Used 2013 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
Used CR-V for sale
VTC Actuator defect - 3 yr/36000 warranty useless
ckholmvik@gmail.com, Saint Paul, MN, 11/01/2015
Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
170 of 176 people found this review helpful
I bought my Honda CRV in mid-2013. By the time the car was 1 year old, with 10,000 miles, there was a grinding noise when I would start the car. The grinding noise lasts about 2 seconds. It has been into a Honda dealership several times. I was told Honda is working on a "fix" and that the problem would be addressed when the engineering department had the issue figured out. One year later (but still under warranty), the grinding noise is louder and longer than before, and happens almost every time I start the car. Upon doing some research, I learned that Honda has been installing the defective VTC actuator since 2008, in Accords. The defective actuator was also installed in 2012-2014 CRV's. It appears that Honda continued to use the defective actuator since 2008, yet customers are being told that a "fix" is in the works, 7 years later. American Honda has advised Honda service departments to not replace the actuator as it is likely that the replacement actuator will present the same grinding noise. A regional case manager also assured me that a "fix" was in the works but did not comment when I pointed out that Honda continued to use a defective part from 2008-2014. Honda repeatedly emphasizes that this is not a safety or performance issue, to which I have replied that is likely the reason it has been 7 years with no fix -- it is a low priority and Honda chooses to direct its engineering resources elsewhere. Dealerships will not do anything as American Honda will not allow replacements to be made. This is my last Honda. Their way of doing business is horrendous. What I have now is a vehicle that definitely attracts attention (but not in a good way) when it is started as everyone in the vicinity gets to enjoy the grinding sound of metal-on-metal.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
DISAPPOINTED
aky13, Potomac, MD, 05/19/2014
updated 06/06/2016
Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
Compared with my previous vehicle, a 2004 Honda CR-V, the 2013 is VERY disappointing in all aspects EXCEPT fuel economy. When the CR-V was redesigned, Honda - in MY opinion - made a horrendous error by notably reducing the size of the rear window while simultaneously increasing the interior "wrap around" on the rear sides of the vehicle thus dramatically reducing rear visibility. The interior design of the vehicle is very troubling to me. Some IDIOT engineer/designer stuck a blower motor (I assume that is what it is) for the ventilation system in the foot space on the passenger side. Considering that this is NOT a humongous vehicle to begin, removing six or so inches of foot space (maybe 200+ cubic inches of foot space) was TERRIBLE. Honda also reduced the amount and locations of storage space from the older models. While the following may not be of importance to most people, it IS to me: the Honda CR-V model that I bought has a "better" audio system INCLUDING a "subwoofer." Again, some IDIOT engineer/designer (the same one??) located the subwoofer* directly under the passenger seat and firing UP into the seat cushion. You do NOT need to be an acoustic engineer to understand that the seat cushion will almost completely swallow sound pressure from the subwoofer making it USELESS. BTW, when I first went to the dealer to ASK where the subwoofer is located since I could not hear it; they indicated that they did NOT CARE. I will NEVER again buy a vehicle from them! *the actual "subwoofer" in the CR-V is a speaker of something like 4.5 inches diameter. I do not know what kind of magnet it has, but unless some VERY SPECIAL engineering is done (as in BOSE speakers), 4.5 inches is pathetic for a subwoofer. I am not thrilled by the performance of the vehicle, although it DOES get great mileage. The transmission shifting is very noticeable. For all of these reasons, I turned the CR-V over to my wife. She did not mind since she drives very little these days. I bought a 2015 Subaru Forest. While it does not get quite as good mpg as the CR-V, it is a FAR superior vehicle in MY opinion. AND, the Continuously Variable Transmission is s delight!
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2013 Honda CR-V for sale near you
Showing 3 of 66 listings
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $13,99588 mi away
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $12,995In-stock online
- EX-L 4dr SUVMSRP: $11,600In-stock online
See all 66 listings
Great Buy
Joe Robertson, Chicago, IL, 06/30/2016
Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
The car is attractive and smooth. I have a tech background and love the technology that is has. Overall, I'd highly recommend this vehicle. The only issue I have is that it's more of a sporty vehicle than a family car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
2013 CR-V EX-L
Gummy, Greer, SC, 08/24/2020
updated 08/26/2021
Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
It has been a trouble free vehicle only required servicing through 100200 miles. The gas mileage is great and comfort leather seating, good heat and air. Road noise is louder then should be in a suv. The 4 cylinder engine with 5 speed transmission is weak on power on hills. Great around town and lots of leg room and good cargo space. Honda needs to put a fuel economy 6 in the CR-V not 4 cylinder turbocharged engines as an option.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Odd noise from rear
avuncular58, 07/29/2014
Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
Generally pleased with latest incarnation of the CRV but has anyone come across the problem of a light rattling sound from the rear of the vehicle. After a couple of dealership trips (car under warranty) it turns out to be a couple of pebbles that have bounced into the shock absorber recesses at the rear. The only way to remove them was to use a pressure air blower. The dealer did this free the first time but I was charged when it happened again. The older version CRV did not have this problem. Also, the sound system is not as bassy as the old version. Not that it matters much to me but it's not as good as the sound system in the older CRV.