On cold starts it sounded like the upper part of the valve train was not getting any oil and rattled. This only lasted a second, and when the weather got warmer it seemed to lessen, but never fully disappeared. Took it to my dealer twice and left it overnight so they could experience a cold start. Meanwhile, did some research.

CRV factory fill oil is a synthetic/organic blend. I prefer full synthetic. My dealer used to use Mobil One, but recently changed to "Honda Full Synthetic" so I did some research. Turns out this oil is made for Honda by Halvoline. This did not thrill me.

After two attempts by my dealer to replicate this "rattle' upon cold start up, neither of which were successful, I had the oil changed at a local repair shop that uses Castrol brand full synthetic. Lo and behold the rattle disappeared immediately. I really think the Halvoline 0-30 weight was not as effective leaving a lubricating layer on the valve train, and the Castrol 0-30 weight full synthetic seems to have eliminated the problem my dealer could not find.

Now if I could only figure out why, when I coast, it sometimes seems like my trans. goes out of gear and I feel like I am doing an old "neutral drop" when I apply the accelerator.

I HAVE THE OCCASIONAL METAL ON METAL SOUND AT START UP. THE DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT. I THOUGHT OF IT TODAY AND SEARCHED THE WEB AND LOW AND BEHOLD, THERE ARE OTHERS.

I ALSO HAVE A 2002 CRV WITH OVER 230,000, NO MAJOR DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS AND SURELY NO SOUNDS LIKE THIS. I HAD A MAZDA 626 IN 1979 AND IT HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT. BUT I STILL TRADED IT IN.

I WILL START MAKING SOME PHONE CALLS AS THIS CONCERNS ME MORE NOW THAT I HAVE MORE FACTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND THE HISTORY OF THIS CONDITION. HONDA WILL NOT FAIR WELL IF THIS GETS TO MUCH ATTENTION AND YOU CAN BE SURE IT WILL ONCE SOME LAWYERS GET A HOLD OF THIS.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO HAVE THIS VEHICLE AND MAY WE UNITE TO WIN THIS FIGHT AS WE ALL LAID DOWN SOME BIG BUCKS TO HAVE A NICE NEW RIDE.

I have had four different Honda vehicles in the past because I always loved them. The first two were never a problem. The third which was a 2009 Honda accord was still perfect to me until it hit the 50,000 mile range. That's when I started to hear this grinding noise upon starting it in the morning on a cold day. I took it to Honda for them to tell me that they didn't know what the problem was and they think the actuator should be replaced.

THEY THINK the actuator s/b replaced? I don't like when someone says they think!!! They should know what the problem is. Well, at the time I was going to let them think the actuator was the problem and have it fixed, Honda was having a no finance on the 2014 Honda CRV's. I was at the point where I wanted an all wheel drive vehicle so I traded in the Honda Accord and purchased the CRV.

I absolutely loved it. I purchased it in April of 2014 and felt so safe in it. I love the way it handles. Then in November of 2014 when the weather started to get cold all hell broke loose. The grinding noise appeared in the CRV upon starting it on a cold morning and I only had 5,200 miles on it. I am so beside myself. I feel like Honda has betrayed the people. They have no clue what's causing the grinding sound. It only lasts about 3 seconds but I am so afraid that one of these days something is going to wear or break in the vehicle and I'm going to be stuck somewhere. Not mentioning what if it's something that could go while traveling on a highway. DANGEROUS!!! Maybe it's only something silly but if Honda can't fix the problem b/c they don't know what it is then maybe it really isn't something little or silly. It could end up being a life threatening problem if you're traveling. Then that's when the recalls come out. Why wait for a first time for something to happen for a recall.

Get on the ball Honda and find out what the problem is. I am tempted to switch to a different make of vehicle and it won't be a Honda. I had my heart set in buying Honda's forever but now I feel different.

A grinding startup noise started happening about 2 months ago with my 2014 Honda CR-V EX. It lasts about 3-4 seconds just when it starts. Many forums online have reported this same problem with their CR-V, even with older models. Some people have had luck, turning the key to the on position, then back off, and then turning the car on. Others have tried using authentic Honda oil and filters, and some have even had valve springs and the VTC actuator replaced, but each time, the problem reoccurred.

This is from a forum dated just yesterday 12/1/14: "The dealer told me the problem was a broken valve spring which they fixed under warranty. I got the car back the next day. A day later, the noise started up again. I called the dealer back and they stated that a bulletin was going go be released by Honda headquarters for the 2014 model having this problem and that it is a faulty VTC actuator. I have to wait until this bulletin comes out and then bring the car back again for repair. The bulletin I gave them that described the exact problem only applies for model years 2009-2012 but apparently is becoming a known issue in the 2014 models. Why they didn't just fix this to begin with is beyond me." My CR-V is now sitting at the shop.

Another rant with this vehicle is the poor handling in the snow. I was very surprised that my old 2000 CR-V handled so much better. I'm wishing I never traded in my older CR-V.

I hope Honda resolves these issues. I have owned 5 Honda's and have raved about them to others, and now I've lost all confidence.