RoadVitals

1999 Honda CR-V Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Aug 1, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 127 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Honda CR-V submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 1, 2021

Yes just a couple of days ago Someone took off the catarac converter from my Vehicle, and I had to replace that with another one, and since than my vehicle has not been the same since, plus they also cut the oxygen cable also, what to do???

NHTSA ID
11427367
Incident
Jun 18, 2021
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2017

CAR ENGINE INSTANTLY SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MILES PER HOUR DOWN ROUTE 65 IN PA. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, ENGINE RESTARTED BUT THEN COMPLETELY QUIT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON ROUTE 376.

NHTSA ID
11047003
Incident
Nov 14, 2017
Mileage
213,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2016

LOST OF COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10861381
Incident
Apr 22, 2016
Mileage
121,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2016

VEHICLE STALLS/CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC.LAST OCCURENCE WAS 3/6/2016 AND ONE BEFORE THAT WAS 12/19/2015. SUPPOSEDLY THERE WAS A RECALL AND REPAIR DONE 6/7/2005. THIS IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
10845609
Incident
Mar 6, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE OIL LAMP AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10822879
Incident
Jan 24, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2010

I HAVE A 1999 HONDA CR-V WITH APPROXIMATELY 120K MILES ON IT. THE #4 CYLINDER HAS LOW COMPRESSION DUE TO A BURNED EXHAUST VALVE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL FAILS TO STATE THAT THE VALVES NEED TO BE CHECKED EVERY 15K MILES (HONDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE MISPRINT BUT FAILS TO ASSIST IN REPAIR COSTS). THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS OCCASIONALLY, PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10343725
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
120,545 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2008

WE PURCHASED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC IN MARCH 1998. WHILE IT WAS IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE AC UNIT WENT OUT WHICH WAS COVERED. MY HUSBAND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING CAUSED A METAL PART IN THE COMPRESSOR TO BREAK, CAUSING METAL FRAGMENTS TO CONTAMINATE THE AC SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2-3 YEARS OLD AND THE TIME AND THE DEALER REPAIRED IT AT NO COST TO US. WE HAVE SINCE SOLD THIS VEHICLE. IN JULY OF 1999 WE PURCHASED A HONDA CR-V (EX) WHICH WE STILL OWN. WE ALSO PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ($75K COVERAGE) ON THIS VEHICLE. IN AUGUST OF 2003 (WITHIN 200 MILES OF WHEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED) AT 77K MILES, THE A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO COVERAGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL A/C REPAIR SHOPS AND MOST OF THEM QUOTED $1200-$1400. WE HAD THE AC REPAIRED BY A REPUTABLE AC REPAIR SHOP AT THE COST OF $1200. WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND INTENDED ON KEEPING IT FOR ANOTHER 2 YEARS OR SO. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE COMPRESSOR MADE A TERRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE, AND SOMETHING APPEARED TO BREAK OFF. WE BROUGHT IT IN AND SURE ENOUGH, THE COMPRESSOR HAD GONE OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS TIME, THAT IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING (ROAD DEBRIS) CAUSES THIS PROBLEM AND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. WE ARE BEING QUOTED ANOTHER $1400-$1500 TO FIX THE A/C. WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO BUY ANOTHER HONDA DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD. MY HUSBAND HAD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE (THIS TIME A TOYOTA) BECAUSE HE DRIVES 30 MILES ONE WAY AND THEN HAS TO DRIVE AROUND TO CUSTOMERS. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE FOR MANY YEARS ABOUT A DEFECT IN THE AC SYSTEMS OR A DEFECT IN THE WAY THE AC SYSTEMS AND HAVE ACTED IN BAD FAITH BY NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233853
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
151,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 12, 2008

I OWN A 1999 HONDA CR-V. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 102,000 MILES. THE CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER, SHAKING WHILE IDLING AND CHUGGING LOUDLY DURING GEAR SHIFTING. ONE DAY THE ENGINE JUST DIED, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT I WAS DRIVING THROUGH. NO WARNING. I THEN TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. THEY FIRST HAD ME REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT TOOK THEM TWO VISITS TO FINALLY REALIZE THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND THE HEAD NOW MUST BE REPLACED. AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE IS $3500 TO $4000. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AND IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR 1997 TO 2000 PLUS MODELS. THIS PROBLEM MUST BE STOPPED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230893
Incident
May 25, 2008
Mileage
102,500 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2008

