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2018 Honda CR-V transmission problems

64 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 9,500. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
64
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
9,500
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda CR-V transmission problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202027

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Honda CR-V transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 84Hesitation 35Won't shift 11Harsh shifting 9

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Rear Differential SeizureOpened November 28, 2022, closed July 22, 2024

On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Honda’s data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential. Honda stated that the oil seal’s lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicle’s life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packaging process of the parts for transport. Honda also enacted an enhanced visual inspection process both before and after the oil seal installation on the assembly line. Honda stated that in the event of differential failure, the operator can control the vehicle without stability loss. After the drive shafts break due to differential failure, the operator will hear noises and the vehicle will still function as a 2WD vehicle preventing complete loss of motive power. Based on the following factors, ODI is closing this investigation: ·      Information regarding field failures does not indicate hazardous outcomes ·      The failures are occurring early in the life of the vehicle ·      Repairs are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty ·      The vehicle can continue functioning as a 2WD without loss of stability control in the event of failure The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

PE22011

What 2018 Honda CR-V owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WA

The timing chain and camshaft broke the car froze while driving 70 mh. No warning. With about 67000 mi on it. Yes it can be inspected. At risk on the freeway going 70 mph. Was able to coast to the right side before engine locked the wheels. Not able to restart. Towed to an independent garage. They gave a diagnostic test and then opened it up to find timing chain broke and caused camshaft as well as other damages. No warning! Taking it to Moses Lake Honda dealership tomorrow for another evaluation and replace the engine if needed. Low mileage and well maintained! Should have never happened.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · MA

Head gasket problem. Gasoline mixing with oil. My head gasket was fixed but read other reports it could have shut off engine while driving. Most reports say Honda knows about this problem

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · NJ

[XXX] It's security risk, Honda customer service not taking any ownership. Anything happens to my family who is going to take responsibility. Please open case against and help all customers who owns HONDA car. I done what ever honda delears recommanded and paid alomost $2000. Please take some action ASAP anything happens to me or my family then HONDA and the federal safety agency are responsible. Waiting your reply via email and mail as well as Phone call. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · MD

Around 68432miles my 2018 Honda CRV EXL AWD has started getting the problem of "Shutter Grill problem, power reduced" warning light. It often happens on highway speeds after about 75-100 miles of driving on long trips. Its very dangerous once I encounter it in the middle of the highway with reduced power to operate the vehicle safely. Have not encountered this issue in city driving at all. Once I receive this issue, only solution is to safely pull over on the shoulder of the highway, turn the vehicle off. wait 5-10 minutes and then restart the vehicle hoping it will not come again. But on long trips and at highway speeds of 65-75mph It usually comes on again after 30-50 miles again after the restart of the engine. Verified that engine temperature gauge is at normal position when this happens (Please see attached picture for dashboard controls). So that tells me engine is not running hot even though system throws this warning and suddenly reduces the engine power for the driver. American Honda is hiding behind this issue with my car to avoid fixing the Oil dilution problem that I am experiencing as well and I have reported that as part of the federal safety agency complaint number 11756292. To me these two are separate issues those American Honda has to address separately. After American Honda failed to address these issues separately I am bringing both of these issues to the federal safety agency 's attention with hope that American Honda should do the right thing and stand behind their defective product.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

Cylinder head gaskets failure with coolant migrating into the cylinders, available for inspection upon request; Dahl Honda Sheboygan took videos of inspection and liquid in the cylinders. Upon starting the car, the engine sounded strange and sluggish. As I started to drive, engine sounded like it was misfiring. I was able to drive only 10-25 mph (safety issue) from residence to the Dahl dealership (2.8 mi). All electrical warning lights were flashing. I thought it was my battery or a loose connection. They appeared all at once upon starting the car that morning, no prior warning.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

