2013 Honda CR-V Power Train

The AWD light came on while the vehicle was in normal operation on October 25, 2025. Two days later, a diagnostic service was done at Bay Ridge Honda (Bay Ridge Honda did not previously worked on my vehicle), and it was determined that the rear differential on my vehicle failed. A differential is quite durable and does not fail easily. The mechanic who performed the diagnostic, stated that it looked like someone tried to repair it. In addition, an independent mechanic confirmed that the damage occurred as a result of improper service at a Honda dealership. Because of the failure, I also noticed the rear of the vehicle seemed to be dragging. The failure occurred after the vehicle had been serviced at authorized Honda dealerships, Plaza Honda and Middletown Honda. Those are the only two places where routine and repair services have been performed on my vehicle. This created a safety hazard because a failed differential can lead to loss of vehicle control, putting the safety and lives of others and myself at risk. I'm concerned that improper workmanship caused the failure. Since I don't know which dealership is responsible, I reached out to American Honda Motor Co, Inc. for assistance, but they have not provided a satisfactory resolution and insisted that I resolve the issue with both dealerships. I'm requesting that NHTSA investigate and document if improper servicing contributed to the differential failure.

VTC Actuator causes engine to rattle loudly at cold start-up for about 2 seconds. The problem has been confirmed by dealer Honda service bulletin 16-012.

VTC problems. Too many not to start a recall. Very expensive.

The VTC Actuator in several Honda vehicle models from between 2011 and 2015 are known to be defective (as per Honda's technician bulletins). The defective part damages the internal engine components responsible for ensuring the engine's timing. Honda has refused to issue recalls to address this issue faced by millions of Honda vehicle owners. Honda has known about this issue since at least 2011. Honda released a replacement VTC Actuator but the replacement has also been shown to be defective. The issue can cost upwards of $2,000 to repair and Honda continues to sell vehicles with this defect without notifying prospective buyers. I would not have purchased my 2013 Honda CR-V in January, 2024 had I been notified of this serious defect. Please see the attached file for more information.

Transmission stutters between 35-45 mph.

Car shudders when accelerating at 20-25 mph. I had gotten this looked at and fixed about 2-3 years ago per two recalls and it had resolved. Just recently I noticed it started up again.

Powertrain problem as many others stated. I got the vehicle used after extensive research claiming how great it was & because I've owned an Accord for over 20 years with no problems. All I could find on line was rave reviews. When I took the vehicle for test drive it was in the middle of rush hour traffic so went on side roads. I could feel it shake but thought the roads were just not smooth. Within a few days the shaking got worse and brought it to the most reputable service station in the area. I was told it was a transmission judder. They ran a check and there was no recall on my vin # although they found that it was a known problem with Honda. They performed a TBS transmission flash update, hoping it might solve the problem. That was only 1/2 the repair required. Because it was a transmission problem, they recommended Honda do that. Honda also said the my vin wasn't supposed to have the problem and charged me for a triple flush of the transmission fluid because the way it's built, enough of the fluid can't be replaced in one flush. It's somewhat better now but I was told to keep paying attention because it's possible the converter will also need to be repaired. I'm so disappointed with Honda. I always trusted them and all the great reviews on line, but it wasn't until I was told to specifically google "Honda CRV transmission judder or shutter", that I found the flood of many owners that had the same problem. They know about the issue yet charged close to $500 for the flush, not counting the over $300 flash update by the service station also needed. Honda just claims some vin numbers don't qualify even though they have the issue, but they don't explain what determines that disqualification. Just "Sorry Mam, your vin isn't on the list. The car is not safe with that shake. It jumps when trying to slow down for a yellow light. You can feel it shake & hurts my injured back- the reason I got it in the 1st place.

At low speed when transmission is shifting I feel a shudder. I took it to a qualified mechanic whom I trust and he said he needed to do a power flush on the transmission. He did so then about 2 weeks later it started again. I took it back and at that time it did not do what I said. I just bought this vehicle used in November 2022. It has 85,000 miles on it. I take an elderly neighbor (88) to the store etc. as she no longer drives and I feel that I am putting her life at risk when we are going to the store. I am retired and cannot afford to have the transmission replaced. Please help. No warnings.

Power train judders at low acceleration at speed of 20-25 mph. Mileage is ~86,000. Car make is 4/2013, complaint made 10/2022

ACCELERATING FROM 25 TO 30 MPH VEHICLE SHUDDERS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THIS IS DISTRACTING AND I AM FEARFUL THAT ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION WILL QUIT WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS 13,000 MILES.

Transmission has a shake at 25-35 mph when accelerating. Fixed 1st time under warranty. Started again after warranty expired. Then happened a third time. Now they say I need to pay for a torque converter. Known issue from mechanics and complaints on internet.