HELLO I HAVE A 1999 HONDA CRV.. I HAVE 102K ON MY CAR. I HAVE HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP (HONDAPRO) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT PARTICULAR ENGINE HAS HAD PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE VALVES OVERTIGHTENING AND CAUSING THE HEAD TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO SYMPTOMS ACCRUE THEN THE CEL COMES ON WITH CODES OF MISFIRE, BY THAT TIME ITS TOO LATE. BURNT AND CRACKED VALVES ARE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS THAT HAS OTHER OWNERS OF THE HONDA CRV THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD THAT COSTS THE CONSUMER AT LEAST BETWEEN 3-5K TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE VALVES ON MINE ONCE AT ABOUT 87,327 MILES. I DON'T THINK THAT THE ENGINE HEAD IS A GOOD ONE WHEN ITS ONLY BEEN LESS THAT 15K MILES AND THE PROBLEMS COME BACK. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN GET DONE ABOUT THIS HEAD PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222712
Incident
Mar 24, 2008
Mileage
101,671 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2006

CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS 1999 CRV HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN TSB 03-038. *KB ***NAR*** THE TSB WAS FOR POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE DUE TO EXHAUST VALVES RECEDING INTO THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE FAULTY PARTS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10164770
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
83,560 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2005

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A MISFIRE DURING IDLE IN MY 99 HONDA CRV ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID MY FUEL INJECTORS WERE BAD AND CHARGED ME APPROX.$750 TO REPLACE. I CONTINUED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SO I DID A TUNE UP ON THE VEHICLE. THIS STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS MISSING BECAUSE I DID NOT USE HONDA SPARK PLUGS. I REPLACE THE BOSCH PLUGS WITH HONDA PLUGS AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. I LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS AND FINAL BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME. NOW HE SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW HEAD AND NEW FUEL INJECTORS ND WANTS $4800 FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE SUBJECT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HONDA VALVES NEED TO BE ADJUSTED EVERY 15,000 TO 30,000 MILES OR THEY CAN GET TOO TIGHT AND CAUSE BURNED VALVES OR A DAMAGED HEAD. THE HONDA OWNERS MANUAL ONLY RECOMMENDS ADJUSTING THE VALVES AT A MUCH GREATER INTERVAL. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN DEFECT AND HONDA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THEIR INCOMPETENT ENGINEERING ABILITY. BY THE WAY THE DEALER I WENT TO IS NAPLETONS AUTOWERKS HONDA IN ROCKFORD ILLINOIS.*JB

NHTSA ID
10145422
Incident
Dec 15, 2005
Mileage
117,262 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2004

MY MOM'S 1999 HONDA CRV HAD TO UNDERGO SEVERAL VALVE JOBS FROM DIFFERENT DEALERS WHEN IT HAD UNDER 75,000 MILES BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. NUMEROUS COSTS TOTALED OVER $2000. CONTACTED HONDA, BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS, OR KNOWN PROBLEMS AT THE TIME. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF OTHER CRV'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THOUGH. SHOULDN'T HONDA FIX THIS PROBLEM BY SENDING OUT A RECALL AS IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNERS OF THE CAR?. *JB

NHTSA ID
10098803
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 26, 2004

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO EMISSIONS TEST STATION, AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS FAILED THE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING. CONSUMER STATED THAT EMISSION OFFICIALS GAVE HIM A PAPER THAT STATED THE CODES THAT MADE HIS VEHICLE NOT PASS THE TEST. CONSUMER CALLED THE HONDA DEALER, AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE HIM THE MEANING OF THE CODES. WHEN THEY DID, AND HE ASKED WHAT THEY MEANT, HE WAS TOLD THAT BASICALLY THEY MEANT THAT ENGINE WAS MISFIRING. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING WEIRDLY, BUT HE DID NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT. HOWEVER, WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089837
Incident
Aug 26, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2004

AT 71,655 MILES, MY 1999 HONDA CR-V HAD THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO CHECKED IT ON THE CPU AND FOUND MISFIRE CODES FOR ALL OF THE CYLINDERS. EXHAUST VALVES WERE VERY TIGHT. VALVES WERE ADJUSTED. WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVES STARTED TO BURN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH ALL 1999 HONDA CR-VS. WAS TOLD THAT HEAD ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $3265.00. SINCE THE HONDA TECHNICIAN HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE, AS WELL AS TECHNICIANS AT MANY OTHER HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THAT WERE CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HONDA SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, WE SWORE BY HONDA, BUT NOW BELIEVE THAT WE WILL SWITCH TO TOYOTAS.

