2013 Honda CR-V: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 381 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 381 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving then I shut off like I shut the car off and restart it while I was driving then my electric power steering symbol keeps coming on.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“This honda cr-v had a sudden surge of acceleration while the brake pedal was pressed. The brake pedal was stepped off to put car into drive, but then the car suddenly went forward over 30 mph and crashed into a fence and tree in the driveway straight across from it about 5 feet away. The airbag did not immediately deploy, but deployed a minute later. The entire front end of the car was destroyed. The driver tried to press the brake, shift into neutral and even turn the key of the car off to shut it off but none of those worked. This car was purchased at carmax in May 2025 and had no issues per them. There were no warning lights on the car prior to this.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed it with transmission failure. The independent mechanic flushed the transmission fluid; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure was persistent. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Service Bulletin 16-012 was issued for 2013 CRV for the VTC actuator. This is obviously an issue that Honda is aware of but is refusing to fix. I've had to replace this part twice at the same interval of time. The first replacement was covered under my warranty however now that I am out of warranty this repair costs almost 3,000$. I contacted American Honda who refuses to provide good will even though they are aware this is a known issue. I was advised that if this wasn't repaired it would be a safety issue. I believe this should be covered on Hondas dime especially if this has to replaced multiple times at no fault of the customer.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 132,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 267,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“VTC rattles on startup. Please email me at [XXX] so we can start another lawsuit against Honda. This is a known problem that everyone from honda to your backyard mechanic are aware of. I used to love Honda. I even paid extra to get this specific Honda CRV. Kind of feel like a fool now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“6/27/2025 Driving to work on Garden State Parkway fast lane driving 65 miles per hour. Tire experienced a complete blow out. Tire walls burst apart and smoked. Driving straight on a clear highway.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 164,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
“uUknown. Sometimes I smell gas on & off when the car is running, especially. I open the windows and it subsidesafter ahwile & it not as strong.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2025
“Driving on hwy at 55. Heard very loud pop and then shattered sunroof blew off. Was NOT near an overpass. No debris from passing vehicles. Dash cam shows this.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Remedy: 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. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CR-V by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Honda CR-V reliable?
NHTSA has 381 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Honda CR-V. The most complained-about area is engine (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Honda CR-V problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 31,003 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Honda CR-V have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.