Honda CR-V Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,017 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Honda CR-V across 30 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (150).
- 1,017power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 50mention a crash
- 23mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $3,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Honda CR-V at $3,250, and half of them between $410 and $5,900.
Based on 37 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 611 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,017 complaints, 50 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 23 an injury.
Honda CR-V power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CR-V | 20 | 13% | — |
| 2025 CR-V | 7 | 3% | 3,000 |
| 2024 CR-V | 17 | 4% | 5,000 |
| 2023 CR-V | 14 | 3% | — |
| 2022 CR-V | 10 | 4% | 18,000 |
| 2021 CR-V | 12 | 4% | 14,800 |
| 2020 CR-V | 20 | 6% | 11,500 |
| 2019 CR-V | 20 | 2% | 11,000 |
| 2018 CR-V | 64 | 3% | 8,750 |
| 2017 CR-V | 144 | 8% | 20,900 |
| 2016 CR-V | 45 | 11% | 22,000 |
| 2015 CR-V | 150 | 22% | 970 |
| 2014 CR-V | 68 | 12% | 43,000 |
| 2013 CR-V | 95 | 25% | 38,894 |
| 2012 CR-V | 48 | 12% | 55,500 |
| 2011 CR-V | 14 | 3% | 18,000 |
| 2010 CR-V | 30 | 6% | 11,800 |
| 2009 CR-V | 11 | 3% | 104,000 |
| 2008 CR-V | 37 | 4% | 59,719 |
| 2007 CR-V | 36 | 4% | 61,000 |
| 2006 CR-V | 25 | 6% | 67,500 |
| 2005 CR-V | 25 | 5% | 31,743 |
| 2004 CR-V | 13 | 3% | 115,000 |
| 2003 CR-V | 23 | 5% | 39,750 |
| 2002 CR-V | 24 | 5% | 36,000 |
| 2001 CR-V | 6 | 4% | 44,000 |
| 2000 CR-V | 15 | 12% | 86,036 |
| 1999 CR-V | 11 | 9% | 88,260 |
| 1998 CR-V | 8 | 6% | 113,500 |
| 1997 CR-V | 5 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from july 1, 2004, through september 3, 2010. The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission.
Risk: This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine stall and unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle.
Fix: Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge. The safety recall began on august 27, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage could prevent the driver from shifting the automatic transmission into park.
Risk: If the vehicle operator fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. Dealers will inspect the shift cable linkage for corrosion. If corrosion causes binding, they will replace the shift cable.
Fix: Dealers will also install a new corrosion-resistant control pin. Owner notification began on august 19, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
A few days ago I heard a loud clunking noise emanating from the rear wheel wells when I was making left or right turns regardless of speed. I took it in to my local Honda dealer who reported that the nut holding the sway bar became loose somehow, causing the noise. They had indicated it's possible…
Pulled into parking space but needed to adjust so shifted into R. Tapped gas and car went forward. Shifted to D and back to R. Tapped gas and car went forward. Turned car off, then started car again. Shifted to R and tapped gas, car went backwards correctly.
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the transmission housing of my 2015 Honda CR-V. The transmission housing has been diagnosed as porous, allowing transmission fluid to leak through the housing itself. This is not ordinary maintenance or normal wear; the transmission casing is…
9/18/26 During driving at city road speeds (25-40 mph) vehicle unexpectedly stalls. Vehicle does restart. Light on dash was illuminated. Code p0685 on OBD reader. Code cleared to attempt to obtain solid evidence of issue. Light again appeared 6 days later when accelerating up hill at 20mph. Taken…
The timing chain and camshaft broke the car froze while driving 70 mh. No warning. With about 67000 mi on it. Yes it can be inspected. At risk on the freeway going 70 mph. Was able to coast to the right side before engine locked the wheels. Not able to restart. Towed to an independent garage. They…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Honda CR-Vs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,017 owner complaints about power train for the Honda CR-V. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Honda CR-V power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Honda CR-V?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,250 (half paid between $410 and $5,900), from 37 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Honda CR-V problems
- Electrical System problems (2,505)
- Air Bags problems (2,393)
- Engine problems (2,276)
- Steering problems (1,765)
- Forward Collision Avoidance problems (1,351)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,182)
- Service Brakes problems (845)
- Structure problems (665)
See all Honda CR-V problems.