Ok we all know Honda builds a great vehicle right? Well why are there so many reports of automatic transmission problems with the crv, civics, odyssey and others? I ask this because we recently had a client bring in their 2002 Honda Crv with the concern that at lower speeds, usually cruising at around 38-45 mph the vehicle has a shudder in the front end. This is not the first time that I have experienced this.
Honda transmission problems.
After carefully examining all of the transmission and engine data I was able to isolate the problem to the torque converter lock-up area of the transmission. The problem was caused by clutch material deterioration, which caused general system contamination and overheating, and gradual torque converter failure.
The fix for this problem at this stage is transmission removal, disassembly and complete rebuild, a little over $2000 dollars, maybe more. Sometimes if this condition exists for a period of time internal “hard part” or shaft damage will occur which only adds expense.
This particular crv owner was perplexed, because he only has 102,067 miles on it and has kept up with the services. These services were taken care of from the beginning with the two different Honda dealerships. I have seen failures in as low as 55,000 miles… so why a transmission failure on a vehicle that is supposed to last 200-300,000 miles without major rebuild?
First let me say… Honda builds a very good transmission! The 2002 Honda CRV transmission is one that could very well last 200k plus! However there is a catch… the printed recommendation and some dealer recommendations on fluid change and general service is incorrect and not in your best interest. These transmissions will last a long time if you service them properly. That means a complete flush with the proper fluid every 20,0000 miles, and definitely no later than 30,000 miles. NO DRAIN AND REFILLS, many dealers are selling this as an alternative service. This type of service can be likened to taking a few ounces of dirty water from a full glass of dirty water and then refilling with a few ounces of clean… in the end you still have a dirty glass of water! Draining a couple of quarts from a system that holds over twelve does not help to maintain the fluid integrity. The root cause of this transmission failure was not having frequent enough transmission fluid service, the result was this fluid started to eat the clutch material.
It seems some manufacturers are more concerned with JD Power and Associates “cost of vehicle ownership” awards, and selling you a new car every few years, rather than keeping the vehicle running good for many years. However, if you really want to keep your Honda on the road and trouble-free for years to come, service the transmission every 2 years or 20k miles whichever comes first. I promise, this will be money well spent.
ToyoMotors:
http://www.toyomotors.com
Phoenix Car Repair Pros:
http://www.phoenixautorepairpros.com
Car Repair Blog
http://www.car-repairphoenix.com
I have a 2006 bought the extended warranty, my problem started at about 40k. 3 to 5 trips to 3 different Honda dealers problem was diagnosed as torque shutter at 116k. Will never buy another Honda. It’s been 7 hours since I left a message for the deaqler to let me know what the warranty company said. I’ve called the warranty company to no avail. The dealer up to this point has not called me back. two days to find out what is going on, I still don’t know.
By: jose on 31/07/2010
at 13:06
Just had my tranny changed on 2006 cr-v , 136000 km’s Awful service at honda Canada , I had amazing service at dealer though, I will never buy a HOnda again or recommend it to anyone, Have a Toyota FJ cruiser as well .Way better truck !
By: Mark S, on 29/08/2011
at 14:31
My 2005 cr-v is having this similar problem, started at 75,000 miles. I can’t belive I have to put this much money into a honda transmission issue.
By: Sarah Ashmore on 25/10/2010
at 06:23
I have a leased 2007 CRV. I replaced the torque converter last month at 103,000km. (the warranty is 100,00o km). There was shudder at 80k/hr (50 m/ph). I thought it was a wheel balance problem and delayed the repair. Honda wouldn’t cover the repair. My last 3 vehicles have been hondas. No more hondas in my future and no recommendations to friends. The lease ends May 2011. I think I’ll get a Subaru. Honda Canada never answered my complaints.
By: Barry Connell on 19/11/2010
at 18:05
I am sorry to hear of this issue.. AGAIN. I wouldn’t give up on Honda as of yet, but if Subaru fits your needs, it is also a great vehicle.
By: mastertech1 on 29/12/2010
at 06:52
got a 2011 CRV, about 2000 miles on it now.
shuddering at 50mph, honda does not know how to fix it.
Or, honda refuses to fix it.
By: Chuck on 18/12/2010
at 08:12
I am not surprised…hope Honda is listening!
