2015 Honda CR-V: CVT failure

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Case #16014967 Topic: Recalls/Campaigns VIN: [XXX] Vehicle Mileage: 64,935 Description: Subject: Transmission Recall Concern – 2015 Honda CR-V CVT Dear American Honda Customer Service / the federal safety agency, I am reporting transmission problems with my 2015 Honda CR-V that appear directly related to the CVT transmission recall and service bulletin for 2015–2016 models. Timeline of Events: • Aug 25, 2025: Vehicle lost battery charge despite a new battery; AAA confirmed battery was good but required a jump. • Oct 29, 2025: Battery failed again; required another jump. • Nov 30, 2025: Battery dead once more; AAA again confirmed battery was good but not charging. After replacement, the car stalled mid-road, “D” light disappeared, and only restarting allowed me to move briefly. • Dec 1, 2025: Mechanic confirmed transmission fluid was fine. Shortly after, vehicle experienced jolts, “D” light disappeared, and car stalled completely near home. It would only move in reverse and had to be rolled back to the mechanic. Diagnostic Results: • P0741 – Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off • P0780 – Shift Malfunction • P0746 – Pressure Control Solenoid A Performance/Stuck Off • P1898 – CVT Drive Pulley Pressure Control Valve Stuck ON/OFF These codes match known CVT transmission issues documented by Honda, including hydraulic pressure regulation failures and belt slippage. My vehicle has never received recall updates or PCM reprogramming, yet it is now showing the exact failures described in Honda’s bulletin. Although my VIN does not currently appear in Honda’s recall database, I request that Honda review my case and extend recall or goodwill coverage, as the defect is clearly present and poses a serious safety risk. I also ask the federal safety agency to record this complaint since my vehicle is excluded despite being the same year/model with identical failures. Please confirm recall eligibility and advise on next steps for repair. I INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Transmission · CA

While driving at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly began to shudder and produce unusual mechanical noise. Within seconds, the car lost all ability to accelerate despite pressing the gas pedal. The vehicle lost power in live traffic and had to be coasted to the side of the road. There were no warning lights, no error codes, and no fluid leaks. This was a sudden, dangerous failure. A family member who is a new driver was operating the vehicle at the time, with passengers on board. This created a serious safety risk to both my family and surrounding drivers. The situation could have resulted in a serious accident if it had occurred on a highway instead of a city street. The problem was diagnosed by a trusted independent repair shop as a complete internal failure of the CVT transmission. They confirmed the component failure occurred without any external damage or signs of neglect. The transmission had to be replaced at significant cost. The component has not been inspected by Honda. However, I have dashcam video showing the moment of failure, including the vehicle shuddering, power loss, and driver reaction. The video clearly shows the dangerous nature of the incident and is available for inspection upon request. To my knowledge, this is a known issue affecting this generation of Honda CR-Vs with CVT transmissions. Honda refused reimbursement assistance despite full documentation, citing the vehicle being out of warranty — even though this is the type of premature mechanical failure their Goodwill Assistance policy is supposed to address. No warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms appeared before the failure.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Engine · CA

On August 1, 2021 and again on February 26, 2022 I had major issues with transmission slipping gears and my 2015 Honda CR-V stalling out on an incline while driving home. This was very dangerous and nearly caused an accident. I had my 8 year old son in the back as well and many cars almost rear-ended me both times. Additionally, i experience VERY rough idling and extremely rough gear changes which lead me to believe there is an issue with my car's transmission, specifically with the CVT system on this car. It continues to feel VERY unsafe and unreliable as i drive it and i am very worried about my safety and the longevity of my cars ability to continue running.

Filed May 23, 2018 · 5,417 miles · MA

Excessive vibration after CVT recall back to honda 4 times not fixed. So much vibration you feel sick when stopped at light.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Seats · TX

Cr-v lx 3.2l CVT transmission14,000 miles I switched from a 2007 toyota rav4 to a 2015 honda cr-v, never considering that I'd deeply regret the decision and be pining for my old rav seats, which were quite comfortable. Sadly, I didn't discover the problem with these incredibly uncomfortable seats until I'd already purchased the car from a private seller. Now I suspect that the low mileage had to do with the uncomfortable seats. There is zero lumbar support or meaningful adjustment on the passenger front seat so it's truly like sitting in a torture device. After 15-20 mins of driving my lower back starts to scream, my butt goes numb and I experience tingling and numbness in my leg. After 30-60 minutes of driving develop a sharp pain in my thoracic region. I've attempted numerous work-arounds in order to make a 13-hour car drive, which I was dreading because of the problems I was experiencing with the seats--just driving around town. The thought of facing an entire day in the honda seemed like a torment. I put a full-seat pad of foam under a sheepskin seat cover. Result: softer but still causing back pain. Then, I put a memory-foam seat on top of the sheepskin cover and inserted a small inflatable lumbar support from relax the back under my lumbar area. With enough tweaking of this arrangement, I'm able to drive without too much misery, but I'm furious that I've had to do this much jerry-rigging on a $30k car. From all the other complaints I've discovered, online, one would think that honda would have the good sense and common decency to correct the myriad problems with their seats, but apparently they're content to have us owners rolling down the road, writhing in pain.

