2013 Honda CR-V Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

97Engine complaints

25.5%Of all 381 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE97 · 25.5%

POWER TRAIN94 · 24.7%

Unspecified / other48 · 12.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34 · 8.9%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING31 · 8.1%

Share of the 381 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Honda CR-V overview page.

What owners report

“WHEN I START THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING (COLD), IT MAKES A WHIRRING/GRATING SOUND THAT LASTS JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS. IT DOESN'T MAKE THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10732326 — filed 07/06/2015

“AS I REPORTED LAST YEAR, THERE IS A VTC ACTUATOR DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE TEMPS FALL BELOW FREEZING AND IN…”NHTSA complaint 10705578 — filed 04/14/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE IN COLDER WEATHER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING METAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED…”NHTSA complaint 10681425 — filed 02/05/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Honda CR-V have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Honda CR-V: 97 of 381 complaints on file (25.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Honda CR-V have in total?

381 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 13 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.