Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Engine shuts off while driving. Speeds can be low or high. 20-65 mph. While driving, engine will cut off. Sometimes the electrics remain on and I can use power steering to pull to the side of the road, other times everything shuts down. It can happen while turning or regular straight driving. Sometimes it will restart right after, other times, it won't start for many minutes. We have gotten stuck in turn lanes, middle of intersections, and busy 3 lane city roads. Mechanic says it is not showing any codes and can't find anything wrong with the car.
I bought this car from a private seller and he claimed the vehicle was in good condition. A day later the car has been dying on me while driving. Nothing shows on the check engine that something is wrong with it. The car will start and able to drive but then will die on me again. How do I find if it's covered under a recall?
Our car had a burnt valve last year at about 90000 miles. We brought it to a napa machine shop and had it re-machined. About a month ago we had it repaired at our local Honda dealer. They readjusted the valves which they said were way too tight. The car is stalling again and is difficult to restart. They referenced Honda technical bulletin 03-038. In researching this via google, it appears Honda failed to advise American-but not european-customers of a valve adjustment need that results in valves receding into the cylinder heads.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda CR-v. The contact was driving 50 MPH, when she heard a loud noise from the vehicle and smelled smoke. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and inspected under the hood. As the hood ws opened, the engine fell. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was awaiting a return call. The failure and current mileage was 113,000.
Leaving my house came to stop sign car shut off in road. Timing belt broke for the 2 time. Also drivers window won't work 2 motors in it and still nothing and sunroof won't open. Only 2 owners and car been well kept oil on time. And there something making belts go bad.
Esta denuncia esta reportada anteriormente el numero es 10888751 la vuelvo a colocar porque me falto colocar los datos del dealer que me estafo: bam bam used autos sales inc. Nombre: mike 7864597996 direccion: 1010 n 20th ave ste #d hollywood fl 33020 compre la camioneta de un dealer en hollywood, expresamente le pregunte por algun problema mecanico que le deba conocer a la Honda y su respuesta fue "no hay problema mecanico, motor y transmision sin problemas" al siguiente dia fui a comprarla (07-24-2016) y a las dos horas la camioneta recalento (overheating), se la lleve de regreso al dealer y el mismo le coloco agua al radiador, y me dijo que si tenia algun problema lo llamara... …
Compre la camioneta de un dealer en hollywood, expresamente le pregunte por algun problema mecanico que le deba conocer a la Honda y su respuesta fue "no hay problema mecanico, motor y transmision sin problemas" al siguiente dia fui a comprarla (07-24-2016) y a las dos horas la camioneta recalento (overheating), se la lleve de regreso al dealer y el mismo le coloco agua al radiador, y me dijo que si tenia algun problema lo llamara... OK saqu la camioneta y la probe por 2 horas mas y el carro recalento otra vez pero ya era mas de las 7 pm y el dealer habia cerrado su negocio entonces le escribi y me respondio que ya el no podia hacer nada que debia llevarlo a un mecanico y pagarlo,le indique que se la haba acabado de comprar que debia resolver ese problema, y me dijo que hablara con su esposa porque el no habla mucho espaol, al dia siguiente llame a la esposa y ella me indico que ya no …
2001 Honda CR-v se check engine light went on, idle became extremely rough and stalling while driving. Nothing unusual preceded this incident. Took the car into to be diagnosed and was told the 4th cylinder was only holding 15-20% of required pressure, it had gone soft. Researched issue and found Honda has issued a technical service bulletin #03038 regarding this problem. It is a known defect in the Honda CR-v as the Honda maintenance guide does not recommend any valve maintenance until 105,000 miles. However, it has been found that the engine's high compression rate causes the valves to warp and become soft unless they are adjusted every 30,000-35,000 miles. Have been in contact with Honda and all they are willing to do is split the cost 50/50 of this major repair, over $3,000. They are many documented cases of this occurring with the 1999-2001 Honda CR-vs that use the b210z engine.
2001 Honda crv started to have a rough idle followed by the check engine light turning on approximately one year ago. Took the vehicle in for a tune up at a local dealer and problem temporarily went away. Recently the problem got worse and the check engine light came back on. The Honda dealer evaluated the check engine light reported that there was a problem with the valves. I had the dealer conduct a valve adjustment and they reported that compression on the #3 cylinder only reported 45 psi and recommended replacing the cylinder head at a cost of $4500 dollars. The service representative the Honda dealership was aware of problems with the Honda crv and Honda has not taken any responsibility for the problem nor offered to repair the problem. I believe Honda has been aware of problems with the 2001 Honda crv. Request the nhtsb conduct an investigation.
At 72,000 miles my crv blew 2 head gaskets thus requiring an engine overhaul. The dealer informed me that they have been getting a few vehicles with the same problem. However, problems are not under warranty. At 144,000 miles it required a catalyctic converter because it clogged.. However, I was noticing a weird sound under the car at 130,000. And before that it did not feel as powerful when going up inclines. My mechanic said that they are getting a lot of vehicles of the same model with the catalictic converter problem and as a matter of fact he had one crv this past week in which he had to change the converter. Unfortunately, where I reside emmisions inspection is not required. Maybe, if we did, the problem with the catalyctic converter would had been noticed if it had failed the emmissions test. Please help!
Engine complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Honda CR-V, 23% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is engine (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda CR-V engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Honda CR-V, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda CR-V engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.