2004 Honda CR-V Engine

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. In my quest for answers, I discovered that I’m not alone in this struggle; many other Honda CR-V owners have reported similar incidents of sudden engine shutdowns while driving on the highway. This alarming trend raises serious safety concerns, highlighting the urgent need for a major recall to address the underlying issues with the software and the VVT solenoid assembly. I find myself pondering whether Honda made significant redesigns to the VVT system in models post-2006 to rectify the issues faced by earlier versions, all without triggering the need for a recall. It’s a troubling thought, but one that underscores the importance of safety in our vehicles as we navigate the roads.

My vehicle is been consuming very large amounts of oil, every 450-500 miles I have to add a quart of motor oil.

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. *LN*JB

WHILE DRIVING FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE AC WAS WORKING JUST FINE WHEN A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LIFTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS SEEMED TO HELP AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY, BUT THE NOISE CAME BACK, AND A THUMPING SOUND STARTED TO COME THROUGH AND A SMALL POP HAPPENED, SENDING SOME SORT OF BLACK CANISTER SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR AND ONTO THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE CAR FOR DAMAGE, NOT SEEING ANY MAJOR MARKS ON THE ENGINE AND NO LIQUIDS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. ONLY WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND THE CAR WOULD BLOW BOILING HOT AIR OUT OF THE VENTS DID I NOTICE AND ISSUE. THE DEALER DID AN INSPECTION OF THE CAR, AND TOLD ME THE AC HAD LITERALLY FALLEN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A MAJOR PIECE OF A VEHICLE CAN FALL OUT, AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPLACED WITHOUT PAYING $2,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CR-V. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IMRC VALVE WAS AT FAULT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 01/09/15*LJ UPDATED 9/6/2017*CN

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ,THE CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE LIKE AN AIRPLANE ,I PULLED OVER ,THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE JOB INVOLVED REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR,THE CONDENSER,RECEIVER/DRYER,EXPANSION VALVE, CONTAMINATED DRIVE BELT, COMPLETE FLUSH OF THE SYSTEM, EVACUATION AND RECHARGE OF SYSTEM. QUITE A COSTLY REPAIR AT $2737.02 THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE,UNLESS IT HAD HAPPENED AT SPEED ON A BUSY FREEWAY , IT WAS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, THAT SO MANY CRV OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA CR-V. I HAD MY AC ON AND IT BEGAN TO GRIND. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY MOTOR, BUT SOON REALIZED IT WAS MY AIR CONDITIONER UNIT. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT. COST FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC - $106.00 COST TO FIX IT: $4000.00 DIAGNOSIS:A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. ALL THE A/C PARTS ARE INTERNALLY CONTAMINATED WITH METAL FROM THE COMPRESSOR. NEEDS A/C KIT (C) AND CLUTCH AND COIL. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING ONLINE AND MANY 2003 AND 2004 HONDA CRV'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL. I DON'T HAVE THAT MONEY TO SPEND, YET NEED AIR CONDITIONING. IS THIS FAIR FOR HONDA TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE AND COST THEIR FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS SO MUCH MONEY WHEN THIS PROBLEM DID EXIST IN THOSE YEAR MODELS? CAN YOU HELP? *TR

AC COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING. HONDA DEALER SAID THE COMPRESSOR IS CRACKED. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD GOING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD LIKE A EXPLOSION SOUND AND IT MADE US SCARED AND MADE US NERVOUS TO DRIVE IT WE HAVE PUT 3 COMPRESSORS TOTAL. 2 COMPRESSOR ALONE AND ANOTHER COMPRESSOR WITH THE WHOLE THINGS LIKE FANS, RADIATOR,FOR AIR CONDITIONER HOSE,ETC, EVERYTHING. VERY COSTLY AND REGARDLESS IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM NOT WORKING. I DON'T KNOW IF ITS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE I THINK IF IT MAKES THAT EXPLOSION SOUND THAT STUFF COMES OUT TO THE AIR. HONDA ERRORS ARE COSTING THE CONSUMERS A LOT OF MONEY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIX AND REFUNDED IF POSSIBLE. I BROUGHT THIS CAR IN 2006 AND WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. PLEASE IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE SO THAT HONDA FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS BLACK DEATH ISSUE THAT'S WHAT THE COMPLAINERS AND MECHANICS ARE CALLING IT. I WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL WITH THIS ECONOMY ITS SUCH A HARDSHIP. AND LIVING IN FLORIDA THE HEAT IS UNBEARABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT. *TR

