Is the 2013 Honda CR-V a bad year?
382 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 98, 3.5× a quiet CR-V year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 17k–65k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 CR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 30,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 98 (26%) | 17k–65k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 95 (25%) | 20k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 38 (10%) | 19k–78k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 27 (7%) | 20k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 26 (7%) | 14k–36k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 26 (7%) | 2k–40k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 19 (5%) | 8k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 17 (4%) | 7k–44k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 16 (4%) | 26k–158k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 15 (4%) | 8k–84k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 32 (8%) | 0k–9k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (4%) | 2k–21k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | 0k–19k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 30,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 382 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 11 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
On cold start the engine makes a loud grinding noise. My vehicle only has 28,500 miles on the car.
At the stationary position, heard a loud grinding sound when I start the vehicle for about 1-2 seconds.
Judder, akin to driving on the rumble strips alongside a highway. Happens when slowly accelerating between 20-30 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 30,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Honda CR-V: 2
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 57
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The electric differential pressure solenoid (EDPS) in the rear differential has excessive oil pressure…
To occur, a software update for the transmission is available at the customer's request
At cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about 2 seconds
Replace the vtc actuator if the engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds during cold start-up
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2012 CR-V: 403 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 CR-V: 587 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda CR-V year
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Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Honda CR-V a bad year?
382 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 98, 3.5× a quiet CR-V year. At 30,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 17k–65k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (98), transmission and drivetrain (95), electrical system (38), air bags (27), brakes (26). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 17k–65k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Honda CR-V have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 13V-143). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.