Honda HR-V won't shift problems

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Transmission · OR

Vehicle: 2016 Honda HR-V Approximate Mileage: 114,400 miles Incident Description: While driving at highway speeds on the freeway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power and dropped into an emergency "limp mode." The vehicle suddenly refused to accelerate and could not maintain highway speeds, forcing me to navigate across active lanes of traffic to the shoulder to avoid being rear-ended. My minor child was present in the vehicle during these instances. This dangerous event has occurred twice, both times on high-speed roadways, presenting an immediate and severe risk of a high-speed collision to myself, my child, and other motorists. This dangerous event has occurred twice, both times on high-speed roadways, presenting an immediate and severe risk of a high-speed collision to myself, my child, and other motorists. A diagnostic scan of the vehicle's OBD-II system revealed error code P271E, which indicates Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) steel belt deterioration. This is a known, documented engineering defect with the metal drive belt fracturing inside the transmission, as outlined in Honda's official Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-047. Because the vehicle completely loses propulsion without warning in live traffic due to a known manufacturing flaw, this constitutes an extreme, life-threatening safety hazard. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this component failure, as the current time-limited warranty extension does not adequately protect owners from sudden, dangerous highway failures of this defective drivetrain.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Transmission · TX

CVT has gone into safety/limp mode. June 7 2026 First sign was the EPB not releasing. Became drivable after warm up period. Replaced EPB switch and vehicle drove normally. There was still a parking brake caution light. On July 12, 2026 the issue repeated. This time the check engine light and transmission light have come on. Had it diagnosed at a mechanic and they found transmission codes: P0717 – Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal P0843 – Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit High P0796 – Pressure Control Solenoid "C" Performance or Stuck OFF P0717 – CVT Input Shaft (Drive Pulley) Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal ABS Module Codes: 83-16 – Malfunction of Shift Position Signal 83-14 – Malfunction of Electric Parking Brake System Electric Parking Brake Module Codes: U0401-68 – Invalid Data Received from Powertrain Control Module (PCM) U0402-68 – Invalid Data Received from Transmission Control Module (TCM) CVT and rear diff fluid appear dirty and burned. Apparently there was a TSB issued that extended the CVT warranty to 7 years or 150,000 miles. We did not receive that notice. We purchased the vehicle used from Honda in 2019. Currently has a total of 39,831 miles. Mechanic is recommending replacement of CVT system for approximately $11,000. The value of the vehicle with repairs is only about $14,000 We were lucky that this occurred parked at our house. Had it occurred while driving, it would have caused immediate stop in traffic with no brake lights lit. Honda knew there was an issue with the CVT drive belt and the PCM. Honda really should have made the effort to communicate this issue to customers and extend the warranty based on mileage rather than years of service. Needing a new CVT at less than 40K miles of light driving is not reasonable wear and tear. Unfortunately, this has likely ended our 40 year history of purchasing Honda autos.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Car went into limp mode far from home. Lots of lights on the dash lit up. I scanned the OBD and it came back with code P271E to replace the automatic transmission assembly. This was confirmed by a transmission repair shop. This is a known issue by Honda and they have issued service bulletins 21-046 and 21-047. However, my vehicle is outside of the warranty extension and they will not provide assistance with the repair.

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Transmission · FL

While traveling on a highway at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of motive power. At the same time, the dashboard illuminated multiple warning lights simultaneously and the vehicle entered limp mode without warning. The vehicle rapidly decelerated and was unable to maintain speed with surrounding traffic. This created an immediate and serious safety hazard and nearly resulted in a collision, as vehicles behind were approaching at highway speed. The driver was forced to make an emergency maneuver to reach the shoulder and stop to avoid a crash. After this incident, the vehicle was parked and not driven. Several days later, the vehicle would start and shift normally, but would not move in Drive, Reverse, or any gear. The gear selector moves and the gear indicator changes, but the vehicle does not engage or move at all. The engine revs normally with no propulsion. This condition is consistent and reproducible. The failure appears to involve the continuously variable transmission (CVT) or an internal drivetrain component. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This defect posed a significant risk to the safety of the driver and other motorists due to the sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed and the inability to safely maintain speed or clear traffic. The later total loss of drive further increases the risk of becoming stranded in unsafe locations such as roadways or intersections. A Honda dealership was contacted but did not provide a resolution. No repairs have been performed. No collision occurred. No police report filed.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Transmission · WA