WHILE DECELERATING ON A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP, I HEARD A LARGE WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEN A LARGE BANG FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY A THUMPING NOISE WHICH STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENDED BOUNCING UNDERNEATH THE BODY OVER SEVERAL SECONDS. STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND ON THE ROAD, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY BELTS OR MATERIAL. TOOK THE CAR INTO A HONDA DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE AC WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE ESTIMATE TO FIX WAS OVER $4300 FOR THE COMPLETE SYSTEM WHICH OVER $3000 WAS IN PARTS. THEY INFORMED ME THE BANGING NOISE WAS THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH LOCKING THEN FLYING APART SENDING PIECES THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE REST OF THE ENGINE OR BODY FOR DAMAGE FROM THE FLYING DEBRIS OF THE BROKEN COMPRESSOR CLUTCH. THE DEALER INDICATED THE ALIN HONDA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS NOT SETTLED AND COULD NOT GIVE ESTIMATES OF POSSIBLE PAYMENTS. *TR

I OWN A 2004 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA SERVICE CENTER AND I WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE COMPRESSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE REPAIR COASTED ABOUT $ 1800. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIGHTS UP INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CHANGED GAS CAP TWICE BUT PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. *TR

AIRCONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER HEARING A BANG AND HISS. *TR

MY A/C COMPRESSOR EXPLODED AT AROUND 47,000 MILES SENDING SHARDS OF METAL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3000 TO REPAIR. THAT IS NOT A CASE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PART IS FAULTY. IT EXPLODED. HONDA SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT, SOMETIMES PARTS WEAR OUT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA CR-V EX WITH ALMOST 69K MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR TO THE GILLS AND JUST YESTERDAY MY A/C COMPRESSOR BLEW UP, LEAVING METAL SHARDS ALL THROUGH MY AC LINES. THE PULLEY AND CLUTCH (AC CLUTCH) WERE ALSO DESTROYED, LEAVING ME WITH A 2100 DOLLAR ESTIMATE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS HAPPENING A LOT IN THE 2002-2004 MODELS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THEY KNEW THE PART WAS FAULTY AND STILL CONTINUED TO INSTALL IT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THE PART HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED. I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN AN ESTIMATE, I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS DAMAGE WHEN IT IS CLEARLY HONDA'S FAULT. THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THIS PROBLEM AND IF I CAN FIND A WAY TO ADD MY NAME, I WILL DO IT. LACK OF AC CAN LEAD TO HEATSTROKE AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE AC IS NEEDED IN THE WINTER FOR THE DEFROSTER, AND I CAN CLEARLY SEE A FOGGY WINDSHIELD LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. HONDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND OWN UP TO THE FACT THAT THIS PART/PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

HONDA CRV 2004, AC DEFECTIVE, 82,000 MILES JUST QUIT WORKING. *TR

THE AIR CONDITIONER AND ALL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY - I HAVE AROUND 110,000 MILES ON THE CRV. THE DEALER SAYS THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO METAL AND CONTAMINATION IN THE LINES, COST IS AROUND $2200.00. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CRV'S. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? I THINK WE SHOULD GET IT REPLACED FOR FREE. *TR

