this TSB 16-012 2013-2015 14310-R5A-305 This addresses 2012 CRVs TSB 09-010 (9/24/14) 14310-R44-A01

https://www.julieannacline.com/2008-honda-accord-vtc-actuator-problem/

*Note: Honda has listed original replacement part #14310-R44-A01 as “failed”.The new replacement part number is 14310-R5A-305. This number matches 09-010 V5

I did find a Honda SB 09-010 which includes 2012CRVs from the above link. Service Bulletin: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10056875-8211.pdf This document states 2007-2012 CRV AL. Honda Service Bulletin 09-010

Updated info from https://www.julieannacline.com https://www.julieannacline.com/tag/honda-14310-r5a-305-vtc-actuator/ Chart below denotes vehicles affected as shown in current TSB 09-010 dated February 25th, 2017. My eReport has the latest TSB 09-010 v5 updated February 2017,

Youtube video: showing exact noise https://www.julieannacline.com/2008-honda-accord-vtc-actuator-problem/ To make a bad situation worse, there appears to be a strong correlation between the “Engine Rattles at Cold Startup” and “Sticking Piston Rings Resulting in Unusually High Engine Oil Consumption” (TSB 12-087 and TSB 12-089).
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/CR-V/2012/engine/grinding_noise_when_starting.shtml

Add another victim to the list. 2012 Honda CRV bites yet again at approx 70k. First off, thanks to all of you that took the time to write a review. It's been immensely helpful.

My rattle upon start-up began about 6 months after I purchased the vehicle when it got cold out. (Pretty sure I know why the previous owners dumped this vehicle) Have not fixed it yet. Looks like there is no fix. Honda is giving me the same song and dance about how the oil wasn't changed properly. That's a lie, I have the records. Was told to have the VTC Accuator and timing belt changed with a cost of $1,500.00. I have begun to hear a ticking for the first 5 to 10 minutes it warms up. That can't be good. No engine lights have come on.

Probably going to buy a new car. I'm not inclined to deal with car issues which is why I bought a Honda in the first place. Promise I won't be buying another Honda.

I have a 2012 CRV that started making the grinding noise on start up this past winter at about 93,000 miles. I was very concerned, took it to the Honda dealership and was told it was likely the VCT actuator. The Honda technician told me that it wasn't a problem that needed to be fixed, that nothing was actually wrong with the car. But if the noise bothered me then I could replace it for $650. I decided to deal with the noise, OBVIOUSLY. Except that now it's summer and it makes this noise at least once a day when I start it up. I already had to deal with a total rear differential replacement at 39,000 miles that apparently is faulty in a number of 2012 CRVs but they won't issue a recall. The dealership fought with Honda to cover that cost which was $3500 - and Honda DID end of covering that. But I just paid my car off this month and I DO NOT want to pay $650 for this repair. The noise is very annoying and concerning, though.

I recently noticed a loud, grinding noise on start up, particularly if the car had not been started in a few hours. After some research online, I was convinced that it was the VTC actuator. I took it to Honda and let the service technician know that I was fairly certain I knew what the problem was and that it seems to be a relatively common problem with this model vehicle. He agreed but stated that the repair would cost me over $650.00 because the car was no longer under warranty. I fought it and somehow managed to get the price down to around $100.00. I was adamant that there should have been a recall given the number of complaints online...and I wasn't going to accept a $650 repair bill. Although I am satisfied that I was able to negotiate the price, I am stunned by the initial upcharge and the fact that Honda has not taken responsibility for such an obvious defect. I won't purchase another Honda.

Purchased this CR-V for my daughter in 2014 for safety reasons for college back and forth driving thinking I was getting another great Honda purchase and a product that never has issues since I have owned several Honda's in the past. Man was I WRONG!!! I traded in a perfectly good 2010 Ex Civic Honda that only had 6 months of payment. I was blindsided by the Great Lakes Honda in Akron, Ohio and never told of this issue when purchased!!!

This Honda started making this noise 2000 miles into owning it and kept getting the run around until I went online to see this has been an issue for several years an Honda isn't standing behind their product!! So in other words Honda stabbed me in the back and lied straight to my face!!

Shouldn't this have been a LEMON LAW issue?? AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GO TO TRADE IN THIS PIECE OF SH*T/?? I'M SURE THE TRADE IN VALUE WILL NOT BE TOP DOLLAR LIKE MOST HONDA'S SHOULD WHEN ALL DEALERS KNOW OF THIS ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR HONDA!!

This grinding happens on all starts know doesn't matter how long it sits or temperature it is!! THIS SOUND IS SO EMBARRASSING!!! I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT SINCE THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT AND FIX THERE ON GOING ISSUES THEY ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT!!!

It is very embarrassing when starting my car. People think that I do not have the money to fix the problem. However, I make sure to inform those stand-bys, that Honda is aware of the problem, but are not very concerned about the issue because it does not harm anything. Their words. Actually, their words were we don't hear any noise, we haven't heard any complaints. Then one day a Honda service tech made me aware that they are aware of the issue and for me not to worry about it, because it doesn't hurt anything. If I pay $32000 for a vehicle I do NOT want to or feel like I should just deal with it. Especially when they know that it is an issue. Very embarrassing. Sitting in the school line, at church, coming out of nice restaurants, starting up at funerals. I mean really????

My husband and I purchased our 2012 Honda CR-V new and approximately in the fall of 2014 it started making a grinding noise upon cold starts. Do not really have the noise when the weather is warm. We went to our local dealer where we purchased it and was told it was basically normal. Sometimes it happens because of the cold weather but not to worry. We are worried!! Seems the issue is getting worse. Very loud!! Been reading that it could be the VTC Actuator. Want this issue resolved!! FIX IT Please!!!