2014 Honda CR-V: shudder or vibration 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 Feb 28, 2024 · Transmission · OH

There is a known issue with 2014 Honda CRV torque converters. My car has always had a funky shift which Honda told me it was just the new CVT transmission. Then back in August my mother drive my car and said that was not correct. I took it to Honda and they said it was the torque converter. It is causing my vehicle to become undrivable with out feeling safe. It judders, shakes and doesn't shift properly. I contacted Honda and they acknowledge that it is a known issue with their CVT transmission. They currently have 1200 orders for torque converters on back order that shows you how much of an issue that this is.

Filed Oct 20, 2023 · Transmission · IL

Known Honda issue- tsb a15-086 Software update and trans fluid change in 2018 due to car juddering with light acceleration, did not fix problem. 10/20/23 car was road tested and concern was present. Needs new torque converter to fix original concern

Filed Aug 19, 2023 · Transmission · IA

Transmission shudders at speeds between 20-30 mph.

Filed Jun 22, 2023 · Transmission · MD

At around 70,000 miles vehicle started to shudder when accelerating lightly between 20-35MPH. The problem would occur intermittently. This has been getting steadily worse with age and milage. At present the vehicle has 85,000 miles and the shuddering occurs to some degree with each take-off from standing start between 20-40MPH. I changed the transmission fluid with the OEM manufacturer's type, and the problem recurred after a few months. I have not received a recall notice from the manufacturer, or returned the car to the dealer for service.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Transmission · NY

Drive train is malfunctioning. Safety risk unknown. Vehicle subject to "juddering." Honda Technical Service Bulletin 10-086 dated May 25, 2017 (superseding HSB 15-086 dated August 18, 2016) Entitled "Vibration While Driving Under Light Acceleration" presumably issued to dealers. Dealers were advised to update A/T software "at the customer's request." Also, transmission fluid to be replaced. I have an appointment with Ide Honda on June 26, 2023 for an assessment of juddering problem. There is no indication in the service records that the A/T software update was ever performed. However, the subject vehicle was sold to the previous owner as a "Honda Certified Pre-Owned" automobile. No warning lamps are showing.

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · GA

This Honda CRV has less than 100k miles and the transmission has a faulty actuator the car shudders between acceleration 20-40 mph. As a consumer I feel that I have been taken advantage of if Honda doesn't issue a recall to this problem. You guys need to issue a recall on this problem. I did not buy a bag of Cheetos it is a lot of money that I paid for this car $23k so the car maker responsibility to correct the problem that I have noticed a lot of customers have. Thank you

Filed Aug 31, 2022 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while accelerating from first to second gear at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle would shudder. The contact stated that the shuddering diminished while the vehicle was accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed May 11, 2022 · Transmission · MA

Torque converter issues / shuddering when going from 2nd to 3rd gear

Filed Mar 27, 2022 · FL

Transmission Shudders, vibrates, rumbles, shakes around 25mph and then again around 40mph

Filed Sep 21, 2021 · Transmission · OH

The transmission shudders and shakes under light acceleration at speed 20-30 mph. looks like this is a known issue by Honda. check the bulletin (15-086 and 17-040) (the document says : the warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first.) There are service bulletins out from Honda with corrective actions to be taken Honda wants to charge to perform the fix with no guarantee it will solve the known problem.

Filed Apr 27, 2021 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · MD

My 2014 honda crv seems to shudder around 23 to 35 MPH at slow acceleration. This has been going on for a good while now. I changed the fluid transmission fluid and still no changes, it still has an hard shudder.