Most common 2013 Honda CR-V problems
Share of the 382 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda CR-V complaints by model year
Best CR-V years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2013 Honda CR-V recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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…
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 Honda CR-V:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2013 Honda CR-V owners say
Engine & cooling all 99 →
The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds on cold start-up. The rattle started in 2021 at 90k miles, used to be intermittent but since 2022 it occurs every cold start-up. Two different mechanics have diagnosed the problem as a VTC defect requiring replacement, based on Honda's TSB bulletin, which diagnoses the rattle as a defective VTC. No warning indicator lights have ever appeared for this issue. The cost to replace the VTC is $1200. A class action lawsuit has been filed for this very issue (JULY 5, 2023 case 3:23-CV-01238) - it states that a 2011 study showed that the VTC defect can stretch the vehicle's timing chain and cause premature failure of the timing chain tensioner, and that damage to these internal engine components can cause catastrophic engine failure and lead to accidents. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 95 →
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.
The contact's mother owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact's mother informed him that she had experienced hesitation between shifting gear and the indication shown on the gear selector. There was no warning light illuminated. His mother also informed him that the vehicle would stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and they informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V143000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Electrical system all 38 →
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.
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.
2013 Honda CR-V engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Honda CR-V a good car?
Based on 382 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 CR-V rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the CR-V at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Honda CR-V?
The engine & cooling — 99 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (95) and electrical system (38).
How many recalls does the 2013 Honda CR-V have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2013 Honda CR-V, the most recent from December 18, 2023 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda CR-V?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2024 and 2023. See the full Honda CR-V years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda CR-V problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 26,000 miles; 69% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.