The transmission had a MAJOR failure after a routine trans fluid drain and fill done by Phillipsburg Easton Honda. They tried blaming me and dismissing it as an already compromised transmission. But breaking down on a very busy road and losing all control over a LOCKED up car was terrifying and dangerous. Im just glad nobody was injured. Honda has taken 0 accountability for it and claims they did nothing wrong. This car is only 8 years old. Honda brags about them lasting forever. The CVT transmissions are garbage and now im stuck paying 7k for a replacement. No goodwill offered- no warranty. These are known to be problematic.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Engine, Steering · TX

Hello. We purchased this 2018 Honda CR-V new in 2018 from the local Honda dealer, Honda of Lake Jackson, TX. In the Spring of 2025 the A/C stopped working. We took it to a local shop and they had to replaced the following: Blower motor replaced, blower motor replaced, A/C evaporator replaced, A/C expansion/orifice valve replaced, Heater core replaced. This was around a $3,000 repair. A month or so later in May of 2025 we took the car to the Honda dealer because of steering instability issues. We were advised that the entire Steering Column would need to replaced due to known safety issues (drive shaft can fail completely at highway speeds). The following was repaired at this time: --Rack and pinion replaced, steering gear replaced, valve cover gasket replaced Vehicle was at 61,984 miles at this time. This was a $5,000+ repair. It cost so much that we actually had to take out financing to pay it, which in essence essentially renewed our car payment (car was already paid off at this time). Now for the past 8 months or so we have had a "juddering" issue where you can feel the transmission CTV system jump and jerk as you accelerate to highway speeds. This issue also puts the entire transmission at risk of failure. The Honda dealer here checked the vehicle out and suggested we do a transmission fluid swap. This cost $189 for the "diagnostic fee" and $179 for the swap. So another nearly $400. They did the swap and said that it did not fix the issue and now we need to pay $2800 to have the "Torque convertor" replaced. This is $10,000 plus dollars in repairs, nearly half to cost of the vehicle. This is a ridiculous amount of issues for a vehicle that had only 61,000 miles. We have always had regular maintenance performed also. From what I have read, Honda knows about these issues but has not issued a recall. In addition I've read that "juddering" CTV issue is a known issue in 2015-2018 Honda CR-V's. Needless to say we are not happy with Honda about any of this.

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · IN

All lights shown on monitor. ADAS system would not be functional. Went to dealer and checked for causes. Recommended to replace fuel injector, spark plug, and battery. Since battery was replaced in two months, vehicle only did the checking. However, the condition kept on after a few days. Spark plug was replaced a day before yesterday and the condition came back yesterday. Researched online and seemed like fuel injector needs to be clean or replaced. The repair cost over $2,000 and the condition is not safe. It is often shown up when you park and then going to start.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Transmission · 60,500 miles · TX

The contact’s friend owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. While the friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the transmission sounded clunky while shifting. The vehicle lost functionality. Additionally, while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission shift solenoids(#3) failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was an internal failure with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. In addition, the contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle; however, the failure was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,500.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

Blown head gasket leaked coolant in to cylinder. all warning alarms started rotating across dash, while all driver assist technology was also disabled. car then lost ability to accelerate, but kept running, and we were able to drive about one mile home at about 10mph. We towed car to Honda (it was always maintained by a honda dealership). Honda dealership confirmed blown gasket and replaced gasket and then injectors for $7,600 total repair bill. We did not see or receive the replaced parts. We have since learned that Honda is well aware of this particular design fault of their 1.5 engines from 2016 thru 2023 years. Even independent mechanics know of the trouble, as well as any internet search. we were totally unaware til now!

Questions about the 2018 Honda CR-V transmission

Does the 2018 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 64 complaints about the transmission of the 2018 Honda CR-V, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Honda CR-V transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 9,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Honda CR-V transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Honda CR-V have bad transmission?

The Honda CR-V model years with the most transmission complaints are 2015 (150 complaints), 2017 (145 complaints) and 2013 (95 complaints).

Other 2018 Honda CR-V problems

Fuel system 608Engine 545Driver assistance 448Steering 335Electrical 286Brakes 200Acceleration 65Visibility 43Body 27Seat belts 25Airbags 22Lights 12Wheels 11Tires 9Seats 7Suspension 7Locks 2

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