Hi,
After some highway driving for awhile, I notice a burning rubber
type smell when I get out of the vehicle. It seems to be coming from
the area of the right side rear wheel well. Usually happens when it
is wet outside. Any ideas?
Jon

don't step on the pedal so hard! lol, just kidding man

where does your exhaust come out?

It is right in that area. Do you think it would smell like that?

I too notice this burning smell that you speak of.. I was wondering what year your CR-V is? What kind of conditions are you driving in? weather wise i mean.

I have been driving on the highway today and the smell is coming from the right side aswell.. but i am going to check if it's on the left side as well later..

I drove my car on the highway during the winter. And i have smelt this more than once now. I personally think it's the tires and the brakes that are causing this but i am unsure still of what's happening.. I am more swaying towards the brakes because i find they are quite shitty.

Well i will keep you posted if i find anything else.. Hopefully you will do the same..

BTW i started drifting my CRV lately.. so i think the cause could be me too rofl

[QUOTE=tosi]I too notice this burning smell that you speak of.. I was wondering what year your CR-V is? What kind of conditions are you driving in? weather wise i mean.

I drive a 2002 CRV. I live in Vancouver so it is alot of wet weather.
I too thought it was the tires but it seems to come only from the right side. I'm leaning toward the muffler because it is on that side, but can't seem to pinpoint it. I'll let you know if I find anything.

maybe your tires are kicking crap up on the hot exhaust and it is being burned off...

I recently purchased a 2004 CR-V EX and notice the exact same smell coming from the right rear wheel well. Wet weather, dry weather--weather or road conditions don't seem to play any role in the smell. I will be calling my dealer next week to ask about it. I'd appreciate any news that others find out as well!

I bought a 2003 CR-V in Sept. of 2004. I also smell the burning rubber near my right rear wheel which is where the exhaust system sits. I took my CR-V to the dealer. This is what he said in my laymen's terms.

Honda has been getting reports of a rubber burning smell in cr-v's in northern climates, specifically Canada. (I live in Minnesota.) My dealer said they think the smell is attributed to the salt used on the roads to treat snow. They thought the salt was hitting the exhaust and causing the smell. My dealer said Honda thinks the product they used to coat the exhaust is reacting to the salt. According to the dealer, Honda is researching a new coating product. He has my name so I will be contacted when/if they fix the problem. (I am doubtful of that last bit. But that is what he said.)

The glitch I see in the logic is that I encountered the burning rubber smell in October before it snowed. I told him this, however, I doubt that got relayed up the channels to Honda.

On that note, everyone should report the burning rubber smell in their CR-V's. It is not a figment of your imagination or a result of any aberrant driving patterns.

I am experiencing the burning rubber smell also on my 2002 CR-V and have been off and on since I've had the car, and it does seem to be more noticeable in wet weather. Had it in to dealer twice and dealer says they can't identify it. I suspect the brake pads sticking. My dealer claims that the brakes need to be cleaned every 15,000 miles (to the tune of $168) because the wet weather in northern Ohio causes the brake mechanism to corrode. I ignored this advice and had to have my pads changed and rotors turned at 27,000 miles! I think this is a major design flaw on CRVs. Who's ever heard of needing to clean brakes every 15,000 on any other car? Do other dealers recommend this brake cleaning every 15,000? I don't see this in our owner's manual, which only says inspect brakes every 20,000. Would love to hear others' comments on this. Thanks.

Hey CRV owners!!

I just read through this board and wanted to let some of you know that we smell it here in California but so far the only time we have noticed it is when it was raining. Of course, I came here to find out if I should take it in without a warranty on it. I have an extended warranty but it isn't the Honda extended warranty.

Anyway, thanks for the info and hope to here something soon if someone has an answer. I'll keep looking across the internet to see if I find the answer :)

I have a 2002 Honda crv, I was sitting in the driveway talking to someone with the car idling, after about 5 minutes it started smelling like a belt burning, I check the belt and it seemed to be turning free. not sure what was causing this, but the smell was very strong. I'm going to call Honda on Monday because this car only has 250 miles of warrenty left.

I just noticed this burning rubber smell in my 2004 CRV-EX with 15600 miles. it was wet outside. it's the 1st time I noticed the smell. I also only smell it on the rear passenger side tire.

Has anyone ever gotten a resolution to this problem?