NHTSA ID
10060803
Incident
Feb 25, 2004
Mileage
71,655 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2004

HONDA CRV CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE TIMES. DEALER HAD DONE SCHEDULE MAINTAINANCE INCLUDING CHANGING PLUGS. DEALER HAS DONE ALL SCHEDULE MAINTAINANCE AND SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAD ADJUSTED VALVES AT THE 60K TUNE-UP. AT ABOUT 70K TOOK AUTO TO DEALER FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY SAID LUGS MISFIRED, RESET CODE. MONTH LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT OFF NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID "AH, JUST DRIVE IT, IF IT COMES ON AGAIN BRING IT IN". MONTH LATER LIGHT COMES ON. NOW DEALER SAID NEED A NEW HEAD BECAUSE OF VALVE PROBLEM QUOTED $3350 PRICE. TOLD HIM NO WAY WAS I PAYING THAT, HE TALKED TO HONDA REP AND PRICE IS DROPPED TO $1400. I AM STILL GETTING RIPPED OFF. THIS WILL BE THE LAST HONDA I OWN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10056545
Incident
Feb 4, 2004
Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2003

AFTER 112,000 MILES MY 1999 HONDA CR-V CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH RESULTING IN A BURNED EXHAUST VALVE AND $1200 VALVE JOB. ACORDING TO HONDA MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE IT IS SUGGESTED THE VALVE CLEARANCES BE INSPECTED AT 105,000 MI. AS THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL ITEM THE HONDA SHOULD MAKE THE CONSUMER "PAINFULLY AWARE" OF THIS PROBLEM TO AVOID HIGH COST REPAIRS, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH HAS FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME BURNT EXHAUST VALVE SITUATION, SOME OCUURING BEFORE THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. BOTTOM LINE - HONDA SHOULD PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10051182
Incident
Dec 13, 2003
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2003

HONDA CRV BURNED VAVLE. MANY CRV OWNERS OF 1998 AND 1999 HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA MECHANIC HAD STATED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VALVE WAS INSTALLED TOO TIGHT CAUSING FRICTION AND EVENTUALLY BURNED THE VALVE. HONDA CORP. IS NOT CLAMING ANY RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYMORE. THE CUT OFF DATE THAT HONDA WOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO FROM TODAY 12/9/03 ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT THE GLENDALE (CA) HONDA DEALERSHIP. *LA

NHTSA ID
10049498
Incident
Nov 20, 2003
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE, AND THE HANDLING WAS NOT MANAGEABLE. VEHICLE HAD TWO VALVE JOBS DONE. CURRENTLY, CYLINDER HEADS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10049864
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2003

WITH 57K MILES AND ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE, MY HONDA CRV HAD A BURNT EXHAUST VALVE ON THE #3 CYLINDER. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ALL REFERRING TO THE #3 CYLINDER AND THE VALVE TIGHTNESS FROM THE FACTORY. IF HONDA REALIZED THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM, COULD THEY HAVE NOT ADJUSTED THESE VALVES DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE? I'M NOT HAPPY IN PAYING FOR A REPAIR THAT HONDA COULD HAVE PREVENTED BUT DIDN'T INFORM ME THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. *PH

NHTSA ID
10030508
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Mileage
57,324 mi
Engine
Filed May 6, 2003

#3 EXHAUST VALVE BURNED AND CHIPPED ON MY 1999 CRV. 98,000 MILES, PERFECT SERVICE HISTORY. UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON EVENT ON THIS MODEL. ENGINE REBUILD REQUIRED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10018318
Incident
Dec 24, 2002
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 4, 1999

VEHICLE STALLING AND EXPERIENCING VIBRATION DUE TO ENGINE CYLINDER FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
547732
Incident
Jul 28, 1999

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .