2012 CRV (and Other Years And Models - I believe this is the smoking gun related to the 2-second "rattle" at startup (i don't feel it is a grinding) with the subject vehicle. VTC actuator may very well be at the heart of the noise.
This is a well known and documented problem. Has been going on since at least 2014. All over the web. Honda is in no hurry to fix this. And dealerships could care less. We bought the car used last year 14. The salesman said his wife has the same car. But failed to mention this was an ongoing issue. My first and last honda. And I will tell kids grandkids and anyone who listens. Don't buy Honda. They will not stand behind their products.
This engine grinding noise happens only on cold starts. The noise is significant and embarrassing and sounds like I have a clunker. I've been reading that MANY CR-V owners are having this same exact issue and the problem does not get fixed when they bring it in to Honda. I have little faith if I bring this into Honda that it will be fixed and I cannot afford to pay for this repair at this time. I have lost complete faith in the Honda brand due to this issue with the engine. I will NEVER buy another Honda again. Our next vehicle will be a Subaru.
Loud grinding noise for about 10 seconds, on cold start. As the outside temperature cooled, the noise happened every day. I took it in, went for a test drive with a technician. It told them it wouldn't happen, because the car had been driven and it did not occur for them to hear it. When we returned, the technician mentioned that it could be the actuator. One of the service writers mentioned that Honda is "working on" the problem and the actuator had been tried on other CR-V's and it was not the problem. They suggested I leave the car overnight, but since there was not a repair available, I declined and they agreed. I was sent away, with no chance of a repair.
- khmn,
St Paul, MN, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I have a 2012 CRV. The grinding noise starting in the winter on cold mornings and has progressively gotten worse. It now happens every time the car has sat for a couple of hours. I have had it in to the dealer who states they do not hear the noise and have no idea what it could be. It is very embarrassing to have the car make this noise when out in any parking lot or even someone elses driveway.
I bought a Honda because of the reputation; this is my third Honda. I am highly disappointed that Honda has not found a fix for this problem. I don't even like to start to car and I'm afraid more damage is being done.
The engine sounds like there is scrap metal grinding in the engine when you start the car. At first it only happened when car had been sitting idle for a few hours, now it happens after just an hour or two. I am so disappointed in Honda and Leith Honda of Raleigh NC. They refuse to repair this despite asking many times. They claim there is no fix and there is not a problem with the motor performance. This is a horrible vehicle - do not purchase it, I'm told it's fixed in the 2015s but I wouldn't take a chance on it.
Around February of 2015 I started to notice a bad grinding sound when starting the car in the morning. I took it to Brown Honda where it was purchased and has been serviced, where I was told that they and Honda were aware of the problem, but that no fix // recall has been published.
The service manager said that the issue would not damage the engine, but I am skeptical given the sound. I'm concerned that Honda will not cover the engine should there be permanent damage. Furthermore, given the ubiquity of this issue and the cavalier attitude of Honda toward solving the problem, I question Honda's commitment to it's customers and it's willingness to stand behind it's products.
The problem has gotten worse and there doesn't appear to be a technical solution to the issue anywhere on the horizon.
I have purchased or leased 5 Honda's in the last 15 years, and up to this point have had a high regard for Honda and the cars they build, but my opinion has changed with this issue. I will look elsewhere when replacing this CR-V and my wife's Odyssey.
I'm am very disappointed in Honda now. They supposedly fixed this issue a couple weeks ago. The rattle on cold start up was noticeable last night when I started the car up.
I bought this vehicle because I thought it would go into my grave with me, that's the reputation of Honda. But I've had this actuator valve fixed twice and I need to take it in again. Problem is significant--it can ruin the engine if not fixed. I'm going to have to fight to get them to honor this as an on-going recurring problem. Each fix only lasts 3-6 months before it starts again.
I am VERY disappointed in Honda. When I took it in the first time there were 2-3 other CRVs in for the same problem, so I don't think it's just my vehicle, but I see no recalls for this, probably because it's not life-threatening. And to make it worse, when I do take it in, they insist on keeping it overnight "just to make sure what the problem is" even though I've had it in before. This is very aggravating. Anybody else have this problem? Any solutions?
I bought my wife a 2012 Honda CRV, we are Honda people this is our 10th Honda. Never had any real complaints but this is bad. Every time she starts the car, not just in cold weather, any time, sounds like the engine is eating itself. REALLLLY BAD !! Can't be good unless they change the engine. I don't even want to keep the car.
As another owner has complained, this seems to occur upon cold start ups. It was annoying at first and only happened in cold weather, but now it is summer and it's louder than ever. I am a serious Honda lover, but I am NOT impressed and it cannot be good.
Bought this car new...loved it....then a year into it started having this grinding noise at first start up in morning....then after sitting all day at work...I would here the grinding noise starting in evening. Dropped off at dealership...they kept it over night...no noise...i told them I thought it was in the starter....they said " we'll it will only get worse ...so bring it back when it does". It did get worse....been hearing it for the last few months daily...so dropped it off again...no noise....BUT...when I picked it up after work...asked the service man and his tech to come listen when I started it...sure enough they heard the noise.....when I am there....then they say..." We think it's not the starter but a VTC actuator problem...and Honda is working on a fix ...there is NO FIX for it yet!!!!
Honda your a multimillion dollar company and have thousands of well paid engineers!!! Find a FIX!!
Now to be fair, it may be more my dealership that won't fix it, than Honda not having a fix, but right now I am so confused and frustrated!
I want to know if it is fixable and of course what the fix is.......
2 years and no issues with car. Last couple of months this one is giving a starting noise of engine occasionally. Never had this issue in winter but now it is summer and I am not sure why it would happen now. Went to dealer to get the regular 2 yrs maintenance and explained the issue. They said I need to leave overnight for them to actually hear the noise. I told them it happens occasional and only in the morning when I start the car and no other time of the day I hear the noise.
They said we need to perform the regular maintenance and if it still persists asked to come back again. Well it happened again and here is the most annoying part..I want to capture this on phone and put it on youtube but whenever I tried it does not make noise. And Now engine light is on after just 2 weeks going to service. I will update this thread after I drop and talk to them
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The car makes a loud rattle noise for a second when the car is started after the engine has not been started over night or when the engine is cold.
- Tamie A., Texarkana, AR, US