Filed May 19, 2017 · Transmission · 22,179 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 honda cr-v. Each time the vehicle was at a stop sign or traffic light, it vibrated. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and was guided on how to repair the failure. The radiator, lower cussing, tr s-b kit rad mt lower cussing mounting, trans, three bolt, flange, 12 x 35 bolt 12x40 bolt 12x40 mut, flange (12mm) kit, and fr head CVT software were updated. The dealer's report indicated that the PCM may cause pressure issues in the seat vt affecting the driving condition. The technician updated the CVT software as per the service bulletin and replaced the front driver's seat. The repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time and the contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that they were looking into the failure. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified by the technician who was waiting on the solution, but was unable to provide a permanent remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 22,179. Updated 06/29/17*lj updated 08/08/2017

Filed Apr 3, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · PA

2015 honda cr-v. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle vibration problems and transmission/engine acceleration issues. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired but the vibrations did not completely stopped, it only got better. The consumer advised the RPM id the down shift of CVT transmission. Updated 04/03/2017

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Transmission · FL

Honda cr-v 2015 and other years have vibration created by the CVT transmission. The cars RPM's drop at idol and the hole car shakes like a 2.0 earthquake. There are apparently more problems than this but honda is not publicly acknowledge ing the problem. It's been recalled for an alleged computer problem but I suspect they are trying over come the vibration. Coverup. They put new pushings in to tampered vibration. Coverup now dealer wants car back to fix but honda doesn't know how to repair it. Engineering big mistake.

Filed Jan 2, 2016 · 60 miles · MA

When going down a hill, even a small hill, the rpms increase to 3000-3500. The engine whines and the vehicle feels as though it is being held back. If the hill is a long hill, the rpms go down and the vehicle lunges forward and accelerates. This repeats until the end of the hill. At the end of the hill, the final lunge and acceleration is dangerous if there is a stop sign at the end as the vehicle is accelerating. Honda claims that the CVT transmission is supposed to work like that. I feel it is unsafe and do not want to be a statistic in order for honda corporation to fix it. The problem occurs daily since I bought the vehicle.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Engine · 10,000 miles · WA

Vehicle shudders and vibrates under light to moderate acceleration from 15 to 40 MPH. Dealer acknowledges same problem with other 2015 crv vehicles with the CVT transmission. Vehicle must be driven in lower gear ('sport") in order for symptoms to disappear until vehicle reaches 50+ MPH. Dealer says fix must come from honda in the form of a software change.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Body, Engine · 650 miles · NY

I bought a brand new cr-v ex-l based on excellent reviews from consumer reports and edmunds. I expected the car to be perfect. However, honda sold me the defected car without any notice even this defect was known for months. The issue is a vibration during idle. For example, when I stop on the traffic light, the passenger seat starts to shake. If I release breaks vibrations will go away. It is not normal. I noticed this problem 2 months after the purchase (or 600-700 miles). Then I went to the dealer and he told me that honda's engineers were "working on it", no solution was found yet and I had to wait for a further notice. Visible vibrations mean that there is mechanical resonance in the car. An example of destruction due to mechanical resonance would be a collapse of tacoma narrows bridge. Thus, my safety concern is that the car can be damaged structurally. For example, few bolts may come loose and the car may disintegrate during the drive. The problem could be that a newly introduced CVT transmission in honda cr-v 2015 doesn't go along with the engine and they produce excessive vibrations that spread thru a car frame to the seat. Probably, the car wasn't tested properly during design process. Thus, honda engineers overlooked this problem. I have a video file of vibrations but it's too big for upload. Anyway, you can see this issue here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr-yqajrrb8

Filed Oct 4, 2015 · 300 miles · IL

Purchased honda crv awd ex model on sep 30 with CVT transmission, after 300 miles now started seeing engine vibration when in idle or stopped at signal, feel the vibrations on steering wheel, dash board, and passenger seat feels very disturbing. Complained honda but no use.