By: mastertech1 on 29/12/2010
at 06:50
The heck they don’t know. It’s your transmission. Most likely the torque converter. Keep on them. My parents had to have their transmission replaced and the car was less than a year old. Keep on them. Good luck
By: Janet Bauman on 24/05/2011
at 08:14
I have a 2005 CRV with the same problem, except I had shudder even at highway speeds. I always thought it was weird that Honda recommends a transmission oil change so soon as compared to other car makers. But after a few changes, I realized why – the oil NEEDS to be changed! Dark and discolored every time – and that’s after 20-30,000 miles. When I saw the oil that contaminated (think sludge, burned smell), I guessed the clutch plates were burning by slipping and/or not engaging correctly. So I went shopping and picked up some Dextron III which has anti-shudder additives, I noticed. What a difference! The burned look and smell of the transmission oil stopped immediately, and the transmission shifts so much better (2 years, ~40K miles so far without a change with clean dipstick coming up every time). But, the thing is, I found this out too late, as the vehicle still shudders at the same speed as mentioned in this blog (35-45 MPH) and getting worse. So I bought some time. I’m guessing my transmission plates are trashed beyond any quick fix such as this, as once the plates are worn to a certain extent, even the best anti-shudder formulas can’t remedy. So now I am looking into having the transmission rebuilt ($$) and will never use Honda transmission oil or buy another Honda with an automatic transmission. I hope this helps someone – I live in VT where the vehicle shifts a lot due to the hilly nature of the area.
By: Dale on 28/01/2011
at 03:41
I am from Australia. Bought Honda CRV in 2007 with 5 year warranty. Started getting shudder at cruising speed of about 50-60 k after about 50,000 km running. Servicing up to date with the dealer (which by the way is very expensive). Complained with the dealer couple of times, finally the dealer acknowledged that there is a problem and identified it as issue with the torque converter. Honda Australia took ages to agree to repair it under warranty. Finally they did. Have lost faith in Honda, its quality(!) and its customer service. Will never buy a Honda again. Thanks for this forum, gave me some peace of mind that I am not alone!
By: Rdeep on 10/02/2011
at 19:05
Bought my wife a CRV in 2003. Already put $800 at dealer in fixing low speed shaking, now informed it will cost $2000 more to really fix it. Will be another $1800 for air conditioning repair. I will never under any circumstances own another Honda. I take that back, I’d take one if it was given to me free but I would immediately sell it and purchase a Toyota.
By: Mike on 02/04/2011
at 14:24
Same story here on a 2004 Honda Pilot. Started shudder around 100K miles. First technician at general repair shop thought I had a tire/alignment problem. I disagreed – felt like it was in drive train. Shudder stops if I shift down to “D3″ at lower speeds (engine RPM’s increase probably giving me better lockup). Anyway, went to transmission repair place – they want to do rebuild and torque converter parts replacement for about $2000.
Anybody know if I need to go that far on the repair, or can I just have the torque converter reworked/replaced, do a fluid flush and be on my way???
Thanks.
By: TD on 21/05/2011
at 11:19
My 2008 Honda CRV started shuddering between 40-50 mph. I took it to the dealer I bought it from who told me it was my tires being out of round. I was puzzled since my tires are less than a year old but I did take it to the tire dealer who informed me that they were fine. I then took it back to Honda who racked it and showed my husband and myself that the tires were out of round. Once again, back to the tire shop who said it could probably use a frond end alignment. Since I live in Alaska I figured that wasn’t unreasonable but I was so disgusted with both of those places I took it to a Midas shop and had an independent opinion done. It turned out I did need an alignment so I had that done but it still didn’t fix the shuddering problem. The Midas dealer did tell me that he was starting to see a lot of Hondas with the same problem and that it was usually the torque converter. They recommended we take the car to a professional transmission center for a diagnostics. We did just that and the news was BAD! They confirmed that it was the transmission, probably the torque converter. I now have an appointment with Honda to fix the transmission or replace it. We’ll see what happens. They passed the buck twice so I’m figuring I have a fight on my hands. Hope it all goes well, will keep you posted.
By: Janet Bauman on 24/05/2011
at 08:11
im astonished to find out so many pepole having same problem with their A/T coz me too have something like that but its not a shudder but otherwise a vibrating feeling between 2nd 3rd speed i thought that i need to change the fluid i did it became worse i have a CRV 2005 2wD which i was told its better than the 4WD but know i relize they are all z same.thanks every1 for the pots they are helpful.
By: bosh on 25/05/2011
at 04:49
I have a 2005 with 86,000 miles serviced the car in dealership. Now I notice the r.p.m. going higher and hugher when i first start the car (I always press the brake when starting the car) then when I go about 35-40 mph it is going at over 3,000 r.p.m. took it to a mechanic thinking it could be the timing belt but he right away told me that it was the tranny. I couldn’t believe it first Honda i purchase and this happens to me, had 3 previous Toyotas all bought new and never had a transmittion or engine problem so far I have to replace the water pump twice in this car. I am afraid to take it to the dealer! Have a quote of $1,500! Does any one has an idea how much the dealers charge and if they give you any discounts?