Oh I'm in Dallas TX, we don't use salt on the roads in the winter.... in fact this car has never seen Ice (what we get in Dallas) or snow.

I bought my 05 LX back in August 05 and currently have 4500km (Ottawa Canada). In the last 2 months, I also noticed a rubber smell on the right rear tire area. No unusual tire wear. Seems to only happen when it's wet out. Dragging rear brakes would not put out a smell like that. Interesting theory on the exhaust coating from ibike. If I come up with something I'll share with everyone.

I just got a used 2003 CR-V EX and found this thread because of "the smell" which seems to me to come from both of the right side wheel wells. The rear one seems more prounounced than the front one. It does rain a lot here (Portland, OR).

I'm pretty sure the theory of salt on the exhaust is bogus since we don't use any salt here (and the car has been registered here since it was originally purchased). I also doubt it's the brakes. Just the wrong smell for that (Unless they are locking. I think I'd notice that though).

I'm pretty sure it's the tires that are causing the smell. I'm wondering if it could be a glitch in the AWD causing a slight difference in the speed of the tires (maybe while turning?).

I'd sure like to know what it is. I don't want to have to replace my tires all the time. Anyone notice their tires wearing extra fast on the right side?

I have a new s2000 and have noticed the same burning smell. I was wondering if you identified what the smell was coming from ? I took mine back to the dealer and they were unable to determine what the smell was. After having the car half of the day and checking brakes, exhaust, wheels etc they could not find anything wrong with the car.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone had found a source to the problem.

Wanna trade?

I haven't found any solutions yet.

I'm beginning to suspect it has to do with the proximity of the exhaust to the tire (as mentioned above). It may be exacerbated by moisture on the road since the steam comming off the exhaust may xfer the heat more efficiently.

My other theory is that the exhaust was hot when the put the tire on and some of the rubber got on the exhaust and is just burning off slowly.

Wanna trade?

I haven't found any solutions yet.

I'm beginning to suspect it has to do with the proximity of the exhaust to the tire (as mentioned above). It may be exacerbated by moisture on the road since the steam comming off the exhaust may xfer the heat more efficiently.

My other theory is that the exhaust was hot when the put the tire on and some of the rubber got on the exhaust and is just burning off slowly.

Rather than trade, If this smell keeps up I might drive this car right through the dealer's window :banghead:

What state do you live in ? I'm in arizona and don't have the salt issue on the roads. I wonder if the rear differential is starting to go but since i really know nothing about that stuff it;s a wild guess. Being that I only have 2000 miles on my car its frustrating to have this smell already.

Do you plan on taking yours to the dealer or another mechanic ?

Try swapping out the rear diff fluid.

Try swapping out the rear diff fluid.

Hmm Interesting. Assuming that is the cause, is it hurting anything by leaving the current fluid in there ? Or rather why would the fluid be causing the smell on a new car ?

Thanks,

Hmm Interesting. Assuming that is the cause, is it hurting anything by leaving the current fluid in there ? Or rather why would the fluid be causing the smell on a new car ?

Thanks,

Don't know if the fluid is the smell, noticed the smell on mine mostly in wet or snowy weather (worse after the front wheels had been slipping). Since the CRV 4WD used a hydraulic system to run the rear wheels and I was hearing a few hydraulic noises in tight cornering I swapped the read diff fluid. Haven't had the burning smell since the swap and we have had some wet weather. I think the smell was coming from the tire as it seemed worse with the snow tires than the regular tires as well. Not 100% sure this is the solution but it a pretty cheap thing to try.

I don't have a CRV, but I do have a 2004 Civic. I noticed the same thing recently. Also after it was wet out. This is the first forum that mentioned it when it is wet. I was tired of reading over and over agiain that it is the callipers. I had both replaced 2 months ago, and then because of brake noise had them checked again a week or so ago and they are still fine. I don't know if this is the problem but a friend said (he's not a mechanic, but does do his own basic work on his car) that wet brake dust sort of clumps together and gets burned off when braking, and since it is a clump rather than fine loose dust it tends to smell. I just haven't had that theory confimed anywhere yet.

I am leasing a 2007 model and after driving it in the snow today i noticed the smell of burning rubber. It only has 1400 miles on it and have not driven it in the snow enough to see if this is a regular occurance.

