Honda CR-V Transmission Problems You Should Know About
Honda aims to produce the most reliable vehicles possible. However, as with any mass-produced product, problems can arise. When it comes to the automotive industry, these problems often only appear when the vehicle is on the road. For example, some Honda CR-V models had transmission problems on the highway.
Have There Been Any Honda CR-V Transmission Recalls?
In September 2020, there were three recalls related to Honda CR-V transmissions. These were issued in 2003, 2011, and 2013. Additionally, Honda was the subject of a class-action lawsuit in 2015 alleging that Honda’s 2015 CR-V was manufactured with a defective continuously variable transmission (CVT), which caused strong vibrations and rattles.
Complaints about the Honda CR-V transmission included:
- Clicking, buzzing, or moaning noises
- Refusal to upshift
- does not change correctly
Fortunately, this article covers the details of 2002-2003, 2007-2010, and 2012-2013 Honda CR-V transmission problems and what to do if you think your vehicle’s transmission is not working properly. We will also provide contact information for Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CR-V Transmission Problems
Owners of the 2002-2003 Honda CR-V have complained about several problems with the vehicle’s automatic transmission. Many have said that the vehicle jerks in some gears, that the driveshaft has separated from the differential, that the vehicle is making a grinding noise, or that the transmission needs to be replaced well below 100,000 miles.
According to NHTSA recall #03V274000, the problems primarily come from excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage. When this happens, the driver will have difficulty shifting the transmission into park.
Owners of the 2007-2010 Honda CR-V also have several complaints about the transmission. Examples are that the transmission is faulty, the vehicle shakes at low rpm, the vehicle does not leave the park, and the vehicle stops, accelerates, and decelerates on its own.
NHTSA has issued a recall #11V395000, indicating that the secondary shaft may break when switching between drive and reverse modes. The problem can cause the driveshaft to become misaligned, causing the vehicle to make strange noises or the engine to stall.
Owners of the 2012-2013 model year have complained that the transmission is defective, the vehicle shakes when shifting gears, and the shift lever cannot be moved out of the park. They also complained that the problems persisted even after replacing the rear differential.
Because it posed a safety risk, NHTSA issued recall #13V143000. During freezing temperatures, the CR-V’s shift lock locking mechanism may become sluggish, allowing the gear selector to be moved from the park position without depressing the brake pedal. This could lead to an increased risk of accidents.
Has Honda offered any solution?
With each recall, Honda notified the affected owner. For the 2007-2010 and 2012-2013 model year recalls, dealers will remedy the situation by updating the automatic transmission control module software.
For owners of 2003 vehicles, the dealer will install an upgraded brake shift interlock locking mechanism at no charge.
How to Handle an Open Honda CR-V Recall
To find out if your Honda CR-V is part of an open recall, you can go to the NHTSA website and enter your car’s VIN number. If there is a recall on your vehicle, enter your zip code to find an authorized dealer in your area to fix the issue.
If you think you’ve found the perfect used Honda CR-V, be sure to check out the Vehicle history before taking it home.
