CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2014 Honda CR-V has a trend of engine hesitation when accelerating.

Honda has tried to fix this delayed acceleration with a software update, but many owners report it didn't fix the problem.

This defect trend is not quite bad enough yet for us to slap on the "Beware of the Clunker" seal. But it's a concern & definitely something to keep in mind for a test drive.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
25,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Honda CR-V engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 1 of 10)

problem #183

May 232024

CR-V

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine code p1009 VTC valve replacement no know place will replace due to zero tolerant engine and timing not in tune due too much damage by the pistons and valves

- South Sioux City, NE, USA

problem #182

Mar 012024

CR-V

  • miles
Rattles and shakes between 25 and 40 mph, bad actuator will cause timing failure. It only has 71,000 miles. Honda is well aware of this defect in this vehicle. When will they be held accountable to fix this issue? At 33k I was definitely taken for a ride! No engine warning light either!

- Adrian, MI, USA

problem #181

May 012024

CR-V

  • miles
Purchased our 2014 CR-V [XXX], used one owner, 55301 mileage. Very little driving the next three years due to the pandemic. Summer of 2023 we were driving from Buffalo to [XXX], first 30 miles, severe hesitation, amber lights on, until reaching 70mph. Hesitation stopped but lights stayed on. By August the TPMS indicator, malfunction indicator lamp and other lights came on, again. We reset according to the manual, but this was just the beginning of this process happening over and over again. During dealer testing Code PO 341 came up. Had it tested at another place before taking it to West Herr Honda and was told needed Timing chain replacement with VTC. This was done at a cost of $2232.06 with car mileage of 63159. We were sad and disappointed. Research shows that Honda is very much aware of over 500 plus recorded problems with the 2014 CR-V not to mention unreported problems. The model should be recalled before lives are lost. Car still hesitates but evidently due to a different problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Buffalo , NY, USA

problem #180

Feb 102020

CR-V

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A VTC actuator rattles and is damaging the timing chain that will fail and cause catastrophic engine failure on road that can cause life threatening event

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #179

Feb 222024

CR-V

  • miles
On 2/21/24 as we were exiting a Hospital Parking Garage and I slowed down to stop at exit where road is, the engine suddenly had an uncontrolled acceleration. Difficult to stop but I pressed hard on brakes (which alone did not stop vehicle)and immediately put gearbox in Neutral, stopping vehicle before it made it on the street. After that, no more incidents on 2/21 or 2/22.. Should be noted I had total of 3 such incidents in past 4-5 months, this was the third. One occurred as getting out a store parking lot, slowing down at street interface and suddenly engine acceleration, used same technique as above. Another was at end of our street coming to a stop at interface to another street, same occurrence. In each of the occurrences I can verify that it was neither a car mat issue (it is anchored in car) not an accidental stepping o accelerator.. Have not contacted dealer or Honda as I note neither has ever found an answer to similar occurrences with others. For now drive carefully and one hand on shift lever most of the time when coming to a stop as occurrences appear to be far apart.

- Watertown, MA, USA

problem #178

Jul 242018

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #177

Dec 012021

CR-V

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #176

Jul 282023

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #175

Jun 152023

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #174

Jun 182023

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #173

Apr 052023

CR-V

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #172

Feb 012019

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #171

Jan 012023

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #170

May 252017

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #169

Apr 152022

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #168

Jun 292022

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #167

Sep 062022

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #166

May 212019

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #165

Jul 212022

CR-V

  • miles
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

problem #164

Aug 092022

CR-V

  • miles
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

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