A/C UNIT STARTED TO MAKE LOUD NOISES AND WOULD NOT COOL. *LN

AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES ON 12/22/10 AFTER THE TOTAL A/C UNIT WAS REPLACED ON 9/24/07 INCLUDING EXPANSION VALVE, CONDENSOR, EVAPORATOR, COOLING FAN, AND COMPRESSOR AT 75,265 MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND A/C UNIT THAT DIED. *LN

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BROKE. *TR

HOT AIR BLOWING FROM AC VENTS. THOUGHT IT MUST JUST BE LOW ON FREON. LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPRESSOR BLOWS AND CAUSES HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF $'S TO BE FIXED. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS AT A BODY SHOP WHO TOLD ME I GOT LUCKY AND THE REPAIRS WOULD ONLY AMOUNT TO $835 BECAUSE THE PART ALONE IS $550. CONTACTED HONDA AMERICA AND THEY BASICALLY LAUGHED AT ME AND SAID GOOD LUCK. VERY IRRITATED, BUT AFTER THE REPORT OF SO MANY HONDA'S BEING RECALLED IN THE PAPER YESTERDAY I SEE WHY THEY HAVEN'T YET RECALLED THEM FOR THIS ISSUE. ALTHOUGH I WASN'T STRANDED LIKE SOME PEOPLE REPORT ENGINE LOCKING DOWN FROM THIS BECAUSE WHEN THE COMPRESSOR BROKE IT BROKE THEIR TIMING BELT AND RADIATORS, IT IS STILL VERY FRUSTRATING AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN EXTREME HEAT WITH NO WARNING YOUR AIR WILL BE OUT AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

JUST PULLED OFF FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A WHISTLING NOISE AND THEN A LOUD KATHUNK. THE AIR CONDITIONER IMMEDIATELY STOPPED PUMPING COLD AIR. WENT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THEY ADMITTED IT WAS A KNOWN HONDA PROBLEM BUT STATED THAT HONDA WASN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. QUOTED ME $1,200 AND SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HADN'T CONTAMINATED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. *TR

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS A HONDA CERTIFIED VEHICLE IN OCT 2007, WITH 47,250 MILES. ON SEPT 7, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (WHO DRIVES THE VEHICLE AT COLLEGE) HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE THEN THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING JUST HOT AIR. UPON HEARING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM COLLEGE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS A BLOWN A/C COMPRESSOR. WE HAD THE REPAIRS COMPLETED IN ONE DAY AT COST OF $757.00 AND MY DAUGHTER WAS BACK AT COLLEGE THE NEXT DAY. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED BUT THE MECHANIC WILL ONLY HOLD IT FOR ONE WEEK. *TR

I BOUGHT TWO 2004 CRV'S NEW IN 12/2004. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSORS IS NOT BLOW COLD AIR ANY MORE. THE JOB COST $4470 FOR FIXING ONLY THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS CRAZY PRICE. DEALER -THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM USA NATIONWIDE . HONDA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IN MY OPINION. I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD ALSO HANDLED BY "NHTSA" . VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. IF HONDA DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE I WOULD CONSIDER BUYING MY NEXT CAR FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY. NEVER HONDA CAR AGAIN IN MY LIFE. HONDA AMERICA HEADQUARTER COMPANY SHOULD ISSUE RECALL ON HONDA CRV 2004 BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. I BELIEVE THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. BECAUSE THEY ARE MANY COMPLAINT ON INTERNET. *TR

ON MY 2004 HONDA CRV THAT I HAVE METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, STARTED HEARING CLUNKING NOISES, THEN THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING. THE AIRPORT HONDA DEALER (KNOXVILLE, TN) SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE 2 FANS FOR $460 (USING NON-HONDA PARTS) AND I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR FOR 3 DAYS FOR ANOTHER $131. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT A/C PROBLEMS ARE COMMON ON CRVS. MY CAR IS WAY PAST WARRANTY. BUT I THOUGHT HONDAS WERE SUCH GOOD CARS. I THINK IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THEN THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LOW OR NO COST. *TR