I have a 2007 CRV AWD and experienced the burning rubber smell from the right rear wheel. The dealer was unable to find anything. It may be rubber parts around the exhaust or muffler. Maybe when the roads are wet the tire is throwing water on the rubber parts and the heat from the exhaust is creating the smell. I'm waiting for some wet weather here so I can test my theory.

I'm so glad to read the messages posted here. I too have been experiencing the same burning smell coming from the right rear tire/wheel well of my 2007 CRV. It started in the winter, and after I had winter tires installed. I was wondering if this was the cause of the issue as well. I had it in for service and was informed that my brakes were seizing and dirty. They were subsequently serviced, but the smell was there the next day. I had it in again, but Honda could find no cause. It has since started up again today with the wet weather we experienced. I am surprised that Honda does not have a quick answer for what seems to be a prevalent problem. It makes sense that it would be coming from the exhaust area considering it is only on the right side. I will post an answer if I get one from Honda on Monday. Thanks all.

I have a 2003 CRV-EX with 59K miles. I am the first owner. I was surprised to see this post because I just experienced the same burning smell while driving on a cold (35degF) rainy night. The smell started to become noticeable after driving for approx 2-3 miles and lasted only 15 minutes then disappered. At first I thought it was coming out of the exhaust from the car in front of me so I turned on the recirculation mode. That didnt solve it. The surprising thing is, this is the first time Ive expereinced it. Ive driven on rainy/wet weather before on a cold night but never experienced this. I havent taken it to a mechanic yet. Please keep this post alive. I want to know what others did to solve this. Thanks.

I think the anti corrosive theory may be to blame.. They use some of the same additives that are made in tires.. I can not say the material specific because of my job in the tire industry.. But I do know some anti-corrosive chemicals use this in them.. Its also in tires as well for other reasons. But I do know what its for and it helps the anti-corrosive material to bond to the exhaust. Really you will smell it anytime if you wanted to crawl under it and sniff the exhaust. I think its more noticeable in humid weather because the air is heavier therefore not allowing it to disperse faster into the air.. Again just my theory.. But I have not heard of any recalls or fires. So its probable.. Some things to look for would be on a rack or stands is to take a close look around for wires and hoses. If you think they could be getting to much heat then add some heat insulation. It looks kinda like foil and can peel and stick over those areas.. I do think also they make it to where it can stick on mufflers to. So if you think to much heats getting the tire you should be able to stick some on the muffler.. Then again you could end up with an adhesive smell.. just my 2 cents.. But I think Honda knows what i am thinking as well..Also the reason i chimed in because I smelled it on other cars as well in the exhaust area.. I always assumed it was cat-converter... No Not a rotten egg smell.. But a burning rubber or wire smell.. Which can be smelled also sometimes. But real lite..

I have a '98 CR-v Auto (with about 125,000 miles on the clock) and I, too, have this burning rubber smell - have had it for some long time - and I put it down to the rubber rings which the exhaust system hangs on. I am in Southern England, so we don't get a lot of snow and they don't put a lot of salt down for the frost. But I get it in all weathers and seasons. Seems a pretty common complaint. The car hasn't burst into flames yet!!!

The burning rubber smell is complicated. It can come from a number of things. It is hard to identify.

We have a pretty new 2008 CR-V EX that I bought used several months ago with only 1200 miles. A month ago, we started noticing the aforementioned burning rubber smell coming only from our right rear wheel well. When we first noticed the smell after pulling into the garage, conditions were dry in California where we live. Seems like this commonly occurring observation with CR-V's regardless of weather conditions.

I have a 2007 CRV EX and I got the same smell, same place after a recent snowfall here is WA. Took it to the dealer and got some BS from the service manager that the only time he'd heard of this was when a plastic bag was stuck in the wheel. With all the people writing in about this problem and the thousands of CRV owners who aren't writing in, it's a little hard to believe that the guy had not had any complaints about this problem before. Since nobody seems to know the cause, does anyone know if Honda had admitted to this problem? They put out service bulletins about problems. If I find that they have one about this, I'll post back.

I called my independent Honda shop's service manager and he looked in vain to find a technical service bulletin that addresses this problem, so Honda has not formally addressed it. He also had no explanation for the smell.