.While driving my car on a two lane 50mph highway my car began lurching but the engine was running at a high rpm with no power. I had a shoulder to pull off on so I did. The engine never stalled but would not go into gear. There were six lights that lit up on the instrument safety panel as well as the transmission indicator light was flashing with no clear indication as to what gear it was in. After sitting along side the road waiting for a ride the car had cooled off. I was able to restart the car and move it to a safe location with the aid of a pilot car. After inspection at the local Honda shop it was determined that the CVT transmission had failed. I have been a reliable owner and have taken this vehicle for every service recommendation but was never warned that this could happen until it failed. Then was told that they were surprised I had gotten as many miles as I had (160,000). I was fortunate to have been in a spot to pull off the road when this occurred. Had I been on my usual travel rout on a 70mph 4 lane freeway I feel I would have been a huge safety concern to myself and others! I also feel that if I had been warned that this could occur or have had some warning As to what was occurring, I would have included this as a repair at a time when I was more able to absorb the extensive cost! ( almost $10,000 ) As well as avoided the safety issues involved.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Transmission · NC

On or about June of 2024 my vehicle just lost power and was in limp mode. Took it to the dealership. Said there was a recall on a computer program for the cvt transmission that needed updating so the transmission wouldn't break. They did the recall but transmission was already broke. I bought the car July 2023 and was unaware of any issues or recalls and didn't receive nothing in the mail to advise if a recall to prevent the cvt transmission from breaking. I'm still paying on the car and can't drive it because the cvt transmission is broke from a recall that was not fixed and I didn't get anything letting me know to get it fixed. Said the recall would fix a broke transmission under 7 years or 150000 miles. Well the car was 1 year over but I was never aware of a recall and didn't receive any notice of a recall.

Filed Feb 18, 2025 · Transmission · 97,639 miles · TX

I was driving on the highway and suddenly my 2018 Honda HRV had a power failure, with the dash flashing and loss of acceleration. Luckily, I was able to coast off the highway with hazards on. After numerous power cycles, I was able to get the car into limp mode but could not go over 30mph. I took it to the dealer and was diagnosed to be the known Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) issue. My car is in great condition, with only 97k miles. I was at the dealership only a week before for the fuel injector recall, and this transmission issue was not mentioned. According to Service Bulletin 21-0467, the extended warranty to cover the CVT defect covers 7 years and 150k miles -- unfortunately, my car was is an 7 years and 1 month old according to the "delivery date" in Honda's system. I am still trying to verify this claim. I was denied all warranty and goodwill from Honda and quoted over $10,000 for the repair. I called the corporate contact (America Honda Motor Co.) to no avail. Both the dealer and corporate offices deny any liability for a known defect, after having brought the car to their service center just days before the warranty allegedly ended.

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Transmission · MO

I was driving it, it went into a limp mode. I could not accelerate. My dash light up flashing all different warning signs. Then put me at a complete stop and in permanent park with 6 or 7 dash lights on for my breaking system. When I was able to get it serviced they found I had complete transmission failure.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · KY

This vehicle has some serious acceleration problems. Not only has this vehicle gone into limp mode on me on a very busy city road when it was only a couple of weeks old, but it also takes FOREVER for it to accelerate when pulling into traffic or while going up a hill. I have to press the gas pedal all the way down to the floor and still get nothing until I let up and press the gas again. I have had problems where the car will "spudder" and almost die as I'm exiting the highway coming to a stop and today it actually did completely die as I exited the highway and came to a stop at a red light. No check engine light or anything.

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Transmission · TX

Driving 80 mph on the freeway and the car entered limp mode, decelerated to 40 mph with all lights illuminated on the dash. All signs pointed to the CVT belt deterioration that is plaguing this make and model vehicle. Towed 100 miles to the same Honda Service department that performed the recall earlier this year and they were supposed to have inspected for metal fragments in the engine. I informed the mechanic of the service bulletin and warranty extension, as they were entirely oblivious to it. Told them to check for metal shavings. They run diagnostics, and recommend a transmission flush. I say, ok, but send me a picture if you find the metal shavings in the plug. They perform flush- reboots the computer and yet again, all the lights come back on the dash. Finally they pull the transmission oil plug to find…….metal shavings. Car is at 112,000 miles and nearing the end of the 7 year extended warranty. Not at all what I was expecting from a Honda.