2004 Honda CR-V Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  51
• Engine
  27
• Exhaust system
  3
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  2
• Engine › Gasoline
  2
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3931%
• 25k–50k
  1310%
• 50k–75k
  3427%
• 75k–100k
  2217%
• 100k–150k
  1613%
• 150k+
  22%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I own a 2004 Honda CR-V, a vehicle that has served me well over the years, but I recently faced a harrowing experience that left me quite shaken. While cruising along the highway, I was startled when the engine abruptly shut down. The ominous P1349 code indicated an issue with the Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator, a crucial component for maintaining optimal engine performance. Just two years ago, I replaced the VVT solenoid, investing time and resources to ensure my vehicle's reliability. Yet, here I was again, grappling with the same frustrating problem that, in a split second, nearly caused a catastrophic accident with a speeding truck tailing closely behind me. With my heart pounding and adrenaline surging, I managed to steer my CR-V into the emergency lane, narrowly avoiding disaster. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 70 MPH, smoke was suddenly seen coming from under the hood. After stopping the hood was opened and flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. An unknown report was filed. The contact was unsure if it was the fire department or police department. The contact mentioned the vehicle was serviced at inver grove Honda (4605 s. Robert trl, inver grove heights, mn 55077) weeks before the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 198,000.

I was on my way home from work, less than 2 miles from home. I stopped at a stop light and noticed smoke. I didnt' know it was my car at the time. I drove a half a block and my car filled up with smoke. I immediatly pulled over and a person behind me stopped and told me she saw flames from my car. I had immedialtly turned my car off as soon as I parked it, so I did not see the flames. An additional man drove up and said he had seen the fire also. Oil had poured out from under my car. I had just had my first oil change on Monday aug 23rd. I have approximatly 5500 miles on the vehicle. It is a 2004 Honda crv. My dealership (chezic sayers) had the vehicle towed by campus towing. The tow truck driver told me that that was the third crv that he had towed with fire damage in the last 3 months.(his name was phil) I think there should be a recall if this has happened this many times. …

On July 22, I had an oil change performed on my 2004 Honda CR-v at the texaco xpress lube in norway, maine. Everything was fine until Sunday, September 19, when I noticed an oil leak on the garage floor. (it May have been leaking prior to this date, but I usually park outside on the gravel, and the oil spill might not have been apparent.) I checked the oil level, and it was still reading full. The next day, on September 20, I was driving to work that morning and had to make a stop halfway there. I noticed at this time that the car smelled a little strange. No indicator lights were on, so I assumed the car was safe to drive. As such, I continued my trip down to westbrook, maine, planning to drive directly to the Honda dealership to have it checked out. …

On 11/24/04 I was driving on a major interstate when my engine and battery lights suddenly came on. I felt as if my breaks were not going to work. I pulled off at the nearest exit trying to get to a safe place to assess the situation. As I got off the exit, smoke began to billow into the car from the vents. A man approached me from behind and informed me my car was on fire. I didn't realize it until that moment. Apparently, it had been shooting flames out from the front wheel wells. My car had about 15,000 miles on it at the time. My oil change was four months earlier with no signs of any oil leaks prior to the fire. The fumes caused me to have an asthma attack, even after the fire was out and the car was towed to a Honda body shop. Because of the holiday, the insurance company will not look at the car until 11/29 or 30. I have no idea if it will be totaled or not. …

We purchased the 2004 Honda crv in February '04. It had 3500 miles on it when the oil was changed at holler Honda in winter park, florida. The following week we drove it to williamsburg, virginia on vacation. While there, with my 81 year old mother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-laws in the car, we experienced what so many others have reported. Passing cars honked their horns and screamed at us that our car was on fire. That was on July 29th. We are now back home in orlando and the car is at williamsburg Honda in virginia. I am now terrified to drive a Honda crv. I don't want the car back. I want my money back so that I can go buy a car that I'll feel safe driving. It has been 8 days and holler Honda won't talk to me. They told me to have my insurance company deal with their insurance company. I guess I need to engage my lawyer and the tv stations.

(1) vehicle (2004 Honda CR-v, VIN#shsrd68474u20079) was brought into brahman Honda (local dealership in miami) for its first oil change on April 12th, 2004. Continued normal usage of vehicle until engine caught on fire on June 16th, 2004 at 8 pm. (2) vehicle was being driven in normal traffic conditions along major street. As the vehicle we being driven, it began emitting large amounts of smoke from engine compartment. Driver was able to disengage the vehicle at a major intersection. Fire department came to extinguish the fire and move the disabled vehicle off the road. Evidence of significant oil leak can be found. Evidence of oil leakage can be found inside and underneath the vehicle. (3) vehicle has been brought into brahman Honda. Pending inspection by insurance company and Honda mechanics.

Durning the first oil change , the original oil filter gasket stuck to the engine block. This created a double gasket . The next morning while driving to work this gasket failed , spraying oil under persure all over the hot exhaust pipe and very hot catalytic converter. The oil bursted into flames. The fire ball went into the engine compartment. I turned off the ignition, and this stopped the oil that was feeding the fire. The fire quickly burned itself out. Had I not been in a driving situation where I could quickly pull over and get out of the crv , this could have been a total disaster. There is now evidence of a fire inside my brand new engine compartment. To correct the problem I had a different brand , other then Honda,oil filter put on.

1. In April, 2004, I took my new 2004 Honda crv to a Honda dealership for its 5,000 mile scheduled service. 2. The engine caught fire about ten minutes after leaving. I pulled off the road and almost immediately an off duty fire fighter pulled over and rendered help. Thus, the only major damage was to the manifold, electrical harness, hood assembly and windshield. 3. The dealer accepted responsibility for the faulty oil change (they showed me the double o-ring that caused the incident) and paid for repair and related expenses. I would like to commend tampa hondaland for their integrity, concern and professionalism. 4. I received an official notification of the defect today from Honda and am glad to see the system works.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that a sensor for the catalytic converter also illuminated. The contact also stated that the front passenger's side door lock seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Consumer stated engine light comes on and off continually. Just had brakes fixed- broken pads, now light is on again, trim around windshield blew off... 50,000 miles light in interior fell down ( it is rotted). It is a lemon with apparent electrical problems, sensors on all the time. Updated 05/31/18

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other CR-V years