I also have a 2007 Honda CRV and live in Western Washington. Recently we experienced a major Winter Snow Storm. Needless to say, we park inclined on a hill with snow all around us. That evening, after a great struggle of getting out of the snow, we drove off on the freeway and then began to notice a burning rubber smell on my rear right tire. It finally stopped snowing and the roads have gotten much better. And I no longer smell the odor when I am driving. However, if I pull over and walk over to my rear right tire, I can faintly smell the burning rubber odor. I plan on calling the dealership Monday AM and dropping it off...so we shall see what happens. Will keep you all posted.

Hello everybody.
I am glad to see this forum because I am also very concerned about the burning rubber smell coming from my 2002 CR-V. I just bought this car 6 weeks ago at a dealer with 80K and in great condition. Immediately in the first week we started smelling an terrible burning rubber smell while driving in snow or rain (anytime that the AWD is engaged). I suspected there was something wrong with the rear differential or the AWD. Also my tires were seriously cupped on the passenger side.
I have had it to the local Honda dealer in Iowa City twice. They say that it is a very strong odor but that there is nothing they can do to fix it. They told me that Honda Technical Help center informed them it was the smell of salt burning up on the muffler from the right rear tire and that there was no repair at this time.
I feel this explaination is bogus. I want to know why salt would smell like rubber? I want to know why it happens in the fall in wet weather when there is no snow or salt on the roads? Also, most of all I want them to take this vehicle back and I will never buy another CR-V or to fix the problem. I have talked with Honda Assistance (1-800-999-1009) and they say they have never heard of this problem with a CR-V. The dealer also tried to tell me they have never heard of this problem before me. Likewise, according to this forum, there are possibly hundreds of CR-V owners experiencing this same problem with no repair options.
My biggest concern is that I have a two year old and a newborn infant that ride in the backseat of this car. You can easily smell the buring rubber smell in the backseat where they are and I feel this is not good for them to breath the air in the car. I also do not feel right about selling this car to get rid of it with this problem and not disclosing the problem. If anyone has a solution to this problem, please post it here. Or maybe some of you out there are lawyers and we want to write a more formal letter to Honda voicing our conern about this problem so they will get a repair and possibly a recall on the part that is causing the burning smell. Maybe if we approached them differently they would fix this. Any ideas are really appreciated. Thank you and be well.

I have recently purchase a 2005 CRV EX and after only owning the vehicle for a week I noticed the same problem. I bought the vehicle on a Tuesday and on the way home from the dealer I purchased 4 brand new Michelin Tires (X-ICE). Now on Thursday after coming home from work when I opened the rear passenger door I could smell burning rubber. My first guess was I wonder if the new tires I just got installed are causing this. Note that here in Nova Scotia we had just had snow and the vehicle was wet, exposed to salt, water etc.. That day I didnt think much of the smell and then a few days later, same thing I drive from work a total of 17 kms, mix of highway and city I get out of the vehicle and again I smell this burning rubber smell from the rear passenger wheel. And when I say rubber burning smell, it's not a brake pad smell or exhaust smell it smells like a tire burning, squealing etc... After ruling out the tires I thought it might be the caliper sticking but the wheel wasn't hot and the odor wasn't the hot brake pad smell. After doing a google search on this problem it seems I'm not the only CRV owner with this problem. I will phone the local Honda dealer tommorrow to see what they have to say, I don't expect an honest answer or a solution but I'm curious to see if they'll say "We've never heard of this problem or if they'll blame the road salt burning on the exahaust" etc.. Any solution to this problem or information on what's causing this problem would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 2008 CRV that also has the burning rubber smell, the smell is also noticable after being towed behind ther motorhome so it cannot be engine/heat related, being a mechanic myself I cannot locate the cause.

I have a 2008 CRV and noticed the same problem with a burning smell at the passenger rear side of the vehicle. It happens EVERY time I drive the car -- rain or shine, short or long trips. I noticed the brake pedal vibrating around 10K miles and was told the rotors were "rusty" so they were turned. (A little worried about having to do this @ 10K miles since I drive the car every day and would think that would keep the rotors from getting rusty.) Still noticing the smell @ 15K miles. Also, mileage is averaging ~18-23 mpg city/highway. I do not ride the brake (learned to drive on a stick so that could never be part of my acquired bad habits.) If I could just get that average down to <18 mpg, I'd trade this puppy in on the Cash for Clunkers program. Not a happy second-time owner right now.

Has anyone had any luck with reporting this issue to Honda?

...burning rubber smell?is either the brakes/hand breaks or the tyres are rubbing the body of the car check properly.