2014 Honda CR-V acceleration problems

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CA · crash · 2 injuries

I own a 2014 Honda CR-V. Since around November 2022 I have repeatedly experienced an intermittent “bounce” or shudder when accelerating, especially around 20–25 mph and sometimes at higher speeds (around 45 mph and above). The vehicle feels like it briefly loses power or slips before catching again, and the check-engine light has come on and off during this period. I took the vehicle to Stockton Honda (CA) multiple times and consistently reported this bounce/shudder on take-off. Each time, the focus was on brakes, rotors, tires, or other maintenance items. I was never told there might be an engine or timing-chain issue or that the vehicle could be unsafe to drive. The bounce/shudder never went away. I have also been involved in multiple low-speed collisions while taking off from a stop in the past few years, and I am concerned that this hesitation/loss of power may have contributed. In late 2025, Honda of Elk Grove performed a full diagnostic, retrieved a P031 code, and told me the most likely cause is a timing-chain problem. I was advised that the vehicle is not recommended to be driven until the timing chain is replaced because the engine could be severely damaged or fail while driving. The technician refused to take the car on the freeway due to safety concerns. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency is aware that a possible timing-chain defect or failure in 2014 Honda CR-V vehicles can present as a bounce/shudder at low speeds during acceleration, with potential loss of power and increased risk of rear-end collisions, and that this condition may be missed or misdiagnosed by dealers for an extended period.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2014 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at 25-50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's son test-drove the vehicle and experienced the same failure. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal and believed that there was no gasket on the fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer could not recreate the failure with the accelerator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · MA

The automatic transmission in the car causes the vehicle to shake and vibrate when accelerating. The faster the acceleration, the more violent the shaking.The problem seems to be when the car shifts from 3rd gear into the next higher gear(s). There is a significant, sometimes violent, shaking of the entire vehicle when shifting. The effect is that there is no confidence that the vehicle will shift according to the driver's expectations. This creates a situation where the driver can easily become distracted from nearby traffic situations, and easily cause a potentially dangerous consequence. Base on the history of Honda CRVs from 2012-2013 and earlier, this has been a common issue with Honda automatic transmissions in the past. This happens without prior warning (i.e. dashboard warning lights, messages, etc.)

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 42,948 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda cr-v. While the vehicle was in the park position, the gear was placed into drive and the vehicle began to rev up approximately four times. The contact placed the vehicle back into the park position and turned off the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to antrim way honda (located at 200 s antrim way, greencastle, pa 17225, 877‑870‑8241), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,948.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Acceleration · 49,200 miles · CA · crash

My honda cr-v suddenly accelerated without my pedal input while I was turning at about 5 MPH in the parking lot of an outdoor shopping plaza and looking for a parking space. My vehicle accelerated up to 18 MPH before colliding with two parked cars, leading to moderate front-end damage of my vehicle. Dashcam video available at https://youtu.be/t1sxheze74s

Filed Nov 7, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

Bought the car from honda dealership in august of 2018. Second I drove it off the lot vehicle started to have a vibration from the front end of the car. I brought it back 4 days later because of the vibration and burning smell when I pressed on the brakes. I had to get a new axel replaced on the car. After I had to return car again a week later for the exact same vibrations. Yet since then the car still shakes, after bringing it to numerous mechanics the car still shakes. I just brought it back again to the dealership to see again why exactly it is still shaking. I had to get a new differentia for the rear of the vehicle, and that didn't work. I returned it again a week later for fluid and transmission fluid to see if that will work and still persists to shake.

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Acceleration · 34,000 miles · PA

I experienced sudden unintended acceleration of the engine twice over a 3 month period. After driving for approximate 140 milles I pulled into a parking area. After the car stopped the engine immediately reved up to over 3000 RPM. I immediately put the car in neutral and turned off the key. The second time this happened the conditions were similar with the engine reving up to approximately 5000 RPM. In both cases the engine reved up after car was stopped at the end of a long continuous drive. At the end of these events I looked down and verified that my foot was definitely on the brake. After the first event I had the vehicle checked by a reliable mechanic and nothing unusual was found.

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Acceleration · 56,000 miles · MD · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda cr-v. While parking the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, it independently accelerated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into the wall of a restaurant. The driver's and front passenger air bags deployed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Police report number: [xxx] was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 7, 2018 · Acceleration · 34,000 miles · NJ

Car hesitates and then may surge on acceleration, especially from full stop, rolling stop, or low speed, as in highway merging. I suspect the transmission. It is intermittent, at least several times/week from 2017-2018.

Filed Jul 3, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 20,000 miles · PA · crash

Entering a parking space at a local cvs the car self accelerated to a very high speed. The car charged forward . The brakes could not stop the car until it slammed into 2 parked cars on the other side of the store entrance.also, the safety bags did not open. The car was like a raging bull. The car went over 1 parking block crossing over the front of the store ,over another block before stopping.. The accelerator went berserk without any foot on the gas pedal. I am unable to scan any reports electronially