2015 Honda CR-V: shudder or vibration when accelerating

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 Apr 19, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 33,000 miles · FL

The car stalls while moving slowly in reverse. This is dangerous in two ways. Way one, while moving in reverse the car stalls, and thus I stop moving when I and the people around me thought I would continue. The second way is I often end up reversing more quickly when I feel the car beginning to stall, this keeps the car from stalling but causes me to move in reverse faster than I would like to. This usually happens when the car is started from a cold start (after sitting overnight). . This issue has been happening to me for at least half a year. Not every time I start the car, but at least once a week. I bought the car new in june 2015. Also in general the car shudders significantly while idling in drive. I fear that soon the car may start stalling in drive as well while it is idling. Many people report these same issues online, and a recall should be done before the problem gets worse as the cars age.

Filed Sep 5, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 17,500 miles · FL

Recently took my 2015 honda cr-v for another attempt to fix the issue. Basically, the vehicle will vibrate harshly and shudder as if it will stall with the RPM's dropping to 300-500. It happens in multiple instances- when coming to a stop/stopped in gear, while on the highway going about 60-70 MPH. It feels like the vehicle loses power/is about to stall off. I've been told by honda this is "characteristic" of the vehicle. If that's the case, why didn't they inform me this when purchasing the vehicle? Bad move, honda.

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Fuel system · 11,281 miles · VA

Excessive engine vibration. Cabin vibration 35mph to 45mph. Honda s/b 15-46 mode 3. (software change). This sb corrected this problem. However, another problem arose: at idle, the engine would vacillate back and forth between 750 RPM and 500 RPM. When at 500rpm, it had extreme vibrations. Returned to honda, and they installed a new transmission and radiator mounts as per 112oa2 "repaire procedure driving mode1: radiator lower cushions, tr s/b 15-046.. (transmission motor mount and radiator supports + head rests?) upon lifting the hood, the engine vibrates so much, I could scramble eggs on it. In my opinion, all they did was to use more flexible mounts to0 try and eliminate the vibration transfer to the frame. Now, it vibrates when slowly accelerating like @ 45 MPH, it momentarily shudders/vibrates. Sooner or later, the engine is going to fail.

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 Nov 23, 2015 · Body, Engine · 9 miles · SC

Vibration/shudder/low RPM's. Noticed 2 days after driving the car home from the dealer. Dealer was immediately contacted. Was told to contnue driving the car, that it was probably nothing. Took the car back within 2 weeks of purchase at which time I was told that honda knows about the problem and that there is no soluation at this time. They refussed to replace my brand new honda crv 2015 with a trouble fee car. And to this date (7 months later) they still have no soluation. My car vibrates and shudders all the time the RPM's are low causing a disconnect when engaging the gas peddle. Honda said it's a software problem----which they knew about when they sold me the car---but again---have no solution. Again, the honda crv 2015 vibrates/shudders/low RPM's when its idling or in motion----all the time!!

Filed Oct 21, 2015 · 10 miles · GA

The car has a terrible vibration issue when stopped at a light or in traffic with your foot on the brake and the car in drive. This vibration is felt on the inside throughout the car. Having to place car in n, at stoplights (many are now doing it, and some honda dealers are advocating it ! They also suggest turning the AC on high, turn the lights and radio on, etc.) all of this is very distracting. If one forgets to put the car into d in order to accelerate, he could get rear ended, or get stranded under a light; driving in s, however, one must be very careful doing this in traffic, as the car accelerates very quickly, and it tends to lunge a bit ! In this instance, it is very easy to rear-end a car in front of you. In addition, driving in s cuts fuel economy (I have learned ) about 25-30%. Where did I learn to try s instead of d ? A honda dealer !! So, this idea that this issue is not a potential safety concern is not true for all drivers who are trying to reduce the fatiguing, annoying effects of these vibes, shudders, and shakes.

Filed Sep 12, 2015 · Transmission · 7,300 miles · PA

About 1-2x per month, after car sits for several hours (and power train is cold), vehicle will shudder when first starting out in reverse or drive. This usually occurs when in reverse and riding brake after starting the vehicle. Rpm does drop to about 500 RPM for about a second, making vehicle feel as if it will stall (similar to not giving enough gas with a manual transmission). Engine will then rev slightly above initial idle before returning to normal. Throttle response also diminishes for a few seconds afterward. Dealer found no trouble codes and associated symptoms with idle vibration issue. However, frequency of idle vibration is much more regular with those who have it. Car has not stalled yet but always think it might. My dad has an identical vehicle and has had same shuddering issue, though with much less frequency.

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · Engine, Suspension · 500 miles · PA

Car was purchased on 7/1/15. Approximately 3 weeks after purchase, around 500 miles, the vehicle began experiencing strong vibrations when in drive gear at idle (I.e., stopped at a traffic light). Entire body of car shudders significantly causing discomfort to passengers and nausea in some cases. The problem typically begins after driving the car for 5-10 minutes, and worsens the longer the engine has been running. Honda service says that there is no known fix for this problem, and dealer refuses to provide a refund.

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Engine · 45 miles · MA

The car vibrates and shudders during idle at stops, as well as accelerating and decelerating at various speeds--during the shudder cycle, it feels like the engine could sputter out but it cycles back. This is unacceptable for a new vehicle. Honda has been aware of this defect and is not disclosing it to new buyers, and does not have a fix. Dealer says oh yeah, this is a known issue, and honda is working on it. This is an abomination; the car should not be continued to be sold and owners should have a remedy.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Transmission · 14,123 miles · MD

I have previously complained about the vibration at idle, engine shudders on acceleration, and lack of acceleration on a highway merge on this site, the dealership, and to honda, to no avail. This past weekend, the serpentine belt broke while I was 3 hours away from home. This renders the car unable to drive, and it had to be towed. We experienced strong vibrations in stop and go traffic before I smelled burnt rubber and pulled into a parking lot. Could there be a connection to the vibration, or is this another defect in this vehicle? As I read the posts, it is apparent that honda is not disclosing the known vibrations to the public. This is at the least unethical. Does a fatality have to occur before something will be done?

Filed Jun 16, 2015 · Engine · 45 miles · DE

Vehicle shudders at about 20-25 MPH and again at 40mph and sometimes at higher speeds.