VTC failed July 2018. Honda stated I must pay for the repair costing $662. According to Honda receipt the R5A new VTC was installed. Now it's January 2024 and car VTC failing again. Note: When I changed the valve cover gasket I looked at the VTC and noticed that it says R44. Basically they lied about the repair and put another of the defective VTC. Obviously a much more expensive repair this time due to Honda negligence and dishonesty.

- Barrington Hills, IL, USA

For over a year now, my Honda CRV 2014 has been producing a rattling noise from the engine on every cold startup. This happens regardless of the temperature outside. When I initially heard it, it was sporadic, again, on cold startup - so the rattling didn't occur every time. Over time though, it will occur every morning, or after the car has been sittinwith the engine off for at least a few hours. I asked a mechanic to look at it after a few months after I had first heard it, because it continued to happen, even periodically. As it only happened on cold startup, I could not reproduce it for the mechanic - he could not find any obvious issue. After a few more months, I recorded the issue on video (and audio). The same mechanic said it may be the VTC actuator. I had another mechanic look at the same video, and he said it was almost certainly the VTC actuator. He said Honda had recalled the vehicle because of the VTC actuator issue and sent me a link to a webpage with the information. It turns out it was only a technical bulletin rather than a recall. I called a Honda dealership and provided them information about the issue. They asked for my VIN and told me there was no recall after searching my VIN. After some discussion with them, wherein I referenced the technical bulletin and inquired if Honda would provide a replacement for the known issue, the representative said since it wasn't recalled, they could only diagnose and repair at full cost. After I continued to press the issue, she asked if I wanted the telephone number for Honda corporate, so I could send them my complaint. I have no yet taken my car in for repair, as the cost will be very expensive. I don't understand why Honda has not recalled the vehicles over this issue, given the fact that it is an issue they have admitted to, and it apparently is a potentially dangerous and life-threatening issue.

- Frisco, TX, USA

Loud grinding noise when starting a cold engine. Honda dealer replicated noise and stated that it was the VTC Actuator-which needed to be replaced along with the Cam Chain for a total of $1,392.23 before the Florida 7% sales tax of $97.46 totaling$1,489.69. Other manufacturing years for Honda received a recall notice. I believe that my 2014 Honda CR-V should be included in that recall so that the dealer may reimburse me for this acknowledged defect in the Honda engine.

- Naples, FL, USA

The car makes a very loud grinding sound when starting. A metal on metal sound. This was fixed in October 2021 when vehicle had 77,500 miles for about $800. Dealership stated not covered by any recall or warranty. Service agreement states replaced VTC actuator with VCG set. Now, June 2023, the car is making the exact same noise. Many honda owners are writing about this issue. Honda corporation not taking any ownership for this issue. The "fix" is NOT a fix. Honda is being complacent. Owners are paying for this every 18-24 months. This needs to be addresssed by the company and not having owners pay over and over again to TEMPORARILY fix this issue.

- Watertown, WI, USA

Oil Dilution (gas mixing with oil) caused engine to overheat, making my car abruptly breakdown on a busy interstate and we were nearly rear ended because of it. Now I need a full engine replacement. Car is low mileage.

- Sterling, VA, USA

Upon cold start, the VTC actuator makes a grinding noise. It also makes the noise when car not driven for 5 hours or more. It lasts about 1 to 2 seconds upon releasing ignition key at start. No Check Engine light or dash warning lights come on. Concerned about timing chain damage. The car only has 33,385 miles on it. Research on web, indicates multiple reports of same issue.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

VTC actuator makes grinding sound upon cold start and reduces engine power. Has been doing it since the car had 22200 miles and had it repair and the same thing started 4 months after repair. Seems to be an ongoing problem with 2013 and 2014 CRVs

- Portage , MI, USA

The engine has rattled noises when starting, I look online and a lot of people have the same problem, they said the VTC actuator-€™s problem, even after they changed it, the noise is back 1-2 years. Honda needs to recall and replace this part for Honda-€™s customers.

- Liberty Hill, TX, USA

There is a rattling noise coming from the engine area at extreme cold startups since I had the car at 24,000 miles on it. When having the car parked with the emergency brake on at an incline and after leaving it ther for a few days, after I press the release on the brake after starting the car, the emergency brake sticks and the car won't move forward when accelerating or backward when releasing the brakes or accelerating. I have to repeatedly press and release the emergency brake to allow the car to release the brake from the wheel for the car to move forward. There is repeatedly a build up of rust on the rear wheels when the car is exposed to humid and wet conditions due to some flaw in the design, and it causes the car the have a loud thumping noise when applying the breaks. I have had to get the rear brakes refinished or shaved down to smooth them out repeatedly.

- Everett, MA, USA

The VTC (Variable Timing Chain) Actuator is faulty. It cause premature wear on the vehicle-€™s engine. I had mine replaced at 148,648 miles and it is now needing a replacement again at 162,560 miles. When performing a cold start on the vehicle, user will hear a 2-3 second grinding noise coming from the engine. When I had to replace the actuator the first time, the wear was so bad on my engine, it also meant I had to get a new timing chain as too much stress had been put on mine and the chain began to stretch.

- Waverly, NY, USA

Yo compre este carr9 desde el principle salio con problems ellos no quieren arreglarlo ni devolverme los 5 mil dollars que di de deposito. Translation-I bought this car from the beginning, it came out with problems, they don't want to fix it or give me back the 5 thousand dollars I gave as a deposit.

- Perth Amboy , NJ, USA

VTC Actuator making grinding noise on cold start up and after sitting for long periods of time even after running. Timing chain is stretched making warning lights come on and go off.

- Olympia, WA, USA

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.

- Manhattan, IL, USA

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.

- Fishers, IN, USA

When starting the engine, it makes a grinding noise each time. No check engine or safety lights have come on and when the engine is cold it will shake very badly upon take off.

- Fishers, IN, USA

VTC Actuator making rattling noise during start up in the morning and every five hours of sitting

- Bullheaded City, AZ, USA

My 2014 Honda CR-V EX does not initially start-up following the 3-step starting the engine process as outlined on page 239 of the CR-V owner's manual.It sometimes takes up to 6 to 12 times for the engine to engage.The starter appears to be defective as it was made.

- Myrtle Beach,Sc, SC, USA

Bad grinding noise on cold start. Defective actuator. This can damage engine. CRV only has 58,000 miles. Honda has known about this for years and needs to issue a recall. Class action law suits have been filed in California & Illinois. Technical Service Bulletin 16-012.

- Manassas, VA, USA

When starting the car (cold), the motor would start and then continue trying and made a grinding noise for about 2 seconds. Once the car was hot and off for less than 5 min, it would start normally. After 5 min off, it would make the noise again. This would happen by either using manually the key, or the remote starter. Went to the dealer and they said they needed to replace the VTC Actuator and ended up spending little over $1K to repair it. Looking online and in this site, I've found multiple complaints for this issue starting in 2015 for this model. There are also VTC Actuator known issues for Honda models between 2008 and 2012, so it is not something new for them. This should require a recall as it is a manufacturer's issue involving the engine, which could potentially escalate to something more serious and dangerous. Thanks,

- Overland Park, KS, USA

At cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about two seconds. 

- Franklin, WI, USA