By: Israel on 09/06/2011
at 18:45
Find an independent Honda specialist in your area (google it) just type honda repair phoenix or whatever city you are in, if they have been in business 5 years or more they will take better care of you!
By: mastertech1 on 27/07/2011
at 11:47
my 2006 honda crv started shudder at the lower speeds, right after i
had to put the spare tire on due to a flat. I assumed it was due to
uneven tread wear as was explained to me by a mechanic friend.
But even after all 4 tires (that only had 20K on them) were replaced,
the shudders still happen.
I’m glad i found this forum. I’ve always had faith in Honda, but I’m
starting to lose that faith.
By: Renee on 09/07/2011
at 09:54
I told my dealer about what I’ve read here, and they still don’t believe that could be the issue.
By: Renee on 07/08/2011
at 15:12
2007 CRV with same shutter problem at ~42 mph. Spoke with dealer about the info in this blog, suggesting that it’s a well known Honda transmission problem. Dealer said they hadn’t heard of any such problems. Dealer suggested that we could wait for 60k transmission service (car has ~55k on it). Told him that we didn’t want to wait and we brought it right in. Was informed by dealer that torque converter was bad and needed replacing (fancy that!). They said it was covered under warranty – (I suspect since they knew we were well informed). We’ll see how it goes. Any suggestions on the use of the dextron III vs honda transmission fluid?
By: Mike on 26/07/2011
at 12:21
Sorry to hear you are having this problem. I would definitely stick to factory fluid on this one.
By: mastertech1 on 27/07/2011
at 11:43
I have a 1997 Honda CR-V and experienced the shudder problem after the first 4-5 years (48-60,000 miles) when driving between 35 and 45 mph. It was so bad that the dashboard rattled like crazy. The dealer’s mechanics wanted to sell me a new transmission for $5,000, but I opted out. They told me that Honda did not allow them to open up the transmission to find the exact problem. The problem lasted for years, but if I was going to have to change out the transmission, I decided to wait until it quit completely. After about 8-10 years, the problem just about stopped. After I moved to another city, I asked the servicemen at the dealership here to check it out. They said they opened up the transmission (?) and that it would cost less to replace it. The car is now 14 years old, has 160,000 miles. It’s running great.
By: iroshi on 29/07/2011
at 18:30
I have a Honda CRV 2005 with 100,000 miles. Transmission fluid changed flushed regularly and as required by Honda. Transmission squeels under load in 2nd gear.Honda advises to rplace transmission at $3000 cost.
NEVER EVER BUYING HONDA AGAIN. Have had many other repairs ($3000) in 6 years also , making this CRV the most expensive repair cost vehicle ever owned in 40 years of driving.It’s junk.
By: m.warner on 18/08/2011
at 12:08
Update from 28/01/2011: I thought you all might be interested in this – I finally broke down and had Honda take a look at my 2005 CRV. I could tell the cocky service manager, after hearing my story, didn’t buy it. After all, Honda is infallible. But luckily for me, the service repair technician listened carefully and had me take him on a test drive to show him the shudder. Of course, I couldn’t reproduce it during the test drive! But as i was checking out and paying my bill, the technician came over and spoke on condition of anonymity – he had given my CRV a firmware update that he said had transmission updates, although he was unsure what they were. He said the update would have cost me $$$, and slipped it in without reporting it to his manager in hopes it would solve my problem. He had replaced the fluid with Honda transmission fluid, so this was a good test. So far, I haven’t had a problem – the transmission shifts better, is more predictable, and stays in OD more, without the constant downshifting. And this with about 20,000 miles since that fix with no shudder or discernible change in performance. I will report back if there is any change. I wish I could report the firmware version that was installed, but as he snuck this in, nothing was written down. Hope this helps someone.
By: Dale on 13/11/2011
at 11:31
Well, i might as well add myself to your list. My 2002 CRV started shuddering off and on a little less than a year ago. It started at 35 mph, Now at 45 to 50 mph. But only every once in a while. and when I accelerate i can make it go away. SO, my question is, how much longer do I have with this car? I can’t afford to fix. This totally sux and shame on you HONDA!
By: JudyQ on 27/11/2011
at 15:14
No telling, it could last quite a while that way. My advise is to keep up on all maintenance, including transmission flush every 20,000 miles, and keep on driving. No use worrying about things that YOU cannot change.
By: mastertech1 on 17/01/2012
at 12:16
i have honda cr-v 2002 and 1994 accord both has gear problem infact the crv hard to shift gear wath is the solution
By: Daniel olayiwola on 09/12/2011
at 09:58