NHTSA Complaint #10790038 — 2012 HONDA CR-V

I BOUGHT A 2012 "HONDA CERTIFIED" CR-V EX WITH 34,000 MILES ON LABOR DAY. THE NEXT MORNING AND A FEW MORNINGS AFTER THAT, THE CAR MADE A LOUD GRINDING/RATTLING SOUND FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED. AS THE DAYS HAVE GOTTEN COLDER, THE NOISE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR STARTS. I THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A FAILING STARTER AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT ISN'T A STARTER ISSUE BUT IS CAUSED BY A VTC ACTUATOR IN THE ENGINE. THE DEVICE CONTROLS VALVE TIMING AS THE ENGINE RUNS. THE DEALER TECH REP EVEN HAD A VTC (A SMALL GEAR) ON HIS DESK WHICH HE SHOWED ME AS WE SPOKE. HE ASSURED ME HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND "IS WORKING ON IT". WELL, IT TURNS OUT HONDA HAS BEEN "WORKING ON IT" SINCE 2008. THEY ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN # 09-010 ON OCTOBER 21, 2011. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH HONDA OWNERS OF VARIOUS YEARS AND MODELS AFTER 2011 COMPLAINING ABOUT HONDA'S LACKADAISICAL ATTITUDE TO THIS ISSUE. MANY HAVE HAD REPLACEMENT CVT'S INSTALLED AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN. THE NOISE IS CAUSED WHEN COLD OIL DOESN'T FLOW TO THE GEAR AT START. THE GRINDING IS THE SOUND OF DRY METAL ON METAL. I AM NEITHER A MECHANIC NOR ENGINEER BUT I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT CARS AND ENGINES. IF A DEVICE THAT CONTROLS VALVE TIMING FAILS THE ENGINE CAN SUDDENLY LOSE POWER OR EVEN SEIZE UP. I THINK THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AS THESE GEARS GO THROUGH MORE STARTS WITHOUT PROPER LUBRICATION. I CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. I ALSO ASKED FOR A LETTER VERIFYING THAT THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND WOULD COVER ANY ENGINE REPAIR CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY. SO FAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED CARS AND MAKE THE REPAIR BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION OR OTHER ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF ENGINE POWER FAILING AT A CRITICAL TIME.