The Honda CR-V continues to be one of the most pragmatic compact SUVs on the market. It's perfect for buyers looking for an affordable SUV that has a spacious interior, an efficient powertrain, and most importantly, is reliable. While it isn’t as sumptuous as the costlier Honda Passport, the CR-V still proves to be great value for money. The 2013 Honda CR-V has 330 officially registered complaints on the NHTSA database along with 1 recall; which doesn't sound too bad considering that Honda sold over 303,904 units of the model year in question. Let's take a look at some of the problems and issues faced by the owners.
User Complains and Problems
Mechanical Problems
- Engine - 2013 Honda CR-V owners have lodged over 88 complaints regarding engine issues on NHTSA’s website and reported over 50 issues on independent car review websites. owners have complained about excessive engine oil consumption, rattling noises, and roughness. Apart from these, some owners complained about excessive vibration post 60 to 70 MPH, sudden stalling, and facing difficulty on hilly roads. A few owners have also expressed their concerns with the engine's grinding noise in cold weather.
- Transmission - Some owners have reported the gearbox vibrating while accelerating. Others have faced leaky transmissions due to broken transmission seals. There have also been complaints of fluttering sounds and roughness at lower speeds, erratic gear shifts, and malfunctioning HDC.
- Suspension - Some owners have come across rattling noises while accelerating and sudden shuddering after braking. A few owners also complained about faulty rear struts leading to rattling noises while driving.
- Brakes - Several owners have reported incidents where the brakes malfunctioned, leading to collisions and even minor injuries. In some cases, owners reported premature wear of the brake pads, squealing sounds, and softening of the brakes after some usage.
- Steering - A few owners have complained about faulty steering columns that led to heating, malfunctions, and even locking of the steering column, which led to difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle. Occasional jamming of steering columns and excessive vibrations at high speeds were also reported.
- Drivetrain - owners have complained about misaligned wheels and faulty transfer cases in AWD models on rare occasions.
Electrical Problems
- Battery - According to one owner, the battery died after only a year of usage. Others have claimed that the battery often overheats in the summer while some complained about excessive power drainage. Another owner complained about leaking batteries.
- Wiring problems - Some owners reported that rodents chewed the soy-based wiring harness, and in a few cases, owners lost control of the power-assisted steering column as a result.
- Warning lights - Some owners reported that the SRS airbag lights would often illuminate for no reason. Others have reported the ABS, AWD, VSA, and EPS amber lights turning on suddenly for no reason. In some cases, the service indicators failed to notify the driver about the pending service.
- AC/Heater - Many 2013 CR-V owners have complained about faulty and unreliable air compressors, excessive fuel consumption during AC usage, and expensive repair charges. In addition to these, owners have reported faulty heating systems as well.
Interior Problems
- Seats - Many owners have complained about the seats being very uncomfortable. They further added that the cushions would flatten after 15-20 minutes of usage, causing discomfort on longer drives. Apart from these, some owners also complained that the headrest feels very firm and has caused neck sprains and back problems. Owners have also complained about the low quality of the leatherette upholstery in higher models, as well as a lack of legroom in the seats.
- Dashboard - Some owners have complained about broken interior plastic parts and decorative trims that have separated.
- NVH levels - Several owners have voiced concerns about the increased NVH levels and wind noise on the highways.
Exterior Problems
- Lights - Some owners have faced difficulties driving at night due to a weak headlight spread. Besides this, five to six owners found the high beams to be weaker compared with other cars at night. Apart from the faulty and weaker headlights, owners also found condensation inside the headlights.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelts - Many owners have complained about faulty seatbelt latches. The seatbelt latches jam, making it difficult to unbuckle while exiting the vehicle. A few owners also complained about the early fraying of seatbelts. One owner also complained about a front passenger seat belt malfunction, which caused a minor forehead injury.
- Airbags - Some complaints stated that the airbags failed to deploy after a collision. Furthermore, two owners complained about the sudden deployment of the airbags even though there was no collision.
Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
15th April 2015 |
13V143000 |
During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal. |
If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal, it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. |
Should you buy the 2013 Honda CR-V?
Undoubtedly, the Honda CR-V isn’t the most exciting in the segment, but it can serve you for at least a decade if properly serviced. Honda has an impeccable reputation globally for building reliable vehicles, and the CR-V is no different. While there has been an abundance of complaints from owners all over the country, the numbers are minimal considering that Honda sold over 300,000 CR-Vs in 2013. However, we would recommend getting the vehicle checked by a an expert before closing the deal. Other than that, the 2013 Honda CR-V is a fairly reliable vehicle to own.
