2014 Honda CR-V: hesitation when accelerating

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 May 26, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

Purchased our 2014 CR-V [XXX], used one owner, 55301 mileage. Very little driving the next three years due to the pandemic. Summer of 2023 we were driving from Buffalo to [XXX] , first 30 miles, severe hesitation, amber lights on, until reaching 70mph. Hesitation stopped but lights stayed on. By August the TPMS indicator, malfunction indicator lamp and other lights came on, again. We reset according to the manual, but this was just the beginning of this process happening over and over again. During dealer testing Code PO 341 came up. Had it tested at another place before taking it to West Herr Honda and was told needed Timing chain replacement with VTC. This was done at a cost of $2232.06 with car mileage of 63159. We were sad and disappointed. Research shows that Honda is very much aware of over 500 plus recorded problems with the 2014 CR-V not to mention unreported problems. The model should be recalled before lives are lost. Car still hesitates but evidently due to a different problem. 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 Sep 7, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · MA

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 2014-2017. Honda won't address it because they say they can't replicate it.

Filed Mar 5, 2016 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · MN

My car was on a freeway going approximately 55 MPH driving in economy mode. I was on my bluetooth and I had not changed lanes. Sometime during this 2 minute phone call I had accelerated as I had traffic entering from my right and felt the car shift into a higher gear. I ended my phone call abruptly as my car was acting up and not running smoothly. It may have been hesitating. I realized my car just kept accelerating and out of my control. I put my foot on the brake and it would slow the car, but it didn't slow the engine motor. I would alternate putting my foot on the break and tapping the accelerator and back to brake pedal again. There was no give on the accelerator--like it was stuck to the floor. After about 3 or 4 of these attempts to gain control, I had control of the accelerator again and exited at the next exit. When the car was still moving and I was off the freeway, I reached down to make sure my floor mat was in place and it was. I then drove it to the nearest honda dealer and left it there. Since it is the weekend they won't be looking at it until next week.

Filed Mar 3, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 15,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda cr-v. The contact stated when the vehicle jerked after a complete stop and during acceleration the vehicle hesitated then jerked. In addition, the contact stated that vehicle's alarm activated and failed to deactivate. As a result, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alarm module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The technician could not determine the failure of the vehicle jerking. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Updated 04/20/16*lj the consumer stated the transmission was replaced in march 2016. Updated 03/22/17.

Filed Apr 20, 2015 · Electrical · 60 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda cr-v. Upon turning the key in the ignition switch, the instrument panel gauges and all the warning lights flickered. The contact stated that the key hesitated to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition wiring harness connector frayed causing a loss of connection to the computer or instrument cluster. The technician stated that further diagnostic testing was required in order to determine the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v004000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60. Updated 10/06/2017

Filed Nov 28, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 100 miles · IL

Car hesitates randomly from dead stop. Starts off at about 2 MPH and does not accelerate until 5 to 10 seconds even though you are pressing on gas pedal. Honda has no explanation for the random occurrence. This has happened to me at least 20 times. Does not show up on computer diagnostics. Replaced 2014 cr-v after 10 weeks with 2015 cr-v. 2015 model has different issues. No more hondas!!! Took a big financial hit on replacing a 2014 cr-v after 10 weeks with a 2015 cr-v. Car too dangerous to drive.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 125 miles · CA

Our 2014 honda cr-v (picked up the car 11/14/14) has a problem with hesitation during acceleration. Had 125 miles on the cr-v when the incident occurred in a local shopping center. After entering the center and going about 15 MPH I stepped on the gas pedal and nothing. After a few seconds as I gently again pressed down on the accelerator the vehicle lurched forward. Scared the heck out of my wife and I. I hit the brakes. Then slowly pressed down on the gas pedal and the car responded okay. We went another 200 feet or so and was making a turn into a parking aisle when it did it again. Two people crossing the lot came close to being hit. This is very dangerous and unsafe. We will be returning to the dealership and want this fixed before someone is seriously hurt or worse.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Acceleration · 300 miles · CA

Summary: my honda cr-v has a problem with hesitation during acceleration after a pause (let off the gas for a second). This problem is a few seconds delay between the time I let off the gas and the time the vehicle actually accelerates. I have had two very close calls. The problem occurs mostly around 15 to 20 MPH. But has occurred at 65 MPH. At 65 I let off the gas, slowed to 60 then tried to accelerate but continued to slow down to 52 before the car accelerated. I've talked with the service manager, mike sheets, at ocean honda, ca. He has acknowledged that there is a problem but states that they can do nothing until they get an s.b. From honda.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 250 miles · NC

Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from stop. This has happened several times when pulling into or across traffic. The hesitation is momentary but could be very dangerous.

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 1,406 miles · GA

My honda crv has a problem with hesitation on acceleration that seems to be caused by the computer safety feature that keeps the engine from accelerating or running away when the brake is applied. This feature has a few second delay between the time the brake is released and the engine accelerating. When this happens while pulling into traffic it could cause an accident. If is especially noticeable while driving on mountain roads where you need to touch the brakes and then accelerate. The vehicle has been taken to sons honda, mcdonough, ga twice and they have found no problem with the car. They have acknowledged that there is a problem but state that they have no answer on how to repair it. I have written to honda regarding this problem but have not head anything from them.