2013 Honda CRV Timing chain and VTC Actuator replacement

You will probably not have any luck getting Honda to stand behind this even though it is a known defect. I had the exact same thing happen with our 2013 CRV at 63,000 miles. American Honda yanked me around for days "evaluating" our request for warranty coverage while the car sat at the dealership and gave us a similar excuse to not cover it - claiming that since we did not have the oil changes done at the dealership that must have somehow been the problem. We had the VTC and timing chain repair done at the dealership and now at 96,000 miles it is doing exactly the same thing it did at 63,000. Started out with the engine rattle at start up and progressed to dash lights randomly coming on so it will be going back to the dealership.

Same problem here. Just had the timing chain changed but am still having the noise at start up. I even had the vtc changed when I bought it, it was a recall on it then. Wonder if having the vtc changed out again would help?

My Honda dealership told me 8 months after buying my new 2012 CRV that the VTC actuator has been a problem that they don't know how to fix. Funny, they didn't tell me this when I bought it. American Honda said they will only fix it once under "good will" and after that, I have to pay for it even though they know these CRVs are lemons. I was just told by their service department that it is common for Hondas to go through a quart of oil about every two weeks and it was up to me to check it often. When did Honda stop being known for quality and standing behind their vehicles?

Brought mine to dealership Feb 2017 and they couldn’t find the problem while trying to say it was the cold MI winter. I knew the warranty would be out soon so I had him confirm that when the problem was found, it would still be under warranty. Brought it back yesterday and sure enough, it was the vtc. She tried to say it wasn’t under warranty and the previous person is no longer there. I told her that I’d bring her the previous paperwork since I have it on file. She didn’t call back as she said; she simply fixed it under warranty. Not sure how they didn’t know the problem 2 yrs ago since it’s obviously common.

I have the same issue. Replaced it once while under warranty after 4 years of owning it (2 years ago). It’s doing it again. The dealership won’t fix it since “it’s a design flaw” and will do it again. So my riddle is this, if I turn in this vehicle to Honda and buy another (which I doubt I’ll do after owning 4 Honda’s, I’m thinking a Hyundai Tucson sounds good right now) my bet is they would fix this car cause no one would buy it with this horrible noise coming out of the front end when u start it on a cold day ( which in Minnesota is half the year).

Might be best to to trade it in, the problem will likely keep coming back. We traded our CRV in on an Outback but the Tuscon was a contender. After two rounds of VTC actuator problems it was time to just cut the losses and move on. We gave American Honda two chances to step up and correct the problem. First time they said we caused the problem, "must not have changed oil" which was documented as not the case. Second time they said it was 'in spec" even though it sounded like the engine was exploding on start up. Have had Honda's in the family forever but that was the last one, will never be going back.

Same problem here. I have a 2014 Honda CRV. I bought it brand new in April 2014. Made the noise on cold starts and had to replace the VTC Actuator in January 2015 at 20,336 miles. Same thing in April 2016 at 50,509 miles, replaced a 2nd time. It started making the noise again a couple of years ago, probably in 2018 around 90,00 miles. I ignored it until now. I now have 140,568, May 2020. The noise was happening for warm starts. My third replacement. I was going through 3 quarts of oil every oil change. Also lacked power. Nice to have a new VTC Actuator, no noise and more power. Hopefully oil consumption drops. I called American Honda and the excuse I received was because I had already paid for it there was nothing they could do. GREAT!

Same exact problem I had with my 2013 Honda CRV. Just under 60,000 and the 7 year warranty (in California) was coming up. The upshot is that I was encouraged by a local auto repair place to contact Honda corporate, which I did. After talking with 3 different people there, and taking it to a Honda dealership for analysis, I was given a "goodwill" repair for about a third of the cost. It helped that I have been a loyal Honda owner since 1996. This restored my faith in Honda, and the kindness of strangers. Huge relief!

I have a honda 2013 CRV and had the VTC Actuator and Time chain replace at 38,000 miles which were cover. The same thing happens at 72,000 miles, which was cover by my extended warranty. Now again at 91,000 miles. Most likely Honda won't stand behind this. I have purchased many Honda's and this is my second CRV. I am NOT Happy. Time to look for another auto, that's not HONDA.

I am the one with the 2013 Honda CRV AWD that thinks my oil wasn't changed at the Quick Lube. I plan on changing my oil pump and my oil at the Honda Service Station with weekend. I will let you know if that changes anything, but when ever I hear noises, the first thing I think of is my oil pump, not the VTC Actuator or timing chain. Marty - disabled veteran US Army

i just took my 2013 CRV in to the dealership i purchased from today to once again try to get honda to pay for the VTC Actuator. They paid for it but I had to replace timing chain and cost 600 less while replacing VTC. So still cost me 1625. Not Bad and I had no idea the timing chain had to be replaced.

My 2013 CRV actuator rattle fix ( 105,700 miles )...Crank engine 2 times ( don't let it start. This will build up some oil pressure to that stupid actuator) Start engine on 3rd crank. No noise. Never once took it to a dealership for this problem. It's a design flaw....I'm also leaning towards Marty's answer about the bad oil pump. He could be on to something. Either way, I'll never buy another Honda. They are overpriced garbage now. Use to be # 1 prior to 2005. Joe - disgusted Honda owner

At 120,000 VTC began to rattle. My gas mileage went from 28 to 21 MPG. I've had no oil- loss issues. No dashboard indicator lights. Honda and two indi mechanics say its both my timing chain and VTC - - $2500 to fix. Dealer cannot get new and improved VTC though the internet is full of them. No one even cares about my loss of gas mileage. I drove a Honda 350 and two 450s in the 1970s, and a 75 CVCC and an 82 FE in the 1980s. I've bought four other new Hondas including a Civic, Accord and 2 CR-Vs. How loyal a customer can I be. What to do?

Casey, so much for my theory. You definitely have more concrete knowledge pertaining to this problem. Thank you for enlightening me :) . Unfortunately, my 2013 CRV was used for 9 years for my job. The engine ran 8 - 10 hours a days, 5 days a week, 80 % was mostly idling. Changed oil & filter @ 80% oil life. NOW, thanks to you're help, I'm leaning towards a stretched chain / worn chain guides / worn chain tensioner. It has 116, 237 miles on it now. I'm retired now. Used the tried and true method of a piece of wood to my ear, the other side to timing cover, and heard the chain slapping around inside. The VTC is probably fine. Will take it to a reputable shop and have worn parts replaced. The engine is spotless inside. Always used BG 109 flush with BG 115 additive with a good quality 0W20 synthetic oil. Stopped using Honda filters when they sneakily had Fram make them. Filtrete was a great oil filter.

Have a 2013 CR-v in the shop. Has the same VVT actuator rattle. The difference is that I don't hear it at start up. You hear it in gear and at about 1100 rpm. Turned out to be the serpentine belt tensioner assembly. Sooooooo...... if you go through all the procedures of changing out the VVT actuator, the timing chains, guides and tensioner and the VCT Oil control solenoid like we did and still have the rattle, take the serpentine belt off and try running the engine. If the noise goes away, replace the belt tensioner assembly./