My 2013 Honda CR-V EXL AWD started shuttering at slow take off speed just before shifting into 2nd gear and just before 3rd gear. It had around 76,000 miles on it. Looked up forums about this and contacted dealership to make appointment. On 06/20/2022 I had the transmission flushed and new fluid and they said that was the first thing that they would recommend to do. They said no software update was available. Solution lasted only a week. The shutter started back so I checked fluid and it appeared low so I took back to dealership and yes I checked after it was warm, when I got it to dealership it was at the right level, puzzling maybe it wasn’t on level surface when I checked ,nonetheless, I told them the shutter was back and they said it sounded like torque converter was bad and needed replacement but they didn’t have time to do a diagnosis and it would cost me to get diagnosed. I’ll have to get another appointment. The very next day the shutter is way worse than before and it made a weird noise in reverse. This shutter is dangerous not only is it a distraction but if you pull out in front of someone thinking you have enough time and this occurs it could cause a life threatening problem. I hope Honda will recall for this issue. I’ve seen where it has been and still is an issue for several year models not only 2013.

Transmission jerks at 30 to 40 miles per hour and at 40 miles per hour i experience high vibration within the car. I know of 3 other people with a 2012 and 2013 CR-V with the same problems.

The contact's mother owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact's mother informed him that she had experienced hesitation between shifting gear and the indication shown on the gear selector. There was no warning light illuminated. His mother also informed him that the vehicle would stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and they informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V143000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The car periodically shudders during acceleration on smooth road services over the last 2 years. Initially, I thought the vibration was due to changes in road surface. However, I notice the vibration or shuddering occurs with acceleration-in 2nd or 3rd gear. When I take my foot off the gas pedal, the vibration/shuddering disappears. Other family members were telling me this is a transmission problem when this problem first occurred. On Honda vehicle blogs, I see this complaint is echoed by other 2013 Honda CRV owners. I contacted Honda today. They told me there is no national campaign or recall for my vehicle regarding this issue. They will create a case for this complaint but at this time, they will not offer me assistance with the repair. CRV's from other model years have had this issue and recalls were initiated. Please offer me the same support from Honda for the same problem. Years ago, we had a 1991 Honda Accord that developed a transmission problem. We arranged for the repair of the transmission. Years later we found out there was a recall for the same issue for which we were not notified. After many calls and letters, Honda eventually reimbursed us for that repair. Please assist us with our current problem. Thank you.

The Honda CR-V shudders under light acceleration between 25 and 35 MPH. This problem seems endemic to all generations of Honda CR-V's, not just mine, and apparently Honda has known about this for some time but hasn't informed owners, just dealers. It should have been part of a recall paid for by Honda. I just found out about it recently, after 8 years of ownership

The contact owns a 2013 HONDA CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle would vibrate without warning. The vibration would stop once the contact began to drive above 25 MPH. The contact had taken the vehicle to two separate independent mechanics who were unable to diagnose the failure. The contact had minor repairs performed on the vehicle by each mechanic; however, the failure persisted after each repair. The dealer nor the manufacturer have yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

MY GEAR SHIFTER MOVES FORWARD WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE SIDE RELEASE WITH MINIMAL FORCE. I AM CONCERNED THAT A CHILD OR SOMEONE REACHING ACROSS CONSOLE COULD PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING WHEN I PRESSED THE SHIFTER INADVERTENTLY WITH MINIMAL FORCE,. MY VEHICLE REPORT STATES THAT THERE ARE NO UNREPAIRED ITEMS WHEN I CHECKED NHTSA WHICH PROMPTED MY REPORT,

EVERY TIME MY CAR ACCELERATES IT SHAKES AND SPUTTERS AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF UNTIL I REACH A SPEED OVER 20 MPH. THIS HAPPENS AT THE INITIAL START OF A DRIVE AND ANY TIME I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.

THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND SHAKES UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS.

VTC ACTUATOR ISSUE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN 16-012. THIS SHOULD BE A PRODUCT RECALL FROM HONDA. *TR

TORQUE CONVERTER ON TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 66,000 MILES ALTHOUGH SYSTEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, BUT JUST NOW DIAGNOSED

HAD VTC REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS BACK DUE TO IT BEING DEFECTIVE, AND THE REPLACEMENT IS SHOWING IDENTICAL DEFECT THIS YEAR IN 2020. THE LOUD RATTLING SYMPTOM OCCURS UPON START UP EVEN IF THE CAR HAS BEEN OFF FOR ONLY AN HOUR. *TR

IN LOW ACCELERATION VEHICLE SHUDDERS, I NEED TO EITHER I NEED TO CHANGE THE GEAR TO D3 OR NEED TO TAKE OUT MY LEG FROM SPEEDING PEDDLE. IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I TRIED WITH ECO MODE OFF AS WELL, STILL THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS HAPPENING FROM SEVERAL YEARS.

THE CAR SEEMS TO INTERMITTENTLY WOBBLE OR VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS TESTED AND PURCHASED NEW TIRES. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE DEALER UPGRADE THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE WHICH COSTS $250. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TESTED THIS OVER CLEAN, NEW ROADS AND THE VIBRATING CONTINUES. THIS HAS CONTINUED FOR MONTHS. *TR