What are the common transmission problems of Honda CR-V?
4 Answers
Honda CR-V common transmission problems include: oil leakage, engine stalling when shifting into gear, clogged oil inlet filter screen, transmission slipping, etc. Transmission oil leakage: Oil seeping from the transmission housing or oil pan is usually caused by aging seals leading to poor sealing, or manufacturing defects resulting in sand holes in the housing. Engine stalling when shifting into gear: If it takes more than 2 seconds to engage after shifting, this is defined as delayed engagement and requires immediate repair. If there is a strong impact sensation when engaging, it's defined as engagement shock. Note that all automatic transmissions have some degree of engagement shock; if there's no sensation at all, it may indicate internal faults. Clogged oil inlet filter screen: Clogged oil inlet filter screen, severe main oil circuit leakage, or oil pump damage. During driving, gear shifting impact or jerking is also a common transmission problem, usually caused by dirty transmission fluid leading to valve body sticking. Transmission slipping: Transmission slipping with poor acceleration, or water ingress into transmission. While driving, if there's engine revving sound when accelerating but no increase in vehicle speed, accompanied by overall lack of power, this is mostly caused by burnt clutch plates. Water entering the transmission due to external factors (such as radiator oil mixing or water entering through the transmission vent cap) leads to abnormal transmission operation.
Having repaired many CRV transmissions, the most common issues are as follows. First, noticeable jerking during low-speed gear shifts, especially when accelerating between 20-40 km/h, feels like being kicked in the back—often caused by solenoid valve issues or valve body wear. Second, the common oil leakage problem, due to aging oil pan gaskets or axle seal seepage, requires special attention if red oil drips are seen under the chassis. Third, belt slippage or abnormal noises, accompanied by a lack of power during acceleration, is common in CVT models with over 150,000 km. Fourth, harsh gear engagement, with a loud clunk when shifting from P to D, may indicate a shift cable or TCU control module failure. Remember, regular transmission fluid changes are crucial—factory-recommended fluid every 40,000 km can prevent major overhauls. If jerking occurs, don’t ignore it; check transmission pressure and error codes early. A minor repair costing a few hundred can avoid a major overhaul costing thousands.
My 2012 CRV has run 150,000 kilometers, and the transmission has had issues twice. The first time was when starting the cold engine and shifting into D gear, the whole car would shake violently, which improved after the engine warmed up. The mechanic said it was due to the aging of the transmission mount rubber pads causing jerking. The second issue was more troublesome: sudden loss of power when accelerating on the highway, with the RPM soaring but the speed not increasing. It was diagnosed as CVT steel belt wear and slippage. Now I change the oil very frequently, using genuine oil every 30,000 kilometers without fail. I suggest owners pay attention to these signals: increasingly frequent jerking at low speeds, gear shifts delayed by more than 2 seconds, and the gear failure light on the dashboard. The transmission computer board in older CRV models is also prone to water damage and short circuits, so extra caution is needed after driving through water. Addressing minor issues promptly can save a lot of money.
In the used car market, the most dreaded vehicles to take in are Honda CRVs with transmission issues. The common problems are concentrated in CVT models before 2015, which tend to develop faults after exceeding 50,000 kilometers. Typical symptoms include abnormal noises when reversing, gear shifting impacts, and oil pan leaks. During evaluation, I prioritize checking the transmission fluid – if it appears black with a burnt smell, the transmission is usually beyond repair. Test drives must include repeated acceleration and deceleration at 30 km/h; any noticeable jerking means immediate rejection. Buyers are advised to prioritize vehicles under 60,000 km and thoroughly check dealership maintenance records, especially transmission fluid change intervals. A major transmission overhaul for a used CRV could cost half the price of the car itself.
