3 Types of Honda CRV Noises and Repair: A Complete Breakdown!

The Honda CR-V is marketed as an absolute comfort SUV. Now, noises ruin that comfort. This article explores 3 types of these noises and focuses on repairing them. 

So, what are those 3 types of Honda CRV noises and repairs?

The 3 types of noise are- Transmission noise, Suspension Noise, and Engine noise. Their repairs include reapplying oil replacement as well as parts replacements. Noises usually scare consumers because of the high-cost replacements it may mean. However, some of the issues can be fixed by DIY!

The article will explore the topic in greater depth and detail.  Let’s first take a quick glance at Honda CRV Noises and repairs. 

A Quick Glance at Honda CRV Noises and Repairs

Here’s a quick glance at the common noises and repairs of the Honda CRV-

Transmission NoiseOil or Replace the Flywheel, Clutch, Gearbox. Replenish the Transmission Fluid
Suspension NoiseOil or Replace, Shock Absorber, Replace the Suspension Spring, and the Suspension Mount.
Engine NoiseOil or Replace the Starter Motor, Replace the Timing Belt, Check The Engine for More Potential Issues

Let’s now take a dive deeper into the sources of these noises.

Honda CRV Noises and Repairs quick chart

Phase 1: Locating the Noise Issue

This segment explores the noises and their sources. The noises are divided into three types. The details on them are listed below. 

Noise Type 1: Transmission Noise

The transmission, in other words, the gearbox coasting can cause grinding and rattling noises. There are two primary reasons why that happens-

  1. Worn-out Gearbox: A gearbox gets more worn out the more you use it. So you need to check for wear regularly after years of usage.

    There is an easy telltale sign of a worn-out gearbox. It will start making rattling noises.

    However, it could be caused by some of the problems below too. So, this is not enough to draw a conclusion.

    Hence, another way to check for sure would be to check the gear oil color. If the oil looks black, then it may be time to change it out. 
  1. Worn Flywheel or Clutch or both: A worn-out clutch may cause your transmission to make whining noises. So, keep an eye out for that.

    Additionally, A worn flywheel will cause the same noises. So be sure to check that too. 
  1. Low Transmission Fluid: Transmission fluid is basically what the internal components of a transmission are lubricated with.

    Low transmission fluid causes friction in the parts, which usually causes grinding noises when you shift gears. I would advise you to check your transmission for fluid leaks too.

    Furthermore, this can be especially harmful to your gearbox as the friction may damage the internals. 

These are some of the more common noises in the Transmission noise archetype. Next comes suspension. 

Noise Type 2: Suspension Noise

Suspension is another main culprit for making noises in the Honda CR-V. You’ll hear the noises caused by the suspension during drives. The suspension noises can be traced to a few reasons. They are-

  1. Shock Absorber: The shock absorber consists of a piston, tube, and the oil that the piston is enclosed in.


The telltale sign of a problem in the shock absorber is instability in your car. Your car will tip to one side while making turns. The front end will dive more when you’re using the hard brakes. This one causes a squeaky noise in the Honda CRV.

The specific reasons for a bad shock absorber are- leaking oil and damaged tubes. 

  1. Bad Suspension Spring: A bad spring can cause squeaky noise as well. The spring can be worn out or corroded. So, if the shock absorber did not cause the noise, it might be the spring.

    There is another to tell if the suspension spring is bad. The Honda CRV may be ‘bouncing’ up and down more frequently compared to normal while driving.
  2. Suspension Mound: Running the Honda CRV on bumpy roads may damage fragile suspension mounds. That causes a squeaky noise as well.

    You can easily check your suspension mound if you take off the hood and check the sides.
Suspension Mound
Source: Vroomo

That concludes the noise you hear from the suspension side of things. 

Noise Type 3: Engine Noise

Engine is one of the more severe noisemakers in the Honda CRV. If an engine makes noises, it probably is bad news for you. The usual reasons for noise in the engine are- 

  1. Starter Motor: A bad starter motor may cause grinding, whirring or clicking noise in front end of your CRV. You’ll hear the noise when you try to start the car. This is the basic telltale sign.

    Furthermore, you’ll face intermittent issues while trying to start the car. Then your starter will engage but the motor won’t start. Basically, any issue with starting the car might be an issue with the starter motor.

    Some reasons for a bad starter motor are- jammed or corroded gear, oil leaks, and worn-out gear. 
  1. Timing Belt: The timing belt is another common reason for noises from the engine. There are a few symptoms to it. They are-

    Firstly, It will cause a ticking noise from the engine. Secondly, you will notice an irregularity in your revs. Finally, your engine will refuse to turn over. There are a few more symptoms, but these are the most obvious ones.

    The reasons for a bad timing belt are- Misalignment, Worn out belt, Debris, and Loose belt. 

You’ve now traced 3 types of noises to their sources and additional symptoms. Now it’s time to work on repairing them.

Timing Belt
Source: Autoweek

Phase 2: Repairs

This is the second phase of the article. It primarily focuses on repairing the problems that cause those three types of noise. 

Troubleshooting Transmission Issue

Most of the issues in the transmission require the reapplication of oil or replacement. The specifics are- 

  1. Gearbox: If the gearbox is worn out, the only thing you can do is replace it. There is no repairing it. 
  1. Transmission Fluid: In case you’re running low on transmission fluid, then just replace it. Make sure the transmission fluid isn’t mixed with hydraulic fluid. However, if there’s a leak, then you have to replace the seal to fix that. 
  1. Worn Flywheel or Clutch: If there’s a worn flywheel or a clutch, it’s best to replace it to perform the repairs. 

So repairing means replacing for the most part when it comes to transmissions. Moving on to the suspension.  

Troubleshooting Suspension Issue

Suspension is one of the more problem-prone parts of a Honda CRV. Repairing it is costly as well since replacement is a major part of the process.  Let’s get to the specifics-

As much as I would like to make a list of repairs, I can’t. The only probable repair to the Shock absorber, Suspension Spring and Suspension Mound is a replacement. So get that CRV to the mechanics and have those parts replaced. 

Troubleshooting Engine Issue

The engine problem requires the most attention on the list. This is the type of noise you definitely want to keep your ears awake for. Here are the probable repairs-

  1. Timing Belt: To repair a loose or worn time belt, you want to buy a new one. Then get it replaced at your mechanics’. 

Starter Motor: The starter Motor, fortunately, has proper fixes aside from replacement. They are-

You can take out the motor and try cleaning any debris that’s causing the noise. You can also reseal the motor to fix any leaks. However, if the gears are corroded, then the only possible solution is a replacement.

Starter Motor
Source: AutoDoc Club

That’s about it. The article only has a few frequently asked questions left to be answered. Regardless of the problems, Honda CRV is a very reliable car. Here’s someone sharing their Honda CRV image.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the CR-V a Quiet Ride?

Yes, the CR-V is a quiet ride. The Honda CR-V is generally very quiet when it runs. That’s one of the selling points of the SUV. 

What are the most common problems with the Honda CR-V?

Fragile windshield, dead battery, and Door locks malfunctioning – they’re some common problems with the Honda CR-V. 

What does CR-V stand for on Honda?

The CR-V on Honda stands for Comfort Runabout Vehicle. It basically markets the comfort of using the Honda CR-V SUV. 

Conclusion

Aaaaaaaaaaand that’s about it for the 3 Types of Honda CRV Noises and Repair. I hope the article could pinpoint your problem and help you solve it. 

How about it? Were you able to solve the noise issues with your Honda CRV? Let me know in the comments below.

Robert Lozano

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