Honda CR-V shudder problems

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NY

On May 25th, 2026 multiple dashboard warning lights flashed simultaneously while I was driving indicating an immediate engine issue, all warning alerts showed up. Next day, the engine exhibited a structural shudder/shake. The vehicle has otherwise always been perfectly maintained and operated flawlessly, thus, I called the dealership/ they gave me an appointment for the next day, after their inspection, they said that they need to replace the head gasket, timing chain set, and fuel injectors simultaneously; i learnt the imminent safety hazard i was exposed to! Operating a vehicle with an active internal fluid leak and compromised cylinder sealing creates an unpredictable driving hazard, putting occupants at risk of being stranded or rear-ended due to sudden engine failure. This proves that this is a systemic thermal defect affecting the structural integrity of the 1.5L turbo powertrain. The dealership stated the vehicle requires a top-end engine rebuild, specifically: a head gasket, spark plugs, fuel injectors, and a timing chain set. This is unacceptable given that my car is only 58.8K miles. I purchased the car brand new and always take good care, this issue is putting tens of thousands of dollars at financial risk! Now, on top of that, they want me to pay around $ 6,000 thousand dollars for a well-documented 1.5L engineering defect. This will destroy my trust in the brand and guarantee I will never buy a Honda again. This should be a safety recall, and why must I pay for their manufacture's issue? Is not fair.

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 Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · NH

Transmission shudders on acceleration at low speeds up to 40 mph

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30–40 MPH, the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed it with transmission failure. The independent mechanic flushed the transmission fluid; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure was persistent. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Body · 32,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly started to shudder abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the hood needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

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 Jul 18, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

I was traveling on the highway when suddenly my car started shuddering and slowing down. It was heavy traffic and difficult to navigate to the right shoulder, and my car was nearly hit by a semi-truck. The engine was misfiring and the engine light blinking yellow. I was able to turn off and restart my car and make it home. The mechanic initially thought the issue was old spark plugs and ignition coils. Replacing them didn’t help. I was again on a highway when the issue happened again. I brought the car to the dealership and they said the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. I spent over $2k to replace them on 7/7/25. The problem hasn’t happened since.

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 Jun 3, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AL

The Honda CRV is skipping/stuttering/juddering when accelerating between 25-45 mph. This has caused an issue when pulling out onto a highway. The mechanic advised me to have the VTC Actuator checked. Looking on line there is not a recall, but there are several safety bulletins and lawsuits connected to this issue. My vehicle was purchased used.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Engine · 60,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the front end of the vehicle was shuddering. No warning light was illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed an oil leak into the engine air filter. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to a second local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.