Good Day On XXX, my 2020 Honda CR-V EX, VIN [XXX], was shifted into Park. With no warning lights or messages, the vehicle rolled forward on its own and struck the rear of another parked vehicle. No damage to the vehicles. This was not the first occurrence. Before this event I noticed the vehicle moving after being placed in Park. Before the collision the vehicle showed zero unrepaired recalls under this VIN. Other owners of 2020 CR-V vehicles have filed reports of the same failure, including a report filed XXX describing a 2020 CR-V roll backward while the transmission was in Park with the electronic parking brake engaged, and a report filed XXX describing a parked 2020 CR-V rolling away and striking trees. A XXX report on a 2019 CR-V describes the vehicle rolling forward while in Park. I am requesting an investigation into whether the parking pawl, shift cable assembly, or transmission range sensor fails to hold the vehicle in Park. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2020 Honda CR-V transmission problems
21 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 11,500. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 11,500
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda CR-V transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Honda CR-V transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Rear Differential Seizure
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 vehicleâs 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. Hondaâs 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 sealâs 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 vehicleâs life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturerâs 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 manufacturerâs 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 2020 Honda CR-V owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The check-engine light comes on immediately before the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate. While driving, including at highway speeds, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal propulsion and the vehicle loses motive power. If I pull over, turn the vehicle completely off and restart it, the check-engine light clears and normal acceleration returns. The problem is intermittent and has occurred more than once. The dealership has previously been unable to identify the cause because the vehicle operates normally after restarting.
While driving at highway speeds, my steering wheel physically binds, catches and then suddenly jerks when trying to make normal adjustments. This creates an unpredictable control hazard. This is similar to the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑744 and Honda TSB 24-011. The internal steering gearbox is binding due to the same design & manufacturing tolerances.
Vehicle has only 100,395 miles on it (Hondas are know for being long lasting), vehicle was burning radiator fluid and repair for new head gasket and cylinder head is over $6300! Hondas are known to last a long time, a 2020 model with 100,000 needing a repair that is nearly half the value of the vehicle is shocking - i have seen similar complaints online and want to file my complaint officially.
In November 2025 a new transmission was installed Curry Honda in Atlanta GA on my 2020 Honda CR-V. The new transmission came with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. In March 2026 my vehicle broke down and was towed to Tameron Honda in Daphne Al where a speed sensor was replaced at my expense of 388.44. The adaptive cruise control was not working prior to this repair. Within two weeks the vehicle experienced further issues and had to be driven in a compromised condition back to Curry Honda in Atlanta where the transmission wire harness was diagnosed as corroded and replaced at a cost of 1696.99. My vehicle has been garage-kept its entire life except when in the care of a dealership. Corrosion on a recently replaced transmission in a garage-kept vehicle cannot be attributed to environmental exposure or owner neglect. It points directly to a defective part of improper installation at Curry Honda. These failures occurred within months of a new transmission installation with no prior history of issues. I believe this is a safety defect as the vehicle broke down unexpectedly and had to be driven in a compromised condition posing a safety risk.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact researched and became aware of an unstated recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
My car lost roughly half its power while traveling in heavy traffic on the interstate. The engine light in the lower left hand corner of the dash began blinking at the same time. I was able to get off the interstate whereupon I turned the car off and then restarted it. This cured the problem and it has not happened in the week since. No one has inspected the problem, but I have an appointment with the dealer on November 4, 2025.
Recently ([XXX]) my wife was left stranded away from home when our 2020 CR-V started but would not go into any gear and had multiple warning messages about system failures including brake system problem (No Working Brakes), electric parking brake problem, tire pressure monitor problem, transmission system problem and auto engine idle stop system problem. If she had removed the [XXX] that cut the wires while driving the brakes would have stopped working. She had to call for a tow truck to take her to the Honda dealer. The Honda Technician found that wires running under the rear view mirror had been cut by the [XXX] she uses causing a short and a malfunction of the computer system. The repair cost was $2451. This is an obvious design flaw by Honda. My wife is a [XXX] and all [XXX] are designed to hang over the rear view mirror. Honda should not have left exposed wires there under the rearview mirror, they should have been enclosed and protected. Anyone using a [XXX] is at risk of cutting these wires which makes the vehicle undriveable. [XXX] people are most at risk of being stranded. Anyone with a 2020 Honda CR-V and using a [XXX] should be warned about this problem immediately. Our vehicle was repaired at Honda of Stevens Creek in San Jose CA and the repair bill was $2451. The technician even did a video showing how the [XXX] cut the wire. We request that Honda reimburse us for our repair cost of $2451 and for Honda to fix this issue before more [XXX] people are left stranded.
"ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROBLEM" notification appears on dashboard of 2020 Honda CRV. Dashboard also indicates only FWD is operational rather than AWD which should be operational all the time. Honda Service Bulletin 23-031 dated April 7, 2023 states corrective action is to replace the rear differential pump motor. Per online postings this is a common problem with the 2020/2021 Honda CRV.
While driving down the freeway at around 60 mph, I sharply accelerated to negotiate traffic and my vehicle lost power and the check engine light was flashing. I was able to roll to an exit ramp where i could barely get up a slight incline. I was able to get out of traffic but at speed of less than 5 mph. It sounded like the vehicle was running on two cylinders. I pulled over and turned the car off. I was able to re-start the car after which it ran normally. I went directly to the dealership where they were unable to reproduce or diagnose the issue.
Questions about the 2020 Honda CR-V transmission
Does the 2020 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 Honda CR-V, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Honda CR-V transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 11,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 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 2020 Honda CR-V problems
Driver assistance 77Fuel system 49Airbags 47Steering 45Electrical 44Engine 40Brakes 33Acceleration 12Seat belts 10Visibility 9Body 7Lights 7Seats 4Tires 4Suspension 3Wheels 3
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2020 Honda CR-V?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history